Since the day the first iPod was introduced , people have require for a direction to listen to their medicine without dangling , tangle headphone cables . Although many have contemplate that Apple would eventually create an iPod with Bluetooth or some other wireless technology , those predictions have n’t yet come true . In the meantime , a issue of vendors have released Bluetooth - base wireless earphone system of rules for the iPod . I tested three such system : MacAlly ’s $ 170BlueWave , Logitech ’s $ 150Wireless Headphones for iPod , and Ten Technology ’s $ 200naviPlay . These system are fully compatible with 3rd - generation and later full - size iPods , as well as iPod mini models — basically , any iPod with a dock connector larboard . ( As noted below , the MacAlly and Logitech systems will also work with older iPods and other audio sources , but not without limitation . )
I tested the three system with a diverseness of iPod and iPod miniskirt models , both indoors and outside . All were soft to connect and utilise . All also offered similar chain of mountains : Inside , in a Bluetooth - heavy environment , I was capable to roam 20 to 25 metrical foot by from the iPod / sender without any paries in between , or 10 to 15 foot aside through 1 or 2 walls . Outdoors , without those pesky rampart and Bluetooth devices nearby , I achieved distances of 30 to 32 feet , in line with the 30 - fundament theoretical range limit of this case of Bluetooth equipment . ( Bluetooth association be given to be reliable up until their distance terminal point is reached , at which point you ’ll hear a bit of roughness and then the sign will cut out completely ; the range numbers provide here are for the maximum aloofness at which I was able to get an unploughed sign . )
However , apart from range and ease of use , these Bluetooth earpiece system dissent importantly in both design and functionality .
Before I get to the products themselves , a side greenback about Bluetooth compatibility : All three systems essay here utilize the new A2DP Bluetooth profile ; this means that they can pair ( connect ) only with other Bluetooth machine that plump for this profile . Because few Bluetooth - fit out computers presently support the A2DP profile , you should n’t expect these systems to be able to work as headphone for your calculator .
MacAlly BlueWave
MacAlly ’s $ 170BlueWavesystem includes a white plastic Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into your iPod ’s headphone jack — similar to the receiver modules used by iPod remote control — and a Bluetooth headset . ( Note that although the BlueWave is compatible with iPod mini example , because the transmitter ’s headphone plug is in the eye of the unit and the iPod mini ’s headphone diddly is on the correct boundary — rather than the centre , as with full - sizing iPod — the BlueWave vector fall partially off the side of the iPod miniskirt during use . ) The transmitter and headset are each powered by two AAA batteries ; MacAlly estimate assault and battery life of 2 to 8 hours , depending on intensity levels .
As with all Bluetooth devices , you must “ pair ” ( connect ) the headset with the transmitter before you may use the system . To do so , you attach the transmitter to your iPod and then flip-flop on the headset and the transmitter via their power switches ; after a few seconds , the transmitter and headset will pair ( the purple light on the transmitter changes to blue ) and you’re able to begin heed to your iPod through the headphones .
The BlueWave ’s headset is a full - size of it , circumaural manakin , mean it uses an over - the - head headband and large earpieces that skirt each ear . The earpieces are covered in soft , “ pleather ” cushions and the two metallic element headband sections are hide in gentle charge card . you may also move the earpieces up and down to fit different head sizes . Overall , I found the BlueWave ’s phone to be quite comfortable , and at approximately 6.5 ounces , passably light for a full - size headset — I was able-bodied to wear it for a few hours at a time without much soreness . The only exception is that the headband itself applies a bit of pressure to the top of the header , leading me to shift it onward or back . But this is a common issue with full - size headphones , and thus not a major bang on the BlueWave . The headset also folds up for travel — although it ’s by all odds not earbud - size , at 4.5 ” in diam and 3.25 ” thick , it ’s small enough to suit in many handbag .
The BlueWave ’s headset put up a volume telephone dial , but because the BlueWave uses the iPod ’s earphone mariner to get audio , the iPod ’s mass ascendency functions , as well — I ended up setting the iPod ’s loudness at around 2/3 and then using the BlueWave headset ’s dial to conform the volume . Unfortunately , unlike the other model I tested , you ca n’t otherwise control your iPod from the headset — to switch tracks or pause playback , you must use the iPod ’s controls , making the BlueWave less commodious than competing production , especially if your iPod is on the other side of the way or buried in your purse or haversack .
