Product Description
Behind-the-neck design for maximum comfort during extended wearing periodsCollapsable design for protective storage and maximum portability Foam ear cushions for open, hear-through soundFrequency response: 1Hz-22kHz
Customer Reviews:
Koss Rocks Hard.......2007-08-06
Always loved Koss headphones, and these are no exception. Great highs, responsive lows, accurate even at high volume. The only thing that is missing is a volume control on the wire and the wire itself could be a bit more,.. sturdy. They fold down nicely to fit in your pocket.
Product Description
Comfortable, discreet, secure-feeling, the AHP223 stereo headphones' behind-the-neck design makes them a popular choice for active people. Interchangeable color, soft-foam ear-pads provide longwearing comfort.
Customer Reviews:
Poor comfort.......2007-10-16
I have a normal sized head, (7.0) and I think these things are REALLY uncomfortable. They do not sit on my ears well, hence the phones themselves are not well placed for good sound quality. I am sending these back.
DECENT FOR THE PRICE.......2007-09-26
I've heard better sound through other headphones but for the price you can't beat it. The volume control that it caries is very convenient. It also has a clip so you can clip it on and not have to hang on to it or have it dangle. You don't have to fiddle with the volume control on your music player's device, so that's great. They are a little big for the fitting. That can be good or bad depending on the person. Good in the sense that they will be comfortable to wear and not be tight. Bad in the sense that they might be too lose for some people and not have the tightness on it for a better sound. All in all it's ok for this price.
Nice sound, but fit was awful.......2007-09-04
Although the sound and features were great, I couldn't get the actual phones to settle on my ears... these headphones are clearly designed for a head much larger than mine! The only part of the headphones that held on to my head was the hard plastic around the actual phones, which led to a headache fairly quickly. I ended up returning these because there's no way they are comfortable enough to wear.
Perfect for exercise.......2007-08-10
I bought this headphone to replace the ear buds that came with my Zen Stone MP3 Player. I needed something that would be comfortable, durable and sound good during workouts. I usually wear them while running for an hour or more per day and this fit the bill perfectly.
The price can't be beat either. I didn't want to spend a fortune on a headphone to go with a $40 MP3 Player and this headphone was very inexpensive. It's pretty well made and the cord is about 6 feet long, but has a clip to keep it out of the way. There's also a volume control on the cord clip which is handy. I can clip it to my collar or waistband and it stays where I need it to.
Delivery was fast. I purchased this and the armband and skin for my Zen Stone at the same time and both arrived within two or three days on standard shipping.
length of cord.......2007-03-28
Does anyone know how long the cord is? I need to know. Thanks.
Product Description
Altec Lansing's AHS302 USB Stereo Headset with Microphone is a headset that handles multiple duties. Connect it to your audio or PC systems for listening to music, interactive gaming, Internet voice chats or speech recognition. These comfortable headsets provide crystal-clear sound; the neodymium speakers deliver great sound and an adjustable noise-canceling/noise-rejecting microphone will minimize background noise. A handy in-line volume controller regulates both audio level and microphone volume. Best of all, they're comfortable and lightweight enough to wear all day. Gold-plated 3.5mm connector In-line volume & microphone volume controller Headphone Specs - 20 Hz - 20 kHz Microphone Specs - 100 Hz - 16 kHz
Customer Reviews:
Sounds good, Works fine.......2007-10-17
I bought these to use with Skype. Everyone said that I sound much better using this headset than via other microphone devices I tried. The earpads are pretty comfortable, though the wraparound thing is tight on the top of the ears. It leaves a temporary indentation in your skin (like sunglasses sometimes can); and it is not adjustable in anyway. Actually, the wraparound part doesn't even touch the back of your head. I think I must've bought an earlier version that had an overly large USB connector. The one pictured here is half the size, which would be a great improvement. And, in reality, I found my system worked better if I just plugged the pink mic jack and the green headphone jack into my Dell Pentium 4 destkop PC's sound card. I think the extra USB conversion time was too much and it came across as choppy on Skype. I also tried these on my new Acer laptop, and even using a wireless internet connection, people say I sound good. The only other thing I'm concerned about is the volume control on the wire. Mine has started to separate some and the round tuner knob is on the verge of becoming annoying, like the way many radios have problems with their volume knobs.
