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July 9, 2008 6:19 AM PDT

Jabra stereo-Bluetooth headset cuts the cord for $37.99

by Rick Broida
(Credit: CompUSA)

In the perfect world that exists only inside my head, all cell phones and MP3 players incorporate A2DP, also known as stereo Bluetooth. Consequently, they're all compatible with stereo Bluetooth headsets like the Jabra BT8010, which CNET rated 8/10, and which CompUSA and TigerDirect (different outfits, same owner) currently have on sale for $37.99. That's a pretty big savings over the original $149 list price.

During business hours, the BT8010 functions as a fairly standard headset, albeit one with a cool OLED display and jog dial. When you want to get your groove on, you just connect the second earpiece and presto: stereo earbuds. Once you've experienced the joy of walking around with your phone in your pocket and music piping wirelessly into your head, you'll never go back to corded headphones.

Just make sure your phone supports A2DP. Many models do, but for some reason it's not available on all handsets (cough iPhone cough). And it's pretty much AWOL on MP3 players, which mystifies me because, as I may have mentioned, wireless earbuds are suh-weet.

I've got a BT8010, and I'd rate it 7 out of 10. The headset is a overly susceptible to ambient noise and a little uncomfortable over long stretches. But for $37.99 (plus a reasonable $6.99 for shipping), it's a hard deal to beat.

Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog.
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by kampms July 10, 2008 7:22 AM PDT
Does anybody make a wireless stereo bluetooth set like this that is Class 1 (i.e. 100+ ft. range)?
Reply to this comment
by cancerman1013 July 18, 2008 7:13 AM PDT
I have a pair of these and I highly recommend them. I love the concept (single earpiece for "professional-looking" conversations and second piece for stereo sound) and am surprised there aren't more of these on the market and more people don't know about them. I am sure with popularity the product would improve in future versions as far as size, range, etc. even though they are not too shabby for most people (the current range is about 30 ft.).
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by AllenO August 29, 2008 9:41 AM PDT
How do they hook up to be used as stereo phones for watching the TV (late night watching so I don't disturb early sleepers)
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by Sanoran April 23, 2009 1:44 PM PDT
I doubt it. class 1 will consume a lot of power, making the receiver bulky.
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The best things in tech are cheap. "The Cheapskate" scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets, and all the other tech stuff that makes life worth living. Send your own cheapskate tips to thecheapskate@gmail.com. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

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