In terms of sound timbre , a commonly accepted normal in audio is that the phone admit in wireless headphone systems are rarely of high caliber because most of the system ’s cost is decoct in the wireless part ( and most citizenry tell on for wireless headphone systems are more interested with mobility and convenience than sound quality ) . The BlueWave ’s headset does n’t do anything to dispel this feeling : Its wakeless timber is full but not bang-up . Because of its larger drivers , it grow much more ( and salutary ) bass part than Apple ’s stock earbuds , as well as midrange that ’s a chip more big — overall , the sound calibre of the BlueWave system is much more “ full ” than Apple ’s ’ buds . On the other deal , if you ’re a devotee of twofold , you ’ll likely feel yourself wanting when listening to the BlueWave headset , which is miss a bit at higher frequencies .
In addition to using the BlueWave as headphones , you could also use the organisation to “ broadcast ” music from your iPod to your domicile stereoscopic picture or to a set of computer verbalizer . This feature is provided via a course - tier audio yield minijack on the headset itself . You simply use the included 1/8″-stereo - to - left / right - RCA overseas telegram to connect the headset to your plate stereo ( or purchase a 1/8″-to-1/8 ” minijack cable to connect the headset to a circle of computer Speaker ) ; your iPod ’s audio recording is sent to the headset as expected , but the headset then passes it on to your stereoscopic picture . you could then use the iPod itself , complete with covert , as your remote control — a importantly better setup , in terms of playback command and port , than connecting your iPod to your stereoscopic picture and then using one of the iPod remote controls on the market . ( This feature is also available via the naviPlay , below . ) When using the BlueWave in this manner , theheadset’svolume telephone dial does n’t affect the output signal going to your stereophonic system ; however , theiPod’svolume command does affect output signal , which permit you to line up the volume directly from your iPod . alas , there are a few minor quirks with this functionality . The most significant is that the line - out minijack on the headset is recessed a scrap , so some cable system — include several I tested — can’t fireplug in completely ; I had to find a cable with a little nag . Second , the phone themselves keep to roleplay , so you ’ll want to flex the headset ’s bulk control all the way down . And third , because the audio signal is coming from the iPod ’s headphone jack , then broadcast over Bluetooth , then air through the headset ’s own circuitry , the audio quality from the headset ’s output labourer is n’t as right as if you ’d connect your stereo directly to the line - level yield of the iPod ’s dock port ( using a third - party arranger or Apple ’s dock Qaeda ) , or even to the iPod ’s headphone diddly-squat directly . That being said , I ’m admittedly picky about healthy quality , so many exploiter may never notice the divergence .
Finally , the BlueWave can also be used with older iPods and other portable player ( fundamentally , any gadget with a 1/8″ audio output minijack ) by plugging the transmitter into the player ’s earphone diddlysquat . Unfortunately , a small credit card “ nub ” on the transmitter — which fits into the outback manual laborer on newer iPods to keep the vector from spread out freely — prevents a solid connector on many players . To work on around this , you need to corrupt a 1/8 ” minijack extension cable .
Logitech Wireless Headphones for iPod
Like the BlueWave , Logitech’sWireless Headphones for iPodsystem consist of a white credit card Bluetooth transmitter and a stereoscopic photograph headset . ( If you ’ve watch HP’sBluetooth Stereo Headphones , the Logitech headset will search very familiar — Logitech makes the same headset in inkiness for HP . ) However , in bod and functionality the two are quite dissimilar . For fledgeling , instead of using stock batteries , the Logitech system is powered by home rechargeable stamp battery : The include AC arranger terminates in two minuscule connector , one that stop up into the headset and the other into the transmitter . After a few hours of charging , you should get approximately 8 hours of battery life from each component , according to Logitech .
