Bluetooth Headphones

A Bluetooth headset receives music wirelessly from a phone, tablet or computer: pairing in just a few seconds, with no cable between your head and your pocket. Freedom of movement is its main appeal, complemented by touch or button controls, a microphone for calls and battery life that lasts several days of daily use before recharging. Sound quality depends first on the codec negotiated between the headset and the source: SBC ensures basic compatibility, while other codecs transmit a higher bitrate to come closer to wired performance, provided both devices support them. Active noise cancellation, common in this format, reduces the rumble of transport and the hubbub of offices, with a transparency mode that lets voices through without removing the headset. A jack is often still included for switching back to wired use when the battery is empty or on a plane. Sound reproduction depends on each model’s own tuning, with the earcup containing the converter, amplification and processing, all fixed by the manufacturer. For relaxed listening at home, with no latency or battery to manage, wired headphones retain the advantage in terms of fidelity. On the move, this headset fits into the range of portable headphones and accessories, and the full selection can be found in hi-fi headphones and earphones.