Customer Ratings & Reviews

The BlueParrott M500-XT targets those whose occupation is driving. As a result, it’s a single-ear solution with an emphasis on providing strong noise-cancelling features for the mic. This is what it excels at. I’m not an occupational driver, but I like using it for the various personal and work phone conversations I have during the day. Last week we were having 3 large trees removed from our front yard and the noise of the chain saws and wood chipper were l-o-u-d. However, those on the other side of my conversations were not even aware of the sound until I asked if they could hear anything in the background. To them it was very faint. Great. Setting it up was easy and painless. It did take a little time for the M500-XT to show up in the blueparrott app after pairing with my phone’s bluetooth, but it eventually showed up and the app was very helpful. The sound on my end of conversations has been clear and strong. The unit is very light so there’s no wearing fatigue at all. The over-the-ear portion is a bit wide and requires some finesse when using eye-glasses (which I have), but all-in-all it’s comfortable. There is a power button and volume up and down buttons on the over-the-ear portion. The ear bud (which is worn close to, but not in, the ear) has an easy-touch button. This button is easy to use and responds well to touch. However, it’s not truly multi-functional. You can choose from a number of options (in the app) for how you’d like to use the button, but it only provides the one option you choose. I used it for both ‘mute’ and ‘call answer/end’ functions, but found it limiting to not be able to have both options available. I hope blueparrott will upgrade it so that there are multi-touch features using double and triple touch. I’ve settled on the ‘mute’ option, which means I have to access the phone to answer or end calls. One of the reasons I settled on the ‘mute’ option was that I could not get the ‘lift-to-mute’ feature to work with the mic boom. I turned that feature off and on, and tried a number of up positions with various callers, but all reported still hearing my voice, though more faintly. However, the mute button feature worked flawlessly. In spite of the draw-backs, I’m enjoying my BlueParrott M500-XT. I would recommend it for those whose needs fit it’s specific features.

I really like the clear audio and the boom mic, from asking different people my voice comes across clear even in loud environments. I can hear too though with it only being in one ear in louder environments I can have difficulty following the conversation, not so much that I can’t hear, just that I get distracted. Now for the office environment I have one ear free for unobstructed hearing all the time and when I know that someone could want to talk to me or I don’t want to appear to want to tune out the world ( I have don’t bother me I’m focusing headphones) this is a perfect headset to have for meetings and remote conversations at work. The app allows for some customization including the button for push to talk. I have a push to talk app but it wasn’t one of the supported ones, this is definitely geared towards business oriented specific push to talk apps versus random apps so that you can have push to talk with your kids in specific scenarios, this isn’t a plus or a minus in my book as push to talk isn’t something I use very much at all. The supported apps are AT&T Enhanced PTT, Cobra Radio PTT, ESChat(Push-to-talk), Verizon Push to Talk Plus, Motorola Wave, T-Mobile, and Zello. I love that I can charge this via USB C and I don’t need a charging case. I also love the mute with boom arm, I’ve had a couple of headsets that would mute and unmute the teams app instead of just the headset, this isn’t one of those, but it will mute you and everyone will think you are unmuted, so some might prefer it that way. I power button and volume buttons are large and easy to find and press. Overall, this is perfect for a lightweight single ear calling device for meetings and conversations. It is comfortable though I will switch ears every once in a while to balance out the feel on my ears, but that might just be a me thing.

