Digital Trends Gives the Plantronics Pulsar 260 a Test Run

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review4441.html' target='_blank'>http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review4441.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Since the early 1960s, Plantronics has been at the forefront of providing lightweight communications headsets and wide-ranging audio equipment to consumers, large businesses, and government agencies like NASA. With a very impressive corporate resume and hundreds of stellar products, Plantronics brings yet another high-tech headset to the masses: the Pulsar 260 Bluetooth/stereo headset. Does the Pulsar 260 live up to Plantronics’ solid rep? Does it offer everything users expect in a newly-released Bluetooth 2.0 headset? Read on to find out."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070328-pulsar260.jpg" /><br /><br />It's been mere days since the Plantronics Pulsar 260 was <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=54567">announced</a>, and Digital Trends has already <a href="http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review4441.html">given it the once-over</a> and tagged it with a respectable 8/10. Have any of you tried/own this headset? If so, let us know your thoughts.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> More reviews at <a href="http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/plantronics_pulsar_260_stereo_bluetooth_headset">The Gadgeteer</a> and <a href="http://www.geardiary.com/2007/04/12/unboxing-the-plantronics-pulsar%c2%ae-260-stereo-bluetooth-the-review/">Gear Diary</a>.

[Menneisyys]

Unfortunately, this review (as with all the other "formal" reviews ever published on the 260, not counting in the one published by me) doesn't test these headphones with Windows Mobile devices either. As is well known, the Microsoft BT stack is fully incompatible with a LOT of A2DP headphones, including all Plantronics products - yes, including the 260.

That is, I would in NO WAY recommend these headphones to anyone with the Microsoft BT stack. (The Widcomm BT stack is an entirely different animal.) In addition, it has some other, very annoying problems like loud beeps even with the volume turned down and the usual strong blue light pretty much making the big brother 590A useless during the night, which can't be switched off.

Incidentally, you may want to check out my 260 review &amp; comparison to two other A2DP headphones. I've tested the 260 with some 15 different A2DP sources &amp; setups, most of them being Windows Mobile.

Check out http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=54260 for more info - you'll like it.

[DaveUK]

I'm using these with a HTC Trinity/P3600 and works like a charm on my device.

The volume beeps are annoying, but I can live with them.

Sound quality is excellent and comfortable to use.

[Menneisyys]

I still recommend comparing the sound quality of the headphones to that of, say, the Nokia HS-12W :) (The Nokia is one of the very few headphones that IS fully compatible with the MS BT stack.) Or, still better, not – you’ll then, most probably, want to sell your 260 and get a really compatible pair of headphones ;)

(Read: with my P3600, even after trying to use the A2DP BT hacks, the sound quality of the 260 was really sub-par because of the MS BT stack incompatibility. Yes, I’ve tried all the possible hacks and yes, the sound quality of the same P3600, with the same hacks, was EXCELLENT with the Nokia HS-12W.)

Please also note that sound quality is subjective and, more importantly, the ears get “acclimatized” to even comparatively bad sound quality; as is the case with screens with washed-out colors (for example, that of the venerable HP iPAQ 2210) – one’s eyes perceive these screens as flawless and “only” see the (vast) difference in color reproduction when comparing the screen to a better one at the same time, side-by-side. Please note that I’m not questioning here at all your ears and your calling the sound quality of a - with the MS BT stack, IMHO, subpar - pair of headphones excellent because I too know the ears do get “acclimatize” . It’s pretty easy for me to write comparative reviews because I get all the new gadgets and programs (my mailbox is full of mail asking me to write a (comparative) review of or, at least, check out a new program) and, therefore, I have the chance to directly compare the quality of these gadgets, without having to rely on memory and the non-dependable (because of the acclimatizing ears) memory. Not with people that don’t have the chance to directly compare really expensive gadgets like A2DP headphones.

However, if you do have a chance, why don’t go for a pair of headphones that DO deliver good or even excellent sound quality – even without having to rely on the ears’ acclimatizing?

