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    Reviews&Rankings: Buying Guide: Bluetooth Headsets Set You Free

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    telommop
    Bluetooth headsets allow for hands-free calling and are either over-the-ear or earbud style. They connect wirelessly to compatible phones using Bluetooth technology. The author tests 10 Bluetooth headsets and finds that while the best models have great features, call quality is inconsistent and no single headset excels in all areas. The Aliph Jawbone delivers the best audio quality overall and includes multiple earpieces, though other models fit or perform better for noise cancellation or battery life. Overall, call experience can vary depending on the headset, fit, and environment.

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    Reviews&Rankings: Buying Guide: Bluetooth Headsets Set You Free

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    telommop
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    Bluetooth headsets allow for hands-free calling and are either over-the-ear or earbud style. They connect wirelessly to compatible phones using Bluetooth technology. The author tests 10 Bluetooth headsets and finds that while the best models have great features, call quality is inconsistent and no single headset excels in all areas. The Aliph Jawbone delivers the best audio quality overall and includes multiple earpieces, though other models fit or perform better for noise cancellation or battery life. Overall, call experience can vary depending on the headset, fit, and environment.

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    Bluetooth headsets allow for hands-free calling and are either over-the-ear or earbud style. They connect wirelessly to compatible phones using Bluetooth technology. The author tests 10 Bluetooth headsets and finds that while the best models have great features, call quality is inconsistent and no single headset excels in all areas. The Aliph Jawbone delivers the best audio quality overall and includes multiple earpieces, though other models fit or perform better for noise cancellation or battery life. Overall, call experience can vary depending on the headset, fit, and environment.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    83 views3 pages

    Reviews&Rankings: Buying Guide: Bluetooth Headsets Set You Free

    Uploaded by

    telommop
    Bluetooth headsets allow for hands-free calling and are either over-the-ear or earbud style. They connect wirelessly to compatible phones using Bluetooth technology. The author tests 10 Bluetooth headsets and finds that while the best models have great features, call quality is inconsistent and no single headset excels in all areas. The Aliph Jawbone delivers the best audio quality overall and includes multiple earpieces, though other models fit or perform better for noise cancellation or battery life. Overall, call experience can vary depending on the headset, fit, and environment.

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    Reviews&Rankings

    Buying Guide: Bluetooth Headsets Set You Free


    WHEN PAIRED with a compatible cell phone, a Bluetooth headset allows you to make calls without having to hold the phone in your hand. And Bluetooth headsets are more than just a conveniencein some jurisdictions, it may be illegal for you to use and talk on your cell phone without a headset while driving. Bluetooth headsets typically come in two styles: over-the-ear or earbud (some can fit both ways). Over-the-ear (aka earhook) headsets can sport wide, loopy hooks or thin, narrow ones; they can be plastic, rubberized metal, or leather, too. Some headsets have earbuds that are completely round, while other earbuds have tips that protrude. In a perfect world for headset makers, people's ears would be identical. They aren't, of course, and that s why we prefer that headset bundles include multiple options to help you find a good fit. Some manufacturers are generous with their goodies, providing small, medium, and large earbuds, along with an additional earhook or two. Others give you an AC charger and a user guide, but nothing else in the box. Bluetooth technology permits two devices to talk to each other wirelessly over
    MORE ONLINE To see our in-depth reviews of all the Bluetooth headsets we tested this month, browse to find.pcwor[d.com/62317.

    ALIPH'S NEW JAWBONE, our Best Buy pick, offers crisp sound and several earpiece alternatives.

    THE NO-HOOK PLANTRONICS Discovery 925 Js easy to position, and its audio is top-notch.

    low-frequency radio waves in the 2.4-GHz range. Both of the devices, such as a cell phone and a headset, must be Bluetooth-enabled. To start pairing between a headset and a phone, you use your phone's interface, making sure that the headset is turned on and in pairing mode. The phone searches for and locates the headset. To establish a connection, depending on the version of Bluetooth that your phone and headset support, you may need to enter a PIN on your phone's keypad; afterward, your phone will recognize the headset. Your paired Bluetooth phone and headset don't need to be in direct line of sight to function properly and maintain their connection. Depending on your headset's range, however, you can't roam too far. You can determine what a headset's operating range is by looking at its classifcation. Most headsets on the market today are Bluetooth Class 2, which limits you to a working range of up to roughly 33 feet. Headset models supporting Bluetooth Class 1 ofFer a range of up to 328 feet, but currently

    they are far less common. !n addition to the classification, you should keep the Bluetooth profile in mind. This specification defines the standard capabilities ofa Bluetooth-enabled device. For any Bluetooth headset that you consider, look for the following two common profiles in the product's specifications list.
    Headset Profile (HSP): You

    and adjusting the volume.


    Hands-Free Profile (HFP): A

    headset's support for this profile enables you to talk on the phone and operate it. For example, you can redial the last number, handle call waiting, and dial by voice.

    Buying Tips
    The last thing you want is to commit to a Bluetooth headset and discover that it's a bad match. Here are a few pieces of advice to remember as you shop around. If you talk on your cell phone a lot in your car or on public transportation, or in other potentially noisy surroundings, look for a headset with a good reputation for noise cancellation. Try different designs, too, since it's hard to know what will feel comfortable until you put on both types. If you wear glasses, remember that using an earhook can be a real painyour glasses and headset compete for space in the same spot. If you're the kind of person who will pop a headset on and off 3 bazillion times a day, consider a headset that goes straight into your ear no over-the-ear jockeying required. On the fiip side, if

    can talk on the phone through the headset, and you can accomplish basic things such as accepting incoming calls, hanging up.