Mac computer headsets.......2007-09-01
I bought these because they were well reviewed in a publication. They are a good price and work on a MAC (usb). I convinced 3 friends to buy them too. They are comfortable and sound great.
Mediocre until it broke.......2007-08-01
I have owned this headset for a little over 7 months, and have never really liked it.
Pro:
-High quality sound, both incoming and outgoing. I enjoy listening to music on them, and from all accounts my voice is crystal clear while using it for VoIP calls or multiplayer gaming.
-Easy to use (on PC, no experience with Mac). Plug in the USB adapter, and Windows XP recognizes it instantly. Works fine in regular headphone/mic jacks as well.
Cons:
-They are not comfortable. Perhaps this is just my particular ears, but from reading the other reviews I get the sense that many people have this problem. After a few weeks of high usage, I grew used to the pinch (or maybe they got stretched out a bit). I also taped over the behind-the-ear clips with some duct tape to soften the sharp edge, which helped a tiny bit. After 7 months, they still make my ears sore if I wear them for more than an hour.
-They are not durable. Starting about 2 months after I owned them, the plastic casing began to pop off the volume-adjuster piece. I could snap it back on, but the wires would take some wear. After 6 months, the casing cracked, leaving no support/protection for the now-exposed wires. The microphone went dead after about 4 months use (from the looks of it, the wire just wore down and broke). They still work for listening, but I expect that functionality to disappear soon since the wires are exposed and are visibly fraying.
Conclusion:
If you need a headset that you won't use very much with clear sound, and your ears are the right shape for these, then you might want to pick this set. Otherwise, active use will destroy them quicker than you would think, and you'll have to pick up another one anyway. Either pay for a higher quality set, or get a more cheaply replaceable one. This is sufficiently neither, and you shouldn't buy it.
Microphone no longer functions after ten months.......2007-06-01
Perhaps you don't mind if you get only ten months out of a fairly expensive headset, but though I can hear fine, the microphone no longer works.
I only used it for skype so i wasn't using it all the time.
Is it worth $40 for ten months? Only in this era of planned obsolescence and the soft bigotry of low expectations is this kind of question even entertained.
boo.
Bought Two - May Buy Another.......2007-05-24
No fuss with this headset. Works well, sounds good, records well. The only thing I don't like is that the headset is not adjustable so you can't make it fit larger or smaller. Other than that I love it. The USB adapter alone is almost worth it.
Product Description
You want outstanding sound, but you want to keep moving? No problem. AHP423 behind-the-neck stereo headphones offer premium sound, and they won't mess up your hair. They also feature a foldable headband, interchangeable color foam pads, and a carrying bag.
Customer Reviews:
These are screamers.......2007-12-11
I bought a pair of these hoping for the best. I wanted a set of folding, behind the neck phones for travel. Typically, Altec-Lansing products tend to scream at you with enhanced highs...but your ears adjust and then they sound pretty good. These are the exception. These babies really scream, and the lower end doesn't hold up like on most Altec-Lansing products. In a word, "awful". After forcing myself to do some extended listening to see if they would come around, I couldn't wait to chuck these babies in the trash.
Great Headphones for the Price.......2007-06-03
I've been using these headphones for 3 weeks now. I use them mainly when hiking or at the gym. They fit me great and have very good sound. The only negatives, which are minor, are: 1) the bass could be a bit better and 2) the cord is too long but that is better than having too short like many models.
awesome!.......2007-05-16
These cheap twenty dollar headphones are just as good as my BOSE headphones! The sound is absolutely amazing, the bass, the quality, everything! There's no hiss and they're very loud if I want them tobe although at low to medium listening levels they work great as well!
They're very convenient since they fold so compactly and they're very comfortable on my head.
This is a MUST BUY!
