Alternatives to Sony MW600 Bluetooth Headset? - Galaxy S 4 Accessories

I liked the Sony MW600 enough that I purchased several of them (kept one at home, one at work, one in the car, one in my pocket) because it combined a small form factor with both bluetooth stereo and a FM radio capabilities, and I could use it with Sony's MDR-Q68LW retractable cord clip-on headphones (my ear canals don't deal with earbuds well). One by one I've managed to kill several of them, so I am looking for replacements -- unfortunately the MW600 is discontinued.
I tried buying what looks like Sony's attempt at a replacement: the SBH-50. Unfortunately it turned out to be inferior -- it is wider and boxier than the cylindrical MW600 and it requires installing their buggy Android app-driver to even use it.
I'd like something that fits easily in my pocket and is light enough that I could just let it dangle from the headphones if necessary.

Nerva said:
I liked the Sony MW600 enough that I purchased several of them (kept one at home, one at work, one in the car, one in my pocket) because it combined a small form factor with both bluetooth stereo and a FM radio capabilities, and I could use it with Sony's MDR-Q68LW retractable cord clip-on headphones (my ear canals don't deal with earbuds well). One by one I've managed to kill several of them, so I am looking for replacements -- unfortunately the MW600 is discontinued.
I tried buying what looks like Sony's attempt at a replacement: the SBH-50. Unfortunately it turned out to be inferior -- it is wider and boxier than the cylindrical MW600 and it requires installing their buggy Android app-driver to even use it.
I'd like something that fits easily in my pocket and is light enough that I could just let it dangle from the headphones if necessary.
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I have an SHB-50 and I love it. It connected to my S4 & Galaxy Tab 2 without any issues and easily switches between the two devices.
Good battery life, easy connection, & good sound quality.
I also had the MW600 but I didn't like it, bad battery life, I couldn't adjust volume without switching tracks, and the clip broke. I couldn't happier replacing my MW600 with the SBH-50.

I use just the Motorola S305 and an app depending on which radio station I want to listen to. I too have multiple headsets! Haha. I keep one at my desk at home, one in the car, and one in my briefcase.

I've got a S305 somewhere -- got it before the MW600. It didn't turn out to be as convenient as I expected. The great thing about the MW600+Q68LW is you can retract up the cords and it easily goes in my pocket. That's what disappointed me about the SBH50... it was both larger and more squared-off and wasn't as comfortable in my pocket.
The volume control on the MW600 reeks of "getting a patent for the sake of getting a patent", but I never once switched tracks while trying to change the volume. I found it simplest to crank the volume all the way to 100% on the MW600 and use my phone's bluetooth volume rocker buttons to control volume instead.

Nerva said:
I've got a S305 somewhere -- got it before the MW600. It didn't turn out to be as convenient as I expected. The great thing about the MW600+Q68LW is you can retract up the cords and it easily goes in my pocket. That's what disappointed me about the SBH50... it was both larger and more squared-off and wasn't as comfortable in my pocket.
The volume control on the MW600 reeks of "getting a patent for the sake of getting a patent", but I never once switched tracks while trying to change the volume. I found it simplest to crank the volume all the way to 100% on the MW600 and use my phone's bluetooth volume rocker buttons to control volume instead.
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How much larger is the sbh-50? I was looking at buying a new one to use when the 600 is charging, but I wasn't sure if I should just get the 20 for the price. I thought the 50 might be a good replacement if I got it.

I remember I looked up the dimensions and weights when I was shopping and it didn't look like it was all that much bigger than the MW600 -- that's why I got one. But once I tried to a SBH50 in place of a MW600 I discovered it feels a lot bulkier than it looks on paper.

almost 5 years later, and i can see there's still no satisfactory alternative to the sony mw600, which i'm sorely missing after a string of disappointing bluetooth purchases. what's the current recommendation? looking for 3.5mm jack + good battery life + fm radio + no companion app requirement.

A year or two ago I did find and buy a cheap Chinese knock-off that had every feature on your list, but then when I unboxed it I discovered it inexplicably had no seek buttons (despite being nearly the exact same size and layout as the MW600), which made it useless for listening to audiobooks -- I'm still scratching my head over what drove them to design it that way and expect it to be adequate.
I'm currently using a couple Sony SBH54's, which are the closest thing to a successor to the MW600. I seem to recall the SBH54 is a bit longer than the MW600 because the former has a tiny speaker that the latter doesn't. But what frustrates me with the SBH54 is the placement/design of the power button is far more prone to being pushed while in my pocket, so frequently when I take it out of my pocket I find it either is already on or the battery is dead.
Doubling my frustration is the fact Sony has discontinued their MDR-Q68 retractable clip-on headphones, which were truly an exceptional design, with both excellent sound and easily carried in my pocket -- they were the perfect complement to the MW600/SBH54.

