Hands-on with the RCA Jet Stream: high quality, truly wireless cans

Those two ear buds may not look very interesting but they are mister, they are. Those little buds represent the very first, truly wireless headphones we've seen capable of stereo sound without that goofy strap or string running between the cans. No, not Bluetooth wireless, that pirate won't be ready to splice the cans until 2008 or so. Aaarg! RCA turned to Kleer technology instead to pull off this minor milestones of miracles while allowing the battery to last 10x as long as Bluetooth headsets. Better yet, they sound awesome. Really. Even on the densely populated CES showroom floor flooded with RF, these headphones provide excellent sound quality when paired with the RCA Jet Stream MP3 player. Range was a bit short compared to Bluetooth -- about 5 or 6 feet from the player -- but the audio was interference free and sounded excellent. Only $129 for the entire kit you say? Sign us up.

Hands on with the RCA Jet Stream: high quality, truly wireless cans

[LittleJoe @ Jan 10th 2007 12:51AM]

Wait... so these headsets will only work with that RCA player??? Arggghhhh indeed.

[Matt @ Jan 10th 2007 1:07AM]

Those aren't cans. Those are earbuds.

[Jill Foster @ Jan 10th 2007 1:08AM]

But they're still so dreamy-hip despite that factor. Mmm, truly wireless. Go RCA.

[BLee @ Jan 10th 2007 1:24AM]

that previous article shows a pic w/ ipod use... c'mon... i want one to work w. my ipodddd

[shoeshine @ Jan 10th 2007 1:26AM]

I really want those headphones. My cats enjoy chewing on headphone cords. I've gone through 3 pairs in the last month. Hopefully they'll release a standalone set. If not, I guess I could use this over my ipod when I'm around the house.

[Simon P @ Jan 10th 2007 1:59AM]

not looking forward to dropping those little blighters down the side of the couch/on the street/in the gym....fill in as applicable

[Uranium @ Jan 10th 2007 3:09AM]

I hate things being crammed in my ear and falling out (and potentially becoming damaged). Besides, it's not a decent pair of wireless headphones unless it has audio playback controls in my opinion.

What's the big downside to bluetooth anyway? 14-16 hours is a decent amount of playback time and A2DP sounds as good as mp3. Also, I doubt they'll be including Kleer transmitters in phones anytime soon, so this makes it a moot point for me.

[sdsdv10 @ Jan 10th 2007 12:32PM]

"What's the big downside to bluetooth anyway? 14-16 hours is a decent amount of playback time and A2DP sounds as good as mp3."

What stereo Bluetooth earphones are giving 14-16 hours? Most typical numbers I read about are more like 4 or 6 or maybe 8. Can you provide any links with units >10 hours (actual playtime in a review prefered). I believe one of the reasons these have extend listening time is because they use a very low power transmitter, thus the very short range of 5-6 feet. The Bluetooth spec calls for 30 feet which would require a good deal more power, with concomitant reduction is battery life.

[Peter @ Jan 10th 2007 4:11AM]

Losing one of those whilst running is going to be a laugh a minute. . Especially on the beach.

[Casey @ Jan 10th 2007 8:01AM]

I hope everyone at CES isn't putting those same pair of buds in their ears, gross.

[Z @ Jan 10th 2007 8:34AM]

This is what I've wanted for a long time. Wireless earbuds. Not cans, no wires. Just small, sleek, and wireless.

Five or six feet of range is a joke and pathetic at best; needs to be ten times that, at least. I need to be able to have these connected to my laptop and move freely around a room. But if they can work out the range issue, then I'm all for these the moment they hit the street.

Bring 'em on!

[John @ Jan 10th 2007 11:10AM]

Finally!!! I have been sick and tired of seeing ugly ass wires, especially white ones, for what seems like forever. Hell, I'd even buy their player if I had to!! And why is it taking Blu*hit so long?? Idiots.

Thank you, RCA!

[Sqube @ Jan 10th 2007 11:05AM]

That range is just fine for me; I'd just want to use them on a DAP anyway.

When do they come out and where can I go get me some?

[Mrfreezie @ Jan 10th 2007 11:25AM]

So, there's no chance of these working with a MP3 player of my choice? Even with a great Engadget review, no thanks. RCA players....suck.

[Eric Glassman @ Jan 10th 2007 2:57PM]

Fantastic. Home Run. Bravo.

[BAMF @ Jan 10th 2007 5:32PM]

"I hope everyone at CES isn't putting those same pair of buds in their ears, gross."

LOLZ

[Corrupt @ Jan 16th 2007 4:11PM]

I own the Plantronics 590a. According to specs ( http://plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat1150057/cat1150057/prod29780013 ) they last 10 hours, and during constant stereo audio use they've often lasted me about 12 hours.

My friend has the Motorola s805 Headphones and they are rated at up to 17 hours. They generally last him about 14-15 hours depending on exact usage. His have superior battery life because they are considerably larger headphones.

I use mine almost entirely with a USB Bluetooth adapter. The standard type of self-powered bluetooth transmitter generally lasts less than 10 hours and has inferior quality. By using a USB Adapter the only digital to analog conversion occurs in the headphones, not multiple times with the external transmitter.

[SearchingWorks @ Jan 19th 2007 9:39AM]

Just to clarify. I'm familiar with the Kleer technology. Their range is actually up to 30 feet. I think that the electronic environment at CES may have been one of the most technically challenging for any wireless device. Or can anyone else think of a place where electronic gadgetry is measured in units/sq.inch ;->

Chris