Good sound - but you need a big head!.......2007-05-03
The sound quality coming out of the headphones is pretty nice. However, if you are using headphones while doing an activity then prepare for them to fall off of your head. I used them while mowing my lawn, and I had no luck keeping them on. Finally I ended up putting my ear between the clip and ear piece so that they stayed in place. If they wanted me to use this technique then there is really no need for the part the goes behind your neck. These headphone are way too wide, and there is no way to adjust them smaller. These are great if you are sitting down and listening to music, but if you are on the move then go with something else.
Premium Behind Head Headphones.......2007-02-06
These headphones suck! They do not stay on. Although they are nice and compact and you can fold them...they are made way too wide. Save your money! You will spend more time during your workouts hoping that they stay on your head. The music is even harder to hear for this reason!
Product Description
Lightweight neckband for a cool, comfortable fit 30mm neodymium drivers Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz 3.5mm mini-plug
Customer Reviews:
VERY Disappointed.......2006-06-07
I have purchased 2 pairs of these Jensen JHW200 series headphones prior to this set. I turned a blind eye in the past to the fact that with regular use, they only last about 1 1/2 to 2 years before one, and shortly thereafter, both of the channels fail, because of the sound quality and comfortable design. This newest set, however, delivers neither. I have a job where I'm at a computer all day, and am somewhat particular about music clarity and sound, not a nut by any means, but I like good highs, deep bass and good clarity. The previous models provided exactly that. They also fit much more snuggly, and the speakers themselves were double the size. I realize that they are only a $ 10 set of headphones, but compared to their previous excellence, these "updated" headphones fall far short. On a side note, I would not have purchased them had I been able to get a hold of ANYONE, be it via phone or e-mail, to redeem the "Lifetime Warranty" that they promise from my previous set.
Product Description
Stylish, comfortable and engineered with cutting-edge Bluetooth wireless technology, the Motorola S9 helps provide wireless access to music and voice calls - while on the go. Compatible with Bluetooth-enabled stereo music phones and with iPod players equipped with the TEN Technology naviPlay Bluetooth Stereo Adapter for iPod (sold separately), the Motorola S9 is perfect for delivering favorite tunes and connecting you to calls wirelessly with lightweight design.When comfort is a priority, the Motorola S9 won't weigh you down. Weighing barely an ounce, the Motorola S9 is lighter than an average pair of sunglasses! The behind-the-head form and small ear buds (1.3 centimeters) help provide true comfort - even during extended use.Calls, volume, and track controls, so you can play your music or answer a call by simply pressing the buttons on the headphones.Combining ease-of-use with the latest Bluetooth wireless technology, the water and sweat resistant Motorola S9 is the ideal wireless headwear for the active music lover. Now, be connected and listen to favorite songs during those tough workouts, without getting tangled in wires!!
Customer Reviews:
Dont waiste your money!!.......2007-12-25
If you still use a rotary phone in your house this is the product for you!! I can't believe Motorola would put their name on such a horrible attempt at a bluetooth headset.
Pro-I bought them at a retail store and was able to return them for a full refund!!
Cons-Music skips, the buttons are designed badly, they are supposed to "float" above your neck and they don't, not adjustable, both options of earbuds pierce the inside of your ear, when you first put them on they are way too tight, by week two the heavy battery pack sits on your neck (maybe a good thing in cold weather, but in Florida its like having a hot laptop on your lap in 90 degree weather), the phone setting is only on the left ear, caller can hear too much (mic's too sensitive), the only reason they include the cool arm band to hold your unit is because the signal wont reach below your waist, lastly if you do get this product i recommend wearing a hoodie to place ur phone w/i 6 inches of your neck resting the phone on your back.
So annoying!!!!!!
Well if not these then what you ask?
Check out the Sony DRBT50!!!!! ALL DAY
S9 -- Great Bluetooth Headphones!.......2007-12-20
Have used these S9 headphones for a while now, and I love them! They are unobtrusive and sound excellent. I encountered absolutely NO problems pairing them to a variety of Bluetooth devices such as Palm Treo 700p phone, Motorola Bluetooth Home Stereo Adapter DC800, and Ten Technology NaviPlay Bluetooth Adapter.
