Sony Ericsson's HBH-DS970 stereo Bluetooth headset with remote

Sony Ericsson just announced their HBH-DS970 Stereo Bluetooth 2.0 headset with remote control. Yeah, it's not completely wireless since you still have those cables dropping down to the Bluetooth-embedded remote. But hey, you want the remote anyway, and by not strapping those bulky Bluetooth cans to your ears we expect you'll be able to rock the house for the full 6 hours spec'd with less fatigue. Call coming in? No problem, son, since the caller ID and number slaps right-up on the remote's display allowing you to accept or reject the call even if you are listening to music on another Bluetooth-enabled device. Although it doesn't say in the announcement, that remote should wirelessly control any Bluetooth device throwing down the AVRCP profile, Sony Ericsson or not. Expect these to ship in the second quarter for a yet to be determined price.

[via Unofficial Club Sony Ericsson, thanks Luis]

[pbase @ Feb 14th 2006 4:51PM]

Can you control anything other than an Ericsson cell?

[Svetlana @ Jan 11th 2007 7:53PM]

Absolutely :)

[Svetlana @ Jan 11th 2007 7:53PM]

Absolutely :)

[unsupported @ Feb 14th 2006 5:00PM]

Didja RTFA? Although it doesn't say in the announcement, that remote should wirelessly control any Bluetooth device throwing down the AVRCP profile...Sony Ericsson or not

Also, Sony's site upporting the multipoint function, the HBH-DS970 offers access to the vast selection of music files in your computer, PDA or other Bluetooth� devices.

[Gok @ Feb 14th 2006 5:04PM]

I believe it can control anything that supports the profiles.

[Dave Zatz @ Feb 14th 2006 5:28PM]

Forget the technology for a second... Sony's really upped the style quotient on their latest (Walkman) phones and accessories. I'm shallow so I love the new color schemes and designs.

[USTommyMC @ Feb 14th 2006 5:42PM]

"Call coming in? No problem son since..."

I'm sorry I just did not expect that line. Thank goodness I wasn't drinking anything in front of my Intel iMac. Being from Brooklyn and living in North Carolina for almost 7 years I don't hear that very much. Very funny indeed.

[mdc @ Feb 14th 2006 6:36PM]

I have the old SE model like this with one ear piece. What I'd love would be if these could read text messages on the display.

When I'm driving I still have to pickup my phone to read text messages even though I have the bluetooth hands free on.

[Gecko @ Feb 14th 2006 8:36PM]

Does anyone know anything like this that lets you plug in your own headphones? I would like to listen to music playing on my computer, via bluetooth, but using my Shure E5Cs.

[jake @ Feb 14th 2006 9:27PM]

did you just call me son?

[rskarb @ Feb 14th 2006 9:50PM]

This product is ludicrous. It defeats the purpose of wireless. I will stick with the lanyard free 'bluetooth cans' anyday.

[mlips @ Feb 14th 2006 10:04PM]

TOo bad I can't afford the Walkman w800i to go along with these...

[MD @ Feb 14th 2006 11:40PM]

I have the old version to this, the Sony Ericsson HBH-200. This seems to be a big improvement over mine: stereo bluetooth, longer battery life and the ability to control mp3s. Now I just need a SE phone with Stereo bluetooth support and I'll get one.

[steverino @ Feb 15th 2006 11:00AM]

I don't get it. If you're using wires, why not just use your cell phone as the "remote" and not bother with the degraded sound quality/battery life involved with bluetooth.

[derrick @ May 9th 2006 9:26AM]

This should match up quite nicely with the K790 that's hopefully coming out soon. I read that it has A2DP and hopefully it has AVRCP as well so I don't have to reach for my belt clip to change the tunes. =)

[RobertWebbe @ Jul 9th 2006 7:28AM]

I have an up-to-date list of all A2DP products (phones, headsets, etc.) on my site:

http://www.robertwebbe.nl/A2DP.html

[Pablo @ Jul 11th 2006 1:47PM]

will these work with the sony ericsson K750i and the W800i? Looks really nice and excellent features.

[Pablo @ Jul 11th 2006 4:11PM]

will this work with the K750i and the W800i

[Matt @ Sep 12th 2006 12:51AM]

does anyone now if this will work with "the chocolate LG-VX 8500. Cause this thing is sweet

[Mark @ Sep 20th 2006 8:06PM]

Don't count on it...in fact don't count on this working with anything other than sony ericson. If you call support they specifically state that they have only tested sony ericson products and will not trouble shoot with you. I have a cingular 2125 smartphone that I recently upgraded to Win Mob 5.0 AKU 2 which expressedly supports the A2DP profile (http://www.theunwired.net/?itemid=2779) and it only works and as a hands free device NOT as stereo headphones....so, no music...what the point?

[Ross @ Sep 27th 2006 8:06PM]

not entirely sure about this but it not working on anything other than a SE might have something to do with the WALKMAN aspect, as only SE's play music through this software, sony aren't going to make it that universal now are they.

[Kai Cherry @ Oct 6th 2006 10:59AM]

This headset works great with the Nokia 8801...which is a non-SE phone.

[Vince @ Oct 6th 2006 9:20PM]

This work great with my k800i and computer with bluetooth.

[Corey @ Oct 19th 2006 8:27AM]

Does it have a mic too? I want a stereo bluetooth headset for my mp3 phone, but it's gotta be usable as a headset too.

[lwinkler3 @ Dec 9th 2006 11:49AM]

I have been using these for a few weeks now with my Samsung Blackjack. Works perfect, answers calls, returns with music after the call is ended. Great sound, controls playlist in mobile media player, highly recommended. I am using my phone as a music player for running, biking etc. so the lack of a cable connection to the phone is awesome. Now I am interested in connecting to the pc.

[antangil @ Jan 4th 2007 3:23PM]

I'm currently trying the same thing; I can get it to play audio from my Vaio TXN15, but I can't convince it (yet) to let me use the microphone.

[Svetlana @ Jan 11th 2007 7:52PM]

Actually that statement is a crock of poo. I use the Sony HBH-970 with my Motorola RAZR and my HTC Tytn and have no problem with either. I especially like the DS970 because I use it under my motorcycle helmet and it works flawlessly.

If you want it to work in Windows mobile 5 with something other than media player, you'll have to get a plugin from the developer of the software because not all software music players understand commands coming from a bluetooth remote.

In WM5, I use mine with media player, Pocket player, and real media player. All with out problem. Of course if you don't know what you are doing, you wont get it to work anyway.

so pay attention boy. :)

Svetlana
Finland

[Kaps @ Feb 16th 2008 1:21AM]

Hi...I have a HTC TYTN2, and I understand u have been using the HBH-DS970 with a TYTN. Does it play music well? I have not read anywhere that the TYTN/TYTN2 supports A2DP...Thanks!

[Rashid @ Oct 4th 2007 11:55PM]

does this work with iphone??

[Joseph @ Mar 26th 2008 5:33PM]

It does work with Tytn. But I have my Tytn flashed to the latest WM6 rom, so don't really know if it works off the shelves Tytn though.

[kushi @ Mar 28th 2008 6:33PM]

yeah, good question. I wanna use my own phones. Does this allow it?

[kushi @ Mar 28th 2008 6:48PM]

nevermind, I found a better picture and it doesn't allow other headphones.

I would like to know if the headphones are designed to be worn with one behind the neck? or are they like ipod headphones?

[laz305 @ Nov 9th 2008 4:10PM]

kushi the way it is worn is around the neck with a earpiece on each side one with a mic and the other with a call&end button. So each earpiece is the same length. Hope that helps