INTRO: I’m well-acquainted w/the Danish GN Group & have been using their audio enhancement/productivity tools since 2012 w/multiple purchases of Jabra Pro & BIZ Headsets, GN ReSound Forte, Vida, Preza & Jabra Enhance Select 700 hearing aids, & BlueParrott (BP) headsets, etc. As a sales/mktg. guy, when I’m not on the phone w/clients, I’m a road warrior on the way to meet w/clients. If I don’t stay close to my clients, someone else will. So, I was excited to learn that GN Audio had introduced a new BT headset thru their BP subsidiary brand & couldn’t wait to try it. GETTING STARTED: The box containing the new BP model M500-XT monaural BT headset incl. BP’s tagline in all caps, “Built for Life on the Road.” Road Warriors are clearly the intended target mkt. here. This incl. commercial drivers, i.e., couriers, delivery drivers, rte. drivers, rideshare drivers, shuttle drivers, OTR truckers, etc. The secondary mkt. incl. commuters, outside salespeople, & all those who’re trying to increase their productivity & buy back some time. There’s also a Quick Start Guide w/a snapshot product overview via a graphic artist’s 3D drawing which is printed on the underside of the box flap. After studying the diagram, I connected the USB-A-to-C charging cable from my laptop to my new headset’s charging port on the underside of the device. 3 EarGel domes (small, medium, large) were incl. The pre-installed medium dome fit my ear perfectly. I tried the ‘rest on ear’ config followed by the ‘rest in ear’ config after inverting the dome into a funnel shape for a more secure fit at the entrance to my ear canal. After several hrs. of wearing the headset in both configs, the original ‘rest on ear’ config proved to be comfier. Then I downloaded the ‘My BP’ app to my smartphone from the Google Play Store & easily paired the pre-charged headset w/my phone. The app then prompted me to D/L a BP firmware update to v.1.54.0, which took only a few mins. FORM FACTOR: After wearing compact earbuds over the last several yrs., I admit my 1st impression of this headset was that it looked a bit large, clunky, & dated vs. sleek, hi-tech, & futureproofed. But this headset isn’t meant for listening to music, audiobooks, or podcasts. Its primary function is to help busy, hardworking people make/receive clear calls in challenging environs so they can stay connected to their customers, colleagues, employees, & mgrs. throughout the workday while on the job. In this sole focus, the BP headset quickly demonstrates its functionality, practicality, & efficiency. I often find the simpler a thing is, the better designed/engineered it is. The 1st convenience I noticed is the reversible behind-the-ear frame which gave me the ability to swing the mic out of the way & rotate the earpiece 180º so that I could hang the headset on my L ear in (where my hearing is better) vs. my R ear. Also, when a passenger rides w/me, I want my R ear unencumbered so that I can hear him above the din of engine/road noise. Next, I noticed how light (just .7oz) this innovative, flexible yet sturdy, silicone headset is w/its IP54 (Ingress Protection) rating to resist dust, rain, & perspiration. The over-the-ear hook, behind-the-ear frame, & curved mini-boom mic all conform to the shape of my ear & face to provide all-day comfort to the pt. I forget I’m wearing the device until a call comes in. I also like that this audio headset comes in basic business black which offers a more matte, professional look than the other loud/trendy metallic ‘tech’ colors. Finally, for those users who elect not to utilize the handsfree call mgmt. voice controls, the headset’s simple, tactile, intuitively placed buttons provide an uncommon ease-of-operation, allowing you to make/take calls easily/safely while driving. Contrast this w/today’s era of flush electronic touch controls that can prove difficult to isolate/activate while on the hwy. at speed. NOISE REDUCTION/SPEECH CLARITY: This headset’s advanced dual intelligent mic system offers AI-driven noise reduction/canceling via Machine Learning & Precision Voice Pickup, eliminating 93% of background noise for dramatically improved call clarity/quality, even in hi-noise environs. I’ve repeatedly verified this by simply calling & polling colleagues, family, & friends while I’m in loud environs. All have consistently remarked that they either can’t hear any background noise at all, or at most, they could hear only faint background noise while my voice came in ‘wall-to-wall’. So, GN’s speech optimization tech, on the mic side, is most impressive. I even called my wife while rolling slowly thru a hi-volume commercial carwash. It was so loud in the tunnel that I could barely hear what she was saying, even after increasing my speaker volume, yet she could hear everything I said & had no idea