Sound quality is almost like high-end traditional wired earbuds, and I can use the S9 headphones in any listening situation--portable with an iPod and the NaviPlay, or anchored to a home stereo or Mac through the DC800, or listening to audio or taking calls from the Treo 700p phone.
Being able to receive phone calls simultaneously is a nice feature, although the call control buttons are tiny and take some getting used to, as noted in other reviews. Being able to control volume, playback and skipping songs on the iPod from the S9 is a great convenience! As a bonus, I can plug in any iPod, even the newer generation Nano and iPod Touch to the NaviPlay, they all can be controlled with the S9. This means I can not only listen to music, but also listen to movies/tv shows/videos on the iPod wirelessly using the S9 and NaviPlay.
Bluetooth wireless audio range is outstanding, strong stereo signal is received from very far away, even in an office environment with walls, cubicles, corners, and other equipment in between. Battery life is great and the charge cycle to full capacity is short.
I found no problem using these whether walking, sitting in a reclining position or even laying down on the bed on my back or on my side.
Overall the S9 headphones are very impressive, indeed, and I recommend them highly.
great product.......2007-12-14
I was really excited to get this product and have enjoyed using it. It is very easy to use and was easy to set-up. I love not having wires on my headphones and not having to carry a phone and MP3 player. The only problems I have had is that at times it is not easy for others to hear me on the bluetooth or there is alot of background noise and sometimes the music doesn't transmit easily if there is a lot of wind or if I wear a hood over my head. Other than that they are great!
Not for everybody but not bad either.......2007-12-13
The sound quality from the S9 isn't to bad although I still have yet to find a set of bluetooth headphones that are really superb. These come fairly close. The main problem for me were the ear fittings. After about 30 minutes They began to really be a pain. Had to send them back.
Where's the Base.......2007-12-07
After owning these for two weeks I can say that they work almost as described. I carry my phone in my front pants pocket and the Bluetooth rarely cuts out while listening to MP3's. I have an average size head and my ears start to hurt after about a half hour of listening with the stock rubber ear cushions. I have installed the included optional rubber cushions and it is better, but after an hour and a half it still starts to hurt. The back of the unit rests on my collar and the rubbing of the collar against the headphones transmits into the ears.
The music is crisp and clear, but no base. I turned up the base on my Razr V3xx, but it does not matter because the speakers do not play any base. It works great as a headset, pairs up with the phone instantly and answers calls automatically. People hear me clearly on the other end. It charges with the phone charger or through a USB port. Everything is okay except ... NO BASE.
Product Description
The open, dynamic PMX-60 neckband headphones are the ideal choice for all portable audio sources. Their balanced sound image easily outshines competing mini headphones. Lightweight and comfortable for listening on the move Frequency response - 18Hz - 21kHz Nominal impedance - 32 Ohm 1.0 meter connection cable 2 year guarantee
Amazon.com Product Description
Sennheiser's lightweight, open-ear PMX60s are tailor-made for portable listening and specifically designed for rock and pop music, with a high maximum playback level (122 dB SPL), low distortion (under .5 percent), and a dedicated bass tube to heighten musical impact through additional low-frequency resonance. (Keep in mind that even though the headphones perform at loud levels, your ears will surely deteriorate through extended loud listening.) The PMX60s' comfy neckband design prevents the dreaded "headphone hair," and their three-foot cord grants extended freedom of movement.
What's in the Box
Headphones only.
Customer Reviews:
Great headphones.......2007-12-23
I have owned Sennheiser stereo headphones since 1974 and when I needed a pair for air travel and gym workouts I chose the Sennheiser PMX60 Headphones. They are extremely comfortable and render quality sound.
Good.......2007-12-16
Much better imaging and total sound than sony's they replaced. A bit lacking in bass punch.
Good light weight headphones.......2007-12-10
Sound quality is very good for headphones this size. I use mine in an office environment - very comfortable.