Related

Best headphones for N1

As we all know by now, the headphone jack on the N1 is a 4 conductor jack capable of play/pause and forward/reverse controls.
Unfortantely this causes problems for many sets of headphones with the N1. Songs often start all on their own, skip, pause, etc just by moving the device which is really annoying. This does not happen to all regular headphones, just most.
This is very annoying because it almost limits you to use the stock headphones which are big and bulky.
Also I found it very annoying to have to turn the screen on, unlock the device, scroll to MixZing lite, then change a song. I put up with the stock headphones because all I had to do was hit a button.
So my question to everyone, where can we all find some good 4 conductor headphones? I went to best buy, frys, and a couple other places and left with nothing, very disappointing. It would be nice if they had a mic, but this isn't a deal breaker for me right now.
I really do not mind paying $50 to $70 (maybe more if they are awesome) if i can get great quailty headphones which have the 4 conductor controls.
Of course if I have to go bluetooth that goes up a little bit, but 've yet to find great bluetooth headphons. I used to have Sony Ericsson HBH-DS205 which I loved but one day they quit charging .
Also with bluetooth its just another thing to run down your N1's battery, and since I'm always on the internet, listening to music, and playing a game this isnt ideal for me, and I'm sure it isn't for most people.
Does anyone know of a great pair? Please post!
I've got a pair of Klipsch Image S4i that ran me ~$100 which sound awesome. It has an inline remote with 3 buttons for volume up, play/pause, and volume down. The volume up and down buttons don't work but I only really cared about the play/pause button. One press play/pauses, two presses skips to the next track. Using the volume up/down on the side of the N1 is easy enough. It also has a built in mic so I can take calls without getting my phone out.
I also tried out the Motorola S9-HD bluetooth headphones for awhile. While everything worked fine I found them very uncomfortable after half an hour so I returned them.
I just went to Best Buy and bought an adapter with the controls built in. (I'm sure you can find a better deal on-line) I can now use any headphones I like. FYI, I later bought a pair of Klipsch Custom 1's that do not have controls and I now have the best of both worlds.
Also...You can find a thread where someone hacked up their OEM N1 headphones to make an adapter themselves. If that's your thing...
+1 on the Klipsch headphones. Got mine a week after getting my N1. Took me a while to get used to in ear buds, but unlike most headphones they become more comfortable the longer you wear them.
So I can take it from this thread that any headphones with a mic that are compatible with an iphone will work OK for pause/play/skip but not volume?
hmm.. there are three things that I don't like about N1 headsets :
1 - got tangled up so easily
2 - lack of bass, tin-can sound
3 - microphone position is so low that you need to clip it on your shirt.
I tried Sennheiser MM50ip, but sound quality was just plain horrible for the price. I'm not a big fan of in-ear headsets anyway.
So I switched back to my iPhone headsets. Only play/pause button works, but I got some bass back and it sounds much better (not the best though). No need to clip your mic anywhere since it's positioned properly.
Thanks guys for all the advice. I'm still debating if I want to spend $100 on a pair of wired headphones, but it sounds like they might be worth it.
Having a volume up and down on the inline remote doesn't bother me because volume up and down works on the N1 itself even with the screen off and the system locked.
What I have found though is a bluetooth option so I wanted to let everyone know about it. The Sony Ericsson MW600 look perfect if I decide to go bluetooth. It has play/pause, forward/reverse, volume up/down, and most importantly a BUILT-IN FM radio. The best news about this device is it was built for an android phone so all the functions should work (its shipping free with a X10 ). Throw in the fact that it charges with a microUSB charger (same as N1) and its not looking that bad.
This eliminates the need to try to get the FM radio to work.
I love this type of device because whenever one side of the headphones get a short, you can just plug in another. Buying nice headphones for $30-$50 a pair when they get a short is better than spending $100.
Unfortantely though, like the 32 gig microSD card, it was supposed to be out last month, and that didnt happen. So I guess its an its available when its available type situation. If I don't find a wired solution before these come out, im going to get them.
Here is the website in case anyone is interested: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/accessories/overview/mw600
jz9833 said:
Thanks guys for all the advice. I'm still debating if I want to spend $100 on a pair of wired headphones, but it sounds like they might be worth it.
Having a volume up and down on the inline remote doesn't bother me because volume up and down works on the N1 itself even with the screen off and the system locked.
What I have found though is a bluetooth option so I wanted to let everyone know about it. The Sony Ericsson MW600 look perfect if I decide to go bluetooth. It has play/pause, forward/reverse, volume up/down, and most importantly a BUILT-IN FM radio. The best news about this device is it was built for an android phone so all the functions should work (its shipping free with a X10 ). Throw in the fact that it charges with a microUSB charger (same as N1) and its not looking that bad.
