Top 5 Best Bluetooth Headsets in 2014 for Crystal Clear Calls, Superb Sound Reduction and HD Audio Performance

Bluetooth headsets have improved dramatically in recent years. No longer do you have to worry about calls cutting out, the wind stopping people from hearing what you have to say or tinny sound. Today’s best Bluetooth headsets provide the same level of noise reduction, call quality and audio performance you’d expect from a full sized pair of Bluetooth cans.

However, the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is particularly apt when assessing the Bluetooth headset market. There are plenty of cheap headsets to choose from, but can mean having to put up with crackling background noise, distorted conversations and earpiece pain because of the cheaper components. Instead, I recommend at looking at the higher end, where manufacturers have pulled out all the stops to create the best Bluetooth headsets possible.

Here’s a rundown of the best Bluetooth headsets in 2013:

1. Plantronics Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset

The flagship of their range, the Plantronics Voyager Bluetooth headset provides stellar sound quality and a range of innovative features. This includes enhanced WindSmart technology, which uses precision tuned triple microphones to provide not one but three layers of protection against interference from wind noise when making calls.

The Plantronics Voyager also features Smart Sensor technology, which switches them on automatically when you put them on. This means you just clip it to your ear and your ready to take calls without fiddling to find the on button.

This Bluetooth headset also comes with an attractive docking station for recharging when not in use, along with a USB charger for wall charging. While slightly larger than other Bluetooth headsets, the Plantronic Voyager is regarded as one of the best performing Bluetooth headsets around.

2. Jawbone ICON HD Bluetooth headset

Exceptionally stylish and smart looking, the Jawbone ICON HD is part Bluetooth headset and part dedicated apps processor.

Its innovative technological features include the Noise Assassin 3.0, offering military grade noise reduction using the same technology used in the headsets of tank commanders and helicopter pilots. The Jawbone ICON HD Bluetooth headset will also automatically adjust the inbound call volume in response to the level of background noise, for clearer calls without having to keep manually adjusting the volume. Another unique feature is its MotionX technology, which enables you to ‘ShakeShake’ the headset into pairing mode or ‘TapTap’ to answer calls button free.

But perhaps the main talking point for the Jawbone ICON HD Bluetooth headset is that it integrates with the MyTALK platform. This enables you to upgrade its hardware to harness the latest Bluetooth technology and to gain the functionality of new apps, such as installing a pedometer to track distance when running or to send texts and emails with voice commands.

Smart, modern and stylish, the Jawbone ICON HD is packed with technological features that make it well deserving of its place on this list of the best Bluetooth headsets in 2013.

3. Sennheiser EZX-60 Bluetooth headset

Sennheiser is a name renowned for producing some of the most revered headphones in the market, beloved by casual listeners and audiophiles alike. Its entry into Bluetooth headsets features the superb quality audio and noise cancellation you’d expect of the German brand.

Elegant yet robust, the steel encased Sennheiser VMX 200-11 Bluetooth headset weighs just 10g and features Sennheiser’s VoiceMax technology, which utilises two microphones to remove external noise and provide HD quality sound transmission for calls in even the noisiest environment. Perhaps where this Bluetooth headset really shines is its 10 hour battery life, dwarfing the mere 3 hours you can expect from a Jawbone headset.

Superb sound quality, hardwearing and excellent noise cancellation makes the Sennheiser VMX 200-11 Bluetooth headset a compelling choice as the best Bluetooth headset for serious business users.

4. Bose Bluetooth Series 2

Bose is the dominant player in the noise cancelling headphones market. Its QuietComfort 3s are regarded as the leading type of noise cancelling headphones around, and are a common site on the heads of frequent flyers. So it’s natural that the company founded by Dr Amar Bose in 1964 would want to adapt its technology for the Bluetooth headset market.

The Bose Bluetooth Series 2s feature its patented Triport acoustic structure technology that reduces background noise while enhancing that of your voice. What’s more, this technology automatically adjusts the audio in response to ambient noise levels, which means you don’t have to keep adjusting the volume manually. This can, however, still be adjusted utilising a pinch button mechanism mounted on either side of the Bluetooth headset.

5. Plantronics BackBeat GO

All the headsets featured in this overview of the best Bluetooth headsets are all mono. So while small and compact, they don’t offer a full stereo listening experience. If a stereo Bluetooth headset is what you’re after then you may want to check out the Plantronics Backbeat GO.

