Testing stereo Bluetooth headsets on the Samsung Q1 Ultra and HTC P3300

Testing stereo Bluetooth headsets on the Samsung Q1 Ultra and HTC P3300.

Disclamer The
presentation of the material in this article will be peculiar.
I will not take any instrumental measurements, the quality of all the bluetooth headsets mentioned in the article will be determined solely by my musical ear.
Since my two main blue-tooth devices are UMPC Samsung Q1 Ultra and HTC P3300, I tested the headsets on them.
I was very surprised that the sound quality of the same headset could be very different when connected to different devices. Moreover, different headsets preferred different devices.
This review includes the most interesting at first glance devices that are quite common in electronics and mobile phone stores. This review did not include headsets that are nothing - they are rare, they look mediocre, they sound sucks, they are uncomfortable on their heads. Well, you understand :) Firstly, they are not remembered, and secondly, the temptation to buy them from you will not arise.



1. Jabra BT620s

market.yandex.ru/model.xml?hid=418706&modelid=939449

This is one of the first stereo bluetooth headsets that appeared on the market, the first one I tried, and she is the culprit of the fact that I doubted the ability to listen to music via stereo bluetooth headsets without a shudder.

The quality of music on both devices sucks. It is impossible to listen. The worst headset in this test.

2. Sony-Ericsson HBH-DS970

market.yandex.ru/model.xml?hid=418706&modelid=948789

The quality of music on HTC P3300 is good, the quality of music on Samsung Q1 Ultra sucks.
Among the advantages is the ability to work simultaneously as hands-free with a communicator and stereo headsets with UMPC.
When an incoming call arrives, the music is paused and you can answer the call.
When used in conjunction with skype on Q1, the name of the Skype caller is displayed on the headset screen.
The headset can be used when it is connected to the charger.
This headset also showed very good sound quality on a Sony VAIO laptop.
Among the disadvantages: extremely short runtime in music playback mode. Something about 3 hours, with the charge indicator not reflecting the actual battery charge. Without music, you can stay completely suddenly.

3. Motorola HT820

market.yandex.ru/model.xml?hid=418706&modelid=939688

The quality of music on the HTC P3300 is very mediocre, on the Samsung Q1 Ultra - quite good.
Advantages - amazing working time from a single charge. Enough for a few days with prolonged use to listen to music.
Disadvantages - a rather massive design, on the head it looks a bit strange.

4. Sony DR-BT50

market.yandex.ru/model.xml?hid=418706&modelid=1628392

The most pretentious participant in testing. Just look at the appearance and price.

The music quality on the HTC P3300 sucks. Can compete with participant number 1. On Samsung Q1 Ultra failed to test. Expect updates in the near future.
Advantages - incredibly stylish design, workmanship and materials. Comfortably sit on your head.
Disadvantages - disgusting quality of outgoing sound when used as hands-free for telephony.
I am sincerely sorry that these shortcomings, coupled with the disgusting sound of stereo, put an end to this headset. In terms of performance and ergonomics, it is the best that I had to hold in my hands.

5. Jabra BT8010

market.yandex.ru/model.xml?hid=418706&modelid=1001728

A very unusual model. My acquaintance with her was very superficial.
The sound quality is good on both devices, a unique form factor, an incredible amount of settings on the headset itself using buttons and an integrated LCD screen.
The possibility of simultaneous work with two devices remained in doubt.
I did not dare to purchase it because of the too unusual form factor.
If it is of interest to you, read the reviews and try, because sound quality makes you take it into account when choosing.

6. Sony DR-BT21G

market.yandex.ru/model.xml?hid=418706&modelid=1628390

The music quality on HTC P3300 is satisfactory, on Samsung Q1 Ultra it’s very good, the best I've heard is hard to distinguish from wired headphones.
Advantages - the quality of workmanship and materials, as well as the design, evoke extremely positive emotions. Conveniently sits on the head, conveniently develops for transportation. The radius of action is amazing - enough to move around the entire two-room apartment, and even reinforced concrete walls are not an obstacle.
The operating time in playback mode is about 10 hours, enough for several days.
It is possible to work simultaneously with two devices.
Microphone sensitivity is satisfactory, it can be used for telephone calls and skype.
Of the shortcomings, we can only mention the impossibility of working when the charger is connected, but with this battery life this is not a big disadvantage.

This headset has an analogue -

Sony DR-BT22IK market.yandex.ru/model.xml?hid=418706&modelid=1628391

Apparently

they differ only in the performance of the headband, which is also a definite plus for both of these models. You can choose what is cushioned without sacrificing sound quality. Also, mods will be glad that these headsets have an option in white glossy plastic.

How it is possible and how impossible to extrapolate the results
We can confidently expect the same results with HTC devices on the same platform as the P3300: tachi, fishing, etc. The same results as the Q1 Ultra will show x86 compatible laptops and tablets with bluetooth 2.0 controllers and a broadcom / widcomm stack.
One cannot expect a headset rated “sucks” or “very good” to be with all existing devices. As this blitz test showed, with different devices the same headset can show completely different stereo quality.
In regards to HTC, it is not worth projecting the results on HTC Max 4G, Touch HD. Yet this is a completely new platform.

Conclusions
1. High-quality sound in bluetooth stereo exists.
2. DR-BT21G is an excellent choice for listening to music and telephony. Recommended for owners of Q1 Ultra.

Thank you
Thank Yandex.market for photos of all devices in one place, all links on the source are given in the text.
Thanks to the store staff who charged the initially discharged headsets so I could try them out.
Thank you for your attention, and for not judging strictly such a superficial review.