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BlueParrott S650-XT, what should it be able to do
The Jabra BlueParrott S650-XT has been specifically developed for mobile personnel. It is a device of sorts for everything. Whether talking on the phone, listening to music, or watching movies, the headset can be used for all these purposes. Whether in mono or stereo quality, the BlueParrott S650-XT is supposed to provide this.
The manufacturer states on its own website that not only must the truck be roadworthy, but also the headset must be prepared for all situations in our professional daily life. Therefore, the headset has protection against dust and water, according to IP54 rating.
Like with all previous BlueParrott headsets, this one also has extreme suppression of background noise, up to 96%. So none of my conversation partners noticed when I was sitting on the crane to load, or when the radio in the truck was at normal volume. For the test, I tried out with some people when one could hear the radio.
The volume goes up to 32 on the Scania, and at 23–26 one could hear the radio indistinctly. Even handling the leaf blower or chainsaw was audible in the conversation, but very quietly.
Further functions in detail
Of course, noise cancellation is not the only highlight of the headset.
As I already said in the videos on TikTok, I actually don’t have to take off the headset. Not even when I am talking with others. Sure, it is unfriendly towards the conversation partner, but the headset offers me the possibility to transmit conversations and especially ambient noises to my ears. For this, the headset has a so-called “listen mode” that is so sensitive that one can even hear the rubbing of two fingers together at thigh level loudly.
Just as I can also filter out all sounds around me with the headset, this makes the so-called ANC (Active Noise Canceling) possible. For some, this may now sound strange, but when you activate ANC, you notice it in your ears. I cannot describe it exactly, but I can try. When you activate ANC, it feels as if something is pressed onto your ears and thus the ear canals are clogged. As mentioned before, I cannot describe the feeling, yes, one must experience it once.
Like with all other BlueParrott headsets, the S650-XT also has a button that I can assign different functions to. For example, I can set up voice control with different commands (unfortunately only in English), a number to be dialed by pressing the button, answer calls, reject them, or even call back numbers. Of course, hanging up is also possible via voice or by pressing the power button.
However, this does not work with the commands for me. Why I cannot understand it, either I speak too indistinctly or it doesn’t work in general at all. But that’s okay, because I can also express my “wishes” via voice control on the phone in German.
The special button can be downloaded from the app stores of Google and Apple, but it is still only available in English. I had already complained about this during my first test in 2016, but here the Americans seem stubborn.
To bring the headset up to the latest software version, one can do so via the app, but I recommend the BlueParrott Updater software , which can be downloaded from the homepage. Although the software is also indicated as multilingual, the selection options are limited to English and Chinese.
As you can see in the app, the S650-XT has two designations. Because the headset is also available in a simpler variant: as the B650-XT. It differs only in a few details from the S650-XT. And that is in the equipment, more precisely, the included accessories.
While the S650-XT is delivered with an additional ear cup and a hardcover case, the B650-XT comes only with an adapter for the cigarette lighter.
As you can see in the picture, the second ear cup can be removed, because headphones in the conventional form are not allowed on public roads.
However, the second ear cup and also the case can be ordered separately. There are also differences in weight: The S650-XT weighs 309 grams, while the B650-XT weighs 216 grams. Of course, there is also a price difference. The S650-XT currently costs 170.37 € on Amazon and the B650-XT 145.35 €.
Conclusion
All in all, the Jabra BlueParrott S650-XT meets my expectations for a headset from this company, which unfortunately was not the case with the last test of the M300-XT.
Super sound quality, the noise cancellation does its job to my full satisfaction. My loading activities in the forest or also when unloading tree trunks at the sawmill are not heard by conversation partners; I can talk normally about this, as if my conversation partner were sitting/standing opposite me. So one does not have to shout like with other headsets to overpower ambient noises.
The only thing that bothers me so far is that the app is still only available in English and not, like with others, in the user’s respective national language.
Furthermore, the ear cups could be a bit larger, so that the wearing comfort is also better for my “slender” ears.
Whether one should buy such a headset for the price is up to each individual to decide. For pure phone calls, there are cheaper alternatives available, including from Jabra BlueParrott like the B350-XT. However, it is not protected against water and dust, unlike the B650-XT or the S650-XT. If you are looking for a multifunctional headset that can be used not only for phone calls but also purely for listening to music / audiobooks or even for gaming, then the Jabra BlueParrott S650-XT is an optimal choice.
One could now argue whether one looks foolish with such a headset or not. Because although today’s trucks are technically capable of connecting two devices via Bluetooth, it is still quite common to see drivers holding their smartphones to their ears.
Then rather look “stupid” than spend 100 € + expenses and get 1 point in Flensburg.