These can be connected wirelessly with a smartphone or tablet to provide a stereo listening experience. This makes them an ideal headset for runners and athletes that don’t want to get tangled up in wires while on the treadmill or working out. Inline controls housed in the cable enable you to take calls, skip tracks and adjust the volume without having to retrieve your smartphone from your pocket.

Comfy, lightweight and highly portable, the Plantronics BackBeat Go is regarded as one of the best wireless Bluetooth earphones you can buy.

Originally posted 2013-06-11 18:23:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Beats Headphones Faces a Lawsuit of its Own – From Bose

A new patent war is now undergoing between the Audio Equipment giant Bose Corporation and the newly Apple acquired and popular headphone brand Beats Electronics LLC.  The civil complaint that was published on PriorSmart carried a long length of patents.

The alleged infringe patents, published on Priorsmart, are:

• U.S. Patent No. 8,073,151 –  “Dynamically configurable ANR filter block topology”
• U.S. Patent No. 8,073,150 – “Dynamically configurable ANR signal processing topology”
• U.S. Patent No. 6,717,537 – “Method and apparatus for minimizing latency in digital signal processing systems”
• U.S. Patent No. 8,345,888 – “Digital high frequency phase compensation”
• U.S. Patent No. 8,054,992 – “High frequency compensating”

According to the lawsuit, filed by Bose, Beats has violated the patent mentioned above that were related to noise cancellation and other audio technologies. Therefore Bose ask for injunction preventing Beats to further manufacture headphones that violate on Bose’s patents and a damage award was also requested for using the company’s technology. A sales ban was also filed to the International Trade Commission, keeping Beats from selling its products that breach its patents.

The grandfather of noise cancelling headphones seeks to protect its turf

The pioneer of noise cancelling technology has always been viewed to be Bose headphones, judging from the company’s reputation that was built on five decades of research and development. But the question is “why now”? Why only now? Beats has been producing noise cancelling headphones since 2008. The company has been a major player on audio products, a very popular brand that has a huge pool of consumers all over the world. Is it because Bose felt threatened?  That for the longest time anyone could remember Bose has been the #1 name in high end headphones with an advance audio technology and then all of sudden here comes Beats and just snatches the crown.

For some of us, we could not even tell the difference between a pair of Bose or Beats.  But some audiophiles think that Bose has a brilliant balance and has the best noise cancelling technology to date.  However, most people are still drawn to beats because of its popularity and beats marketing strategy which mostly target young adults. Some people wouldn’t even mind the features as long as they see the Beats logo on the side.

 

 

Originally posted 2014-07-28 14:52:49. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Monster Beats by Dre Solo Headphones Review – Do They Live Up to the Hype?

 

The Monster Beats by Dre Solo headphones are another addition to the increasingly popular headphone range which now carries the hip hop legends stamp of approval. If you have ventured outside your house in the last two years then it is highly likely that you will have seen one or two people donning these distinct cans around their skulls. There is little doubt that the Dre Beats products are being pushed by some very clever marketing indeed.

But with the Doctors name stamped all over the marketing, Monsters experience in producing audio products and the rather high price tag, it would be reasonable to expect these headphones to be amongst some of the best headphones on the market right?

Appearance

The Monster Beats by Dre Solo headphones do look the part. They are stylish, modern and well built. They scream fashion statement and they are one of the best headphones for looks, for many people their appearance alone justifies the premium price. Unlike many over-the-skull headphones on the market nowadays, the Beats Solo is designed to be easily transported too. They can be folded up and tucked into the padded carry case which is provided with them.

They are also set up to work well with Apple products. If you own any of the Apple range such as iPod, iPad or iPhone then you will be pleased with the inclusion of ControlTalk. This is available on one of the two cables provided with the headphones and it allows you to control many functions of your device such as volume and toggling through music via the inline remote. You can also use this as hands-free for your iPhone.

Performance

For a lot of people, the performance is where Beats by Dre Solo lets itself down. The audio expectation from a product that is being endorsed by one of the world’s most influential music producers is understandably high. However, if you like your expensive, celebrity endorsed headphones to offer more than good looks you may be slightly disappointed here.

