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Are you looking for a stereo Bluetooth headset that works as well for music as it does for calls? After spending a week with Altec Lansing's $99 BackBeat 903, I think I've finally hit on a Bluetooth headset that can successfully juggle both tasks without breaking the bank or making me cringe.

It's hard not to be picky when it comes to technology you wear on your head. Some people can't stand headsets that pinch their ears or rub against the neck, or they hate designs that make them look like blinking Bluetooth cyborgs. There's no perfect stereo headset for everyone, but so far, the BackBeat is one of the all-around best-sounding, best-fitting models we've tested in this price range.

To read the full review on the Altec Lansing Backbeat 903, head over to CNET Reviews.

Altec Lansing BackBeat 903 photos

Plantronics Voyager Pro

(Credit: Plantronics)

We promised a few days ago that we would release a full review of the Plantronics Voyager Pro, and indeed we have. Our verdict? Despite the headset's stodgy looks, it has quite possibly the best overall call quality of any Bluetooth headset we've ever tried. This combined with the Voyager Pro's comfortable fit grants it an Editors' Choice award.

I tested the headset out in a variety of situations--a quiet home environment, in a moving vehicle, in a large noisy crowd, and in front of an indoor fan--and it passed all of them with flying colors. The voice quality did get less natural-sounding the more background noise there was, but it still came through loud and clear. Most impressive was how it handled the wind noise from the fan; even though callers could still hear the wind (it sounded like paper being crumpled up), they could still hear our voice very clearly through the noise. Also impressive was the incoming call quality, a factor that's often ignored in most Bluetooth headsets.

I could go on about this, but I'll let you check out the full review of the Plantronics Voyager Pro for yourself. The Voyager Pro is available now for $99.99, which makes it more affordable than the $129.99 price on the Aliph Jawbone Prime. Get the Jawbone Prime if you want a stylish headset with good call quality. But if you don't care about looks and just want the best-sounding headset out there, the Voyager Pro is the better bet.

Plantronics Voyager Pro leaked

(Credit: Engadget Mobile)

Plantronics has been releasing sneak peek images of a new Bluetooth headset on its teaser Web site for a few weeks now, but it looks as if Best Buy blew their cover by releasing it a few days early, according to Engadget Mobile.

The Plantronics Voyager Pro looks to be the long-awaited successor to the very popular Plantronics Voyager 510, with an old-school design that's similar to the original. It's not cheap at $120, but if it's indeed all that it promises to be, it might be worth it. We'll let you know if it is in a couple days, as we have a review of it coming up soon.

Plantronics Voyager 835

(Credit: Plantronics)

In an effort to keep up with the Joneses in the Bluetooth headset world, Plantronics is revealing its first-ever dual-microphone headset, dubbed the Voyager 835. Dual-microphone headsets are typically used to enhance your voice while keeping the surrounding background noise down. Some of our favorite headsets, including the Aliph Jawbone 2 and the BlueAnt V1, utilize this technology to boost outgoing audio quality.

The Voyager 835 is definitely designed for the mobile professional with its no-nonsense look and feel. It's not as flashy and feature-rich as other headsets in its category, but it still delivered good audio quality with a decent fit, and that sits just right by us. Some of the Voyager 835's features include AudioIQ that encourages noise suppression, Windsmart that reduces wind noise, multipoint that lets it connect to more than one device, and more. It'll cost around $119 MSRP and will be available later this month. You can read more about it in our full review of the Voyager 835.

Gamecom 777 headphones from Plantronics.

(Credit: Swagalicious)

Here's a way to have surround sound audio, but still keep it all to yourself.

Beginning later this month, peripherals maker Plantronics will start shipping its Gamecom 777 headset, which simulates 5.1 channel audio through just two channels--your left and right headphone speakers.

The intention is to enable PC gamers to play games with the sound happening around them, and not directly in their ears. That enables longer listening time--less "listening fatigue," to use industry parlance--and therefore longer gaming sessions.

Taking Dolby 3D glasses and Plantronics surround sound headset for a spin in the Dolby theater.

