Initially our intention was to compare every kind of Bluetooth headset and headphones available. As we were using the headphones in our day-to-day lives, we realized that determined headsets were great designed for singular functions. Optimizing a goods produce for one usage often complex degrading leading characteristics of someone else function. This is analogous to building a car. If you want something fast that can go from 0-60 is 4 seconds flat; it's probably not going to get the best gas mileage, or be of much use hauling 3 kids around town. The lowest line is those who want the best headphones for listening to music, or watching videos, have a separate goods profile than movable warriors finding to make Voip calls (more on this topic at the end).
In this goods comparison, we are finding for the best Bluetooth headphones to listen to music and watch movies on your iPad. While we emphasized sound potential for music and video playback, virtually all the Bluetooth headsets have built in microphones and Voip capability. Next week we will have a goods comparison for Bluetooth headsets designed primarily for voice conversations that are iPad compatible, and play stereo sound.
The criteria for our goods recommendations are sound quality, fit/comfort, battery life, features, and build quality. The many weight is our scoring was given to sound potential (approx 40% of the weighting); with the other 4 categories given weights equally divided with the remaining allocation. All the Bluetooth headsets recommended were tested with both the iPad 1 and iPad 2 running iOs versions as early as 4.2. Going back to our car analogy, you cannot expect an inexpensive car like a Ford Focus to compare with the carrying out of a high end car like a Ferrari. With that in mind, we also broke our recommendations into the best iPad Bluetooth headphones within a given price range.
One last tip before we begin is there no such thing as a Bluetooth headset designed for just the iPad. So if you are browsing online, or walking straight through the aisles of Best Buy finding for products with the words "iPad Bluetooth Headsets" scrawled on the packaging, you will be severely limiting your selection. When shopping for a Bluetooth headset or headphones for your iPad, just look make sure it's a stereo headset or A2Dp capable. The Bluetooth headset you buy for your iPad should work with your cell phone and Bluetooth enabled computer as well.
Best Bluetooth Headsets for your iPad under : Arctic Sound P311
Arctic Sound P311 (Msrp .99)
Overview:
Our winner for the best Bluetooth headset under is the Arctic Sound P311. If you are a techie the name will sound well-known as Arctic Sound is a division of Arctic Cooling, a Swiss owned enterprise that makes Cpu cooling and computer accessories. While the Msrp of the P311 is .95, you will find this headset online for around . It does all you want out of a headset at a fair price. We loved this headset over more costly Motorola and Sony models. Sound potential was indistinguishable from the Motorola and Sony models but the features that won us over were the splendid battery life and the folding design. In increasing to testing it with the iPad, we were able to pair this headset with a PlayStation 3, laptops (Mac & Pc), Android Phone, iPhone, and Nokia Phone with no problems.
Sound Quality
We paired the Arctic Sound P311 with an Android phone, iPhone, and Nokia to test sound potential when production phone calls. Our friends on the other end could hear us just fine. Sound potential was crisp and there was no lag or choppiness in the conversation. For Voip and cellular pairing, the P311 includes a hidden integrated microphone, built-in sound processor, and developed Clear Voice Capture (Cvc) technology. The latter is just a fancy way of saying noise cancelling technology. While the microphone picks up on your voice during calls exquisitely, the noise cancelling function is not on par with higher end headsets such as the most recent model Jawbone or Plantronic headsets. If you plan on speaking with a person in a noisy place such as Starbucks during the morning rush, the background noise will bleed into the conversation more than the high end headsets.
For music and video playback the sound was perfect for a device of this class. The music was crisp and vibrant at higher range. The built in high fidelity drivers were able to process sound in low range without any cracks or squeaks. The bass does sound flat when compared to higher end headsets and surround sound speakers. These are not the headsets to do sound editing on your MacBook Pro, but if you are watching Netflix on your iPad or listening to your iPod app, sound potential is excellent.
Fit/Comfort
Weighing just 2.5 ounces, the P311 is very light. The terminated acoustic ear cups provides good relieve as we could where them all day without a fatigue or irritation. Some of our readers might not like the behind the ear produce but we found this ideal if you are planning to use these headsets at work, as they will not mess up the hair like over-the-head headsets.
Features
One of the most useful features is the right earphone has 5 buttons that operate determined settings. They allow you to answer a call, adjust the volume and forward/reverse the music. The device you pair the headset with must allow these functions but we found most do. If paired with a cell phone and there is an incoming call, the Inter-Call-Manager will play a ringtone into the headset. The music will then be paused and will resume after ending the call. Pairing to my iPad was not a problem and the controls worked for volume, skip, reverse, and pause. The Antic Sound P311 does not reserve multipoint Bluetooth.