Recommended
Nice earphones, somewhat pricey for its quality.......2007-12-05
Overall these headphones are a nice product, they produce clear sound, they fit comfortably (kinda loose fitting but ok), they have pretty good bass, and they look nice. The earphones are very comfortable, you can barely feel them on your head but they don't fit snug or tightly so a good portion of the sound leaks out. This isn't really a good thing because it cuts back on the amount of bass you feel through your ears and the music can be heard by someone nearby, these aren't good for college lecture halls! But the PMX60's fit good on your head and your ears won't get pinched, you can also lay down with these on because the neck band usually rests at the bottom of your neck, it doesn't stick out which would prevent you from laying your head down on a pillow. I got my pair for $16.87, I personally wouldn't spend more than $20 on these just because they aren't the most amazing things out there. Sound quality is great, very clear sound, you can feel bass somewhat but I thought I was going to get more out of them. I bought these because ear buds don't fit in my ears and I wanted to get good sound quality out of my Creative Zen player. If you hate ear buds too I would recommend these.
Clean, comfortable.......2007-11-15
Great sport headphones. The bass performance is great for what i listen to (reggae, hip hop, industrial, techno, rock). I think some of the negative reviewers were expecting these to sound like you're sticking your head inside a subwoofer, but I don't expect that kind of sound out of $30 open sport phones. That all being said, the sound is really crisp and clear.
I think they're very comfortable too, and I don't have a small head either. I also wear glasses and they don't rub against each other, or get in the way. I have no complaints in this area.
other negative reviewers seemed to complain about the lack of a 6 foot cord. Seriously, who needs 6 feet? The cord is long enough for me to put my ipod in my pocket, and still be able to move my head around without it weighing down my head.
They're a solid purchase. Like any other headphone, you just need to take care of them and don't be stupid.
Product Description
MP3 Player & FM Radio
U-Disk
1 GB Built-in Flash Memory
5 Preset Equalizer Modes
Built-in Rechargeable Battery can be charged using A/C charger (included) or computer's USB port
Battery Play-time is Between 7 to 8 Hours After Full Charge
No USB Driver required for O/S newer than Windows 98SE.
USB Software Driver for Windows 98SE Included
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES:
USB Data/Power Cable
Windows 98SE Driver CD
Instructions Manual
UNIVERSAL AC CHARGER (110v-220v)
Average customer rating:
- Actually, I'm surprised...
- A Comparison of Frisby and Utronix MP3-playing headphones
- Everything I was looking for.
- Great Product So Far
|
Frisby 2gb Wireless Sport Mp3 Player Headset
Manufacturer: FRISBY
ProductGroup: CE
MP3 Players
|
Audio & Video
|
Categories
|
Electronics
|
Flash Drive-Based
|
Hard Drive-Based
|
Portable Digital Media Players
Similar Items:
-
Super Mario Galaxy
Product Features:
- Revolutionary, 2 GB Wireless MP3 Sport Headphones. Listen to your MP3 audio while you are bicyling, jogging, walking, driving, etc., directly from your headphones
- The wireless headphone design offers superior comfort and stability. It won't fall off while you are engaged in your favorite sporting activity or your daily routine
- Wireless headset with integrated MP3 player, no more tangled wires.
