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TeknologikL

"Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it"
TeknologikL is a place for conversation and discussion about new technologies emerging in consumer electronics with a focus on high-definition video and audio. The blog will cover topics including home theater equipment, digital distribution, media streaming, electronic product reviews and more.

The blog's owner Mike Kaplin is an e-Media Manager at Globalspec, constantly searching for the next device to satisfy his ever growing hunger for technology. A media junkie standing on the edge of reality, ready to take the jump.

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Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

Posted June 02, 2008 9:50 AM by Baxter

If you've picked up an MP3 player, cell phone or computer lately, chances are good that your device may have Bluetooth technology. Designed to replace wires and cables, Bluetooth is well-suited for short-range networking in consumer products. Now, you can take advantage of Bluetooth technology with Insignia's Behind-the-Head Headphones (Model# NS-BTHDP).

Recently, I had the opportunity to try these headphones. I was very impressed. There are other Bluetooth headphones, of course, but there are several reasons why Insignia's product is better. First, these Bluetooth headphones are behind-the-head devices, meaning that they won't mess up your hair or pull it out by the roots. Second, the Insignia headphones were painless to set up. It took no more then a minute from the time they were dropped off at my desk for me to get music bumping through them.

I really liked the way the headphones felt in the hand too. Insignia has managed to create a solid feeling headphone while keeping enough flex and bend for the active user. These headphones aren't heavy, either. Although I didn't jog around with them on, I think they'd work out well on a run.

When I tested this device, I had it synced to my cell phone. A nice feature about these headphones is the ability to receive calls on the set. There's also a button to answer incoming calls and a built-in microphone. I tested the call quality on both ends, and it delivered well.

The best part about Insignia's Behind-the-Head Headphones is the price tag. Best Buy sells them for $49.99, but by searching on Ebay I was able to find a few Buy-It-Now's for $12.49 without shipping.

The sound quality, functionality and design of these headphones make them a value that's hard to beat, especially in comparison to other Bluetooth headphones. So, do you're ears a favor and pick these puppies up for about twenty dollars.


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Associate

Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 26
#1

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Headphones

06/03/2008 7:47 AM

i currently have a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, will the head phones work of the signal i already have running or do they have there own transmitter?

nothing is better than getting rid of wires....

Commentator

Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 62
Good Answers: 1
#2
In reply to #1

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Headphones

06/03/2008 10:39 AM

Your computer will allow multiple devices,but after I did some searching online and found mixed reviews. Some people easily connect multiple devices with no issues. Others say they can connect a keyboard/mouse combo and a bluetooth headset, but report skipping once and a while. I'm thinking its device specific. If you try it out let me know how it goes.

Participant

Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2
#3

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

06/09/2008 9:41 AM

Two problems with this headphone. I've already returned one pair because the power button stopped working after two weeks. Biggest problem, however, is the fact that the cushions on the earpiece won't stay on. They're very flimsy and barely attached. The slightest jar knocks them off. After having them fall off several times in Best Buy (after the exchange above), the BB guys thought the cusions were broken but they weren't. They're just poorly designed.

Otherwise sound and comfort are very good. They're just a pain to deal with.

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Posts: 7957
Good Answers: 61
#4
In reply to #3

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

06/09/2008 11:33 AM

In such situations, put a really tiny about of super glue in two or three spots around the lip where the cushions sit, put them back on the headset and give it a minute or two to harden, just to be safe! You don't want a head set glued to your ears!!! or do you!!

You can always pull the cushions off to renew them, but they will not come off of their own accord!!

__________________
"A lie or untruth is halfway round the world before the truth has got its trousers on" Sir Winston Churchill
Participant

Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2
#5
In reply to #4

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

06/09/2008 12:04 PM

Problem is the plastic frame AND the cushions come off. The frame has a small twist to lock it on but it won't stay on. If the glue option is used, I wonder how easily the frame could be removed later if needed. The cushions stay on the frame reasonably well. It's the frame that won't stay on the headset.

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Join Date: Sep 2006
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#6
In reply to #5

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

06/09/2008 6:25 PM

OK, I have to bow to your better understanding of the problems (hands on so to say) as I am only reading the posts.....it was just an idea......

__________________
"A lie or untruth is halfway round the world before the truth has got its trousers on" Sir Winston Churchill
Guest
#7

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

06/22/2008 4:57 PM

I have a new ipod touch and the imac and am having trouble getting started with the head phones - do you know what the mac software is to enable to blue tooth or any ideas to help with this? thanks

Commentator

Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 62
Good Answers: 1
#8
In reply to #7

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

06/23/2008 2:16 PM

Well sadly, Apple didn't put bluetooth in the iphone or ipod touch, but on the flip side your imac is fully compatible. Just search bluetooth in the search box and you should be golden. Linking it up is easy as soon as you're in the bluetooth menu and the passcode is 0000

Commentator

Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 62
Good Answers: 1
#9
In reply to #8

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

06/26/2008 10:49 AM

And to correct myself, the Iphone has bluetooth, its just not stereo bluetooth.

Guest
#10

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

08/18/2008 7:23 PM

YEs they are a great headphone, UNTIL you need replacement parts. They don't carry them. The plastic retainer ring that holds the foam cover over the ear pieces broke today after only 3 months. Called Best Buy and Insignia, (Sorry Sir we only carry the blue tooth donegal as a replacement part. You will need to purchase another head set.) I don't know about the rest of you but I don't have the money to be buying headsets every 3 months.........

Guest
#11

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

09/23/2008 12:13 AM

Thank you for your testimony regarding the product. I have also purchased the item, and I can't seem to make the connection, please help me with installing my headphone, the MP3 player is declaring that there is no device and I know that it is built in. Thanks for allowing a chance reply to your wonderful testimony, I am looking forward to hearing from you. Have a great day.