This eliminates the need to try to get the FM radio to work.
I love this type of device because whenever one side of the headphones get a short, you can just plug in another. Buying nice headphones for $30-$50 a pair when they get a short is better than spending $100.
Unfortantely though, like the 32 gig microSD card, it was supposed to be out last month, and that didnt happen. So I guess its an its available when its available type situation. If I don't find a wired solution before these come out, im going to get them.
Here is the website in case anyone is interested: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/accessories/overview/mw600
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I spent about 100 bux awhile back for some TripleFI10s(usually $300), and they are INCREDIBLE.
More of just trying to tell you how much better GOOD headphones are. The soundstage is such a huge step up. You really feel there. Do your research with AUDIOPHILE reviews/website.
These are amazing headphones....bought 2.
Motorola Over-The-Head Stereo Bluetooth Headphone Black Bulk (S805) - OEM
Check them out on newegg
I use Etymotic ER6i earphones (around 100$)... They sound great and really block all outside noise, so I can use them in the bus/subway without turning the volume up.
However the cord is very long (6 feet I think) and they are very delicate. You need to make sure your ears are very clean before putting them on, else you need to change the filters very often.
I sometimes wish for good over-the-head bluetooth headphones.
I have these, not the cheapest headphones. But, they work great, sound great, block outside noise (without active noise-cancellation which can be a problem for someone with tinnitus), I have had no issues with grounding or anything like that. I've been using the normal cable that came with my headphones for now, however I have a very short (about 3") cable for them. I got it when I was using my G1 so the miniusb-3.5mm adapter would reach to about shoulder length (so I could use the inline mic to talk on the phone). I just ordered this, so I can go back to using the short cable and have a mic again.
jz9833 said:
Thanks guys for all the advice. I'm still debating if I want to spend $100 on a pair of wired headphones, but it sounds like they might be worth it.
Having a volume up and down on the inline remote doesn't bother me because volume up and down works on the N1 itself even with the screen off and the system locked.
What I have found though is a bluetooth option so I wanted to let everyone know about it. The Sony Ericsson MW600 look perfect if I decide to go bluetooth. It has play/pause, forward/reverse, volume up/down, and most importantly a BUILT-IN FM radio. The best news about this device is it was built for an android phone so all the functions should work (its shipping free with a X10 ). Throw in the fact that it charges with a microUSB charger (same as N1) and its not looking that bad.
This eliminates the need to try to get the FM radio to work.
I love this type of device because whenever one side of the headphones get a short, you can just plug in another. Buying nice headphones for $30-$50 a pair when they get a short is better than spending $100.
Unfortantely though, like the 32 gig microSD card, it was supposed to be out last month, and that didnt happen. So I guess its an its available when its available type situation. If I don't find a wired solution before these come out, im going to get them.
Here is the website in case anyone is interested: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/accessories/overview/mw600
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Are u in the UK or US ??
Play.com say they are going to be release on the 8th for £40
Might hav to grab myself a pair of dem
These are an excellent value and they look really nice too. They are over the ear and just are an excellent deal.
Sennheiser CX-300-II's are pretty damn good...
I second the MEElectronics M6. They are brilliant for a pair of £35 in-ear headphones.
Etymotic ER6i are good, but they were primarily designed more to be used as in-ear monitors for stage performers rather than casual listening.
Etymotic HF5's. I've owned mine for about a year now and they've been great. Etymotic is a nice company to work with too.
I've been using a pair of Nu Force NE-7M's that I'm very happy with.
http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/ne7m/index.php
However I wanted something with volume control so I ordered a pair of Sennheiser MM200's today. I've never used BT headphones before so we'll see how it works out.
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/private_headsets_mobile_bluetooth-wireless_music_502413
skull candy smokin buds all the way, 25 bucks and they are noise cancelling in a way and they bump! get the in line controls and u r dialed...i wish they had a hack to change the volume updown to track forward and back similar to vmc i think thats what its called for the iphone
jz9833 said:
Here is the website in case anyone is interested: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/accessories/overview/mw600
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That MW600 bluetooth headset interface looks awesome. Would be interested to see how well it will work with third party music apps like Spotify and Google Listen. I read here that the pause / play button only works on the standard media player on 1.5, could be different on 2.1?
Bose mobile in-ear headset
think these might be good? id rather honestly not have another gadget to charge up..
darn, nexus not listed as compatible, anyone know if it will function as intended?

