Ask Engadget: What's the best Bluetooth stereo headset out there?
By Paul Miller 
posted November 1st 2007 7:40PM
posted November 1st 2007 7:40PM
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.
How about giving the Philips SHB6102 a change. They come with a smart little adapter which enables every devices which has a 3.5 mm jack to connect with the headset.
There is also a little mic available to enable phone calls.
http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_categoryid_PORTABLE_HEADPHONES_CA_US_CONSUMER/#;filterStates=%5BFK_WIRELESS_BLUETOOTH_PORTABLE%3Btrue%5D%5BFK_FOR_SPORTS_PORTABLE_HEAD%3Bfalse%5D%5BFK_FOR_MOBILE_PHONES_PORT%3Bfalse%5D%5BFK_FOR_IPOD_PORTABLE_HEAD%3Bfalse%5D%5BFK_VOLUME_CONTROL_PORTABLE_HE%3Bfalse%5D%5BFK_INTERCHANGEABLE_EAR_CAPS%3Bfalse%5D%5BFK_ASYMMETRICAL_CABLE%3Bfalse%5D%5BFK_CARRYING_CASE_PORTABLE%3Bfalse%5D%5Bcompare%3Bfalse%5D
I have Jabra BT620s -> it's not lightweight, works fine though + remote + microphone inside.
Just ordered the Sony Inear bluetooths: DR-BT20NX
I love in ear headphones and this one also has got a mic + remote controls...hope they will work fine.
The best BT is the one I don't have to wear. The things irritate my ear while driving, especially over rough roads. I now have a car with integrated BT and I love it. No fiddling with the earpiece, no irritation...just push the button on the dash to make a call or answer. And I would NEVER walk around in public seemingly talking to myself, looking like a paranoid schizophrenic. I do, however, use a Moto S9 at the gym...finally no wires to pull at the earbuds while working out.
I've had an Anycom BSH-100 & BluNa adapter running on my iPod 5.5G 80GB for about 9 months, works great and I love it!!!
Ok, so that was totally not meant for this comment. Sorry.
The perfect follow up to this post would be a review of DAP's with Bluetooth. I can't believe how few have it!
I currently have a Dell D620 and an HTC S621 I use the Motorola S9's they are great, to be honest I use them more with my laptop then I do with my phone.
I have the Motorola HT820 and I love them. The sound quality is very good and the battery life is excellent. And while this might not make much difference when using with that sexy P2, the range is great too. With the USB dongle I get a good 150ft indoors and a little further with the Motorola DC800 for days I want to listen to something that isn't on my computer.
My only complaint is the same as others have had, which is that after a while they can cen a bit uncomfortable, but removing them for a few minutes always fixes that for me.
Currently I am using the Tritton AX Bluestream. What is nice about this unit is that I can use the headphone that come with, or I can use whatever headphones I prefer. The OLED screen is nice for caller ID.
hey, something ive not heard people mention is the jabra bt8010, ive had it for about a month now and its amazing. its similiar to the plantronics one, but it costs wayyyy less. it retails for 150$, but verizon had it on sale for 89.99$, the plantronics one is over 150, and all the other ones mentioned are also over 100$, the sound is amazing. here is a link to the page.
http://www.jabra.com/Sites/Jabra/NA-US/products/Pages/JabraBT8010.aspx
i think this is your answer.
Tritton Technologies AX Bluestream - Bluetooth Stereo Headset($69-$79). Amazing sound quality, and you can use your own headphones with it(3.5mm). Has a built-in microphone, and an OLED screen that displays caller ID, music status, and volume. Also features built in Li-Po battery, and usb interface for upgrading firmware and charging. You can also stream music with A2DP.
http://www.trittontechnologies.com/products/TRIBH102.html
Hi,,, The AX Bluestream looks cool.. Does it play phone calls in both ears?
I believe it does, although it wont be stereo sound.
Motorola S9 is the best one. Good sound, good battery life, confortable to use.
The Jabra BT8010 is a GREAT stereo headset. Great battery life, detachable so you can use just one for mono, vibration function, and a very slick caller ID screen that's clear to read on the side.
http://www.hellodirect.com/hellodirect/Shop?DSP=30102&PCR=1:1:5:15:160:1060&IID=13353&itemskuid=13353
I actually sell these with a corporate discount so if you need one with a price cut drop me an email.
pesmith@hellodirect.com
What about the Wi-Gear iMuffs (www.imuffs.com). They're available at the Apple Store, and Sharper Image, and a few other places. They're not exactly cheap, but provide great sound, light weight, comfortable for long uses, and are exactly what the original question asked for. Well, except for the price thing.
http://www.wi-gear.com
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?find=imuffs
They come with an adapter for iPods including the iPod classic, touch, and 3rd generation nano, and they work with Leopard (or a PC or other A2DP source).
Thanks for the cool topic to discuss Engadget! I've totally been looking for a decent source of unbiased reviews for BT headphones. I think the major issue I have with what's currently available is that almost all of them look terrible and uncomfortable. While several people here have provided reviews for over-the-ear cans, I think that are too big for practical use and I would just as soon use a wired alternative.
Secondly, some people have mentioned BT connectors for using existing headphones. Again, this isn't really an option since the whole point of BT is to get rid of the friggin wires. Why would I want to add another chain in my listening fidelity when it doesn't benefit my experience?
Hopefully we'll see some innovation in the BT headset category some time soon. I'd really like to see some nice sets I can use without looking like a doof or having to worry about a bunch of excess wires.
Hi there!
How come nobody talked about the iMuffs yet? I work at Wi-Gear and use them everyday and honestly I love them.
