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the best A2DP bluetooth stereo headsets for Iphone
- Thread starter abarna21
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Thanks for the response ActionAmerica!
I did some more research on my own, here is a link that I found to be really helpful: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/03/ask-engadget-best-solution-for-bluetooth-stereo-audio/
I read through the comments and there are some very good opinions/reviews on quite a few headsets.
I ultimately settled for a pair of Sony's. The biggest factor in that decision was that the are styled like the pair of wired Sony's that I have used for years. I've got a big head and so fit was a big concern for me. Also the reviews seemed to be very good.
I found the headset and the iPod adapter for $80.00 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DR-BT21I...Bluetooth/dp/B000ZN041C/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_2_2
I thought it was a pretty good deal.
Headphones are supposed to arrive sometime next week. I'll use them for a bit and try to post a review up here for ya'll if you're interested.
I did some more research on my own, here is a link that I found to be really helpful: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/03/ask-engadget-best-solution-for-bluetooth-stereo-audio/
I read through the comments and there are some very good opinions/reviews on quite a few headsets.
I ultimately settled for a pair of Sony's. The biggest factor in that decision was that the are styled like the pair of wired Sony's that I have used for years. I've got a big head and so fit was a big concern for me. Also the reviews seemed to be very good.
I found the headset and the iPod adapter for $80.00 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DR-BT21I...Bluetooth/dp/B000ZN041C/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_2_2
I thought it was a pretty good deal.
Headphones are supposed to arrive sometime next week. I'll use them for a bit and try to post a review up here for ya'll if you're interested.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I've seen the Bluetrek Duo Stereo. It looks pretty interesting that you can convert it from mono headset to stereo headset that supports 3.5mm stereo headphone.
http://www.bluetrek.com/product_stereo.html
I thought it was a pretty good deal.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Bluetooth convertible to wired
The Motorola HT820 is also easily convertible from stereo Bluetooth, with mic to wired stereo, without mic. It has been quite a while since I bought mine, but I believe that it came with the cable that I use every time I fly. You can only use it in wired mode, for listening to music. The mic in not operational through the wire.
On a plane, they require you to turn off Bluetooth devices, so I just turn off the power on the HT820, plug one end of the cable into the right headphone and the other end into either the plane's seat jack, my iPhone (in airplane mode) or into my 17" MB-Pro. Upon landing, I just unplug and store the cable, turn off airplane mode on the iPhone and turn on the HT820.
The Motorola HT820 is also easily convertible from stereo Bluetooth, with mic to wired stereo, without mic. It has been quite a while since I bought mine, but I believe that it came with the cable that I use every time I fly. You can only use it in wired mode, for listening to music. The mic in not operational through the wire.
On a plane, they require you to turn off Bluetooth devices, so I just turn off the power on the HT820, plug one end of the cable into the right headphone and the other end into either the plane's seat jack, my iPhone (in airplane mode) or into my 17" MB-Pro. Upon landing, I just unplug and store the cable, turn off airplane mode on the iPhone and turn on the HT820.
I Muffs from Wi Gear
this is the best for me. great sounding behind the ears, forward,back,pause works because of the dongle. however,i tried having someone call me and it doesn't work well as it did with just the ipod. I forgot to mention i'm trying it out with the 3GS. my unit's 3 years old so the new ones may have been updated. I was going to order another one but unfortunately it/s OUT OF STOCK.
this is the best for me. great sounding behind the ears, forward,back,pause works because of the dongle. however,i tried having someone call me and it doesn't work well as it did with just the ipod. I forgot to mention i'm trying it out with the 3GS. my unit's 3 years old so the new ones may have been updated. I was going to order another one but unfortunately it/s OUT OF STOCK.
Bluetooth Helper
If your headset can play and pause the iPhone over Bluetooth, you can now skip tracks as well with Bluetooth Helper, a $0.99 app in the app store.
Tap Play/Pause twice to skip to the next track, tap three times to skip previous. It works with the screen locked, and if you're jailbroken it works in the background as well.
I put the app out there due to my own frustrations. Apple hasn't given much for indications about when AVRCP will be fully supported, but this works in the meantime!
If your headset can play and pause the iPhone over Bluetooth, you can now skip tracks as well with Bluetooth Helper, a $0.99 app in the app store.