[Q] Why people prefer wired headphones vs. Stereo Bluetooth?

There are a lot of topics in the forum about people having trouble finding compatible headphones to work for music and "remote" control the phone playback.
the Bluetooth A2DP works perfectly fine in SGS for both Car Receivers and Stereo headset, and it switch transparently between music to phone calls and back without a glitch.
(i can't say the same for WM phones, another reason why i left WM platform, PalmOS was good, but is no longer produced)
There are lots of excellent Stereo BT headphones in the market now, both Studio like or simple 1 ear type, whatever ticks your fancy, the studio type offers the best audio quality even over BT.
yes it might consume more battery, but battery replacements are very inexpensive. (see accessories section)
I've not looked back to use a wired headphones since BT Stereo was invented, i used to have wired headphones for breakfast, it was a mass murder of headphones every time you get in the bus or subway, i've saved a lot of money since i moved to BT, so it's very surprising to still see people trying to work out the wiring problems with the headsets
I've been there before, every time i switched to a new phone, i needed to find another adapter to convert this to that, so that i can do something as simple as answer the phone on the headset, it was a major PITA.
so it'll be interesting to hear your side of the story to prefer wire over BT (other than "saving" battery and "better sound quality")
I find the bluetooth headsets to be kind of douchie personally. I also don't like the idea of keeping a radio transmitter attached to my head for extended periods (same goes for stereo bluetooth). Whilst I don't particularly believe in the freaks who claim they are radio sensitive, we don't really have any way of knowing how safe they are.
Extra convenience perhaps? Not for general usage. I work unpacking boxes all night and I use hardwired headphones, and it has never gotten in the way (so why bother coughing up a lot of extra money for a technology with potentially worse sound quality and negligible benefits).
IT also chews through battery as you mentioned, but i'm also learning to fly. You never know when you regret sucking up the battery earlier in the day for a technology whose only benefit is no cord.
There are benefits for Bluetooth, such as integrating with a car stereo, some flight headsets have bt built in, transferring files and connecting to special adapters which normally would need USB (such as NMEA GPS or OBD2 devices). But realistically, replacing hardwired headphones with bluetooth seems to be a case of doing so because some people think it gives them an identity. There are very few I believe who actually benefit. But that's only an opinion....
More battery consumption on both the phone and the headset. Which means more cost and more responsibility (buying or keeping batteries charged). Worse sound quality is present with bt than what you'll get in high end headphones, I am always using either high end buds or noise cancelling headsets.
I find the bt thing a bit like nutrasweet, it might sound like a good idea, I just don't want to touch the stuff.
I'd have to buy a stereo Bluetooth headset, as I don't own one, and then I'd have to remember to keep it charged and carry it with me.
I'm sure it would work okay, but I don't have a problem with a wired headset, so a Bluetooth one would only really cost money and make me liable to forget to charge it.
Interesting post AllGamer. Care to point me with some recommendations on good stereo bluetooth headphones?
i replied back to some other topic with that info in the accessories section, i'll need to dig it out
here is the topic i was posting on the reviews
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7611857&postcount=4
+1 vote for Motorola HT820, it is simply the VERY BEST! of them all; in funtionality, ease of use, sound purity, and comfy level.
other ones i've and still using but don't like are:
Jabra BT8010 (good but always breaks the earloop)
Sony HBH-DS980 (too much wire, it defeats the purpose of bluetooth)
Sony DRBT21G (pales in comparison to Moto HT820, but it's passable, not comfy though)
BlueTake BT420Rx (Gen1 bluetooth, no A2DP, limited features, very comfy, good sound, but it looks like princess leia specially if you have the white version)
Plantronics Voyager 855 (pure garbage, no A2DP)
Motorola S9 (dies easily with sweat dripped into the device, bad design, it's a total failure compare to its big brother HT820)
my top 2 choices for sound are:
HT820
BT420Rx
my top choice for formar work/fun mix
BT8010
unfortunately the BT8010 is very prone at breaking the earloop even with careful use, i went through 3 sets of it already.
luckily enough when you buy these they come in pairs with the stereo side, so i always use the stereo side of the earloop to replace the main headset, as i seldomly use the stereo side of the headset, i mostly just use the single side of it.
for real stereo i'll much prefer to use the HT820
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and some related one for car
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=726403&highlight=bluetooth
I have a Jabra BT8010 and it's an amazing piece of hardware. Excellent battery life, rich bass, equalizer, comfortable and great sound quality.
In my opinion, BT headsets are a convenience, and I sincerely disagree with being related with "douchebaggery" or "looking for an identity".
Sent from my toilet.
Hi,
Used the Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800's before when I had a SE phone and they work a treat on the Galaxy S too. There are no controls, but I like to use the phone as the "remote" which is fine.
I find them convenient for listening to music on the tube when packed in and shouldering a bag. Sounds good enough to me, though I am not an audiophile.
BTW: I noticed on the 2.2 test frimware JP3 that the eq effects worked across BT unlike current version that says you need to plug in headphones.
In terms of battery I manage approx 3 hours a day which does my commute to and from work. They also work quite good with Galaxy S when watching videos too.
Cheers,
well for the galaxy s its simple ... the 5.1 audio enhancement says enough for u to use wired.
I got 3 sony stereo bt headsets and the only reason why i use it is for the convenience during commute. I dont want my phone getting tangled up somewhere in the metro and end up falling out being damaged or lost because of my headphone cord.
I feel much safer knowing its deep in my pocket without fear of it accidentally slipping out.
But when I am at work by my desk i use wired ... saves battery as well.
Arkymedes said:
In my opinion, BT headsets are a convenience
.
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Explain convenient.. What exactly is so convenient for them over normal headphones, which deliver better quality sound for cheaper? There are some people who do get benefits by using them (at work), where they need to free their hands and cant really have cables swinging around, such as computer technicians, but most people seem to use them whilst they are simply walking around..
quality wired headphones cost as much, if not more than a stereo bluetooth headset.
for example Sennheiser HD 448 (average $100)
those $30 ones just doesn't cut it, you need the base, the sub.
but if you go up the next level Audio-Technica ATH-M50 (average $150)
and if you go higher Sennheiser HD 800
but it's too big for my head, and wallet too (almost $1500)
in the past i broke a lot of those $100 entry level headphones
another down side of using headphones, you can't talk/answer the phone with them, you have to unplug, remove the headphones then talk.
with bluetooth it is just a simple click of a button in the ear
Using a sony DR-BT21G. Loving it so far. Only downside is the massive charger. Kinda wish it can run on usb charger instead. It only needs 3V after all.
AllGamer said:
another down side of using headphones, you can't talk/answer the phone with them, you have to unplug, remove the headphones then talk.
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Expect mic adapters to be released with a 3.5mm jack. That's how sony ericsson did it..
You can get quality for cheap, if you know where to look...
andrewluecke said:
Explain convenient.. What exactly is so convenient for them over normal headphones, which deliver better quality sound for cheaper? There are some people who do get benefits by using them (at work), where they need to free their hands and cant really have cables swinging around, such as computer technicians, but most people seem to use them whilst they are simply walking around..
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You answered your own question. In MY case, is convenient and a personal thing. I absolute HATE cables of all sorts. I have a wireless headset in my PC, wireless KB and mouse and use a wireless printer. I also use a wireless home theater at home (ok, not 100% wireless but it's 2 cables less...)
Everything that I can do to have wireless I do because it's convenient. It's more organized and as I said before, a personal choice.
I agree that wired headphones AT THE MOMENT offer better sound quality for the price, but since I'm not an audiophile, I'm more then happy with what I have now.
The convenience is the easy to setup, the easy access and safety. As some people pointed before, it's very common for the wires to entangle somewhere in your clothes or other things and you risk damaging both your hedphones breaking the cable or even pulling away your phone and losing/breaking it.
Arkymedes said:
You answered your own question. In MY case, is convenient and a personal thing. I absolute HATE cables of all sorts. I have a wireless headset in my PC, wireless KB and mouse and use a wireless printer. I also use a wireless home theater at home (ok, not 100% wireless but it's 2 cables less...)
I agree that wired headphones AT THE MOMENT offer better sound quality for the price, but since I'm not an audiophile, I'm more then happy with what I have now.
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the only cable i have in my Wireless Home theater is the long arse 1080p HDMI cable going from the PC Receiver to the projector
if and when they come out with a good wireless 1080p HDMI i'll definitely have everything wireless.
for audiophile or not, i'll recommend the Sony DRBT50
as an extension of what i already listed before, for sports fan the Samsung SBH500 is better suited for the task
those 2 are excellent alternative if you can't find the Motorola HT820
the Sony DRBT50 has better bass/base than the moto ht820
there is one that is 100% audiophile but it lacks the handsfree profile for phone calls
it's the Sennheiser PX210BT, that one is guaranteed to sound like the regular wired Sennheiser headphones
I wish I could use my BT headphones. So far I've tried S9-HD, HBH-IS800 and Nokia BH-504 and all of them have horrible sound quality with SGS.
seriouser said:
I wish I could use my BT headphones. So far I've tried S9-HD, HBH-IS800 and Nokia BH-504 and all of them have horrible sound quality with SGS.
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I have the hbh ds 205 and it sounds awesome.
I decided to get a new version of it and purchased the sony mw600 and it sounds awesome. Especially now that froyo was released we could use the 5.1 sound enhancement with our bluetooth devices.
One reason why I don't use my bluey headset is the damn thing blinks a blue led all the time . Its like a signal for everyone to look at me. I've taken a marker and coloured it black a few times. Another reason is I tend to forget to recharge the thing as it only has about 12hours play time.
I have a DS980 an MW600 both from Sony Ericsson. I seldom use them now.
I'm not that satisfied with the sound quality of the DS980 & the earphone cannot be replaced.
For the MW600 the short earphone that came with the device also does not sound great, so when I use my personal earphone the sound is great buy the cable will be very long...
I just have been through myself a headphone buying hassle, and had to send back 2 BT sets to refund due poor music quality. The first was Jabra Halo for around £60. It looks cool, and the most comfortable headset I've ever used, but the sound quality is just not there. It's clear, okay, but it's also quiet, and has absulutely no noticable bass.
Ordered a Nokia BH 504, which is a £10 cheaper, but sound quality is almost the same. Still quiet(not usable in traffic), still no bass, maybe a bit more clarity compare to Jabra. Sent back for refund as well.
Next one was the previously mentioned Motorola HT820(got the geniune one), it cost way less then it's friends(£25), and has much better sound! Maybe it's not as clear as the rest, but definetely has better bass, and louder as well. Through Pc it's somehow still not the best! The range is fine(just like others), the battery life is incredible(got it for 2 weeks, use it every day, but haven't charged yet). The mic is also good via phone, tho i had problems via pc skype, and msn call. It's not as comfortable as the previously mentioned ones, you can't really lay down with this thing on your head, and also after 30 min use, it cuts the top of my ears(big ears maybe?). Still not the best quality I've ever had, but definetely worth £25!