Unfortunately, the (complete) lack of device-to-device, headphones-to-headphones comparison of most reviews (including the linked one) is a problem too. Would-be purchasers should need comparative info because, as has already been pointed out, the quality of a headphones can only be measured objectively if you have something to compare it to right away, to get rid of the ears’ acclimatizing.

[dckiwi]

As is well known, the Microsoft BT stack is fully incompatible with a LOT of A2DP headphones, including all Plantronics products - yes, including the 260.


You may want to revise this, it works on Windows Mobile Smartphone. I am in the middle of reviewing a set as I type.

Edit: I do agree with some of your above comments re sound quality though.

http://www.clubcoder.com/misc/sshot.jpg

[Damion Chaplin]

I'd love for Jason to review a pair of these. I remember when he reviewed the Cingular 3125 (HTC STRTRK) he lamented over the proprietary headphones, and complained that there were no bluetooth earbud-type headphones. I totally agree and thus have never used my 3125 as a music player. I'd really like to hear his impression of them.

Of course, I haven't a clue what BT stack the 3125 comes with... :?

[Menneisyys]

As is well known, the Microsoft BT stack is fully incompatible with a LOT of A2DP headphones, including all Plantronics products - yes, including the 260.


You may want to revise this, it works on Windows Mobile Smartphone. I am in the middle of reviewing a set as I type.

Yeah, it connects and - kinda - works. But at a VERY bad sound quality when compared to what the headphones are capable of with a (more) compatible A2DP source like the Widcomm BT stack - or, with 100% compatible headphones like those of Nokia.

Edit: I do agree with some of your above comments re sound quality though.

That is, did you find the headphones producing sub-par sound reproduction quality too (with the MS BT stack)?

[Menneisyys]

Of course, I haven't a clue what BT stack the 3125 comes with... :?

MS BT stack, unfortunately. I don't think it will be any good. Hope I turn out to be wrong, though (I haven't tested any A2DP headphones with the 3125).

[dckiwi]

That is, did you find the headphones producing sub-par sound reproduction quality too (with the MS BT stack)?

I'm going to baseline the MS stack against a few other options, will certianly give it a good going over (so far I have only tested it with the MS BT stack though).

I'm not overly impressed with the sound quality thus far, but as you eluded, this could be the stack. Test will be a bit more scientific once I bring the other phones in to the experiment.

[Rethink]

I have been following the whole bluetooth debacle uncover for the last couple of months, as I have been wanting to get a pair of bluetooth stereo headset myself, but have never been able to find/research a fully functional pair, it's a disgrace to be honest, it will deter many novices from using or believing in bluetooth.
I have heard of some news with WM6 from the xda forums, I cannot remember which developer it was, might be kephyr, but users of of the upgrade noted that their clicking had either diminished or were gone.
There was an article here on pocketpcthoughts which lead to the XDA forum WM update site, but can't find it now, will post back!

Hope this gives some hope, as I would really like to use this headset for it's ability to also hook up to a stereo, true wireless..

Regards,

Kenny Oldenskov
my tears cure cancer, but I never cry!

[Menneisyys]

I have been following the whole bluetooth debacle uncover for the last couple of months, as I have been wanting to get a pair of bluetooth stereo headset myself, but have never been able to find/research a fully functional pair, it's a disgrace to be honest, it will deter many novices from using or believing in bluetooth.
I have heard of some news with WM6 from the xda forums, I cannot remember which developer it was, might be kephyr, but users of of the upgrade noted that their clicking had either diminished or were gone.
There was an article here on pocketpcthoughts which lead to the XDA forum WM update site, but can't find it now, will post back!

Hope this gives some hope, as I would really like to use this headset for it's ability to also hook up to a stereo, true wireless..

Regards,

Kenny Oldenskov
my tears cure cancer, but I never cry!

Unfoertunately, WM6 has exactly the same BT stack as WM5 AKU3, which, in my opinion, isn't, A2DP quality-wise any better than previous BT stack versions. I've tested this with both incompatible (Plantronics) and compatible (Nokia) headphones - thoroughly compared the sound quality of WM5 AKU2 and AKU3 and didn't found ANY difference. (I know Microsoft states the opposite.).

