What is it?
The HBS-800 is the latest offering of Bluetooth stereo headphones in the LG Tone+ line.
What does it do?
The HBS-800 allows you to listen to music and answer calls on the go while delivering crisp stereo sound for a decent price.
What’s wrong with it?
While the HBS-800 is a solid and affordable Bluetooth headset, it does have its fair share of issues. The first issue is its limited range. We all know that most Bluetooth headsets have a range of roughly 20-30 feet. The HBS-800 starts to degrade around 5-6 feet away from the device. While this is not a deal breaker it is something you should be aware of if you tend to wander away from your phone during conversations.
The second issue is the magnet strength to hold the ear buds in place. The earlier LG Tone models in the line had a substantially better magnet strength to keep the ear buds locked in. Most times the buds do fall out, which again, not a deal breaker but something that could stand to be improved.
Also, an adjustable neck band would be nice for those of us who have larger necks.
Why do you/don’t you need it?
The Tone series is a great way to transition away from mono Bluetooth headsets since the point of entry is relatively cheap depending on the model you are looking for. However, if you are a fitness buff or sweat a lot, I recommend looking at more durable options since the headphones do not have the durability to handle sweat and overly rough treatment. If you happen to be an individual with a larger neck, the headset will not wrap around completely. I hope this is something that LG takes into consideration with their next model since an 18 1/2 inch neck leads to the headset moving and the occasional call being dropped because of it.
My Take:
I transitioned from a mono headset recently and wanted to experiment with something decently priced. I got tired of carrying wired ear buds plus a mono headset during public transportation commutes. The Tone+ definitely worked well as a transitional device. The control placement on this headset was a vast improvement over the Tone 700 Series since my large neck lead to dropped calls and voice dialling being set off by accident.While the Tone+ has its fair share of issues, I have to say it is not a terrible device. The call quality is clear and the mic picks up my voice well. The control placement is more natural and the vibrating band is great for those times when you have your phone on silent. LG just needs to tweak it bit more and maybe offer a durable sports series offering.
Product Photos