Bluetooth Headset

Looking for a Bluetooth headset that is good for an active lifestyle (running, lifting)...
so far the only one that i have found that seem ok are the motorola S9..
just tired of having my current headphones constantly fall out when im running or lifting.
any advice would be greatly appreciated.. thanks
I like my RocketFish RF-MAB2... Work great and battery life is waaayyyy better than the S9's
Thanks .. ill have to check them out
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
Whatever you do don't get the Sony V110. Battery life is abysmal and often when I use it the person I'm talking to complains they can hear themselves (bluetooth mic is picking up what they say).
I personally have the Blue Ant X5 stereo headphones... They're too awesome. Fantastic battery life, superb sound quality, right ear controls for volume, pause, answer, and next/previous track, and a usb Mic dongle if you're also gonna use it for calls. Found on occasion on ebay for $30-$50 when you're lucky, package include the headset, dongle, 2 batteries, and a bluetooth stereo adapter for sound systems etc.
netimes.com has a lot and their very high quality and very cheap also so you could order about 3 so you can try them out and fing the one that you like the most but they are from china
oh btw.... while riding a motorcycle, fits perfect with the helmet too
Nice.. thanks for the responses. I'll probably pick one of these up in the next month or two off amazon with those valued opinions gift cards ( I'm cheap haha)
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
XITruthiX said:
I personally have the Blue Ant X5 stereo headphones... They're too awesome. Fantastic battery life, superb sound quality, right ear controls for volume, pause, answer, and next/previous track, and a usb Mic dongle if you're also gonna use it for calls. Found on occasion on ebay for $30-$50 when you're lucky, package include the headset, dongle, 2 batteries, and a bluetooth stereo adapter for sound systems etc.
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I have the same. I love them. Been using them for a year. I get two days of 9 hour listening before I have to charge.
Since someone brought it up... Parrot SK4000 is awesome if you are riding a motorcycle...
i highly recommend the Jawbone icone headset, its perfect and has great battery life and also work well with all phones even this one
I just pciked up a Morotola HK210, and it's been great for me so far.
The thing that drew me to it was its size (smallest at the store I was at), as well as the fact that its color matches the Inspire.
Syncing was painless, call quality is well, about what I'd expect from a bluetooth headset.
I haven't had it for very long though, so I can't say much more about it.
Jawbone + custom earpiece = awesome
I use the Jawbone Era (sounds great with the phone and absolutely no static). To hold it in place, I had a custom fit earpiece made at Avery Sound. They send a mold you place in the appropriate ear, you send it back to them and in a week or two you get a rubber earpiece custom fitted to your ear and your Bluetooth device.
Yes, it is pricey - it runs about $80 for the earpiece. But I need nothing else - this just stays put in my ear and it is hands-down the most comfortable headset I have ever owned. I have been to the gym a number of times with it, and no issues whatsoever. Plus, with the sound directed into your ear canal better than the stock earpiece, I hear much better with this.
Ruination said:
Looking for a Bluetooth headset that is good for an active lifestyle (running, lifting)...
so far the only one that i have found that seem ok are the motorola S9..
just tired of having my current headphones constantly fall out when im running or lifting.
any advice would be greatly appreciated.. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jawbone icon headset.. its real awesome i highly recommend it
jawbone. only way to fly.
I would be careful though as the inspire has iffey bluetooth performance. Many times putting the phone in your pocket can make the audio break up. Had it happen on 4 different inspires on more headsets than I care to think about. I can even make it break up if I hold the phone in front of me and cover the side cover where the volume rocker is. The point being, dont go out and spend a ton of cash only to be disappointed in the performance. I use my bluetooth every day with a jvc head unit in the car, but it was unusable with the headset as I always put my phone in my pocket
so im not the only one who things the bluetooth on this phone is oddly bad... I thought it was just my imagination
I recently got a Jawbone Icon Thinker and like it so far. It is shorter than the older models and fits securely in my ear. The battery life isn't the best but it works well for me.
I've got several bluetooth headsets (I keep losing them and buying a new one and then finding them again). Here are three I can find right now and one I have no idea where it is:
Samsung WEP 870 - This is a really good performer. It seems to have optimal range, sounds good, has A2DP and the volume rocker has both up and down. Micro SD charging slot so you don't have to use a special charger.
Samsung HM 1000. This is a decent performer, the range doesn't seem as good as it might be but it's reasonable. The volume rocker has both up and down. Micro SD charging slot. It does NOT have A2DP so it's my "backup" for just phone calls.
Jabra Extreme2. This is a great performer. It has optimal range, sounds great, has A2DP and a volume rocker with up and down. Micro SD charging slot. Right now this is my favorite.
Plantronics Savor M1100. I can't find this one right now<G>. A nice unit, has reasonable range, sounds good, has A2DP and a micro SD charging slot. However, the volume rocker only goes one direction so you have to go by increments to the maximum level then to the lowest level to change it. It does have a pretty good voice command recognition feature.
All of these have various "voice command" or other features that I never use. The Savor voice command feature was particularly easy to use though, it had to be to get me to use that feature.
As far as staying in your ear goes, I find that's more dependent on the form of the gel that goes into your ear. I like the ones with a loop above and below the ear, they fit in well and don't make the ear hurt so much if you wear it for a long time (if you get a good fit). One of these (I think the Jabra) had one that was kind of a "hook shape" on the top of the gel and that worked best of all.