- It comes with 1 year manufacturing warranty
ASIN: B000PJHNVA
 |
Product Description
Frisby MH-601 is an MP3 Player with a really nice twist. Instead of plugging Headphones to it, it's a stylish, great-sounding headphone itself. Incorporating the behind-the-neck, over-the-ears design, this headset is extremely comfortable and secure for the most Mobile of users, bicyclist, runners, joggers, walkers etc. 2 GB built-in memory can hold over 800 songs using WMA OR MP3 files. A USB port allows easy data transfer with your PC computer. Can also be used as external disk, to save or backup the files and other data
Flexible that can fit to any head with superior comfort
Great quality dynamic stereo sound lets you immerse yourself in your music
Supports MP3, WMA formats
Able to delete files without connecting to PC
Support menu operation in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Korean
Multi playing modes: Normal, Repeat One, Repeat all, Shuffle repeat, Dir normal, Dir all normal and dir Shuffle repeat
32x132 graphic LCD with LCD backlight
6-tone equalizer: Normal, Classic, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Bass
Sleep off function and starts where it was left or turned off
Song title and lyrics display
Navigator and file management
USB 2.0 High Speed
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimension: 4.6" x 2.2" x 1.6"
Weight: 52 g Exclude the battery
LCD Display: 132x32 Graphic LCD with LED backlight. LCD color changes during power on/off, or during song change
Connect to Computer: USB 2.0 (High Speed), Type A
Battery: 1 x AAA battery (lasts 12 hours continues play)
Memory: 2 GB
Music Format: MP3 (MPEG 1.0/2.0/2.5, Layer 1/2/3, ID3 display support), WMA
File Format: FAT 16, FAT 32
MP3 Bite Rate: 8Kbps -320Kbps
WMA Bite Rate: 32bps - 192kbps
EArphone Output Power: 5mW + 5mW Load 32 ohm
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20KHz
EQ: Normal, Classic, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Bass
Distortion: 0.1 %
S/N: 70dB
Customer Reviews:
Actually, I'm surprised..........2007-12-10
I ordered this Frisby 2GB Wireless MP3 player to wear while I workout. That is pretty much limited to walking and running on a treadmill and a free weight workout while standing, sitting, and laying on a weight bench. The headset feels odd in your hands because the earphones are heavier than a normal headset (no doubt because of the electronics in the earpieces) and it gives the impression that the band is flimsy. But the band is really sturdy and has some unique joints that flex easily when putting it on your head. The headset fits well on my head and I really like the behind-the-neck band. The earpieces are comfortable. Overall, the fit is exactly what I was looking for.
Adding music to the headset was simple. The package includes a USB cable and some software. I didn't load the software but just plugged the headset into a USB drive and the headset was recognized as a removable drive. Easy as pie...drop and drag your music to the headset. The headset screen gives you information about the MP3 but since it is on my head I don't really care. I set the mode for random shuffle and listen to what ever I get. If i don't want to hear a particular song, the toggle switch is easy to find (right on the bottom of the right ear) to toggle to the next or previous song without taking the headset off.
Sound quality is what you might expect - nothing spectacular but not bad. It is what it is - a $65 MP3 player built into a headset. It exceeds my expectations in that regard, hence the title of this review.
I have noticed a major complaint with other 'sports' headphones related to headphone failure when they get a bit of sweat on them. I don't sweat buckets but I sweat plenty and this headset seems to handle it fine. Water isn't dripping off of them when I take them off but they have had some exposure.
Overall, a fine product in my opinion.
A Comparison of Frisby and Utronix MP3-playing headphones.......2007-08-12
Having bought both the Utronix MP3-playing headphones with 512MB of storage and the Frisby MP3-playing heaphones with 2GB of storage (both available here at Amazon), I am in a rare position to be able to compare the two for you.
Having researched the web, I found models from Aiwa, Coby, Nextar, Utronix and Frisby (division of Comsis Computer). TDK formerly made one but has discontinued it due to poor sales.
Clearly, the Utronix and Frisby models are the winners in terms of desirability. While some of the others were less (and more) expensive, they all had less storage space than the Utronix and Frisby models.
Unfortunately, both the Utronix and Frisby models are imperfect but in different ways. A comparison follows.
The Utronix (a comparatively new Swedish company) headphone is sturdily constructed in one (unfoldable) piece that fits one's head and ears VERY comfortably and securely over a long period of time.
The Frisby (American, headquartered in Arizona) headphone is flimsily constructed in folding sections that are NOT very ergonomically correct or comfortable to wear for extended periods despite the rotating earpieces. The connecting bar rubs against the bone of your skull behind your ears requiring you to hook the tops of the bars over your ears in order to prevent it from slipping and falling off. This makes the tops of your ears stick out (hopefully not permanently).
Both models play MP3 and WMA files (the most commonly used). The Utronix model also plays WMV audio from video files and several others which are not often utilized.