That is, WM6 will *not* deliver any kind of improved compatibility for non-compatible headphones. It'll sound equally bad with a Plantronics and equally good with a Nokia (and with some other, compatible headphones - I'll compile a list of them some time).

[Menneisyys]

[quote=Menneisyys]
I'm not overly impressed with the sound quality thus far, but as you eluded, this could be the stack. Test will be a bit more scientific once I bring the other phones in to the experiment.

I'm pretty sure it's the BT stack. With a compatible source, the 260 has approximetly the same sound quality as other, non-low-end, wired (and compatible BT) earbuds.

[onepieceman]

Am I missing something here? What on earth is the point of these things?
I understand that Bluetooth is useful as a means of eliminating wires and the tangle that goes with them. But this bluetooth headset adds wires! So I get in a tangle again. Why don't I just plug the end of the wire into my phone? Then I won't have all the software trouble, and I'll save myself some money as well...

[Menneisyys]

Am I missing something here? What on earth is the point of these things?
I understand that Bluetooth is useful as a means of eliminating wires and the tangle that goes with them. But this bluetooth headset adds wires! So I get in a tangle again. Why don't I just plug the end of the wire into my phone? Then I won't have all the software trouble, and I'll save myself some money as well...

Yup, this is an inherent problem with all earbud-based BT headphones. Nokia's 12W is a bit better in this respect, because the neck strap also contains the earbud cable, so, they won't get tangled that much. Of course, it's still not as good as a real over the ear (non-eaurbud) pair of headphones.

What's the point in them, then? Your phone may be in your suitcase or anywhere in your room, you will still be able to answer calls or even initiate calls (all BT headsets support Voice Commander and the like). Also, they (at least most of them - the Nokia not) can be connected to two devices at the same time: one for A2DP music playback, the other for conducting calls. This wouldn't be possible with wired headsets.

Also check out my A2DP-related articles; in the several A2DP articles / reviews I've written I've often elaborated on additional capabilities / advantages like, for example, displaying caller ID / number, the time, the number of unread SMS messages etc.

[Rob Alexander]

Am I missing something here? What on earth is the point of these things?
I understand that Bluetooth is useful as a means of eliminating wires and the tangle that goes with them. But this bluetooth headset adds wires! So I get in a tangle again. Why don't I just plug the end of the wire into my phone? Then I won't have all the software trouble, and I'll save myself some money as well...

I'm with you on this one!

Me: "Hey, look at my new wireless stereo headset."
Friend: "That's not wireless."
Me: "Sure it is. Look, here's the box that talks to my PPC without being wired to it."
Friend: "But what are those things running from the earbuds to the wireless box?"
Me: "Well, those are the earbud-to-wireless-box wires, stupid."
Friend: "So it's not wireless."
Me: "Sure it is... you just need the wires to run from your ears to the wireless box. Then it's wireless from there."
Friend: "But isn't that just what you already do with your wired earbuds?"
Me: "No way, Dude. With the old ones, I have to run the wire from my earbuds to my Pocket PC. With these, I run the wire to the wireless box."
Friend: "Say, would you be interested in investing in my new fuel-free automobile?"

Seriously, while I understand the technical difficulties of making a wire-free BT earbud headphone set, I just don't see the point of having one that still requires me to tuck a wire down my shirt (or to buy a $200 Scott eVest). My Pocket PC sits nicely on my belt and, if I'm going to run a wire to a pocket, I can just as easily run it to my PPC. All the other 'benefits' I see mentioned here seem pretty obscure to me.

[Menneisyys]

Am I missing something here? What on earth is the point of these things?
I understand that Bluetooth is useful as a means of eliminating wires and the tangle that goes with them. But this bluetooth headset adds wires! So I get in a tangle again. Why don't I just plug the end of the wire into my phone? Then I won't have all the software trouble, and I'll save myself some money as well...

I'm with you on this one!