Stereo Bluetooth Headsets with FM Radios?

I am looking for a bluetooth headset that has a FM radio and stereo 3.5mm out. The FM radio is very important to me because I can't get cell reception inside my office building but I can get FM reception. I also can use the FM at the gym to hear what's on the TV's. What would also be great is if it could double as a pendant-style when using the stereo out and also serve as a mono earpiece. Another good feature is a clip that allows me to clip the thing to my shirt.
Here is an example of almost-but-not-quite, the Samsung HM6450:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R9PSL6
I own one. It has some nice features, like English-audio indicators for power on, etc. No more mystery beeps you have to remember the meanings of. It is also intended to be used with Samsung's Android phones, and work with a special Android app. However, it is not without drawbacks. For starters, it has no FM radio. Second, to use 3.5mm stereo requires a rather long adapter to be connected to the microUSB slot -- otherwise you're stuck with using the special microUSB earbuds that come with it.
This one looked like a good candidate -- the i.Tech Clip D-Radio:
http://www.amazon.com/i-Tech-D-Radi..._1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1308112051&sr=1-2
The problem is it's out of stock. It also can't be used as a mono earpiece the way the Samsung can.
Last but not least is Sony Ericsson's MW600:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Ericsson-Bluetooth-Stereo-Headset/dp/B003DQ1DCM/ref=pd_cp_cps_1
I don't own one but it looks good. There are two drawbacks -- you can't use it as a mono earpiece like the Samsung, and the power connector is not standard microUSB, so it doesn't have the flexibility I'd like it to have.
Also, I will mention I have a couple pairs of these excellent Sony earphones:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRQ68LW-Clip-On-Headphones-Black/dp/B000TDAXJ6/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_2
The key feature they have is their RETRACTABLE CORDS. Yep, the main cord retracts into the left speaker while the left-right connecting cord retracts into the right speaker. The ear clips are also far above average. No more cord mess, and potentially it could work very well with the MW600 for mono phone duties -- keep the cords retracted but still plugged into the MW600, leave the combination clipped to my shirt, and then when the phone rings I just clip the left earphone on and let the right earphone and MW600 hang free. Then if I want to hear better I just extend the right earphone and clip it on as well.
Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone has any better suggestions for a stereo bluetooth unit that has a FM radio.
Go with sony ericson mw600...I use it with my Epic, and it works nicely
Yeah I'm using the MW600 now and like it overall, particularly with the Sony retractable headphones. Two issues I do have with the MW600:
1) The rewind/play/forward buttons are black, with raised black symbols, on the black MW600 case. Someone at Sony should be shot. I'm tempted to paint the symbols myself...
2) The "volume slider" strikes me as someone at Sony wanting a bonus for getting a patent for an interface device that's inferior to old-fashioned up/down buttons.
Maybe I am late for this thread but the MW600 does have a MicroUSB port, it is a great product except for the gripes mentioned with the buttons.
Nerva said:
I am looking for a bluetooth headset that has a FM radio and stereo 3.5mm out. The FM radio is very important to me because I can't get cell reception inside my office building but I can get FM reception. I also can use the FM at the gym to hear what's on the TV's. What would also be great is if it could double as a pendant-style when using the stereo out and also serve as a mono earpiece. Another good feature is a clip that allows me to clip the thing to my shirt.
Here is an example of almost-but-not-quite, the Samsung HM6450:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R9PSL6
I own one. It has some nice features, like English-audio indicators for power on, etc. No more mystery beeps you have to remember the meanings of. It is also intended to be used with Samsung's Android phones, and work with a special Android app. However, it is not without drawbacks. For starters, it has no FM radio. Second, to use 3.5mm stereo requires a rather long adapter to be connected to the microUSB slot -- otherwise you're stuck with using the special microUSB earbuds that come with it.
This one looked like a good candidate -- the i.Tech Clip D-Radio:
http://www.amazon.com/i-Tech-D-Radi..._1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1308112051&sr=1-2
The problem is it's out of stock. It also can't be used as a mono earpiece the way the Samsung can.
Last but not least is Sony Ericsson's MW600:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Ericsson-Bluetooth-Stereo-Headset/dp/B003DQ1DCM/ref=pd_cp_cps_1
I don't own one but it looks good. There are two drawbacks -- you can't use it as a mono earpiece like the Samsung, and the power connector is not standard microUSB, so it doesn't have the flexibility I'd like it to have.
Also, I will mention I have a couple pairs of these excellent Sony earphones:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRQ68LW-Clip-On-Headphones-Black/dp/B000TDAXJ6/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_2
The key feature they have is their RETRACTABLE CORDS. Yep, the main cord retracts into the left speaker while the left-right connecting cord retracts into the right speaker. The ear clips are also far above average. No more cord mess, and potentially it could work very well with the MW600 for mono phone duties -- keep the cords retracted but still plugged into the MW600, leave the combination clipped to my shirt, and then when the phone rings I just clip the left earphone on and let the right earphone and MW600 hang free. Then if I want to hear better I just extend the right earphone and clip it on as well.
Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone has any better suggestions for a stereo bluetooth unit that has a FM radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