Off Topic (Score 5)
Commentator

Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 62
Good Answers: 1
#12
In reply to #11

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

09/25/2008 12:50 PM

I'd be more then happy to help you with connecting these headphones to whatever device you are using. You have to put the headphones on discover mode ( explained in the directions that they came with), you then must also put the device in Bluetooth discovery mode. It will find the headphones but ask you to put in a passcode...the pass-code is 0000. If this doesn't work let me know, otherwise enjoy your tunes!

Guest
#13
In reply to #12

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

10/01/2008 2:32 PM

I purchased the headphones about two months ago after doing quite a bit of research on new technology and getting input from sales people. Ended up buying these headphones and an ns2v17 player. Primary purpose I purchased this matching set was for running; can't stand the cord annoyances Bluetooth audio apparently had come far enough to justify the outlay.

Returned to the store after only 2 weeks and 4 runs as I had lost the foam earpiece. Salesmen said we don't carry those pieces however you can return them and get a new set. (are you kidding who eats that). My position was well if it the whole unit was faulty and that is why the foam piece fell off fine, get me a new set.

My new set…. Yea guess what, the tiny plastic ring you mentioned, well it broke, and now I'm constantly reattaching the ear piece. Pain in the, well anyway… Extremely poor design, no way I should be dealing with this a second time around already. This is a design flaw, I have no idea how much I've invested in electronics over the years in addition to the fact it's my business. This is a design flaw and no one who has purchased these should have to hunt down and purchase (throughout the life of the unit) new foam ear pieces.

Another note, while running I get constant clipping with these to pieces married up. If I take the player and set it on the treadmill, clipping stops… Must be the mini needle on the solid state is being knocked around J

Thinking I may return the set until the next revision of technology comes out, maybe it'll function better next year.

Dan "annoyed technology guy"

Participant

Join Date: Nov 2008
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#15
In reply to #12

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

11/11/2008 11:03 PM

Am I on the wrong track with these thinking that they work as PC headphones? Because I've tried to get them recognized by an XP & Vista computers to no avail. Are they just for other Bluetooth devices? Isn't my computer a Bluetooth device? I was hoping to use them while streaming TIVO content on my computer while riding my bike trainer and without wires. thanks.

Guest
#14

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

10/16/2008 10:38 AM

Anyone have the JayBird Bluetooth wireless headphones? They look pretty cool but want to do my homework before coughing up the $$. Looks like they have good reviews. http://www.jaybirdgear.com/jaybird-wireless-headphones-overview.php

Participant

Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1
#16

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

11/24/2008 6:58 PM

If you're planning on using these for gaming, caveat emptor. I just spent the last hour and a half trying to figure out why they decided to separate the microphone/headset functionality from the stereo headphones, and I still don't know. Here's the problem: This headset is actually 2 devices in one. A stereo headset (like normal headphones), and a headset with a mic (like a bluetooth phone headset). The quality on the mic is abysmal. It sounds like utter garbage, but the quality on the stereo headset is great. But you can't use both at the same time. If you try to play a game like Left 4 Dead with voice chat, you HAVE TO use the headset w/mic portion of the device, meaning all the sound in the game is dropped significantly in quality. I've tried fiddling with the device set up in the Control Panel for hours now, and have come up with no solution. If anyone else has one, please let me know.

Guest
#17

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

01/09/2009 1:30 PM

These headphones are absolute garbage. I recommend them to no one. I picked a pair of these up about three months ago at the start of the semester, thought "hey, what a great idea. Something for me to bump music to via blackberry on the walk to school and something to hook up to my laptop so as not to disturb my co-workers or roommates, plus the built in microphone!" yeah I thought these would be the greatest investment of the year. To my disappointment however, I ran into many of the same problems mentioned above, particularly with the headset/audio stereo functionality as mentioned above making it less then ideal for gaming, not to mention there's a bit of a delay, making FPS's like CS or Left4Dead less then favorable. The biggest problem I have is setting them back to the audio stereo, it seems that they get stuck in that headset mode and automatically connect that way every time once it's connected as a headset. I should have taken these back when i had the chance but now I'm left to deal with them. Don't waste your money on this inferior product. To anyone who gave these headphones a "good" review, how much did they pay you and how can i get in on it??

Commentator

Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 62
Good Answers: 1
#18

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

01/15/2009 3:19 PM

I've heard a lot about these guys not being built to the best quality, which clearly is a disappointment to consumers of the product. But if you pick them up on ebay for 20 bucks or less with shipping I still consider these a worthy buy. I have a pair, I use them gently and they are still working great for me. I don't use them as a phone headset, simply for my music player, and they've been working great for me. As time goes on, other companies will come out with better Bluetooth headsets which will cover all of our needs. However, you won't be able to snag them for less then 20 with shipping. In the end, you get what you pay for. I paid 14.99 and mine are still ticking.

Guest
#19

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

05/07/2009 1:36 PM

I got a pair on ebay for 12.99 w/shipping. Have used them quite a bit with my HTC Touch Pro phone with 16gb RAM and love them!

Commentator

Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 62
Good Answers: 1
#20
In reply to #19

Re: Product Review: Insignia’s Behind-the-Head Bluetooth Headphones

05/20/2009 4:15 PM

happy to hear you're enjoying them. how's the touch pro? i was looking into getting a htc diamond on Verizon but I'm a little nervous.

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Andy Germany (2), Baxter (6), crandalias (1), crfnngn (1), Guest (7), philiplewis (2), Vash (1)

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