The sounds given off by these cans have been described as “muddy” and with a weak low end you can expect music which features a lot of base to sound very hollow indeed. The ear cups are also a shade too small for many people’s ears. This means a) that the music will not be directed into your ear accurately, and b) that most of that music will leak out and possibly annoy everyone around you.

What People Say

These are a good looking and sturdy pair of headphones which have a nice premium feel to them. When it comes to listening to music however, these do not really come close to being the best headphones out there. However, the Dr Dre Solo headphones are not really aimed at audiophiles and those that care about the quality of sound above all else. They are a fashion statement, and in that respect they are one of the best headphones on the market for conveying a message.

Music to crank up

The Beats Solo headphones work best with music genres such as alternative dance, punk and some rap, i.e. 50 Cent.

Music to avoid

If you like to listen to dance pop or electronica of a beat heavy nature these headphones may not be ideal for you.

Originally posted 2012-11-12 10:33:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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SYNC by 50 Cent Headphones Review – Are these celebrity headphones anything to celebrate?

With Beats by Dr Dre headphones continuing to fly from the shelves and earn Dre enough to buy another mansion, other celebrities are rushing to join the fashion conscious headphones market. This year 50 Cent released his Street and ‘SYNC’ headphones in a bid to stake his claims to a share of the fashion market.

Unfortunately for Dre, a lot of reviewers haven’t been big fans of the massive bass the pours forth from his cans all over the mids and trebles. So do 50 Cent’s SYNC headphones fare any better? Are they anything to celebrate or to the pale in comparison to the performance of the best headphones from Sennheiser, Grado and AKG in the high end headphone market?

Appearance

When designing these it doesn’t look as though 50 Cent’s team wanted to take any risks. What you’ve got here are a chunky set of cans that could be mistaken for Beats by Dre from a distance. It’s only when you get closer that you notice a few clear differences.

Firstly, the 50 Cent SYNC headphones are wireless. Their use of Kleer 16 bit lossless digital technology is arguably one of the key selling points, when you’re talking about features. Simply plug the accompanying 3.5 mm audio dongle into your mobile or laptop and you can listen to music without wires while walking around the house or down the street. What’s more, up to four 50 Cent SYNC headphones can be ‘synced’ to one source. So if you are all your friends are happy to all wear the same brand of headphones you can now all listen to the same music too!

Other features worth mentioning are the controls on the cans, which get the thumbs up from many reviewers along with the strong build quality. The cans are on the large size but surprisingly light. The memory foam padding provides a comfy fit for many hours of wear. It’s also worth mentioning the packaging.

Performance

Many people’s minds will be made up based on the looks and brand of these headphones alone. But if you’re still reading then you no doubt want to know how these stack up against the best high end headphones on the market.

As with Beats by Dr Dre, the 50 Cent SYNC headphones are heavy on the bass. However, the bass isn’t too muddy, as has been the complaint in some reviews of Beats headphones.  If the normal bass isn’t enough for you then you can crank it up further with the built in Bass Boost function.

What people say

For many people this has been their first step into high end headphones. So undoubtably many have been impressed by the sound quality of the 50 Cent SYNC headphones. But, as with Beats by Dr Dre, many have been less than impressed when compared to the best headphones from thoroughbred brands like Sennheiser, Grado and AKG.

The headphones’ ‘passive’ noise cancellation technology has also come under fire for being little more than a gimmick. Essentially ‘passive’ can be translated to none, unless you count the foam padding as noise cancelling technology. These headphones do leak sound, which is something to consider if you want to take them on the train to work.

However, if sound performance and noise cancellation is below fashion statement in your list of requirements, the 50 Cent SYNC headphones might be for you.

Originally posted 2013-01-25 13:28:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Audio Technica ATH M50 Headphones Review – For Studio Sounds on the Street

I created this website to help more ‘audiophiles’ and casual music lovers to choose the best pair of headphones. Personally, I’ve been getting fed up with the number of people I’ve seen around wearing Dr Dre Beats headphones. I think a lot of them have been sucked into the marketing hype and bought them based on appearances rather than performance. While Beats by Dre are a decent pair of headphones, according to all the reviews I’ve read they’re not ‘all that’. There are plenty of better pairs of headphones for the same price range that provide much better sound performance than the overpowering bass you hear many people complain of from Dr Dre Beats headphones.