TaoTronics Portable Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker Review (w/dual speakers?)

http://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics®-P...&keywords=taotronics+bluetooth#productDetails
I've tried lots of portable speakers. Mostly of the "budget" category. Never bought beats, jambox or bose but usually went with the cheaper products. I have to say I was quite surprised by this speaker however.
*Build Quality*
It has a very rugged design that looks like an "egg". Holding it hand it has a good weight to it and feels rock solid. It looks like it could take some abuse from day to day use. Not once did I find anything flimsy or loose. It comes in two colors red and black.
All it comes with is a micro-usb charge cable. Which is fine with me.
*Performance*
Just like the build quality the sound quality is top notch. I was pleasantly surprised by it. A lot of the cheaper bluetooth speakers of similar size sound thin and starts to distort when the volume is raised too high. The Taotronic has a very nice full sound with more bass than I was expecting. I don't think its been noticed but there seems to be two speakers in the unit! EDIT - conformed via Taotronics support. There is 2 speakers! One for highs and one for bass!
One at the bottom facing up for the bass and a top speaker facing down for the highs. Please check the photos. I'll contact taotronics and find out.
It has a built-in rechargeable battery. So far I've used it for about 5 hours and its still going strong on a relatively high volume.
Connecting was breeze. Each subsequent connection is easy.
I did try to use the phone mic feature and while it was good when speaking with 3ft; anything past that and its pretty useless.
There is a aux 3.5mm jack if using an older mp3 player with no bluetooth.
There is a toggle switch that has multiple uses. It can play the next song, previous song, stop and play. Holding it to the left will lower volume while holding it right will raise the volume.
*Conclusion*
The sound quality can not be beaten in the price range IMO. It will surprise you I believe. Don't expect it to outdo the larger bluetooth speakers that are 10 times the price.
Note- I have been given a sample for a fair, unbiased review.
Jam Plus HMDX HX-P240 speakers I bought for £19 each
I bought two Jam Plus HMDX HX-P240 speakers. They are AWESOME. Great amazon reviews, each can work independently, about 4h battery life, comes in a jam jar case and color coded usb charging cable, works via bluetooth and aux in, can be paired with another jam plus to make it stereo speakers, volume is LOOOUUUD, no distortion, bass is good for a tiny speakers, they come in many different colours. Bought damaged box item from ebay for 19£ each from outlet stores. Only lid of jar was dented, speakers was as new and works great.
See my review on youtube working fine with the samsung galaxy S5 www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLjM_IPckHw very pleased with my purchase of £19 each as they work great alone or in pairs. Everyone at work who listened to them was asking me where i got them and how much and several were trying to buy them within a few minutes of listening to mine. People were borrowing it to take around to show their friends at work!
Please note that the old model is P230 and looks almost the same, but it cant be used in pairs, so if you want the pairing function and the new model is louder, then be careful which version you buy.

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