Battery Life
The Arctic Sound P311 has a built in rechargeable 400mAh lithium polymer battery similar to the lithium polymer technology Apples uses for the iPad and MacBooks. The maker claims up to 20 hours of listening/talk time for the Arctic Silver but you can only perform that time under very unrealistic circumstances. When talking on the headset for over an hour and spending the rest of the time listening to music at mid volume, we averaged 12-14 hours per charge. While not the 20 hours claimed by the manufacture, this was adequate for a full day's work and double the battery life of other headsets. movable warriors will love that the Arctic Sound P311 headset charges via mini Usb instead of a possession design. If have a Blackberry, you can use that Ac Adapter or Usb cable to payment the headset leaving one less item to lug around. Charging time starting from a dead battery is about 4 hours. A Usb cable is provided for you to plug into your computer or iPad Ac adapter.
Build Quality:
The Arctic Sound P311 comes with a nylon hard case so they of course tuck away safely in your briefcase, purse, or backpack. The headphones themselves are made from hardened plastic. Because of its folding design, it can be damaged if you too much force is applied against the hinges. By no means does it make the headsets brittle as the headset was dropped accidentally a few times without any damage.
Bluetooth Compatibility: Bluetooth v2.1 + Edr, A2Dp, Avrcp, Hsp, Hfp 1.5
Honorable Mention:
Jabra Clipper Bluetooth Stereo Headset (Ear bud Style)
Best Bluetooth Headsets for your iPad under 0: Plantronics Backbeat 903+
Plantronics Backbeat 903+ (Msrp .99)
Overview:
The Plantronics Backbeat 903+ is the upgrade for Plantronics best selling 903/906 series. The Backbeat 903+ was released last year incorporating the newer Bluetooth standards. The most leading highlight this headset has over the Arctic Sound P311 is the multipoint Bluetooth technology. What multipoint allows you to do is pair two Bluetooth devices with one headset. As long as your devices reserve multipoint, you can pair your cell phone to the Backbeat 903+ while streaming audio from your iPad. Most new phones reserve multipoint together with the Android and Blackberry platforms. Both the iPhone and iPad reserve multipoint as long as you are running iOs version 4.1 and above.
Why is multipoint so important? If you have multipoint, you will not miss a call if you are listening to music on your iPad or iPod! If your iPhone rings while your blasting away Metallica on your iPad, the Backbeat 903+ supporting multipoint will pause the music, and wise up you of an incoming call. The one touch features on the Backbeat 903+ will allow you to answer the phone without having to physically answer it.
We advise not paying Msrp by searching online for the best deal. We bought our Backbeat 903+ on Amazon for .99.
Sound Quality
In terms of sound potential when production phone calls, the Plantronics Backbeat 903+ is first-rate to the Arctic Sound P311. This is the consequent of the first-rate noise cancelling highlight and windshield. The headset has two microphones instead of just one. Both microphones are positioned be shielded from direct wind. Plantronics calls their noise cancelling technology AudioIq2. Basically what happens is they microphones pick of your voice and digitally erase the background noise to provide a first-rate phone conversation.
The Backbeat 903+ has a rich and vibrant sound, and can stream music, video, and app sounds from your iPad. The headset has an enhanced bass that provides a deeper, and more earth moving feeling than the P311. While the Backbeat 903+ does have noise cancelling technology, it should be noted that it is for voice calls and not streaming music.
Fit/Comfort
Like the Arctic Sound headset, the Plantronics 903+ is a behind the ear produce with close fitting earpieces. Each earpiece adjusts three ways for a custom fit.
Features
The Backbeat 903+ has a unique technology called OpenMic that allows you to hear what's going on around you with a touch of a button. The Backbeat also supports one touch controls allowing you to start/end calls, and operate music functions such as volume and pause/play. Voice alerts tell you if there is a low battery, when there is an incoming call, and when you have lost a phone connection. You can also monitor the battery level of the headset on your iPhone with built-in software. And as discussed earlier, the Backbeat 903+ supports multipoint allowing you to connect to your cell phone and iPad simultaneously.
Battery Life
Battery life provides 7 hours talk time. Standby time is 7 Hours. payment time is 3 hours and the charging interface is micro Usb. An Ac Adapter is provided.
Build Quality
The Backbeat is constructed of high impact plastic designed for more abuse than a typical headset. If you are runner or plan to use the Backbeat in the gym, you will love its sturdiness and flexibility. The headphones can folded up and a soft protective bag is provided.
Honorable Mention:
Sony Dr-Bt100Cx Ear Bud Style Stereo Bluetooth Headset
A Comparison on the Best Bluetooth Headsets for Listening to Music on the iPad