Tap Play/Pause twice to skip to the next track, tap three times to skip previous. It works with the screen locked, and if you're jailbroken it works in the background as well.
I put the app out there due to my own frustrations. Apple hasn't given much for indications about when AVRCP will be fully supported, but this works in the meantime!
Hello abarna21.
I have one solution for you to Make phone calls and listen to music in style and convenience with the Lubix NC1 Stereo Bluetooth Headset. With support for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile A2DP and four built-in 3D sound modes, the Lubix NC1 headset makes a great pair of wireless headphones for listening to music in high-quality stereo. With Apple recently announcing that their iPhone 3.0 update will include support for stereo Bluetooth headsets, this should give you more satisfaction.
I have one solution for you to Make phone calls and listen to music in style and convenience with the Lubix NC1 Stereo Bluetooth Headset. With support for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile A2DP and four built-in 3D sound modes, the Lubix NC1 headset makes a great pair of wireless headphones for listening to music in high-quality stereo. With Apple recently announcing that their iPhone 3.0 update will include support for stereo Bluetooth headsets, this should give you more satisfaction.
ill like the sony ericsson ds-205! works great and you even can change the volume which you cannot with many a2dp headsets
Those look really nice, and they apparently been out for quite awhile. I am surprised they haven't gotten more media attention.
I'll keep those on my shortlist to replace my 1st gen Moto S9's along with the new Jaybird BB4B's (which look like front-runners to me).
I'm not sure how that can be (FWD/BACK buttons), since Apple does not support AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) on the iPhone. The only way that FWD/BACK could work on a current iPhone, with any Bluetooth headset, would be with one of those not to be sufficiently cursed dongles.
I looked at the form factor for the 903 and it looks great. I also like most A/L products. I just wan to make sure that people know that the iPhone does NOT support AVRCP, at this time.
I'll stick with my Motorola HT820 for now. It does everything that the iPhone will allow, including PLAY/PAUSE, ANSWER/HANG-UP, REDIAL, VOLUME and it has by far, the longest battery life I have seen (14 hrs.). It also can be converted to wired use, on planes, by just turning it off and plugging the included mini-stereo cable into the headset and the other end of the cable into the iPhone (airplane mode), Mac or airplane audio jack. Of course, the mic doesn't work in wired mode, but who cares. The only time you will probably use it that way, is on a plane.
That was a big selling point for me, since I was maintaining a home in London and a home in Houston and flying between them a lot, when I bought my HT820 headset. I tried the S9 in a store in Houston and found it uncomfortable and the telephone-call audio only came from one earpiece. The HT820 gives you dual speaker mono sound on phone calls, which makes it much easier to hear, in noisy environments, like airports and malls.
The sound quality on the HT820 is above average. While it could be better, it's a quite acceptable trade off, to get that very long battery life.
What is the brand and model? Rocketfish(Bestbuy Brand) RF-MAB2
Do the skip forward/back buttons work with the iPhone? NO
What about the play/pause button? Yes
What about the volume controls? Yes
Rate the sound quality on a scale of 1-10 8 to 9. Not an audiophile, but had one listen and he was impressed. Has multiple settings for sound quality.
Rate the bass on a scale of 1-10 8 can change quality with settings.
Does it have a microphone? Yes
If so, how's the sound quality for the other person?
No one even knows I'm on wireles headset.
Is there anything particularly annoying about it? (Bad battery life, bad range, difficult to pair, ugly, uses a dongle, cheap feeling, etc.)
Battery life is suppose to be 14 hours music and 12 hours talk.
fits around back of neck can be bothersome with coats but still functional.
How much does it generally cost?
$60.00 at Bestbuy, got mine for $25 including shipping on Amazon.com
If possible, please provide a link to a good place to buy them.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_9_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rocketfish+bluetooth+headphones&sprefix=rocketfi
Do the skip forward/back buttons work with the iPhone? NO
What about the play/pause button? Yes
What about the volume controls? Yes
Rate the sound quality on a scale of 1-10 8 to 9. Not an audiophile, but had one listen and he was impressed. Has multiple settings for sound quality.
Rate the bass on a scale of 1-10 8 can change quality with settings.
Does it have a microphone? Yes
If so, how's the sound quality for the other person?
No one even knows I'm on wireles headset.
Is there anything particularly annoying about it? (Bad battery life, bad range, difficult to pair, ugly, uses a dongle, cheap feeling, etc.)