How do they sound? The Utronix headphone has 7 different equalization settings. The Frisby has 6 settings. The only one of the settings on either model that sounds decent is the one named "Double Bass" (or simply "Bass" in the Frisby). In the Utronix model, the sound is bright, crisp and clear (and generally SUPERB to my ears!) in both the highs and the lows. The musicians sounded as though they were right there in the room with me (even on a CD reissue of an RCA recording Dizzy Gillespie made in 1949!). If you are looking for full, unexaggerated natural-sounding bass, the Utronix phones deliver. If you are looking for the kind of thumping bass that usually emanates from a home-boy's "Pimp-mobile" (no offense intended), you should look elsewhere. You won't find that kind of bass sound in ANY headphone that rests ON the ear rather than IN the ear.
In contrast, the Frisby model has somewhat smaller speakers in diameter than the Utronix model, but somehow manages to deliver about the same amount of bass as the Utronix model does in the "Bass" mode (or even a bit more). The louder you turn the volume, the more bass there seems to be. However, the Frisby model seemed to me to be slightly lacking in the upper frequency range, giving the overall impression of being somewhat mid-range heavy. You may want to experiment with the other equalization settings to find your own personal preference. Everyone's perception is different and you may even prefer a less biting brilliance for certain kinds of music.
I ripped my CD's into WMA files (using Windows Media Player) with a variable bit rate of 85 to 145 kbps (the intermediate setting). The exact same file at this rate sounds better to my ears on the Utronix phones than it does on the Frisby phones. The overall sound quality of the Frisby model is, in my estimation, "adequate but not breathtaking". You may be able to achieve better results by adopting a higher bit rate during the ripping of your CD's to MP3 or WMA files (though it will take up more space on your drives).
Now to matters of playing time and battery life. The Utronix model has a 512MB flash drive which holds about 5 hours worth of music.
Please note that the specifications on the Amazon webpage for the Utronix model erroneously say that it runs on a AAA battery. NOT SO! In fact, it has a built-in Lithium-Ion battery that recharges through the USB port of your computer over a period of 3 hours. Its disadvantage is that in actual continuous use, the Lithium-Ion battery lasts about 4 hours. It is supposed to last about 6 hours. It doesn't. And once it's done, IT'S DONE. You have to take it home and plug it back into the USB port of your computer to recharge it for another 3 hours(unless you have a new car with a new MP3 audio system including a front-USB port). For best results, you should charge the Utronix headphone continuously for 3 hours IMMEDIATELY before use, as it will slowly lose "juice" if stored unused for several hours after charging. The instructions do warn you not to overcharge the battery, more than 4 hours as it may shorten its overall life. There is NO indicator to let you know when the battery has fully charged. The Red L.E.D. that indicates it is charging does NOT turn off when it is fully charged. You just have to watch the clock and remember.
The Frisby model runs on a single AAA battery lasting about 8 hours in continuous use. AAA batteries are small and easy to find and a spare is easy to carry in one's pocket. The Frisby 2GB model (they also make a 1GB model for less money) has a music storage capacity of about 20 hours. So, if you have a spare battery in your pocket, you can listen practically ALL DAY without having to repeat any music.
Regarding programmability, the Frisby is VERY programmable and you can choose to play the tracks in the order in which they were loaded or in random shuffle order and some variations there-of. It even has folder partitioning capabilities so you can jump directly to other music genres depending on your mood without having to crawl and wade through many contiguous files to get there.
The lever on the Frisby model that is used to enter the display menues and navigate through them is flimsy and seems as though it might break if handled clumsily or carelessly. However, I have not experienced any malfunctions in two weeks of use so far.
I did experience a malfunction in the Utronix model but it was largely my fault having accidentally pushed two buttons in at the same time on opposite sides of the earpiece. It got stuck in Pause mode while the flashing Green L.E.D. was indicating that it should be in Play mode. I could not unstick it. I had to wait about 12 hours (with the Green LED flashing and without music playing) for the battery to run down so that the mechanism would re-set (yes, 12 hours WITHOUT the music playing). WITH music playing, the battery runs down in 4 hours. However, once it did re-set and the battery got recharged, it was fine. There was no permanent damage done. One just has to be careful not to push in two opposing buttons at the same time.
