White and delicate is not really my style. I mean, in a backpack where cookies and camera co-exist there’s only so much space (rather care) for something as dainty as the Plantronics Marque 2.

Standing as tall as my little finger, the newly launched Bluetooth headset had been paired with the new ASUS PadFone for a review. It’s easy to forget that you’ve been sporting an audio accessory for long hours if it weighs only about 7 grams.

The Marque 2 comes with dual built-in microphones. Both microphones apparently also work to boost audio quality but also reduce ambient noise and wind.

The proprietary DeepSleep technology is a type of battery-saving mode that ensures you get longer hours with the device. However, it kicks in only after the Marque 2 has been away from your phone for more than 90 minutes.

Voice recognition

A long press on the single headset button activates voice recognition. So, if you tend to get lazy, like yours truly, you can just say ‘Answer’ or ‘Ignore’ to receive or reject voice calls. Also, you can ask the Marque 2 to make a call for you. It follows only two formats of voice command though. Either you can ask her to “Call” Akash or “Dial” a number. As is usually the case with voice recognition systems, this one too was not very perceptive when it comes to adapting to a non-American accent.

In the box, Plantronics provides you with three differently-sized silicone ear tips. The headset is equipped with A2DP functionality so you can even use it to listen to music when you are not on a call. If you are pairing it with a smartphone, you might also want to download a couple of Plantronics apps to augment its functionalities. If you keep forgetting where you tucked in the Marque 2 last, you can use the Find MyHeadset which streams music or shows you the latest time-stamp to locate the missing headset.

The unit has a small Micro USB charging port on one side. We hadn’t run out of charge in two days of usage. Plantronics claims the Marque 2 can provide you with about 11 hours of talk time after a complete charge cycle.

We say

The design of the Marque 2 makes it look like a higher-end headset than it actually is. The call quality doesn’t disappoint either. An upgrade to the Marque series, the Marque 2 can well be the beginner’s choice of mid-range headphone.

Rs 3,980

>mahananda.bohidar@thehindu.co.in