Battery life is suppose to be 14 hours music and 12 hours talk.
fits around back of neck can be bothersome with coats but still functional.
How much does it generally cost?
$60.00 at Bestbuy, got mine for $25 including shipping on Amazon.com
If possible, please provide a link to a good place to buy them.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_9_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rocketfish+bluetooth+headphones&sprefix=rocketfi
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
BlueAnt T1
I just ordered a BlueAnt T1. Should be arriving soon.
Had some good reviews on cnet. Does anyone own one? I'd like to know what you think if you do.
I just ordered a BlueAnt T1. Should be arriving soon.
Had some good reviews on cnet. Does anyone own one? I'd like to know what you think if you do.
Plantronics Back Beat 903
1. What is the brand and model?
1. What is the brand and model?
Plantronics Back Beat 903
2. Do the skip forward/back buttons work with the iPhone?Nope
UPDATE
I just got iOS 4.1 and the skip/reverse feature works. It Works! Yes! YES!
3. What about the play/pause button?I just got iOS 4.1 and the skip/reverse feature works. It Works! Yes! YES!
Yep
4. What about the volume controls?Yep
5. Rate the sound quality on a scale of 1-108
6. Rate the bass on a scale of 1-108
7. Does it have a microphone? If so, how's the sound quality for the other person?Yes, it does. I ran a test using the voice recorder app and it sounded pretty good in a light breeze. Voice control dialing was foiled by a little stronger wind coupled with street noise.
8. Is there anything particularly annoying about it? (Bad battery life, bad range, difficult to pair, ugly, uses a dongle, cheap feeling, etc.)The behind the head wire seems flimsy after my Motorolla set. However, it's also more flexible so it will make a smaller package in my gym bag.
9. How much does it generally cost?100+ at Apple store.
10. If possible, please provide a link to a good place to buy them.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Hi,
Just a heads up for those of you looking at Nokia BH-905 headphones. These are premium noise cancelling over-ear phones.
They worked great with iOS 4.0 but you cannot receive audio in iOS 4.1. There is a thread over on the Apple Support forums I have posted in - so far there are at least 7 of us (some with a 3GS others with iPhone 4 etc).
I am really annoyed. I paid £600 for the iPhone and £150 for the headphones. They now dont work together.
Just a heads up for those of you looking at Nokia BH-905 headphones. These are premium noise cancelling over-ear phones.
They worked great with iOS 4.0 but you cannot receive audio in iOS 4.1. There is a thread over on the Apple Support forums I have posted in - so far there are at least 7 of us (some with a 3GS others with iPhone 4 etc).
I am really annoyed. I paid £600 for the iPhone and £150 for the headphones. They now dont work together.
Can you link me to the thread? I was thinking of getting the BH-905's. Also, did you pressing the play button twice on the headset after it's paired? I remember reading, that's what you needed to do. That music would play from the iPhone speaker, but once you hit play once or twice on the headphones, it works. I could be mistaken, but that's what I thought I had read.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12231633&tstart=0
I have pressed Play about 500 times ;-)
In 4.0 it was a little 'flaky' and it was necessary to press Play a few times until the connection was made. in 4.1 it connects (by connect I mean you get the 'Audio Output' icon at the bottom right where you chose Speaker or the BT device) quicker but you never get music out.
The 'Solution' posted in that thread does not work. It doesn't even make sense - you have to choose the Audio output (speaker or BT device) it does not flip between them by pressing play.
Bluetooth headphones for the Iphone - a unique solution.
The Mi-Sport VBT bluetooth headphones seem to provide a unique solution for listening to music wirelessly, whilst still remaining connected to your phone.
Apparently you can put 4gb worth of I-Tunes music directly onto the headphones, [so no signal drop out and better depth of bass]. You then get voice cues to guide you through playlists and albums and fast forward and rewind within a track, but still stay linked to your phone for calls via the bluetooth. Navigation through your music is therefore far better. The volume control works as well for the incoming call. It`s also fully waterproof for the gym - or swimming.
This appears to be a one off and I have seen no other headphones using this method.
The Mi-Sport VBT bluetooth headphones seem to provide a unique solution for listening to music wirelessly, whilst still remaining connected to your phone.
