Jabra’s Mono A2DP Bluetooth Headset is Exercise in Futility?
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Friday, March 14, 2008 by Michael Kwan
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You could say that Jabra knows a thing or two about Bluetooth headsets, but this has got to be an industry first. When most people consider listening to music on their cell phones, they’d love the opportunity to cut the cords and listen through a set of wireless headphones. In order for this to work, you’ll need Bluetooth A2DP.
Up until now, most (if not all) stereo A2DP Bluetooth headsets provide sound to both of your ears, but the Jabra BT8040 is a mono wonder. In this way, it looks more like a conventional Bluetooth headset, but you are perfectly capable of bobbing one side of your head to “What is Love”… baby, don’t hurt me.
Yeah, pretty weird eh? The reasonably small mono Bluetooth headset is actually stereo A2DP compliant, even though it only sends sound through one ear. I wonder if you can pair two of them to get a pseudo-stereo effect.
I bought it knowing it was only mono but you can listen to music or anything else you want right in front of your boss and he can't tell. Also, when your wife is letting you have it one ear you can be jamming in the other. Not a bad distraction.
Futuility – no, Inovation – yes
It's actually pretty cool solution, I can live without stereo but not with heavy harness on my head or cables from left to right ear at best. I already had BT8010 (using of course only one half of it) but event though it had longer battery life and (slightly) better audio quality, when I tried BT8040, I simply couldn't cease to use it. It is so lightweight and fits perfectly, you'll often forget you are actually wearing it. And that is what is importat for me -good quality with no restrains.
Agreed with ppp and also don't forget about those of us who listen to audiobooks and podcasts! Most bluetooth equipped players won't pair with ordinary BT headsets.
I'm deaf in my right ear – I've been looking for just this sort of thing for some time – something I can use to listen to music as well as make calls – without having to pay for (or use) something designed for a person with 2 ears.
Futility for me is stereo WITHOUT a mono option. Try listening to beatles music (think lyrics one side, melody the other) with only one ear using headphones. Its very frustrating. Hats off to Jabra – I'm going to buy one. Right now!
This is the perfect tool – I just want to listen to a little news or podcast while waiting in line or waiting for my car – why break out the big headphones that I never charge up anyway. this also saves me from hacking my phone wich brought my search result here in the first place.