I was in a carwash. Unfortunately, the headset is simultaneously amazing yet often disappointing in that, while I’m continually surprised at how well others can hear me, despite hi-dB background noise, I still find myself struggling to hear the caller clearly while I’m in noisy environs, even w/my volume turned up. The speech clarity emitted from the speaker on my end can sound a bit dulled/muddy & just not as sharp or clear as I’d expected at this price pt. Despite my misgivings, I must say that GN got the fundamentals right w/their 10mm audio dynamic driver & low 32-Ohm impedance, both of which help provide good midrange frequencies for clearer voice calls, while keeping the headset light & conserving battery power to drive the speaker. The 20Hz-to-7k Hz frequency response is also considered near optimal for human speech/voice call clarity as it helps filter background noise. CONNECTIVITY: This headset offers a strong, reliable, handsfree connection w/a reported wireless range of 100yd/100m from paired BT devices. I tried leaving my smartphone in my upstairs home office while sitting in the car in our attached garage while on a call. Connectivity was flawless, & I was able to continue my convo as I walked over to, & slightly past, my next-door neighbor’s house before I almost lost the BT connection. While I didn’t realize a 100yd range, after checking my smartphone model’s specs & BT v., the 35yd-range I enjoyed was on track w/my mobile device’s hardware/software limitations. So far, I’ve had no dropped BT connections or calls. BATTERY: I’ve been recharging my headset every night this past wk. So, I haven’t yet tested the limits of the headset’s 100mAh rechargeable battery capacity. Even when I work 12hr days, I don’t talk on the phone during the entire 12 hrs.; so, the promised 11hr talk time & 2-day standby time from a single 2hr charge far exceeds my needs, at least unless or until I forget to charge my headset one night. Although I’d prefer GN/BP incl. a USB-C PD Charger/Adapter w/this headset, I’m glad they at least incl. a 4ft-long black charging cable which offers more flexibility w/my laptop at a hotel room desk than a short 1-to-2ft. cord. MULTI-FUNCTION BUTTON (MFB): Rather than plodding thru all the MFB press-&-hold features, you can access the detailed instructions in the ‘My BP’ app’s User Manual. Functions incl. the ability to turn your headset power on/off, pair your headset w/your phone, answer/end calls, reject incoming calls, end a call to answer a call, put a call on hold to answer a call, increase/decrease speaker volume, & redial the last #. You can also activate your choice of 4 Voice Assts. Although I prefer the headset’s simple Voice Controls, some users may prefer the headset’s physical buttons for call mgmt. BLUEPARROT BUTTON (BPB): Again, you can easily access the detailed instructions re: all the functions assoc. w/the BPB in the ‘My BP’ app’s User Manual. Besides muting/unmuting your mic/audio, you can customize BPB functions for: Push-to-Talk (PTT), access to a 2nd paired mobile device simultaneously, pairing w/<8 different mobile devices w/“Multi-pt. Mode,” checking the battery level, assigning a 2nd MFB for a 2nd paired device, speed-dialing, voice-controlled call mgmt., 3rd party app access (7 mobile apps to connect to, incl. the 3 biggies: AT&T Enhanced PTT, T-Mobile, & Verizon PTT+), & Voice Commands, ltd. to: Answer, Ignore, List Commands, Pairing, Connection Status, Battery Status, & Cancel. SUGGESTIONS FOR MINOR IMPROVEMENTS: It’s a bit crowded behind my ear w/the thin frame of my glasses & the frame of this behind-the-ear headset w/its thick over-the-ear hook. I’m hopeful GN/BP design engineers can create a thinner, yet still stable/comfy over-the-ear hook for the millions of drivers who wear glasses & sunglasses. It also would be helpful if GN/BP were to incl. a compact, formfitting carrying case to protect, preserve, & safely store the headset & charging cable at home, work, & in the car. Finally, I’d like to see GN/BP add a snug-fitting protective silicone flap to cover the USB-C charging port to prevent dust, dirt, grime, & moisture from entering. CONCLUSION: Most drivers understand that open-ear headsets provide important safety features. In fact, many states prohibit drivers from wearing buds, domes, headphones, & headsets that plug or cover both ears simultaneously (w/the exception of hearing aids), as these could restrict drivers’ ability to hear emergency vehicles, etc. As much as I like the M500-XT, after once again trying a monaural headset in both my L & R ear (w/the other ear free of any device), I still feel that I’m better able to hear what callers are saying when I use an open-ear binaural/stereo headset as it seems to provide improved audio clarity & balance vs. a mono headset.