(Credit: Erica Ogg/CNET Networks)

I got a personal demonstration at the Dolby Theater here in San Francisco (see photo), along with several other journalists.

The Plantronics people pointed out the "hide-away boom," which allows the mouthpiece of the headset to be tucked away into the headphones so they can be transformed from headphones to gaming headset. Fun side note: Plantronics said this was requested by focus groups because the mic often gets in the way of eating and drinking while gaming.

The headset is "open ear," so you can hear some ambient noise while listening through the headphones. The surround-sound feature can also be switched off for regular listening via the inline control, and works with any device that has a native USB port. The headset is also designed to work with Skype, Windows Live, and Yahoo Messenger for VoIP calling.

The Gamecom 777 set will be available at retail beginning in September for $99.

Break the law, get a free headset?

It might sound a little odd, but online retailer Headsets.com has decided to make that idea the focus of a new marketing and educational campaign related to the new hands-free legislation that takes hold Tuesday in California and Washington.

In effect, if you get ticketed for talking on your cell phone without a headset while driving, pony up the $20 or $50 (depending on how many times you've been caught), then send documentation of your offense to Headsets.com.

A ticket could lead to a free Plantronics 925 headset.

(Credit: Plantronics)

The most surprising part? You'll be making a hefty profit by breaking the law. According to CEO Mike Faith, Headsets.com will, for a limited time at least, give away the Plantronics Discovery 925, which retails at $149.99.

"Some people might not be able to afford to upgrade to a headset, and we're not going to give them a low-end one," Faith said.

According to Faith, the objective is not to have people deliberately break the law to get a free, expensive headset, though it's unclear how the company will be able to determine who is going that route.

The other goal of the campaign is to draw attention to the law itself, Faith said, in hopes that most people will buy a headset instead of continuing to drive with one hand.

"Our goal is to get people to think about it," Faith said. "They really shouldn't be talking on the phone while driving and (should) start using two hands."

If you do happen to break the law, which CNET News.com does not suggest, the hotline 1-800-headsets or the Headsets.com Web site can start you on the path to a new headset.

Plantronics Discovery 925

(Credit: Plantronics)

Even though Plantronics unveiled the Discovery 925 in New York Fashion Week a month ago, it wasn't really officially announced until today. Thanks to its unique diamond hair-clip shape, the Plantronics Discovery 925 is touted as Plantronics's first foray into the luxury headset market, targeting it especially for the fashion-forward. The company says it's like a piece of jewelry, and its leather carrying case certainly adds to the luxury factor. We had the opportunity to test it out for the past couple of weeks, and we have to say, we really do like its fit and audio quality. That said, it does look a little odd, and it's a bit on the pricey side at $149.95. Check out our review for the full details. The Plantronics Discovery 925 is available now in black, gold, and cerise (magenta).

(Credit: GeekSugar)

Shrinkage is a natural part of gadget evolution: So as phones have gotten smaller over the years, why not headsets? Especially ones with Bluetooth because, if you're not careful, you could end up looking like a cartoon character.

That, by the way, is the last thing we'd expect of Eva Longoria Parker, Brooke Shields, or Fergie, all of whom are reportedly very early adopters of the"Discovery 925" Bluetooth earbuds from Plantronics, which won't even be available to the general public until April. According to GeekSugar, these "feminine earpieces are comfortable, lightweight and much more sleeker than your average Bluetooth headset."

That would explain their colors. The $149 headsets, which are eventually expected to be available in a dozen hues, will come out initially in black, gold, and magenta.

Plantronics Explorer 370 Rugged

(Credit: Plantronics)

Plantronics just introduced a Bluetooth headset designed primarily for outdoor use. Built to withstand the elements, the Explorer 370 is military certified under MIL Spec 810 to be water, dust, and shock resistant, plus there's a filter to block wind noise. There are two versions of the Explorer 370: the Explorer 370 Rugged, and the Explorer 370 Sport. The Rugged has a beefier look, with extra padding on the sides, while the Sport looks a little smoother. Both will be available in March, and will cost $79.95 per unit.