This headset boasts the ability to connect with your iPod or any other music player with a standard 3.5mm jack. Will the 590a have you singing its praises or crying foul?
Review summary of the Plantronics Pulsar 590a:
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 The Plantronics Pulsar 590a stereo Bluetooth headset is quite capable, but true music lovers will probably be disappointed by the headset’s mediocre sound. While the headset was easy to use and we heard our music and friends clearly enough, the 590a failed to deliver the crisp, sharp sound that comes with high-end headphones -- and if that doesn't hit a sour note with audiophiles, the $250 price tag probably will.
Release: December 2006. Price: $250.
Pros: Pals could hear us clearly; great talk time; lots of bundled accessories; multi-colored indicator light.
Cons: Bulky and heavy; music and calls weren't very crisp; volume buttons are hard to push.
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Full review of the Plantronics Pulsar 590a:
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Design - Good
The Plantronics Pulsar 590a headset isn't exactly runway-ready with its bulky and weighty (3.3 ounces) cans that look more like an old-school pair of clunky headphones than the sleek Bluetooth headsets we're used to seeing. Moving beyond looks, the headset's girth made it rather uncomfortable to wear for long periods; after about half an hour, we felt as if our ears were getting squished because the cans were too tight. The 590a is painted in staid silver and black, and feature several hinges that make the headset fold into a more compact size for travel. Plantronics also serves up convenience with the bevy of accessories included with the 590a, including a carrying case, wall charger, USB charger and, most importantly, a small, separate Bluetooth transmitter with a 3.5mm jack for listening to a non-Bluetooth device (such as an iPod).
Sound - Good
The Pulsar 590a gave us a clear sound, without and static or hiccups, but it wasn't as crisp and we would have liked. Beyonce's voice sounded slightly muffled on "Irreplaceable" even though the songstress has no trouble belting out her notes. We pumped up the volume (which was more difficult than we expected due to hard-to-find buttons that were even harder to press), which did make the song louder, but it didn't give us the brightness for which we were looking. The bass was audible, and the sound was perhaps too warm, but we didn't really feel it kick like we did on the Etymotic Ety8 earbuds. Call quality on the 590a was also a mixed bag; pre-recorded voices from voice-mail messages and Moviefone were muffled, tinny and choked with static. Our calls improved once we started chatting live with our buddies, but we still found their voices to be a little tinny and muffled, though we heard less static. However, our pals said that they could hear us loud and clear, as if we had called them without using a headset, probably thanks to the telescoping microphone. However, if we tried to whisper, they couldn't hear a thing.
Calling and setup - Good
Pairing the Plantronics Pulsar 590a to our Samsung MM-A900 was pretty easy thanks to a clear indicator light that flashed blue and red to indicate the paring mode, as opposed to many headsets that have a single color flashing at particular speeds. Navigating and swapping calls was also a breeze, especially since the large “answer” button sits prominently in the middle of the right earpiece. The 590a also supports the calling features that we have come to expect from Bluetooth headsets, including voice dialing and last-number redialing, both of which were simple to initiate once we figured out how long to press the main key. Battery life is where the 590a truly shines; we were able to get more than nine hours of talk time out of it.
Related products: Stereo Bluetooth headsets
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Samsung SBH170
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Score: 73% When: October 2006 Worth: $120
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With its flexible behind-the-head cord and impressive sound quality, the SBH170 headset is poised to crank your tunes wirelessly. Does it make for mobile music nirvana?
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Etymotic Ety8
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Score: 79% When: December 2006 Worth: $200 - $300
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Designed by the venerable high-end headphone maker, this Bluetooth headset costs a bundle and won’t handle your voice calls. But the Ety8 has an ace up its sleeve. Read our review for the scoop.
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Price and availability
The Plantronics Pulsar 590a stereo Bluetooth headset is available immediately for $250.
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