Apparently you can put 4gb worth of I-Tunes music directly onto the headphones, [so no signal drop out and better depth of bass]. You then get voice cues to guide you through playlists and albums and fast forward and rewind within a track, but still stay linked to your phone for calls via the bluetooth. Navigation through your music is therefore far better. The volume control works as well for the incoming call. It`s also fully waterproof for the gym - or swimming.
This appears to be a one off and I have seen no other headphones using this method.
Motorola S9-HD
No, but they work on everything else
Yes
Seperate so yes
10
8 with Noise insulating earbuds. 4 with the standard small ones
Yes. poor mic quality
Takes a while to get used to. Once you get used to them theyre awesome. but before then they can get annoying. You cant lay down comfortably with them.
$129 from motorola with iPod adapter. $49 on other sites, $99 from best buy
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/U...phones/MOTOROKR-S9-HD-Stereo-Headphones-US-EN
No, but they work on everything else
Yes
Seperate so yes
10
8 with Noise insulating earbuds. 4 with the standard small ones
Yes. poor mic quality
Takes a while to get used to. Once you get used to them theyre awesome. but before then they can get annoying. You cant lay down comfortably with them.
$129 from motorola with iPod adapter. $49 on other sites, $99 from best buy
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/U...phones/MOTOROKR-S9-HD-Stereo-Headphones-US-EN
I have the Motorola S805 bluetooth headphones.
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-S805-Bluetooth-Stereo-Headset/dp/B000JHKU72
They are bulky but are very comfortable for extended periods of use. I use them all the time on flights and leisure listening and never had any pain, they have decent sound isolation as well.
Sound quality is as good as any set of headphones I've tried, but I've never had any really expensive headphones to compare to.
All controls work with the 4.1 iOS update on my iPhone. It's absolutely fantastic to be able to leave the phone in my pocket and control every aspect of the music from the headphones.
Microphone quality is good enough, I've never had any one complain about hearing me.
Battery life is very good as well. I can use these for a week, several hours each day before I have to recharge.
The two things I don't like are the rubber cover over the charge port: it's annoying to get back in place. And I don't like that it defaults to having a blinking blue light when on and playing. This can be turned off by holding both the call and pause buttons for a few seconds, but it's annoying to have to do that each time I turn it on and connect to the phone.
I would highly recommend them.
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-S805-Bluetooth-Stereo-Headset/dp/B000JHKU72
They are bulky but are very comfortable for extended periods of use. I use them all the time on flights and leisure listening and never had any pain, they have decent sound isolation as well.
Sound quality is as good as any set of headphones I've tried, but I've never had any really expensive headphones to compare to.
All controls work with the 4.1 iOS update on my iPhone. It's absolutely fantastic to be able to leave the phone in my pocket and control every aspect of the music from the headphones.
Microphone quality is good enough, I've never had any one complain about hearing me.
Battery life is very good as well. I can use these for a week, several hours each day before I have to recharge.
The two things I don't like are the rubber cover over the charge port: it's annoying to get back in place. And I don't like that it defaults to having a blinking blue light when on and playing. This can be turned off by holding both the call and pause buttons for a few seconds, but it's annoying to have to do that each time I turn it on and connect to the phone.
I would highly recommend them.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I found one on ebay too but the result is a bit different with the above....
1. Motorola S9-HD (White/Blue)
2. Yes, it works with iphone 4 but not with iphone 3GS
3. Play/Pause is not working when the album is ended (can not replay the album)
4. Volume works okay
5. 4, sound quality is not too clear
6. 2, almost no bass
7. mic is okay, I don't have to yell like when I am using speakerphone on 3GS or iPhone 4
8. It hurts my ear when I use it for longer time (more than 30 minutes) and it tends to slip off my ear a bit (I realized when the sounds become softer after a while)
9. Mine is fake from China (I guess!... It was like $100 item when I bought it for $30) -- hint: 3D SRS WOW doesn't work; Bass doesn't work.... It's about $30 from ebay
10. Ebay.... just search... bought it about 6 months ago
Additional: You can't use it while you lay on your bed as the back side with push the headset...
Pairing is a bit of an issue.... If I pair them with iphone 4, it can connect to it easily but when I pair them with Macbook Pro... they will stop working with iphone 4 unless I pair it again... and it goes the same for macbook pro....
If you would like some update... back and forward function is now works with the latest iOS (I've tried this on iPhone 4).