In my first review I’m going to take a look at the Audio Technica ATH M50, to decide are they better than Beats by Dr Dre?

Designed for use studio monitor headphones, the Audio Technica ATH-M50s are a beefy pair of headphones. They are designed for long hours spent at the mixing desk, so comfort is high on the list of Audio Technica’s prioorities. The ear pieces swivel 180 degrees for easy one –ear monitoring with heavily padded ear cushions. The padded headband is also reassuringly chunky with the Audio Technica brand easily visible for those that like to show off their audiophile credientials and that they know how to choose the best pair of headphones.

Chunky and comfortable, you can wear these for long hours on the commute to work in comfort.

Performance

As mentioned, the Audio Technica ATH M50 headphones are designed for professional studio mixologists. So the technology built into these is top notch. They have proprietary large 45mm operture drivers with neodynamic magnet systems for ultra spec signal transfer. What this means in laymen terms is that they have a deep accurate bass and outstanding high frequency extension that should blow Beats by Dr Dre away.

What people say

After scouting the online buzz, the Audio Technica ATH M50 headphones get five out of five in the majority of reviews. People have commented on their exceptional comfort, as you would expect for a pair of headphones designed to be worn by professional sound engineers for hours on end. Compared to the overpowering bass experienced by many people when using Beats by Dr Dre, the Audio Technica ATH M50 headphones have a tight bass that’s detailed in range with a smooth relaxed top.

The size and price might put off the casual listener, but if you’re after sound quality that’s good enough for the pros in the mixing studio then you should definitely check them out.

Music they are good for

Trance, Drum and Bass, dubstep and metal thanks to the tight, detailed bass and sparking highs.

Music they are not good for

Classical, jazz or ambient. The soundstage is just too small and can sound unnatural.

Originally posted 2012-10-26 20:57:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Top 5 Best DJ Headphones offering the style, durability and performance maestros of the dancefloor demand

DJs are arguably the most demanding of headphones buyers. Whereas audiophiles demand precision sound and the fashion conscious with a bold logo, DJs require headphones that tick many different boxes.

The best DJ headphones need to provide the following:

• Comfort so they can be worn for six+ hour DJ sets
• Sound isolation for blocking out crowd noise
• Durability to survive heavy use and the chaos of club environments
• Flexibility to enable ear cups to be lifted or flipped sideways for one ear monitoring
• Replaceable parts and socket adapters for different mixing desks

These were all factors I considered when compiling a breakdown (pardon the pun!) of the best DJ headphones in 2013:

1. Sennheiser HD25-1 II

Wearing any headphones with the Sennheiser brand should fill DJs with confidence. Producer of some of the most beloved headphones among audiophiles, Sennheiser has a long reputation of building some of the highest quality headphones money can buy. This reputation is justified with the Sennheiser HD25-1 II headphones which are arguably the best DJ headphones around.

These purpose designed monitor headphones provide superb ambient noise reduction, so that DJs can get lost in the music without being distracted, along with exceptional sound quality and fantastic bass reproduction for syncing music with precise accuracy. What’s more, they are lightweight, and comfortable to wear for long periods, yet highly durable to cope with heavy use in nightclubs and bars.

So the Sennhesier HD25-1 II headphones tick all the boxes, and its no wonder they’re widely rated as the best DJ headphones on the market.

 

2. Beats by Dre Mixr

Beats by Dre headphones come in for a lot of flack online. It could be due to a backlash due to their popularity as fashion accessory or criticism of the heavy bass. Whatever the reason, critics of Beats by Dre headphones might wan to check out the Beats by Dre Mixr DJ headphones before the next time they post comments.

Designed in collaboration with international DJ David Guetta, the Beats by Dre Mixr headphones are reassuringly durable, with metal framed ear cups and a moulded headphone, making them sturdy yet comfortable. As with other Beats by Dre headphones, they can be folded easy transportation and the ear cups can be pivoted 270 degrees for single ear sound monitoring.

The sound quality of the Beats by Mixr headphones has also been hailed as a big improvement over other Beats by Dre cans. Much louder than Beats by Dre Pro yet with the precision of Beats by Dre Studio, these offer powerful bass and make a fashion statement, making them worthy of being in this profile of the best DJ headphones.

