Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 2.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000H3Z2K8
• Item model number: HBH-DS970
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,154 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Enjoy both handsfree communication on the goo and wireless stereo music from your Bluetooth-compatible cell phone (or PDA or PC) with the Sony Ericsson HBH-DS970. Enjoy excellent audio quality for stereo music and call handling with fast automatic volume adjustment and Digital Signal Processing (DSP). And when the phone rings, a glance at the display reveals the name or number of your caller, allowing you to choose to accept or reject the call. Note that Bluetooth wireless stereo music streaming requires your cell phone to have the A2DP Bluetooth profile embedded in it (see Tech Talk section below).

Listen to music and talk handsfree with the Sony Ericsson HBH-DS970.

With the HBH-DS970, you can listen to more music with less chance of missing a call. The multipoint function--which connects to two wireless devices simultaneously--enables you to listen to the music files from a computer, PDA or other Bluetooth devices while remaining connected to their mobile phone, staying available for every call. Using the intuitive display hanging lightly around the neck, the phone can stay in the pocket while the user handles calls, chooses music or adjusts the volume.

Music and voice gets transmitted from your phone or device and received by the HBH-DS970 control pod, which is worn like a lanyard around your neck and which includes an LCD and controls (play/pause, changing tracks, and volume). A cord extends from the control pod to two earbud-style headphones, with the call button placed just below the left earpiece and a microphone placed below the right. Three sizes of rubber eartips are included for an optimal fit.

Features

• Remote control your music
  The Stereo Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970 uses Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), a Bluetooth profile that enables you to control the music player on your phone via your Stereo Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970.

• Automatic volume adjustment
  Walk into a noisy environment and the volume adjusts automatically in less than a second.

• Last Number re-dial
  Keep your phone in your pocket and double click the key on your Bluetooth headset to call the number you last dialed. Get in touch fast and easily.

• Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH)
  AFH reduces the impact of interference between wireless technologies, resulting in excellent audio quality.

• Digital Signal Processing
  Enhanced audio quality is achieved through Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology, including compression and echo cancellation.

• Multipoint
  Connect to two wireless devices simultaneously, allowing access to the music files in your computer, PDA or other Bluetooth

• Auto pairing
  A feature that makes pairing the device with your Bluetooth mobile phone faster and simpler by dropping the PIN code without compromising security-equipped devices.

Specifications

• Size (control pod): 2.9 inches
• Weight: 1 ounce
• Range: 10 meters (30 feet)
• Bluetooth technology: Version 2.0
• Bluetooth profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control of music player on your phone)
• Talk time: Up to 6 hours
• Standby time: Up to 300 hours

Tech Talk: Bluetooth Audio Streaming
Bluetooth technology uses low-powered, low-frequency radio transmission to link together two devices to exchange voice and audio as well as data such as contact info from your phonebook and photos sent to a printer. The key to unlocking the veritable Swiss Army Knife of wireless functionality is to make sure your cell phone or device includes the right Bluetooth "profiles," as not every phone has the same profiles.

For streaming stereo music from your phone to a pair of headphones, make sure it has the A2DP (or Advanced Audio Distribution) profile embedded within its specfications. To take advantage of the remote controls on this headphone, the cell phone should also have the AVRCP (Audio Video Control) profile.

This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 2.0, which provides faster throughput and less of a chance of buffering. To achieve these speeds, your cell phone must also have Bluetooth 2.0, but these headphones are still compatible with cell phones with Bluetooth version 1.2.

Product Description

The Stereo Bluetooth¿ Headset HBH-DS970 connects wirelessly to a mobile phone, streaming digital music in full, rich sound via Bluetooth¿ 2.0. It provides high-performance audio in a lightweight wireless headphone design. Comfortable, ergonomic and exchangeable ear buds further enhance the quality of the music streaming to your ears. The multipoint function enables users to listen to the music files from a computer, PDA or other Bluetooth¿ devices while remaining connected to their mobile phone, staying available for every call. Using the intuitive display hanging lightly around the neck, the phone can stay in the pocket while the user handles calls, chooses musíc or adjusts the volume. The HBH-DS970 has been awarded the Editors' Choice award by the leading mobile technology magazine LAPTOP, December 2006 Edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not if you want to enjoy you'r music, February 24, 2007

By 

Nipuna001 (Somewhere over the Rainbow) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970 (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I use this with my phone -- Sony Ericsson w850i. Now whem i use the stereo buds that comes in the package -- sound quality is pretty good. I also tried it with Sony MDR-EX81LP Bud-Style Stereo Earphones -- and it sounded even better.

However this bluetooth baby is a different storey altogether. Sound quality is noticably (U'll have to be deaf no to notice!) lower. There is no BASS (forget Mega Bass). Further you notice that the range is distinctly lesser.

If you listen to more that 2-3 hours of music the battery will die on you, And it ain't fun carrying arround the charger. If you use this while jogging, well connectivity will go on and off quite often.

Also the functions like controling volume, fwding tracks will not synchronice between the devices too well.

However it is quite attractive accessory to wear. Operations are simple.

So if you want a simple wireless device to answer calls, and may be listen to music once in a blue moon, you may like this. However if you'r a serious music lover -- STAY AWAY FROM THIS!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the alternatives, February 22, 2007

By 

Jimmy Ong (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970 (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I am using the DS970 with a SE K790a phone and so far it has been great. For comparison purposes I used a set of Sony MDR-NC11 to compare earbud sound/noise cancelling qualities and SE HPM-82's for remote/handsfree functionality. Using those two leaves you with almost 8 feet of wires and three modules to contend with, the DS970 got rid of that. The volume is louder with the DS970 vs NC11, although the noise cancellation is not as effective. It still however blocks out the majority of ambient noise, and works well in NYC subways. SQ wise is on par with the NC11's though don't expect audiophilic quality (remember it was made for noisy environments). The silent hissing is not as pronounced as it is with the NC11's. For remote functionality, plusses are the backlit display and positioning of the controls (somewhat similar to the stick remotes found with Sony's MD walkmans). Unfortunately it does not have a clip and dangles freely. The mic isn't very good compared to the HPM, most callers complain about sounding "far", though reorienting the mic does help. Battery life isn't much of a concern for me, though 6 hours is plenty enough (the phone will only last for 4 hours of music playback with a full charge). The battery indicator is deceptive, showing full most of the time (~3 hours) then dropping rapidly afterward. No problems with the charger as the phone charger can be used as well (a plus of using a SE phone). It is more sensitive to interference than standard BT devices, and you will notice it (music starts clipping/dropping). Overall it is great for those who use their phones as a music player and wear ear buds all the time.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Barely adequate, January 11, 2007

By 

Derek Tumolo (East Coast, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970 (Wireless Phone Accessory)

Sound volume is low and indistinct. Increasing volume does not make it easier to understand, just louder. Does a fairly good job of limiting outside sound.

Lanyard style can be inconvenient. Earbuds can be hard to insert when you get a call. Fob on end only display caller's number, not the programmed name.

Other side of line frequently has problems with hearing, microphone doesnt work well.

Like most bluetooth devices, lacks a user friendly on/off mechanism to decline using headset when it isnt convenient. User must go through the disconnect or power down process to use phone handset instead.

Overall, not a purchase I would recommend. Reconsider your desire to have earbuds.