Earlier this year when Apple announced that the iPhone 3.0 and iPod touch 3.0 OS updates would now finally support stereo bluetooth headphones I began the search for the best ones. Unfortunately there was no one claiming to have found the best ones. All of the reviews I’ve found for the various models varied widely in opinions. I guess when it comes to audio everyone’s tastes and tolerances are quite different. So I decided to bite the bullet and start my own research project for the best ones. I’m starting with the Sony DR-BT101 Bluetooth Headphones. The only reason I’m starting with these is because they were very reasonably priced compared to the others I saw. Enough with the words, see my video review here:
The Bottom Line
I can’t really complain much about these headphones. Other than the Next/Previous track buttons not working with the iPhone/iPod touch, they work as advertised. I haven’t run them completely down yet to test battery life, but the sound quality is respectable and the feature set was more than I expected. Also note that the battery is built-in and rechargeable via a standard USB cable (supplied). The only downside to this of course is that if you run out of juice while on the go, you can’t use them again until you recharge them. Although the cable is supplied, there isn’t a power source that comes with it. So you would have to charge them via one of your existing USB chargers or via the USB port of your computer. If you’re an iPhone user you can also use these for handsfree calls. For the money you can’t go wrong here. You can get the Sony DR-BT101 Bluetooth Headphones here for $59.
If you’re looking for others to evaluate, could you try these:
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er88.aspx
When I’m listening to music on an airplane, I do not want to hear the salesman behind me with his hearty, fake laugh. I have wired etymotics now, and I love the “cone of silence”, but I hate getting tangled up in wires.
I hope you review the Plantronics Pulsar 590A I have them and love them. I think they work very well. However, I don’t have the luxary or money to test other headsets. If you can, I’d love to hear what you have to say in your reviews
I bought the Sony headphones this morning (west coast) after reading this blog, and they bluetooth paired like a charm with my new Blackberry Tour.
It answers the phone and talk quality to me is a bit muffled, but to the friend on the line said I sounded normal.
I don’t have toons yet on my blackberry, but will do that soon.
All the features of the headphones work with the Blackberry Tour.
Pause, forward and back through the tunes on the album playing.
Thanks so much Terry!.
I fly 5 hours next Thursday and even though this model don’t fold for packing, they will be with me in the line ups, and on the plane.
Hi Terry,
The track advancement buttons doesn’t work with my Motorola S9-HD Bluetooth headphone either. I think it’s an Apple iPhone issue because the same headphone works with all buttons when I paired it with my Blackberry Bold.
The talk (micro) does not worked with the iPod Touch… but hearing music worked fine !