To pair the headset with the sender you first turn the headset on by holding down the large center button on the correct earphone until the blue light change by reversal on . ( If you ’re currently wearing the headset , you ’ll hear a serial of tone to let you know you ’ve turn it on . ) You then plug away the vector into the iPod and press play on the iPod . ( If the transmitter is already plugged in , you press the button on the vector for two seconds to awake it up . ) After several seconds the two components will be paired . The Logitech transmitter is a bit taller than the BlueWave version , but if you ’ve get an iPod mini , the Logitech model has two substantial advantage that make it a undecomposed fit . First , it ’s thinner than the MacAlly transmitter . But more significantly , the transmitter ’s headphone plug is movable : It slue from the middle position to the correct - hand side to better accommodate an iPod mini . ( A credit card spacer is included that can be used to hold the slip plug in place if you ’ve only induce one type of iPod . ) This is a overnice tactile sensation that I ’d like to see more makers of top - mounted accessories adopt .
However , the most significant way in which the Logitech system differs from the MacAlly offering is the headset . Logitech ’s iPod - inspire blanched and gray headset is much modest and light ( 3 Panthera uncia ) and uses a “ street way ” plan : The headphone are much smaller — they sit on your ears rather of surrounding them — and are connected via a laborious plastic striation that die behind the fountainhead . This type of design is especially popular for exercising — it tends to be quite static even when move — or for people who require adept sound caliber than that provided by earbuds but who do n’t care over - the - principal headbands . However , in my experience , behind - the - head earpiece are a making love / hate thing — some people bank by them , whereas others ca n’t wear them at all because of comfort takings . The Logitech headset is no exception . I test the Logitech headset myself and also had a few other people wear it for a few hour each ; although some mass had no problem wearing it for extended geological period , others found it to be quite uncomfortable . On some listeners , the heavy shaping headband irritated the skin where the headband passes over the tops of the ears . Others encounter the bulging bender of the earpieces themselves to be uncomfortable against the ears . I personally have interracial feel about the comfort level : On some occasions I was capable to wear the headset for a couple hour , but other times it feel quite uncomfortable ; I also had trouble wearing them with glasses . If you project to purchase the Logitech organisation , you should do so from a store with a proficient return insurance policy so you may measure the quilt yourself . ( As a side eminence , the Logitech headset does n’t pen up up for travel ; however , the headband is whippy enough that you could twist the earpieces roughly categorical for sticking the headset in a dish or backpack . )
comforter debates aside , the Logitech headset easily bests the MacAlly offer in terminus of playback control . incorporate into the right earpiece are five buttons : a large , circular play / pause button in the center , beleaguer by forward , back , loudness up , and volume down clitoris . Although the volume up and down push button simply set the headset ’s volume — as with the BlueWave , the iPod ’s volume level is not pretend — the forward , back , and play / break buttons actually assure your iPod . For deterrent example , pressing the forward push skips to the next track , and the play / pause push button work out just like your iPod ’s dramatic play / suspension clit . Intuitively , the forward-moving button points toward the front of your head and the back button backward ; the volume up and down release are on the top and bottom , severally . ( The loudness up and down buttons also have small indent to differentiate them from the forward and back buttons . ) I find the headset ’s controls reliable and very well-to-do to use , make believe the Logitech system my favourite in terms of convenience . On the other hand , one area in which the Logitech headset falls short of the BlueWave variation in terms of functionality is that the Logitech model does n’t furnish an audio output diddlysquat on the headset itself .
In terms of audio quality , the Logitech system get from the same fate as the BlueWave cover above — good well-grounded caliber for a wireless system but not as good as a calibre set of wired headphones . compare to the BlueWave , the Logitech ’s headset provides better detail and a more “ open ” auditory sensation and should thus appeal to fans of treble . However , it does n’t have the same bass extension and “ fullness ” found in the BlueWave headset . In summation , since the Logitech headset ’s earpieces do n’t cut across your pinna , they do n’t immobilise any away randomness . However , I still preferred the effectual tone of the Logitech headset — ever so slimly — to that of the BlueWave , thanks in the main to the more open / airy presentation .
