Ask Engadget: What's the best Bluetooth stereo headset out there?

Speaking of Korea, Samsung's P2 made its way into the States today, and you know what that means: it's time to start shopping for stereo Bluetooth headphones. At least that's what Bala's up to, who wrote in to Ask Engadget for advice as follows:

OK, I give up. I have been searching exhaustively for a Bluetooth stereo headset that's both lightweight, preferably the over-the-ear type and easily portable. I'd like to use it to listen music wirelessly from my iPhone (with an A2DP adapter) and my laptop which has Bluetooth. I'd also like to use it for voice calls (both with my iPhone and my PC), and that means it needs to have an integrated microphone. So far I have found only the BlueAnt X5 Stereo Bluetooth Headset to be meeting my requirements. Are there other headsets out there that would meet my requirements for under $125?

What say you guys, any favorites in the A2DP game? And don't say Kleer, that's cheating. Oh, and if you'd like your own question answered, be sure to send it in to ask at engadget dawt com.

[amb9800 @ Nov 1st 2007 7:47PM]

I've had a Helium Digital HDBT-700 for a few months now, and it's great - extremely lightweight, great battery life, good sound. I found it much more usable than things like the Motorola HT820, Jabra units, etc., as those are much bigger and heavier.

http://www.heliumdigital.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=65

[computer.dude.28 @ Nov 1st 2007 7:51PM]

Motorola HT820 is what I use. The only problem I have with it is after more than about 2 or 3 hours of wearing them, the tops of my ears get a little sore, but other than that, they're great. The battery also lasts really long.

[0mega @ Nov 1st 2007 8:35PM]

ill put my vote in for those. good sound quality (subjective of course. ) and the mic works great.

[Paul @ Nov 1st 2007 9:11PM]

I totally agree that after a while these ones end up hurting. They need to make more BT headphones with adustable bands. I ended up going with some Kyocera ones and they work great too, just don't fit flush against my ears. But it's a lot easier to hear when you have sound coming in both ears, rather than just one.

[Paul @ Nov 1st 2007 9:13PM]

I totally agree that after a while these ones end up hurting. They need to make more BT headphones with adjustable bands. I ended up going with some Kyocera ones and they work great too, just don't fit flush against my ears. But it's a lot easier to hear when you have sound coming in both ears, rather than just one.

[4cr JaXs @ Nov 2nd 2007 9:13PM]

I to have a HT820 set and I am quite fond of them. 14 hour stream time, 500 hour standby. Very good bass too.

[LordJohnWhorfin @ Nov 1st 2007 7:52PM]

Kyocera GSH300, $25 from Woot or Buy.com, if you can still find them... 10 hour battery life, stereo headphone AND headset profiles, they're great!

[genaldar @ Nov 3rd 2007 10:35AM]

Woot's sale is way over (1 day sales) but if you can find them the Kyocereas are great.

[Joe Downs @ Nov 19th 2007 11:30PM]

I have the Kyocera but can't seem to get it paired up with my phone. Lost the user manual and I got as far as the phone asking for the PIN.

Anyone got any suggestions?

THanks

[der00 @ Nov 1st 2007 7:54PM]

My Vote Is for the Moto HT820 I love it and the price was right.

[Chris @ Nov 1st 2007 7:54PM]

Ummmmmmm duuuuuuuuh the Motorola S9.
http://reviews.cnet.com/bluetooth-headsets/motorola-s9-bluetooth-active/4505-12523_7-32363768.html?tag=prod.txt.3

[gurila @ Nov 1st 2007 9:23PM]

no no no no no
the S9 ARE NOT a good idea
i got a universal (t-mob brand, unlocked WM5 with some pocket plus programs) and the piece is a B..ch to make work

terrible!!
(a friends 820 works alright though- just too big)

[Jake @ Nov 1st 2007 10:07PM]

Another vote for the S9s! Great headphones. So lightweight and slick and water resistant. And good sound quality. And easy-to-use controls.

Great headsets.

[Mike Klein @ Nov 1st 2007 11:06PM]

Easy answer here...the Motorola S9 or 820. S9 for sport and 820 for...non-sport?!?

BlueAnt is a piece of garbage...there is a teensy-tiny tab holding the battery in earpiece...stupid thing wouldn't latch securely and battery kept falling off. This was inherent to design as far as I could tell.

[Fred @ Nov 2nd 2007 2:07AM]

s9 gets my vote

[Michael Bailey @ Nov 2nd 2007 8:38AM]

Yeah; I have gone through a few different bluetooth stereo headphones over the last couple years, and the S9 is absolutely perfect. Never had any problems with it - I use it at the gym daily. It's GREAT.

[Student Driver @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:59AM]

I've got the S9 too, and they worked out better for me than the S820 or the X5 as they were too hot. Normally not an issue as I like my MDR-V6 for listening at home, but for some reason these get really warm. Also, they were awful when riding my bikes (wind noise from the frame, even more heat, etc).