    JABRA'S VERSATILE ANO lightweight BT530 comes with earhooks and several ear gels so that you can find the right fit.

    5G

    WWW.PCWORL0.COM MARCH 2009

    you plan to leave the headsei in your ear for extended periods of time, think about whether an earhook model would be more your style. Such a design might make the fit more secure. Make sure, too, that the headset you plan to buy will support the cell phone you own; some Bluetooth headsets do not support all Bluetooth phones. Many headset manufacturers provide compatibility lists on their Web sites, where you can search for your mobile phone's specific make and model.

    PC WORLD TOP 5 BLUETOOTH HEADSETS


    Performance Features and specifications 'Earhoofc ' 0.35 ounce IncluilpdUSBaclsptei

    AUph Jawbone SI30 find.pcwofld,com/621O6

    Audio quali t) ' SuperiiT Comtort: Ver/Good Design: Very 3ood But Ion placement Good

    BOTTOM UNE: The rugged-looking Jawbone otters excellent audio qu.iIJty, multiple earpiece options, and a clean design. Audio quallt' : Very Good Coniforl:Sui'erior Design: Very 3ood Button plBcr ment; Good Earbud Q.B oun 2.7by1.0bya.9inchi;.s InctudL^d USB adapter

    Plantronics Discovery 925

    SISO
    tn[i,pcworl(i.com/62109

    BOTTOM LiNE; A great-sounding headset, the 925 is easy to fit in your -ar. and it conws with a rechargeable carrying case. Audio quatir; Fair Conitiirt: Vei/Good Design: Very Good Button [ilaci ment: Good Earhook 01 arbud 1,9 by D.e by 0 5 inches

    JabraBT530

    3 $100
    find,pcworld.CDm/62110

    BOTTOM LINE: Jabra's BTS30 provides a secure lit-Mith ar without the earhook-but audio quality was inconsistent in tests.

    Motorola Motopure H15

    4 $130
    firid,pcworld.coiW62111

    Audio qualit': Good Conifcin:Goid Design: Supi rior Button placi ment: Good

    Earhouk 0.49 ounce 1.5byli.9byO.5incties Nc US adapter included

    Our Test Results


    We'd like to say that call quality through a Bluetooth headset is consistent and comparable toor better thanwhat you get from a cell phone on a good day. But it isn't, ln my testing, even the best-sounding headsets overall still had their off moments, producing faintness, voice distortion, echoes, and disappointing background-noise cancellation, for example. I looked at ten headsets across a range of prices and designs, and ! discovered that you can get many great features, but only if you're

    BOTTOM LINE: Compact with a flip mic, the H15 Keeps out backgrouno noise and responds reliably lo voice-iictivated dialing. Nokia BH-804 S20 fintJ.pcworlcl.com/62t08 Audioquslitr:Fair Comfort:Go Id Design: V^iy Good Button placi meot: Giiod Earbuil or ear hook 0.2b ounce 1.7 by tJ.S by 0 2 Inches NoUSIt adapter mcliid

    BOTTOM LINE: The tiny, lightweight BH-04 f i u well, but call quality vas consistent only when we were close to the phune, CHART NOTE: Prices and ratings are as ot 12/1/OS.

    MOTOROLA'S MOTOPURE H15 has a rup-open microphone, which turns the unit on and off.

    willing to pay top dollar for a headset. And even if you cough up $100 or more, you may find that your chosen model has some drawbacks, depending on your fit preferences and usage habits. Our Best Buy choice, the new $130 Aliph jawbone, delivered superb audio: Voices sounded crisp generally, and the headset did remarkably well at reducing background noise. In addition, the package includes multiple earpiece components, which improves your chances of finding a good fit. The second-ranked headset, the $150 Plantronics Discovery 925, felt comfortable and snug in my ear. Since it uses no hook, the Discovery didn't interfere with my eyeglasses. Though conversations sounded clear.

    in noisy environments the Discovery failed to mitigate background noise is well as the Jawbone did. My experiences >tfith some other models on tlie chart underscored our finding that you can't have it all in a single headset. For example, you can use or rcn ove the earhook on the $100 Jabra BT530; either way. the fit

    feels secure. But in my tests the call quality was unreliable, with superclear calls one minute and voice distortion and annoying echoes the next. Me;mwhile, die hook-based, $130 Motorola Motopure H15, despiic some voice breakups during calls, impressed with its elimination of background noise. Its unique Hip microphone helps conserve battery life when closed. Nokia's BH-804, in iilth on our chart, is the lightest of the models I tested. Factor in Us dainty size, and this headset feels even lighter and not surprisingly, vt-ry discreet. Unfortunately, its call quality varied, deteriorating rapidly when I moved about 9 feet or farther away from my mobile phone.
    Aoi M. McEooy

    THE NOKIA BH-aO4 i . smaU and light, but audio qualh y suffered a few feet from our c^U phone.

    MARCH 7009 WWW.PCW0RLD.COM

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