Sennheiser Wireless Headphones: Plantronics 903/R US BackBeat Headphones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Altec's BackBeat stereo headphones offers near-invisible stereo wireless headphones that can be paired with Bluetooth enabled devices, including A2DP-capable music players capable to streaming high-quality stereo output to Altec's Bluetooth-enabled headphones. This model does not include a Bluetooth transceiver to deliver A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) capabilities when connected to any player that has a standard 3.5 mm audio output jack. If such a device is needed to, for example, listen to Internet radio off a computer, then the Altec Lansing 906/R US BackBeat Headphone with Dongle is recommended.

You get the following in the box:

- Stereo headphones
- with one pair of silicone ear buds (still trying to find a source for replacements)
- Charger working through a USB Micro connection
- English/Spanish manual, pretty good, actually

My review will first discuss features that I deem important then, I will close with a brief evaluation.

Headphones:
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While not 'high end', they deliver a reasonably good quality sound. Some may have issues with headphones that go 'in' the ear rather than covering the ear. I know that I do but I seem to tolerate these quite well for as long as the volume is kept low.

On the positive side, the 2 headphones are connected with a stereo cable that goes on the back of the head. This makes the entire assembly nearly invisible when worn, especially if the person who wears them has hair :). The microphone seems to be integrated in the headphones body and it seems to work well because no one asked me to speak louder while on the phone, using the BackBeat.

The main concern is 'anatomy'. I have a big head and big ears and setting the earphones was not easy in the beginning even though the telescoping and swiveling adjustments do allow for some flexibility in wearing. I find that the more I get used to them, the easier it is to wear them. Again, a positive, once set, their extremely light weight makes for a very comfortable wear, so comfortable they almost 'disappear', unless they fall off.

Pairing and maintaining connections:
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- I had no problem pairing the headphones with a Blackberry and a Motorola Razor. It all works as the manual advises. When pairing the the phone, the headphones' password is always '0000' and it can't be changed.

Controls:
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It may take some getting used to but, here are the simple conventions:

- Phone controls are mostly on the left-ear headphone
- Music device controls are mostly on the right-year headphone
- Rising tones usually mean that the feature is enabled/set/increased while falling tones mean the opposite

When connected to a phone you can answer the call, hang up, reject the call while listening to music, mute, raise/lower the volume, check the battery charge.

For music features you can pause play, advance or go back one track (not tested by me yet), increase/decrease volume, enable/disable bass boost, pick up the phone or reject a call while listening. Play resumes after a call ends.

It took very little time for the controls to become second nature.Performance and other characteristics:
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A full charge completes in about 3 hours and little blue lights indicate the charge is full. Partial charging is possible in less than one hour. Claimed battery life on both devices is about 7 hours and my usage so far tends to confirm this.

A carrying pouch is missing and it's missed. I would have felt much better if one was included because the headphones are small enough to be easily lost. I understand that the design was meant to allow carrying the headphones in a shirt pocket but I would have felt much more comfortable if I could store them somewhere other than a small pocket.

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I hesitate between 4 and 5 stars. The more I use the BackBeat the more I enjoy using it. However, the missing carrying case - not easy to explain on a device within this price range and the lack of information on where or how to obtain spare ear buds call for a small deduction. With only a few small improvements, Altec could have a big winner in this product.

The lack of a Bluetooth transceiver was not a factor when rating this product even though I WOULD recommend the higher end model which adds a lot more versatility for only a few dollars more.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Plantronics 903/R US BackBeat Headphones

Product Description:
Enjoy full-spectrum stereo music and take your calls wirelessly with the Plantronics BackBeat 903 Bluetooth Headphones. These ultra-comfortable wireless headphones deliver rich stereo sound from your stereo Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or MP3 player, while smart dual-mic AudioIQ voice technology offers exceptional clarity for your cell calls. And with a quick tap of the headphone's OpenMic button, you can immediately hear what's going on around you without removing the headphones.

The SnugFit earbuds ensure a secure fit that is comfortable all day. View larger. Wireless Freedom for Your Music and Calls
Whether you are working or playing, walking or running, the BackBeat 903 lets you wirelessly take your calls and stream and control your music. These unique wireless headphones easily connect to your stereo Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or MP3 player to give you high-quality audio performance.

(If you want to wirelessly connect to your iPhone, iPod or other music player that doesn't have built-in Bluetooth capability, check out the BackBeat 906, which offers all the great features of the BackBeat 903 and includes a stereo Bluetooth adapter.)

Outstanding Audio and Call Quality
Thanks to dual 14 mm speakers and bass-boost feature, you can enjoy your music in full-spectrum stereo for a rich audio experience. And when it's time to make or take a call, the headphones feature dual-mic AudioIQ, an advanced digital signal processing technology that dramatically improves the audio levels on both ends of your call, giving you superb call clarity and performance. So whether you're listening to your tunes or taking an important call, the BackBeat 903 has you covered.

Control Your Music Remotely
The headphones feature an easy-to-access set of dedicated controls that give you full control of your music and call functions, including play/pause, bass boost, call mute, and volume and track control (for devices supporting the AVRCP Bluetooth profile).

Keep an Ear Open to the World Around You
The BackBeat 903 is also equipped with OpenMic technology, an ingenious feature that lets you hear all the happenings around you without taking off your headphones. By simply pressing a button, the microphone will pick up outside sound and feed it through the speakers, so you can fully engage in a conversation or simply listen to your surroundings.

Adjustable Design for All-Day Comfort
Designed for comfortable, all-day wear, the BackBeat 903 features contoured earbuds that are made of flexible material that comfortably conforms to the shape of your ear. The headphones weigh just 1.2 ounces and offer telescoping and swiveling adjustments for a personalized and secure fit. And for further convenience, the soft neckband folds for easy storage in a pocket, purse, or bag.

Bluetooth makes for easy wireless connections and AudioIQ ensures great call quality. Rechargeable Battery Offers Long Listening and Talk Time
The rechargeable battery delivers up to seven hours of talk/music playback time and has a standby time of up to eight days. It takes just three hours to fully charge the headphones.

The Plantronics BackBeat 903 is backed by a one-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Bluetooth headphones, AC charger.

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