Comfortable behind-the-head design, excellent sound, on-ear iPod controls... and thanks to Leopard you can now use them with your Mac (providing it has Bluetooth built-in)!
www.imuffs.com
S9 all the way! I originally bought it to use with my XV6700, but the A2DP hack sometimes failed in the middle of songs and drove me nuts. I eventually got the Motorola Q and along with S9, I am in bluetooth heaven! S9 is perfect!
Get a bluetooth headset with a 3.5mm stereo jack so you can plug in whatever headphones you want. The adapter clips on as also contains the mic. I find this the best solution.
Sony Ericsson HBH-DS200 or HBH-DS220.
Jabra BT620s absolutely is my favorite. It's working perfectly exactly what manufacturer said. really sometimes I forgot when the last time put that for charging. Great sound quality for both side even use by voice recognition. full control on any application or devices. Charging by USB or normal adapter. light weight and very good ergonomic design.
only odd is carrying, not foldable, abnormal shape.
I'm currently using the iLuv i903's. They are an over-the-ear style, but don't have huge earpieces like some others do. They support both A2DP and hands-free profiles. The built-in microphone works well, allowing for easy transitions from music to phone calls. They also feature noise-cancelling, which doesn't work the best, but can be turned off if you're not in need of it. They also have on-ear controls for play/pause and fwd/rew. The battery lasts for about 8-9 hours, a little less if the noise-cancelling is turned on. They come with an universal voltage AC adapter, USB charging cable, separate Bluetooth dongle with a 3.5mm jack (for devices that don't have built-in Bluetooth; just plug it in to the headphone jack), airplane adapter and a nice carrying pouch. The headphones collapse and fold, so they're quite portable for their size. I've been using them with my WM6 smartphone, Nokia N73 and my laptop. They work great, are comfortable and have excellent sound (IMHO). You can find them as low as $120 online.
http://www.i-luv.com/iLuv/product_info.php?products_id=302
I've been hunting the web for reviews on Bluetooth headsets after breaking my third wired headset. I saw the Plantronics Pulsar 590A for a good price and picked it up yesterday. Its works brilliantly synch with my Treo 650 using Softicks Audio Gateway, I'm really happy with my choice.
Though I wish I could have had chance to read this post before buying as I was really worried. A friend has the BlueAnt X5 Stereo Bluetooth and its really uncomfortable to wear for longer than a few minutes.
Mark.
I have an XPS M1330 notebook with built-in Dell TrueMobile 355 internal Bluetooth Module which supports A2DP. If I buy an A2DP BT headset can I listen to all audio / video files on my computer using the headphones or will it only support certain codecs? Basically, I want to be sure that all sound output by my computer, e.g. even just clicking the volume icon in Windows, will be transmitted over BT and be audible in the headset? Thanks for the help!
GB
Yes - I have m1330 w. motorola s9. word of warning, MS Vista bluetooth, with dell's bluetooth, and S9 don't work well for A2DP streaming stereo.
But the answer is yes, you can direct all audio to a device supporting A2DP. You volume control will allow you to select your output from Speakers to Bluetooth Wireless Headset.
Don't know about availability in the US, but here in the UK we have these lovely Sony BT-10CX headsets. I bought mine like five months ago, and use it with the Anycom iPod BT adapter - works like a peach, with both my Nano and my SE M600i.
Sound quality is excellent and battery life is reasonable, only downside is, you can only adjust the volume on the headset, not with the iPod wheel, which drives me nuts from time to time.
Anyone know of any options if you want BT head/earphones that can bind and switch two different devices? For example, so I can get audio from either my cellphone or from my PSP+BT adapter...
Or is that just a pipe dream?
I am 100% sure it can do it. I have a Nokia N73 with A2DP and a Jabra A125s iPod adapter. I connect the headset to both devices with no problems and listen to my music from the adapter and when I get a call it easily transfers over to the phone. Or, if I decide I don't want the adapter plugged in, I can listen to music on my phone and when I get a call it pauses it and answers the call.
I'll be honest, since the technology is a little new, it has a few hick ups when it comes to the controls for both devices, because it doesn't have dedicated music keys. You have to hit a button to switch to music mode or phone mode to make the buttons do what they're supposed to. If any other device out there had both the ability to do dual A2DP devices and had the call and music quality I was looking for, I'd probably use something else, but so far nothing does.
Haha. I beat you to it! :-P Check the comment above yours. I love them, but if only they were in-ear and more comfy!!!!
I rock the motorola S805's... the fact that they work wired allows me to use them while i'm on planes, and with devices that don't have a bluetooth audio output (friends ipods, DJ mixers etc...) not to sure about other headphones supporting that, but they sound pretty nice to my ears.
Also, battery life is pretty good, and the actual speaker pods are removable, leading me to think about building some mounts into my snowboard/bike helmets so i can rock out while i ride...
the motorola s805's are wired? i thought they were bluetooth?
I did the reviews for a bluetooth stereo headset and finally purchased the Motorola S9. Big waste of money. First off the volume is weak. If one wants to listen in a quite room, the S9 is just OK. But in a gym the volume is so weak I couldn't even hear the music. Second, the quality of sound is very tinny. The high notes are OK but mid-range is almost gone and forget hearing any bass. I paired the S9 with my Motorola RAZR V3xx, there was a lot of cut out in the reception, so I bought a Blackberry 8300 CURVE. The cut out was gone and the volume was a tiny bit better. Needless to say, my S9 is put away in a drawer never to be used again. What a disappointment. I STILL looking for a replacement, but in the meantime I'm sticking with my wired headset that came with my Blackberry.