The most annoying thing to look out for with headsets is the ability to flip profiles. One headset I had (I thought it was the X5, but maybe not) would take calls, and then resume music. But, if I wanted to place a call via voice tag or Voice Command I would lose the AVRCP profile and had to resume music directly on the device. The Motorola S820 and S9 don't have that problem.

I have the S9 paired with my T-Mo Dash and the TEN Tech naviPlay iPod gizmo:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2268617&cp=&sr=1&origkw=bluetooth+stereo&kw=bluetooth+stereo&parentPage=search

[J. Evans Turner @ Nov 6th 2007 5:39PM]

NOT a "headset". Those are head*phones*. There are many A2DP stereo headsets that allow you to take a call with the same headphones you use for listening to music.

[eflyersteve @ Nov 1st 2007 7:56PM]

The P2 has been out for a couple of weeks. Been available at the Best Buys here anyway as I looked at one last week.

Just FYI

[eflyersteve @ Nov 1st 2007 8:00PM]

Oh - I like my S9 motorokr a lot. Not as comfortable as I'd hoped, but not as huge as the over the ear models out there.

Sound is excellent as is battery life too.

[djams @ Nov 1st 2007 8:00PM]

As far as sound quality, nothing beats the Sony DRBT50's right now. I've tried a bunch of them and none of them come even close. They are bit pricy though ($150 on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DRBT50-Stereo-Bluetooth-Headset/dp/B000PCCLPU/ )and not very portable.

[Eric @ Nov 1st 2007 8:02PM]

Wow, I emailed this exact question a couple of months ago and got no response. That's cool Engadget! Its ok though, Gizmodo helped me out.

I first bought the Insignia brand from Best Buy for $49.99. They were the behind the neck kind. They had excellent sound quality but weren't too comfortable for me. They did have the built in mic for taking phone calls. For the money they were excellent and charged with a mini USB. Since I have a bigger head they just werent comfortable for me. So I returned them for the Sony DRBT22. The run about $119.99 at Best Buy. They are the over the head type but not the DJ style. These are the only ones I can find like this. I do not like the huge DJ style ones so these are perfect. They fold up very easily and have excellent sound quality with the built in mic and controls. I highly recommend these if you want this style and not the behind the neck or earbud with a weird dongle type.

[Eric @ Nov 1st 2007 8:05PM]

Forgot to mention that the battery life is excellent. I use them at work and they stay on from 8am to about 6pm. If I dont charge them overnight the battery goes dead at about 3 pm the next day. So thats about 17 hours of continuous use.

[iWombat @ Nov 3rd 2007 8:26AM]

Thanks Eric,

I've been looking for that style of Bluetooth headphone (as I also have a large and meaty head) and the Sony DR-BT22 looks like it'll do the job nicely.

[ScOObyDoo @ Nov 1st 2007 8:04PM]

Has to be the new Plantronics Voyager 855.

http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat1150057/cat5420035/prod5880001

It's PERFECT. Nice in-ear and semi noise isolating. Sliding boom to pick up calls, long battery life and outstanding A2DP/AVCP. It's rock solid, works perfectly on my HTC devices and can be found for around $75.

[Koensayr @ Nov 1st 2007 11:54PM]

I'm dying to get me one of these. Turns out they are all out of stock all over the internet!

[Darren S @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:01AM]

I've been waiting on mine for over a month now. It looks like the best one out there to me.

[Eric @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:23AM]

this guy is sold out everywhere eh?

how do you find this unit comfort wise scooby?
i just picked up the motorola s705, but its going back. bad quality mic and its too bulky. the above unit has earbuds, which i like, and it seems tiny.

any other pros/cons about the unit?
thanks

[ScOObyDoo @ Nov 2nd 2007 7:10AM]

Folks; of ALL places, the only one with the Voyager in stock is... Best Buy! $129, in stores only.

[denix @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:54PM]

I've been looking for one for several weeks. Out of stock everywhere. But they say it might be back next week, Nov 5th.

Can anybody share their experience? Are those any good?

[Fred @ Nov 1st 2007 8:05PM]

Motorola S9

* one piece, no wires to tangle
* water resistant
* very light weight
* paid $79 on sale

[Jason @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:41AM]

Me too. Got mine from Newegg for the same and couldn't be happier. I tried the BllueAnt X5 first and returned it because they are just too big and bulky.

[ben @ Nov 1st 2007 8:11PM]

I really like the Etymotic ety8's. They last a long time and sound great. They look kinda big, but are light enough not to bother me.

Here's a video with a couple of different opinions...

http://www.neo-fight.tv/2007/06/episode_168_etymoic_ety8_radte.html

-Ben

[Richard @ Nov 1st 2007 9:09PM]

Oh!

Are there headphones in that video?

[Macandron @ Nov 12th 2007 3:04PM]

They're not a headset though. They have no mic. :(

[Michael.R.Gibson @ Nov 1st 2007 8:14PM]

I have had the Sony DR-BT30Q headphones for awhile and I've been really happy with them. The battery life is pretty good and their really portable thanks to the retractable cord. The only downside is that if you don't put the clips over your ears just right they can start to get uncomfortable after a couple of hours of use. Oh and they're under $85.

