Gadling gear review – Altec Lansing BackBeat PRO noise isolating headphones

by Scott Carmichael on

In this product review, you’ll get to read about the newest headphones from audio specialists Altec Lansing. The BackBeat PRO headphones are the top of the line product in their BackBeat lineup, and with that of course comes a responsibility to deliver some really good audio.

The BackBeat PRO headphones are passive noise isolating, which means they reduce noise by isolating it from your ears. They do this simply by creating a good seal between the outside, and your ear canal. Unlike active noise canceling headphones, the BackBeat PRO’s do no require batteries or electronics to reduce outside noise.

The headphones themselves are rather impressive looking – made from black and gold plastic, they are extremely light and clearly show the L and R for a correct fit. The plug is angled and is compatible with the original iPhone and its annoying recessed headphone jack.

The cord is made of “oxygen-free” copper and is treated with a low friction PVC coating which is designed to reduce the kind of tangle that will keep you occupied for the first 10 minutes of your flight. In reality, this actually works quite well. It won’t completely prevent the cord from being tangled, but it does make it much easier to untangle when you dig the headphones from out of the bottom of your bag.

Included with the BackBeat PRO is a soft shell carrying case and a 6 piece “fit kit” consisting of large and small neoprene earpieces and a pair of double flanged earpieces for extra isolation.

When you install the earpiece that fits you best, you may experience what I did – I forgot I was wearing them. Of the three sizes, I found the flanged earpieces fit me best, and provided the best noise isolation. Seriously, this is the kind of noise isolation that means you’ll hear your own heart beat when you pause your music.

Audiophiles will be disappointed to know that I am not a member of your club – I’d love to give you a long description of the high and low tone reproduction from the BackBeat PRO headphones, but I really can’t tell you much more than “they sound absolutely fantastic”.

I tested them with several MP3 files on a portable player, and plugged them into a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Notebook to listen to a Mike Oldfield track (in FLAC). Two things stand out with the headphones – they really do sound great, and they really do isolate an astounding amount of noise. Best of all, since a lot of background noise is isolated, you won’t need to turn the volume up to 11 to enjoy your music.

The noise isolation is actually so good, that I found them to perform better than most active noise isolating headphones I have tested. Anyone who has used active noise isolating headphones also knows the the isolation process adds some “hiss” to the music – which is of course something you won’t suffer from with the BackBeat PRO headphones. Being small also means you can wear them and take a nap on the plane without your big headphones getting in the way.

The BackBeat PRO’s cost just $99.95, which is about a third of what a good pair of active noise canceling headphones can cost, and a quarter of what some high-end noise isolating headphones run.

Daily deal – noise canceling headphone sale

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for a decent lineup of discounts on some pretty popular headphones.

Included in the sale is something for everyone. From $100 off the Creative Labs Aurvana X-FI noise canceling headphones (reviewed here last year) to 5 different in-ear isolating earbuds, starting at just $4.99.

Do yourself a favor, and get some decent noise isolating/canceling headphones, you’ll really appreciate getting some peace and quiet on your next flight!

Remember, any order over $25 ships for free, and Amazon prime members can get free 2 day shipping.

Product review – The Gadling Big Bluetooth Bonanza

by Scott Carmichael on

Got Bluetooth? In this review, I’m going to take a quick look at 5 different Bluetooth headsets – but I need to point out that this is not a “best of”, I won’t be announcing a “winner”.

Instead, I’ve picked 5 different headsets that all do something special. It could be a great noise canceling feature, or an innovative way to charge the device.

Here are the 5 headsets that grabbed my attention:

  • Plantronics Voyager 835
  • Plantronics Voyager 855
  • Lubix UBHS-NC1
  • MobileEdge M100 PowerSmart
  • Jabra BT3030


Plantronics Voyager 835

The Voyager 835 is the newest allrounder from headset maker Plantronics. On the outside, the headset looks like any other unit out there, but 2 things make it worth a position in this review.

The Voyager 835 has 2 microphones, and a the Plantronics AudioIQ noise canceling system. These technologies means you’ll be able to make a phone call without the other end thinking you are calling from the moon.

The headset is also one of the most comfortable of the ones I tested. Its clear ear clip and molded earpiece made it a real pleasure to wear, and even after a 40 minute phone call it felt just fine. One notable item missing from the package is a set of spare earpieces. For some reason, Plantronics decided not to include them with the Voyager 835. Of course, if you take good care of the headset you’ll never need them, but I can’t help feel that a spare set of parts would make more sense.

The Voyager 835 charges using MicroUSB, the newest format plug popping up on phones from Nokia, Motorola and RIM (Blackberry). Included in the box is a pretty slick car charging adapter that functions as a charger and dock for the headset when you are not using it. This $20 charger is currently included for free with the headset.

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Price: $119.95 (MSRP)
Manufacturer: Plantronics

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Plantronics Voyager 855

The Plantronics Voyager 855 can be converted from a normal “mono” headset into a stereo Bluetooth headset. The Voyager 855 also features a sliding boom microphone for getting closer to your mouth, and for picking up the call. The buttons on the headset can control compatible stereo Bluetooth devices, allowing you to skip tracks, play and pause your music. And, just so you know; stereo Bluetooth does not work on the iPhone or iPod Touch. Apparently Apple does not believe in the wonders of listening to cordless music.

