Do you get tangled up in your headphone cable or pull your computer off the desk because you forgot that you are connected to it with your headphones? Some of my co-workers do and asked me about wireless headphones or headsets for use with Skype and music or streaming web audio.
Wireless headphones have until recently costs over a hundred dollars, whereas, a USB wired headset from Logitech costs $30. Mono Bluetooth headsets sold for use with cellphones might work, but they are mono and not so suitable for music.
Fortunately, Staples (which I cannot find now) was offering the Jabra BT620s Bluetooth stereo headset for $30. You can get it for $38 on Amazon. These headphones had cost over twice as much at $78 or so. Motorola sells comparable headphones for $99.
I ordered the Jabra headset and have tested it out with my MacBook. It was fairly easy to pair with the headset. It took a couple attempt, but once it was connected it worked very well.
I had read reviews that the sound quality was very poor, but the Mac identifies two devices or modes of operation: headset or headphone. The difference is that the headset mode enables the built in mic allowing for input and output, whereas, the headphone mode disables the mic and allows for much better sound quality. It sounds as good as any other head phone, but I can get up and move 15 feet away. I assume that in headset mode the signal bandwidth is split in half and the sound quality is similar to a AM radio.
The headset comes with a AC adapter, a USB cable, an extra pair of foam ear pads and a black velvet bag. The USB cable allows you to connect the headset directly to your computer for charging and listening. From the Jabra web site:
Use with your PC, music player or other Bluetooth device. One of the great things about the Jabra BT620s is that it can be used with various Bluetooth devices. You can connect your Jabra BT620s with 2 devices, enabling music playing and phone connectivity at the same time. This means you never have to miss a call unless you want to, and you don’t have to change your headset when you want to listen to music on another device.
By tapping the right ear pad you can stop and start iTunes. There are buttons to skip backward and forward between tracks. On the left side you can control the volume. The left pad is used to answer phone calls.
Talk time is 16 hours and music playback is 14 hours. Charge time is 2 hours. There are blinking blue, red and green led lights to indicate charging and usage.
I tested it with my Sprint Motorola Razr 3M and it worked well. I could be listening to a podcast on my MacBook and as soon as I started using my cell phone, the podcast was paused and I was hearing audio from the cell phone. However, after a few moments the MacBook did revert back to the built-in speakers. It was easy enough to re-associate the headphones from the Mac's drop down Bluetooth menu which remembers all of the Bluetooth devices that you have paired. Leopards handling of Bluetooth is much improved over Tiger. I also find the Mac easier to use with Bluetooth devices than Windows XP which I'll need to test out next.
At $30 I think the Jabra headphones are a good deal and at $38 it is still pretty good considering the extra functions above normal headphones and the abscence of wires.
PROS: Affordable, multi-purpose (works with computers and cell phones at the same), no wires, remote control functions, good sound quality as headphones.
CONS: Non-adjustable fit, not everyone is going to like the wrap around style, so-so sound quality as a headset.
29 March 2009, 22:01
I now consider myself a headphone aficionado. I may follow your advice on my next purchase. The wrap around style is maybe not my favorite, but it's only one of the important traits.