backbeat

Plantronics makes small bet with new BackBeat Go Bluetooth stereo headset

It's hard to design really small wireless Bluetooth earphones because you have to cram a battery and some extra electronics into a compact housing the size of something that's not much bigger than, well, an earbud.

That's a challenge Plantronics has managed to overcome with its new $99.99 BackBeat Go wireless stereo headset, which the company has just started shipping to stores. It's one of the smallest and lightest stereo Bluetooth headsets out there, with two slightly oversize earbuds joined by a flat, fettuccine wire that's designed to cut down on tangles. … Read more

Altec Lansing introduces affordable 'pro' headphones

When we reviewed Altec Lansing's line of BackBeat earphones, we were pleasantly surprised that they sounded as good as they did for what they cost. Expounding on the bang-for-the-buck theme, Altec's now introduced the line-topping BackBeat Pro UHP606 for $99.99.

Altec says the earphones include "high-end armature technology, engineered to deliver an in-studio sound experience at a price level far below competing headphones costing several hundreds more."

The press release goes on to discuss how great this technology is and how it helps achieve professional "studio quality." In other words, Altec's setting … Read more

$20 Altec Lansing BackBeat Classic 106 earphones

I don't know about you, but I find the hard plastic earbuds that come with most MP3 players to be hideously uncomfortable, not to mention lacking in low end response (and just generally tinny sounding). If you're looking to upgrade your listening experience but don't want to spend too much doing it, it's worth considering the Altec Lansing BackBeat Classic 106 earphones. These in-ear 'buds offer a fairly comfortable design, a durable cloth-covered cable, and reasonable sound quality--all for around $20. Your ears will thank you.

Read the BackBeat Classic 106 review

BackBeat Titanium 326 earphones reviewed

Altec Lansing is a long-standing competitor in the iPod speaker market, so it makes sense that the company now produces a variety of headphones, as well.

For $40, the Altec Lansing BackBeat Titanium 326 headphones offer an excellent value and make a great replacement for the stock earbuds that came with your MP3 player. They're more comfortable; feature a durable, cloth-covered cable; and offer impressive sound quality. There's not much more we can ask for from a set of earphones.

Read the BackBeat Titanium 326 earphone review.

BackBeat boys: Altec Lansing unveils new Bluetooth stereo headphones

Altec Lansing has introduced "its first wearable stereo Bluetooth products," the BackBeat 906 and 903 Stereo Bluetooth headphones. The higher-end model, the 906 ($129.95), comes with a stereo Bluetooth 2.0 adapter for iPhones, iPods, and other MP3 devices, while the BackBeat 903 ($99.95) is just the headphones. Both offer wireless stereo-music listening and a built-in mic for making and receiving calls on your Bluetooth-equipped cell phone. They're due to hit the market in late February.

Altec, which is owned by Plantronics, is counting on the expertise of the two companies to bring together a … Read more