Finally , like the BlueWave , the Logitech organization can also be used with older iPods and other audio informant by plugging into the player ’s headphone jack . However , also like the BlueWave , the “ pith ” that fits in the iPod ’s remote jack foreclose a unadulterated connexion . Thankfully , Logitech includes a short ( 8 - inch ) wing cable . Of naturally , when used with a non - iPod audio source , the headset ’s playback controls will not run , although you ’ll still be able to habituate the volume buttons to aline the headset ’s volume .
Ten Technology naviPlay
Ten Technology’snaviPlaysystem , which our sis publication , Macworld , award a Best of Show award at January ’s Macworld Expo in San Francisco , is renowned fornotincluding a Bluetooth headset or a little , top - mounted sender . Instead , it includes a place of origin / transmitter ( which Ten calls the iPod Adapter ) and a pass receiver ( which Ten calls the Stereo Remote ) . The iPod Adapter looks much like an iPod battery ingroup : A base , about 1 column inch thick , provides a dock connector and the Bluetooth transmitter . A .25 - column inch thick “ back , ” which is 1.75″ encompassing and 2.5″ tall , is connected to the alkali and contains the Adapter ’s battery while providing musical accompaniment for the iPod itself . Five snap - on clips — sized to gibe any iPod with a bob connector — are include ; you attach the appropriate clip and then slide your iPod into the clip until it connect to the dock connector . A built - in , flip - down stand keeps your iPod and the Adapter upright piano when used on a desk or mesa . Finally , the bum of the Adapter provides a dock connector port — connecting the naviPlay to your iPod ’s dock connecter cable file its internal rechargeable battery and , if your iPod is seated in the Adapter , charges your iPod and syncs it with your computer . Ten ’s philosophy seems to be that you should just leave your iPod in the Adapter all the time , as there ’s no indigence to transfer it .
alternatively of a Bluetooth headset , the Stereo Remote—1.9″ encompassing , 2.5″ tall , and .6″ chummy — acts as the organisation ’s pass catcher and provides a standard 1/8″ two-channel minijack that countenance you to use your pet phone . And as its name entail , the Remote also provides the organization ’s control via a small , flat “ joystick ” control ( which Ten calls the navi button ) , much like the ones found on some mobile phone . By pushing the navi button up or down , you could skip tracks forrard or back , respectively , on your iPod ; by pushing the clit left or correct , you raise or lower the volume ; and by pushing the button inwards , you play / interruption playback . Unlike the Logitech headset ’s ascendency , which only skip tracks , the naviPlay ’s Remote also allows you to skim within tracks by holding the push in the forward or back position . Overall I found the naviPlay Remote to be easygoing to expend ; my only charge is that when endeavor to skip cartroad or line up the volume , it ’s easy to circumstantially press child’s play / pause . ( Note that because the naviPlay gets audio from your iPod ’s dock connector , which furnish a line - level signal , the iPod ’s volume control has no essence on your iPod ’s output ; you use only the Remote to adjust hearing intensity . )
The Remote also has a storage area switch that lock the control during utilization , as well as a maw for connecting the included lanyard ( for wearing the Remote around your neck ) . In summation , the system of rules includes a obliterable plastic holder with a clip for attaching the Remote to a belt or strap or to the included armband ; the clip also provide two small hooks for phone cablegram management . You lodge the Remote via the included AC adapter , which plug into a diminished power jack on the bottom of the Remote . The AC transcriber also has a power - only FireWire gob , which tolerate you to use the included FireWire - to - dock - connector cable to charge the Adapter simultaneously ( as an alternative to connecting it to your estimator ) . Ten Technology estimates 8 hr of playback when the Adapter and Remote are in full excite .
You geminate the Adapter and Stereo Remote by simply turning them on — each has a small power button with a surrounding position igniter that indicates when each unit is turned on and successfully paired with the other ( or when it is hold problem or running low on battery power ) .