[Michael.R.Gibson @ Nov 1st 2007 8:15PM]

Oh yeah you can find them here:
http://www.digitaldealz.net/product_info.php?products_id=16228

[Michael.R.Gibson @ Nov 1st 2007 8:16PM]

Oh yeah you can find them here:
http://www.digitaldealz.net/product_info.php?products_id=16228

[Jack @ Nov 1st 2007 9:25PM]

I'll second that, I love mine, although after a few hours they can start to feel a little heavy and make my ears a little sore where they've been hanging.

[Chris @ Nov 1st 2007 8:18PM]

I have used two. Here is my review.

1. Logitech Freepluse
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/headphones/devices/212&cl=us,en
- Good performer
- Decent sound quality
- Good battery life
- Not adjustable so uncomfortable over time especially if your head is bigger than average.

2. Bluetake IPhono Mini
http://www.bluetakeusa.com/p-26-i-phono-mini-bt450rx-bluetooth-stereo-headphone.aspx
- Nice size
- Comfortable to wear
- Terrible battery life, e.g. after about a dozen uses I was down to < 30 minutes battery life on a full charge
- Other quirky behavior
- Felt like a beta product
- Odd charging setup
- Can't recommend

[cadaver51 @ Nov 1st 2007 8:19PM]

i just picked up the sony ericson HBH-DS980 last week for my tilt:

http://www.sonyericsson.com/spg.jsp?cc=global&lc=en&ver=4001&template=pp4_1_1&zone=pp&lm=pp4_1&pid=10895

amazing sound, supports a2dp yadayada. it comes on a lanyard, which seems lame in concept, but actually is nice if you use it non stop because you just pop out the plugs without worrying about where they fall. if you still hate the idea of wearing around your neck you can actually hide it under your shirt if you want since you control it from your phone, and the you learn to control it by feel. it has its pros and cons, but then again it's not half bad considering some of the dorktastic looking stereo BT stuff out there. don't waste too much time looking for something on par with your iphone in coolness factor because it isn't on the market yet.

[sevenalive @ Nov 2nd 2007 2:35AM]

iPhone coolness? Ya the only two ppl i have seen that have it are total geeks, ridiculous nerds.
I feel bad for them, the iphone is inferior in many cases. Hell i got a moto slvr l71. I got built in bluetooth, and a 2gb microsd card which holds my music and videos. All i need in 1 device. And Hey it makes calls too. All under 140 bucks and no surcharge for the plan. Hell i dont need "full" (lol no flash) internet browsing, who needs it or uses it. I got a laptop and wifi and never away from my computer when i need net access.

[Peabody @ Nov 1st 2007 8:27PM]

My favorite by far is Sony's DR-BT21G. There are behind the neck headphones that have amazing sound quality when paired with a stereo bluetooth player. In addition, they are collapseable so they are easily stored in a pocket. There is a small built-in microphone that allows the headphones to also be used as a headset with my phone. The buttons are all located on one side of the headphones for simple one hand operation. Furthermore, the battery lasts for nearly eleven hours with normal use. I purchased mine on amazon.com for a little over $80, and they are well worth every penny.

[Matt @ Nov 1st 2007 11:20PM]

I second that. These are lightweight, tiny, and the battery seems to last forever. I actually forget how long its been since I charged them last.

[Tom @ Nov 1st 2007 11:43PM]

I 3rd that too. I have a pair and love them. They sound great and the battery lasts forever! Don't go anywhere without them :)

[jollyeskimo @ Nov 1st 2007 8:29PM]

I really like the iTech Clip models, it's basically a small bluetooth clip that lets you use your own favorite 3.5 stereo jack headphones.

http://www.itechdynamic.com/en/products_spec.asp?cid=2&pid=02030

There's none of the uncomfortable factors that come with typical headsets that hang off your ears (for glasses-wearing folk) since you're using your own headphones/IEM's. You can clip the unit on your person/on a garment, so it minimizes the weight on your ears, and most important of all, you don't appear to be wearing a BT headset at all.

[Sgt.Friday @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:03AM]

I'll second the I-tech clip version. Good battery, good sound, small, and you can use whatever headphones you like - so if you have some expensive over-the-ear phones at home, and something more portable like sound isolating in-the-ear phones for while your out they'll both work. I have a small pouch that I can roll up my headphones and clip into and put in my pocket when not in use. I really wanted something compact so I didn't have to carry a seperate bag on my motorcycle or on the bus.

[giedrys @ Nov 1st 2007 8:38PM]

Sony DR-BT50. Nothing even comes close.

[anthone @ Nov 1st 2007 8:41PM]

here u go
http://www.buy.com/prod/Jensen_WBT212_Universal_Bluetooth_tm_Stereo_Headphones/q/loc/111/202148285.html

[Michael @ Nov 1st 2007 8:42PM]

Can someone tell me if the MacBook Pros support Bluetooth Stereo? I would like to get a pair if I could receive music with them. Thanks.