The Voyager 855 also features the Plantronics AudioIQ system, which greatly improves the quality of your call.

The headset also supports Multipoint connections, which is a slick way of saying it can be connected to more than one device at the same time. This feature means you can be connected to your phone and a Bluetooth music player, and still be able to listen to music while you wait for that important phone call from your broker.

Just like the Voyager 855, this headset charges using MicroUSB, and the package includes a USB charging cable and wall adapter as well as several replacement earpieces and a spare ear clip for converting the stereo headset to mono.

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Price: $149.95
Manufacturer: Plantronics

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Lubix UBHS-NC1

This wacky looking headset combines a bold fashion statement with a pretty ingenious design – the 2 halves of the headset connect using a strong magnet, allowing you to wear the it as a pendant. When you want to listen to music, you simply split the unit in half and wear it like any other headset.

Like the Plantronics Voyager 855, this headset supports Bluetooth stereo. On the back of the headset are 2 rocker switches which are used to change tracks, control play/pause, adjust the volume and pick up/hang up a phone call. Unlike most other headsets – the Lubix uses a normal on/off slider switch, which is a heck of a lot easier than having to hold down a button for 3 seconds to turn it on.

The Lubix may lack some of the noise canceling features found on the other headsets, but it really makes up for that with some astounding sound quality when used with stereo Bluetooth. The NC1 also supports 3D audio, which provides a really interesting effect to your music.

The Lubix UBHS-NC1 charges using a proprietary charging plug, but a USB cable and wall adapter are included, as well as several different earpieces. Also, like most headsets in this lineup, the NC1 has support for multipoint connections.

Later this week I’ll give you a second look at the Lubix UBHS-NC1 with the new Lubix iPod Bluetooth adapter.

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Price: $54 (promotional price from Lubix)
Manufacturer: Lubix Mobile

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Mobile Edge M100 PowerSmart

We’ve mentioned Mobile Edge here on Gadling before, but mainly for their excellent checkpoint friendly bags. In addition to these bags, the company also offers a lineup of travel gadgets. One of those gadgets is the new M100 PowerSmart Bluetooth headset.

The M100 is special thanks to an ingenious folding design. When you are not using the headset, you simply fold it flat and attach it to the included lanyard clip. When in the “off” position, you get a whopping 60 days standby time out of the headset. The headset comes with an AC adapter and a very clever L shaped USB plug.

The M100 is also pocket friendly – when in the standby position, the headset locks the call button, preventing one of those embarrassing phone calls made to friends by mistake.

Audio quality is quite outstanding, mainly thanks to the flanged earpiece, which keeps the headset nice and snug in your ears, blocking outside noise.

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Price: $79.95
Manufacturer: Mobile Edge

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Jabra BT3030

The Jabra BT3030 looks more like an ID tag than a Bluetooth headset. Complete with a chain for around your neck, the BT3030 is the only headset in this lineup that connects to a pair of regular headphones. On the front of the BT3030 are buttons for volume, music control and call control. On the bottom of the unit is a miniUSB charging plug and on the top is a microphone.

The combination of a built in microphone and a headphone jack means you can use this Bluetooth device to listen to music using the included headphones, or any other (noise canceling) headphones you want, and use it to make phone calls.

The headset comes complete with an AC charger, chain and plastic clip, in case you don’t want to wear it around your neck.

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Price: $79.99
Manufacturer: Jabra

Like travel gadgets? Check out these other cool gadgets we recently reviewed!


Daily deal – iFrogz iPod kid friendly case + headphones for $12

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for a product that can help keep your kids entertained on your next trip. The iFrogz Tadpole kit consists of a kid friendly iPod case and a pair of kids headphones. The products come in nice bright colors (green or purple) and the case is made of a sturdy yet soft non-stick silicone.

Once your iPod is inside the case, your little one will be able to hold onto it using the 2 large handles on the side. The case even comes with a screen protector, to keep your iPod screen free from scratches.

The kit normally retails for $34.99, but it is currently on sale for $14.99, plus an additional 20% off (this weekend only), bringing the final price down to just $12. Shipping is an additional $4.49. Even if you don’t always need the iPod and its case, you’ll be able to use the headphones anywhere you run into a regular headphone jack, including the one on your next flight!

The case is available for the 80/120/160GB iPod Classic and the previous generation 30/60/80 Generation 5 iPod. The headphones on their own cost just $7.99 (plus an additional 20% off), but they are currently out of stock.

Product page: iFrogz Tadpole Kit

Daily deal – big headphone clearance at Amazon.com

by Scott Carmichael on

Welcome to the Gadling daily deal for Saturday. In this deal, you’ll find an assortment of noise isolating and noise canceling headphones in the Amazon headphone clearance sale.

There are some real gems to be found, including these JVC noise canceling headphones, on sale for $37.97 (were $99.95).

Almost all the headphones have a pretty decent rating of 4 stars. As always with Amazon, orders of $25 or more will ship for free and members with an Amazon Prime account can get them shipped with 2-day for free.

Personally I’m an in-ear noise isolating headphone fan, as you saw with my recent review of the Etymotic Research hf2 headphones. But as I said; there is something for everyone in the clearance aisle.