Ten Technology ’s conclusion to use a wireless controller rather of a Bluetooth headset has some advantage . The most pregnant welfare is the ability to use your own headphones , meaning sound tone is as in effect ( or as bad ) as you make it — the scheme ’s design and technology mean that the auditory sensation provided by the Stereo Remote ’s headphone jack is nearly as honest as the sound of the iPod ’s own headphone jack . This feature of speech alone has made the naviPlay the Bluetooth organisation of choice for many pick out listener , since the headphones include in most wireless system ( Bluetooth , RF , or Infrared ) have a reputation for poor intelligent quality — any of the better headphone we’vereviewedshould provide better good character when paired with the naviPlay than that supply by the MacAlly or Logitech systems . The Remote approach also means that , as with the BlueWave , you’re able to circularise your iPod ’s audio to your stereophonic system or speakers and use the iPod itself as the distant controller : You simply connect the Remote to your stereo and then practice the iPod in the Adapter to control your tunes . ( Although , since your iPod ’s volume control does n’t affect the naviPlay ’s end product , you do n’t have remote control over the intensity , as you do with the BlueWave . ) Finally , Ten ’s design allow the company to do interesting thing with other Bluetooth devices . For example , with the appropriatefirmware update , you could couple the naviPlay Remote with your Bluetooth - enabled mobile speech sound . Once you ’ve done so , you may receive calls through the Remote — when you answer a call , your iPod is automatically paused and your phone ’s audio plays through your earphone ; a mike hidden on the side of the Remote captivate your vocalisation . ( play list will be print a separate article about this feature of the naviPlay in the dear hereafter . )
On the other hand , the naviPlay ’s approach also has some drawback . The biggest is that , because you use your own — wired — headphones , you ’re only genuinely wireless in the sense that your phone are n’t link to your iPod ; you ’ve still got cable dangling around . The 2d is that you still have to carry or clip the Remote ; for some people , this wo n’t be much better than carry an iPod , especially if your iPod is a mini . ( Although , to be fair , the Remote is still significantly smaller and lighter , and it ’s less likely to break if you accidentally dangle it . ) Finally , because the naviPlay requires an iPod with a dock connector port , it wo n’t work with old iPods or other audio source .
observe : The naviPlay iPod Adapter is alsoavailable as a freestanding componentfor $ 140 from HP ; you may then couple it with HP ’s $ 100Bluetooth Stereo Headphones , which is actually the same headset as the one included in Logitech ’s system , above . So if you like Logitech ’s headset better than the naviPlay ’s Stereo Remote , but you want the naviPlay ’s iPod Adapter , you could have your cake and eat it , too .
The Lowdown
Unlike some intersection categories , where one or two products are clearly the good in their class , each of these three Bluetooth headphone systems has something to offer ( and each has limitation ) . For example , the naviPlay and Logitech systems let you operate your iPod ’s playback from the headset / receiver ; the BlueWave and naviPlay systems allow you to beam your iPod ’s medicine to your family stereoscopic picture or speakers , using the iPod itself as the distant control ; the BlueWave and Logitech systems can be used with non - iPod audio recording source . So how do you prefer one ? count what you actuallywantout of a Bluetooth earpiece organisation .
If you ’re a stickler for audio quality , you ’ll want to go with the naviPlay ( ) and BYOH ( Bring Your Own Headphones)—with a salutary set of phone , you ’ll get significantly better profound quality via the naviPlay than you ’ll get with the other two system . The naviPlay is also the most versatile in that you could use it as a headset with many Bluetooth wandering sound and you could saddle and sync your iPod while charge the organization ’s cradle ( the iPod Adapter ) . It ’s bad drawback is that it ’s not sincerely “ wireless”—you still have to deal with your earpiece ’ cable .
The Logitech system ( ) is my favorite in damage of portability : It offer the most compact system with fantabulous on - headset ascendence , and is not bad for exercising . Unfortunately , the headset ’s uncomfortable ( for some people ) design forestall it from getting a higher evaluation . If you ’re concerned in this system , I recommend buying it from a store with a skilful return insurance so you may test its comfort at home over an protracted menstruum of time .
The BlueWave ( ) is a good system for those who want a truly wireless pattern and a comfortable headset , but do n’t need the extra feature of the naviPlay or the on - headset controls of the Logitech system . It also provide a snatch of isolation from international dissonance .
( For more on headphone , chat theHeadphonessection of thePlaylist Product Guide . )
