The Kyocera Bluetooth A2DP Stereo Headset is great!
I have had my Kyocera GSH300 for quite some time and have never done a review on them. Because? I’m not sure. But lately I’ve been seeing a lot of posts on the internet about different types of A2DP Bluetooth headsets and none of them seem to compare to these.
What is that crazy A2DP thing you keep talking about?
A2DP is a Bluetooth profile that allows compatible devices to transmit high-quality stereo sound wirelessly. Both the headset and the streaming device must support this profile. Most of the new cell phones that advertise themselves as ‘music phones’ support this; unfortunately, the iPhone doesn’t. Also, most computers with Bluetooth devices support it.
What does this mean?
Using your computer as an example, you can stream all audio from your computer directly to your wireless headphones. No cords tangling in your computer chair, no pets trying to eat them, no tripping and spilling your Appletini when you try to get up and don’t realize you’ve been around 10 circles in the last hour and your headphones are now on the cord. it is tightly wrapped around your leg and meat.
Also, many VOIP apps now support bluetooth headset profiles, so your super cool new wireless headset can let you chat wirelessly. Some of them even support using the buttons on these headphones and you can answer and make calls without even touching your computer. Ventrilo and TeamSpeak also work with these headsets. Be warned though, your weekend gaming binge can leave you speechless on a dead battery – they usually only last 6-10 hours between charges, but they charge up in just a couple of hours.
When used with a compatible cell phone you can do the same, the phone will stream the audio directly to your headphones. Many A2DP-compatible headsets also have built-in microphones, so if you get a call on your mobile phone, you can answer it and use it just like your usual Bluetooth headset.
Now that that’s out of the way… on with the review!
The styling of this headset is a bit different from others I’ve seen and used. The Motorola S9 headset (hyped and advertised with David Beckham’s likeness) is a rigid behind-the-head headset with rubberized ear-cup-style speakers. The Logictech Freepulse are similar to the S9, though the jack between each ear is smaller and the speakers look more like a standard pair of headphones. The Kyocera GSH-300 (part number TXCKT10161) takes a different approach: Each headset is just like a regular headset, but connecting them is just a simple cable. The earphones sit in your ear like a standard bluetooth headset you’d use with any cell phone, and between them, the cable runs behind your head. The cable has a small bead that allows you to adjust the slack so the cable doesn’t get tangled. The fit is comfortable, but not too loose. They can be easily used while working at home or in the office. Did I mention that they come with a cute case?
The sound quality on these is excellent. I’d say almost unbelievable, particularly for a wireless connection. The treble is reasonably clear, the mids are good (as is the case with most headphones), and the bass is surprisingly full. There is no static at all with these. The effective range will depend a lot on your environment. In my house, with 2 computers, 3 monitors, and ~6 wireless networks in range, I can get about 15 feet away before they start to break, which is the equivalent of being able to go anywhere in the next room, but not anywhere. 2 rooms away. . This will vary greatly based on a number of factors, including wireless interference in your area and the bluetooth transmitter. A phone in your pocket will always provide a great signal, but a laptop on your desk in the middle of a ton of electronics (like mine) will drop the advertised 30-foot Bluetooth range.
The battery life is also amazing. They’re rated for up to 15 hours of talk/listen time or 300 hours of standby, and in my tests I definitely came close to that, though it’s hard to gauge exactly because I don’t exactly sit down to listen to music. for 15 hours at a time roughly. Suffice to say that with heavy use they can easily run all day and then some. Do you need to recharge them? That’s easy too, they charge via USB cable from any computer.
They have every feature possibly available in a bluetooth headset. Right now they are connected to my computer and I am using them to listen to music. Without switching between apps, I can press a button on them and turn the volume up or down or skip ahead to songs. They are incredible. When paired with an appropriate cell phone, not only can you stream the music to them, but if a call comes in, all you have to do is press the right button and they’ll take your call and you can chat with the built-in microphone. .
It has an up/down/push button on the back, a button on the side for answering and hanging up, and volume up/down buttons on the top, all easily accessible and connected to the earcup on the right side.
If you have a little extra cash I definitely advise checking them out, but get them soon! Kyocera has discontinued them and it looks like they won’t be selling A2DP headsets anymore, just standard bluetooth. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a used one, I think, because honestly, I haven’t seen a single bluetooth headset on that market that can replace them. I did manage to track down a few though, and you can find them right here on eBay starting at ~$58 from what appears to be a reputable US seller and is a good price for an A2DP stereo headset.
Feel free to leave a comment with any questions you may have about them. I love mine and I’m sure you will too. I’ll post my thoughts on the other headphones I tried (Moto S9 and Logitech Freepulse), but I can tell you they don’t even come near to this Kyocera. get it now before they are totally off the market.
For those of you, like me, who end up ordering this headset and then end up losing the manual… you can find a PDF version here.
