A Bluetooth stereo headset gives you the freedom to listen to
high-quality digital music from your home stereo, computer,
cell phone, laptop, ipod, or any other Bluetooth
supported stereo device, without being connected by any cables or
wires.
Bluetooth stereo audio, is second only to Bluetooth hands free
communication for mobile phones, in a rapidly
growing market.
Because of this, Bluetooth stereo headphones and headsets are
very popular to manufacturers as well as consumers.
Some companies refer to Bluetooth stereo headphones and headsets
as the same product. Other companies offer a fine distinction
between the two products, with the one of the differences being the
earpiece speaker. Headphones usually have speakers that cover
the whole ear, while headsets usually have a speaker positioned on
the outside of the ear.
A second difference involves the speaker configuration between
the two products. Headphones usually have two speakers, one
covering each ear, while headsets only have one speaker, which
covers only one ear.
The main difference between Bluetooth stereo headsets and
headphones involve the Bluetooth applications. Many older Bluetooth
stereo headphones do not support cell phone, hands free
communication. However, most of the newer Bluetooth stereo
headphones do have this feature.
Bluetooth stereo headsets, not only offer the user the ability
to listen to music, but also to switch seamlessly to their
Bluetooth enabled cell phone. The headset will notify the user when
a call comes in. When the call ends, the phone
disconnects and the music resumes play automatically.
Bluetooth stereo headsets are manufactured by many companies
including Motorola, Nokia, Jabra, LG, Plantronics, Sony Ericsson,
Kyocera, and Blue Ant. The headsets range in price from
about $30-$300 or more.
One of the higher end Bluetooth stereo headsets is the
Plantronics Pulsar 590A. This headset has a retail price of
approximately $250. It offers 12 hours of talk time and
10 hours of listening time, and can seamlessly switch between
listening to music and telephone calls.
This Bluetooth device has a connectivity range of 33 feet
and comes with a universal adapter that plugs directly into most
3.5 mm audio devices. With this adapter, stereo music can be
listened to from most MP3s, PDAs, PCs, DVD players, TVs, and
home entertainment systems.
The X5 stereo Bluetooth headset by Blue Ant provides
excellent sound quality and easily switches back between streaming
music and receiving calls.
The headset comes with a choice of two earpiece covers, one foam
and the other like a cushioned doughnut. This headset is
comfortably worn behind the neck and has a separate microphone that
gets plugged into a mini USB port that is located on the right
earpiece. The Blue Ant X5 Bluetooth wireless headset is in the
moderate price range, costing approximately $100.
On the lower end of the price range for Bluetooth wireless
headsets is Anycom Technologies BSH-100. This headset
has an integrated microphone and an overall weight of 2.68
ounces. For comfort this headset is worn behind the neck, and
has a connectivity range of 33 feet. It offers good
quality, full digital stereo sound and is priced at
approximately $40.
If you enjoy listening to music and want to take it with you
when you are on the go, a Bluetooth wireless headset is definitely
for you.