Why You Can Trust CNET Cygnett GrooveTooth Talk review: Cygnett GrooveTooth Talk
A small and relatively simple Bluetooth speaker for the car that should suit those who prefer affordability and simplicity.
Cygnett's GrooveTooth Talk is a small and relatively simple Bluetooth speaker for the car. For the price it's a solid unit that, while lacking some of the fancy features on other Bluetooth units, is a sound choice for users who are looking for affordability and simplicity.
Cygnett GrooveTooth Talk
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
Design
The GrooveTooth Talk isn't going to win awards for being a stylish device, that's because its black and silver plastic casing looks rather cheap, but considering some of our test vehicles — such as the uber-stylish Datsun 180B station wagon — it didn't too look out of place. And just like that test car, what the GrooveTooth Talk lacks in the looks department, it makes up for in practicability. The clip is easy to attach to a car's sun visor, door bin, or even an air-conditioning vent on some cars.
Features
When we tested the GrooveTooth Talk with an iPhone 3G, we found it to be a cinch to use. As the unit is in pairing mode by default, the GrooveTooth is easy to find and, once you've paired it up with your phone, pairing happens automatically everytime. Operating the Cygnett is a snip: there's one button for answering and ending calls, and a pair for changing the volume, plus a power button. The main button can be held for around three seconds, transferring the call back to your mobile phone. Releasing and holding the button down for another three seconds will connect the call to the speaker again. This is convenient if you're constantly in and out of the car and have to use the phone. Other nice features include mute, voice calling, redial and hold.
Performance
Quality of the incoming audio was clear, even while driving on a busy freeway, and while people on the other end could hear background noise, our voice could be easily understood. Like many other hands-free devices though, it didn't pick up passengers in either the front or the back seats as well the driver's.
The GrooveTooth Talk can store pairing information for up to eight different handsets. A full charge should net you around six to seven hours of talk time and, a claimed, 460 hours in standby mode. Recharging the device is simple enough via the supplied USB cable and car charger.
Conclusion
All in all, the GroveTooth Talk is a no-nonsense Bluetooth speaker set that won't exactly make your car look more stylish, but will deliver reasonable sound quality at a fair price. For users who need to constantly use a mobile phone while on the road, it's better option than a Bluetooth earpiece.