Me: "Hey, look at my new wireless stereo headset."
Friend: "That's not wireless."
Me: "Sure it is. Look, here's the box that talks to my PPC without being wired to it."
Friend: "But what are those things running from the earbuds to the wireless box?"
Me: "Well, those are the earbud-to-wireless-box wires, stupid."
Friend: "So it's not wireless."
Me: "Sure it is... you just need the wires to run from your ears to the wireless box. Then it's wireless from there."
Friend: "But isn't that just what you already do with your wired earbuds?"
Me: "No way, Dude. With the old ones, I have to run the wire from my earbuds to my Pocket PC. With these, I run the wire to the wireless box."
Friend: "Say, would you be interested in investing in my new fuel-free automobile?"

Seriously, while I understand the technical difficulties of making a wire-free BT earbud headphone set, I just don't see the point of having one that still requires me to tuck a wire down my shirt (or to buy a $200 Scott eVest). My Pocket PC sits nicely on my belt and, if I'm going to run a wire to a pocket, I can just as easily run it to my PPC. All the other 'benefits' I see mentioned here seem pretty obscure to me.

Agreed. This is why I've gone for over-the-ear, cable-less solutions, even when they don't support built-in FM radio or caller ID display (unlike the Nokia HS-12W).

Also, I generally recommend over-the-ear solutions like the 590A (if the general Plantronics incompatibility &amp; major sound quality problems with the MS BT stack aren't a problem).

[Rethink]

Menneisyys,

Seeing that you have gone through most headsets and tested them for compatibility and come to the conclusion 90% of PDA users are out of luck. Would you recommend a BT stack change from MS to Widcomm? Again XDA forums advise that this is possible, do you know if this would assist in compatibility with the Pulsar 260 for users, am still really keen on getting this headset.

Regards,

Kenny O.
My tears cure cancer, but I never cry...

[Menneisyys]

Menneisyys,

Seeing that you have gone through most headsets and tested them for compatibility and come to the conclusion 90% of PDA users are out of luck. Would you recommend a BT stack change from MS to Widcomm? Again XDA forums advise that this is possible, do you know if this would assist in compatibility with the Pulsar 260 for users, am still really keen on getting this headset.

Regards,

Kenny O.
My tears cure cancer, but I never cry...

Definitely. If you need good sound quality with the Plantronics headphones, the only way to do this is using an A2DP sound source different from the MS BT stack.

Unfortunately, unlike with for example the Dell Axim x51v, current PPC PE phones will have problems with both dial-up / PAN and headset mode, if there's a running Widcomm port on the given model at all.

The XDA-Dev folks are working very hard fix these problems; AFAIK, the HTC Universal and the Hermes / TyTN already have a close-to-100% solution; with them, headset mode also works, "only" BT DUN doesn't.

[Rethink]

Well color me lucky, I've got a HTC TyTn, I've read the XDA Widcomm solution and it looks to be working OK, I will proceed with that one.

Still think it's unbelievable that these issues still exists, Bluetooth has been around in commercial quantities for at least 3-4 years and it's these issues are not even registering on the different manufacturers radars. It's not just the stereo headset profile that's been an issue, but the mono headset was just as troubled to begin with, hmm will they ever learn?

Enjoy all am about to do a bluetooth stack change,

Kenny O.
My tears cure cancer, but I never cry..

[Menneisyys]

Well color me lucky, I've got a HTC TyTn, I've read the XDA Widcomm solution and it looks to be working OK, I will proceed with that one.

Still think it's unbelievable that these issues still exists, Bluetooth has been around in commercial quantities for at least 3-4 years and it's these issues are not even registering on the different manufacturers radars. It's not just the stereo headset profile that's been an issue, but the mono headset was just as troubled to begin with, hmm will they ever learn?

Enjoy all am about to do a bluetooth stack change,

Kenny O.
My tears cure cancer, but I never cry..

BT has always been pretty problematic, compatibility-wise (PPCT has also published several editorials / articles on this subject). The situation is even worsened by the fact that A2DP is, on Windows Mobile, a pretty new technology (for example, Microsoft only started to support slightly over a year ago, with WM5 AKU2; it was only the Widcomm BT stack that has supported it for 2-3 years). Probably this is why several hardware manufacturers haven't been able to produce a firmware fully compatible with the MS BT stack.