On paper, the Blueparrott GN M500-XT comes with 93% background noise elimination, 11 hours of talk time, and convenient USB-C charging, things I wish my other headsets could achieve. Unfortunately after only a few hours of wearing this headset I found my ear fatigued and sore and no amount of tech specs was going to help me feel better about this device. It’s impossible to not compare this headset to the Apple AirPods or every other small form factor headset on the market. These competitor products all manage to do what the GN M500-XT does, but in a much smaller and much more comfortable hardware design. Who needs a boom arm that needs to be raised and lowered to mute when software can achieve the same thing. Why do I need physical buttons when the shake or nod of my head or a verbal command can trigger the volume up, down or mute features? The GN M500-XT is missing the wow factor of modern headsets It simply can not compete with devices that weigh a fraction of what this one does. I have a big head and tall ears to go with it. I thought this would help carry the weight of this headset, but I was limited by the curvature of the headset which barely fit around my ear making it an awkward fit. I handed it to my wife who has a much smaller head and ears. It fit more naturally around her ears but she lasted two minutes before getting annoyed at how heavy it was.

In a world where earbuds are ubiquitous and able to deliver entertainment and conversations, is there really a need for an old-school single Bluetooth headset? If you care about sound quality, long battery life, and a distraction-free device, then the answer is a resounding “Yes.” The Blueparrott M500-XT is the latest Blueparrott headset from hearing aid and headset maker GN. Its general appearance will be familiar to anyone who remembers the days before completely wireless earbuds; a single earpiece that fits lightly into the ear canal, an over-the-ear portion with the electronics and controls, and a boom microphone to get sound from closer to its source. Pairing is simple, and the MX500-XT can remember up to eight separate devices, connecting to two simultaneously. I work from home and am on video conference calls for much of the day, and the ability to switch between my computer and phone without manually reconnecting is great. The Blueparrott is also very lightweight and, as most of the weight is carried over the ear and the speaker portion sits at the edge of the ear canal, I find it easy to wear all day without fatigue. My house also has two large dogs who can be (and frequently are) quite loud. The noise cancellation is so good that no one hears them barking, nor do they hear the traffic noise if I am out walking while making a call. Sound quality is excellent at both sides of the call. I have a deep voice that most earbuds have difficulty capturing without distortion. With the Blueparrott, no one has complained or asked me to repeat what I just said. A Bluetooth set that’s dedicated for calls is something anyone who spends significant time on calls of any kind should have, and the M500-X is simply the best one I have ever tried.

I recently picked up the BlueParrott M500 XT and overall it feels like a solid headset for calls. I was looking for something comfortable that could still perform well in louder environments, and this one seems designed with that in mind. The noise cancelling microphone is one of the main reasons I chose it, and during calls people have said my voice comes through clearly even when there is background noise around me. The headset itself feels lightweight but still durable. It is comfortable enough to wear for longer periods, and the fit feels secure without being too tight. Pairing it with my phone was quick and the Bluetooth connection has been stable so far without any drop issues. One thing I did notice is that the design is a little more focused on function than style. It is not the most sleek looking headset, and it definitely has more of a work focused feel to it. The controls can also take a little time to get used to at first, especially if you are coming from a simpler Bluetooth headset. I also wish the ear cushion had just a little more padding for longer use. That said, the call quality and microphone performance are where this headset really shines. If you need something reliable for work calls and want a headset that focuses on clear communication, this is a solid option.