The Utronix model has no display panel. It has only a Red and a Green alternating L.E.D. to let you know what mode of operation it is in (play, charge or file transfer). It is not programmable at all. The player plays the selections in whatever the order was in which you loaded them. So, you should take that into account while loading them.
I tried using the database fields for each WMA file in the "E" drive on my computer (in this case, the Utronix headphones) by viewing "Details" instead of "List" or "Icon" to re-sort the selections by other fields such as "file size", "duration", "album", "artist", etc., but it seemed to have no effect on the Utronix phones' playing order after disengaging them from the USB port.
As others have observed, file transfer is simple and easy but somewhat slow (as it is with most flash drives that are not assisted by file-transfer acceleration software).
How do they compare price-wise? You can look that up right here on Amazon. I could not find a lower price anywhere else. The Utronix model was about 36 dollars with shipping. Amazon recently lowered the price on the Frisby model to about $70 with shipping as of August 14, 2007. It was formerly $75. Obviously, the price is subject to change.
I have decided to keep both units as they are useful for different purposes. For short-term, vigorous exercise, the Utronix model is well-suited with up-tempo rock or jazz music. For long walks and picnics in the forest, the Frisby model is better suited with Classical or Easy-Listening music.
I hope this review has been useful to you.
Dan
Everything I was looking for........2007-07-23
I had been looking for a way to listen to music without the hassle of wires. I got a pair of wireless headphones, but the pair I got cut out, then I found these. I was a little unsure about buying a product from an unknown company, but it was a wonderful buy.
First of all, customer service is amazing. I accidentaly sent the package to the wrong address, one email and it got fixed. Second, it worked just as advertised. Plugged in, put on music, and listened right away. I didn't test out battery life, but I use it at work, and it lasts me a long while, so I wouldn't be surprised if it were at least the 13 hours advertised. Sound quality is great, and functionality is good as well. My only qualm is that transfer is a little slow, but for an mp3 player that works this well, I don't mind at all.
Great Product So Far.......2007-07-03
I bought this because I hate taking my iPod to the gym, putting it my pocket and then have a wire running up to my earphones. This product has the MP3 built into the headphones. Loading is very easy, and it runs off an AAA battery. It has a lot of nice features too.
The only thing I am concerned about, is will it hold up. I have been only using it for 1 week. Frisby 2gb Wireless Sport Mp3 Player Headset
Product Description
H2O Audio is the leading provider of waterproof cases, headsets, and accessories for mp3 players, supporting use in water, snow and other extreme environments. H2O Audio provides patented waterproof headsets and housings, allowing consumers to significantly enhance their action sports experience.PRODUCT FEATURES:Waterproof headphones for the H2O Audio Series;Submersible up to 10ft/3m (when paired with H2O Audio Series Housings);Waterproof speakers designed for complete submersion;Durable neckwrap keeps headphones in place during active watersports;Adjustable design for individual comfort;Coiled cable eliminates tangles;Silicone earplugs included;Compatible with standard 3.5mm audio jacks.
Customer Reviews:
uncomfortable.......2007-12-18
These are completel;y uncomfortable for me and don't fit in a way that produces good sound.
Cheap Consumer Electronics:
- Lenovo T61 7658-03U 14.1" Thinkpad (Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 Processor (2.0GHz), 1024MB RAM, 120GB Hard Drive, XP Professional)
- Lexar 2 GB Platinum II Ms Duo MSDP2GB-40-664 (Retail Package)
- Linksys KVM2KIT ProConnect Integrated KVM 2-Port Switch
- MAXELL HP-100 Lightweight Stereo Headphones
- Memory Upgrade 1GB KIT 2X512MB DDR400 PC3200 ( 1GBDDRKIT-PC400 )
- Nokia HS-11W Bluetooth Headset
- Notebook/laptop Cooling Pad with 2 Built-in USB Powered Fans
- Notebook/laptop Cooling Pad with 2 Built-in USB Powered Fans
- O2-Cool 1054 10" Battery / AC Powered In/Out Fan
- Retractable Stereo Earphones
Cheap Consumer Electronics List
Cheap Consumer Electronics