Plantronics MX150 Flexible Boom Headset with 2.5 mm Plug

The headset's bendable noise-canceling boom mic is designed to provide an optimal fit and high clarity just about anywhere, and the headset's Flex Grip design permits one-handed placement in your ear.

One-touch call answer/end and voice-activated dialing are available for most popular Nokia and Motorola phones, though be aware that voice-activated dialing must be supported by your phone or service for this feature.

The headset uses a standard 2.5 mm input in an L-shaped configuration that limits wear and tear.

Product Description
Plantronics MX150 Mobile Headset combines Flex Grip design with advanced microphone technology, resulting in a discreet, stable and high-quality headset. The bendable noise-canceling boom provides optimal fit and superior call clarity in nearly every environment. The MX150 series is compatible with most headset-ready mobile devices including Motorola, Samsung, LG, and Kyocera.

I purchased a Plantronics MX153-M1 (for $22 at an family-run electronics store a few blocks away from J&R Music and Computer World), the version of the MX150 made specifically for Motorola phones - v60, v70, v120, T720 and later phones. The MX153-M1 adds a push-button towards the upper-middle of its cord that enables the headset wearer to dial the last-dialed number, use voice-activated dialing, answer calls, and end calls without touching the phone. The MX153-N1 and MX153-N3 are push-button versions of the MX150 for Nokia phones. The base MX150 itself does not have the push-button and associated functionality.

The MX150's earbud is anchored to the wearer's ear by a soft rubber grip that wraps under and essentially clips the earlobe (pinna). It takes several seconds to fit the earbud and pivot the microphone boom to their proper angles; this must be done each time the wearer puts on the headset. The disadvantage of this fitting requirement is that if you are not already wearing the headset when your phone starts ringing, you are better off answering your phone the old-fashion way. Once fitted however, the MX150 is light and comfortable to point of being unnoticeable. The MX150's FlexGrip design (shared by the Plantronics MX100 family) is better than ear-loop designs that can get in the way of eyeglasses and sunglasses; headband designs that can pull on the wearer's hair; and classic earbud designs that can easily fall off. People with earrings may not be comfortable with the MX150 because of its grip on the ear's pinna.

In contrast to generic headset microphones that often make the wearer sound distant, the MX150's microphone performance is very good and makes the wearer sound clear and close to the phone. The noice-cancelling microphone does a good job of eliminating ambient noise - even inside a moving New York City subway car. The MX150 family does not have microphone volume control and microphone mute functions.

Earpiece performance is good. The MX150 lacks earpiece volume control, relying instead on the phone's volume control functions. As with any headset design lacking self-powered earpiece volume amplification, ambient noise may be an issue in open or noisy environments, e.g. a busy New York City street or subway car.

The MX150's price competition is with the Jabra ProBoom. The latter has battery-powered earpiece volume amplification, but consumers should carefully weigh this great advantage against the MX150's fit and weight benefits. The two competitors also differ in push-button support. The MX150 family has push-button models for Motorola and Nokia phones, while the ProBoom family has push-button models for Nokia and Samsung phones.

Of the three Plantronics headsets that I have purchased (the other two being the M175 and M100), the MX153-M1 is the best one that I have yet used.


Great when they work...   February 4, 2005
 22 out of 22 found this review helpful

This headset is light and comfortable and works very well with most cell phones. Unfortunately, they always seem to die on me. I've gone through five MX150s in the last eight months. I buy them in pairs now so I always have a backup. I can't find anything I like better, so I keep going down this road, but be prepared for problems if you are a heavy user. Also, do not buy this headset if you are looking to use it with a Uniden TRU8885 Cordless Phone. You will have significant outbound volume problems.


Sounds good to me, but not to the other person   March 31, 2004
 13 out of 16 found this review helpful

I bought this headset for two major reasons. First, it is a Plantronics. I have had several Plantronics devices and all have been exceptional. Secondly, the unique ear-clip design looked as though it would keep the ear piece in place comfortably.

It is a very comfortable headset and I can wear this all day! Snug yet you can quickly forget its there. It will never pop out either.

The sound quality to me was low, but acceptable. I have an LG phone, so I agree with the other reviewer that this might be an issue for folks with lesser amplified phones. But for me, it was fine.

The problem I had was that the people on the other end kept complaining that my phone was cutting out, I was difficult to understand, etc. I suspect the noise cancelation circuitry is responsible for that. When people would complain, I would unhook the headset and things would improve. The issue was definitely the headset.

I returned it and I'm looking for something else now. I recommend you avoid this way and be wary of other units with noise cancelation circuitry. Which whatever you buy, test it on yourself by leaving yourself a voice message using the headset and you will see how clear - or unclear - you really sound.


Perfect   February 3, 2005
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Hey. This is a perfect little headset. I've had it for a year now. People can't tell I'm on a cell phone. Excellent at blocking outside noise, and I can hear everything crystal clear on the receiving end. Great Buy.


Very comfortable   August 10, 2005
 12 out of 14 found this review helpful

The sound is good enough for the price and boy, is it comfortable. This headphone is by far the best I've ever owned. I wish I discovered it earlier.