3. AKG K267 by Tiesto

Another pair of headphones designed in collaboration with a DJ are the AKG K267 DJ headphones. In this case it was Dutch dancefloor maestro Tiesto who provided input on designing the best headphones for DJs. These are actually part of a range, which also includes the K67 and K167, offering different cup sizes, drivers and price brackets to choose from.

As you’d expect of headphones designed with the help of a trance DJ, the AKG K267 headphones offer a deep controlled bass, precise mids and rolled off highs, making them excellent headphones to consider for DJs and music enthusiasts alike.

4. Technics DH1200E-S

Technics can now be regarded as a heritage brand in the world of DJing and beat matching, as they were the #1 make of turntables back in the 90s when dance music exploded across the world. They’re also a very popular manufacturer of DJ headphones, with the Technics DH1200E-S a familiar sight on the heads of aspiring club DJs. These headphones provide a deep tight bass for beat matching, multiple plug sizes for different mixers and a swing arm system for matching up mixes.

Durable and reasonably priced, the Technics DH1200E-S are among the best DJ headphones to choose for those on a budget.

5. Shure SRH750DJ

The Shure SRH750DJ headphones provide high impedence sound performance designed for smooth DJ mixing. The headband is collapsible for slipping in a DJs carry bag and the ear cups swivel 90 degrees to enable DJs to sync music while in the mix.

Offering a decent bass output and extended highs, these rank alongside the Technics DH1200E-S as the best DJ headphones to choose for people that want to spend less than $100 as an emergency pair of DJ headphones or so they have more money to spend on music.

Originally posted 2013-05-31 08:33:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Review Sennheiser HD 598 Headphones – Rich Luxurious Sounds for Home Use

If you are a fan of the Beats by Dre range of headphones then it is safe to assume that you like your headphones to stand out from the dreary black and grey offerings that so many other manufacturers currently offer on the market. The Dre Beats headphones certainly do stand out from much the pack in terms of looks and sound quality but there are some good alternatives around, and the HD 598 headphones from the legendary headphone maker that is Sennheiser could be one of those. These headphones ooze high-end luxury and screams look at me, but is the beauty also skin-deep?

Appearance

In terms of looks this is certainly a bold offing from Sennheiser. The HD 598 looks very eye-catching with its leather coated headband, high-gloss burl wood finish and dominant beige color coupled with hints of brown. The wide-open soundstage has a luxurious look and feel to it with the thick, tan colored padding for the ear cushions.

The cable for the HD 598 is quite long at 10ft with a ¼ inch plug at the end. Fortunately the cable is detachable which should make storing the headphones a little more convenient. The cable plugs securely into the headphones using a twist and lock feature which ensures that the cable will not be accidentally pulled out of the headphones mid-Britney Spears track.

Performance

Okay so if you are lover of the big bass sounds that are reproduced in the Beats by Dre headphones then these may not be the ideal alternative. The Sennheiser HD 598s strive to reproduce accurate base notes rather than eardrum breaking sounds and this is actually done very well. What you can expect here is deep, smooth and the right amount of guttural bass when needed.

The wide-open soundstage on the Sennheiser HD 598 helps it to reproduce realistic sounds but much of this sound will escape out the back meaning that you will find it difficult to keep your music completely private. In terms of noise cancelation these are not the best headphones around either because they offer no noise cancelation at all; this means that you need to find somewhere very quiet in order to fully appreciate the music coming from the 598s.

What People Say

The Sennheiser HD 598s are a decent pair of headphones. They offer good quality realistic sounds inside a nice luxurious package. However these are not ideal for anything other than using in the home. The lack of noise cancellation and the fact that everyone will be able to hear what you are listening to means that these are more suited to people with a preference for using their headphones indoors. As a pair of indoor headphones though, there are very few others on the market to rival the Sennhesier HD 598s, especially at a price of less than $500.

Music for which you want to turn the volume up

The Sennheiser 598s are great for listening to anything from Michael Buble to Beethoven. It is also ideal for when you are playing video games or watching a movie.

Music for which they are best left unplugged

The HD 598s will not reproduce big bass sounds very well so lovers of things like Hip-Hop, dubstep or dance music are not likely to not find these headphones very satisfying in terms of sound.

Originally posted 2012-11-02 18:04:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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