Bluetooth headsets are hot sellers this month — sales are up 106 percent from a year-ago June at Buy.com — thanks to California’s hands-free driving law that goes into effect July 1. But with prices from $10 to $150, consumers may be as puzzled as I am as to what makes one Bluetooth headset better than another.
Bluetooth, the wireless technology that connects a cell phone with a headset, is an engineering st
andard. So, technically, if gadget manufacturers follow the rules, one Bluetooth device will work with another Bluetooth device.
But, apparently, things can still go wrong in translation. One guy I know spent $20 and regrets it. Another spent $80 and said it sounds great. Frills aside, what makes a Bluetooth headset sound good?
I posed the question to Craig Ochikubo, vice president and general manager of Bluetooth at Broadcom Corp. in Irvine. Broadcom is the Bluetooth chip of choice in many mobile phones.
He said Broadcom’s chip contributes two things: the radio and the audio processor. A stronger radio means less static and a clearer connection between the phone and headset. The audio processor (or digital signal processing technology) manages the quality of the voice coming in and out of the cell phone and earpiece’s microphone.
Other tweaks, like Broadcom’s “SmartAudio,” were added to its chip to listen to the speech and minimizes the background noise that may interfere with the call. If your headset has an inferior chip and software, the conversation won’t be as pristine as it could be. His words:
 Inferior performance in a headset can generally be attributed to the quality of the components in the headset (i.e. the chips and software). Lower cost, basic Bluetooth components usually do not have any special elements added to improve radio or audio performance above and beyond what basic Bluetooth is capable of. Components from top-tier suppliers will usually have more sophisticated technology designed to improve the experience. In general, if a headset is performing poorly, the consumer should eliminate possible ‘blockers’ between the headset and the phone, such as metal or even the body. Radio waves travel best through the air so a clear shot between the two should improve performance. |
But unless you open up the headset, there’s no simple way to determine whose chip is inside.
Over at Aliph, which sells the highly rated Jawbone, design is just as important as the technology, said Michael Williams, the company’s director of product marketing. From a design perspective, the $130 Jawbone has a sensor that rests on the cheek and can feel when the user’s jaw moves — or speaks. Aliph combines that with military-grade noise-cancellation technology to determine what is the conversation and what isn’t.
“If you can talk while you’re in a tank on the battlefield, you can talk in an airport,” he said.
Aliph also bumped up the technology by adding two more microphones inside its sleek headset to better grab audio. Plus, there’s a stronger radio, thanks to chipmaker CSR, to make sure there’s less static.
So, price does matter?
“Once you get over the $119 price range, that’s when you really have the whole package,” Williams said.
One problem with going cheap is the possibility of buying a fake Bluetooth headset. PhoneArena.com tested several Bluetooth products and concluded that counterfeits fared 25 percent worse in quality.
Still, the best way to ensure you’re getting a good headset is to read online reviews by respected sources.
Ochikubo also suggests that you test a headset in person. Stand as far away from the cell phone and see how good the connection is. If the reception is still good from across the store, that means there’s a better radio inside.
The big names, like Motorola, are also asking for better quality and chips, Ochikubo added.
Elliot Darvick, editor at MyRide.com, advises that you try on the headset if only to make sure it’s comfortable. Also, one way to keep costs down is to take a look at the headset’s features, such as noise cancellation, and ask, “Do I really need to pay extra for X?”
Related stories:
- Blue Tomorrow, the comprehensive guide to Bluetooth
- Best Bluetooth headsets (CNet)
- Bluetooth headsets reviewed (PC Magazine)
Earlier on Gadgetress:
- Get your free hands-free headset before law starts July 1
- Free cell phone earpieces for everyone!
- Free headsets to those ticketed under new cell phone law
- Free and cheap 411 alternatives
Tamara 'the Gadgetress' Chuang
Here's a list of TV/mobile companies helping consumers one tweet at a time. 
Hi
Thought your readers might like to know about the hands free unit I got that plugs into the cigarette lighter which keeps it charged continually. After initial pairing setup (quick) the grey/blue Pyle unit lights up and pairs automatically upon starting the car. It can accept two phones and has a loud adjustable speaker which can be easily heard over freeway/wind noise. The other good thing about this unit is that you can walk it forward to any other car or a rental without any installation. A small tape mounted screen shows you what mode the unit is in, and it contains the microphone that picks up your voice. I got mine from a stereo installation store called Henderson’s on Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa. About $89. Hope this helps someone.
Kim Andrews