As you guys know, I’m kind of an active guy. I love biking and running in particular, but I’ve gotta have my tunes with me! Anyone who has ever tried to go for a run with headphones plugged into a device knows what a phenomenal pain in the tookus it can be. You get tangled up, the ear buds get tugged out of your ears, and you spend more time fooling with the darn things than running. So, when I got the CoolStream Bluetooth Headphones ($49.99) in for review, I was pretty darn pumped!
And I had every right to be, but before we get started, here are some specs taken from the CoolStream website:
- Wireless music and quick pairing with Bluetooth 3.0 + EDR;
- Built-in microphone for telephone calls;
- Bluetooth profiles supported: A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile for stereo sound), AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile), HSP (Headset Profile), and HFP (Hands-free Profile);
- High quality sound and solid bass due to DSP Technology with Noise Cancellation and Echo Suppression;
- Lightweight, no-slip rubberized headband;
- Comfortable leather ear pads;
- Built-in battery for up to 5 hours of music;
- Convenient on/off button supports automatic pairing mode.
Accessories included:
- USB charging cable
- User Manual
Colors Available:
- Black
- White
The headphones come charged right out of the box for impatient types like me who’ve got to play with their new toys Right! This! Instant!
I have to say, the sound quality is great and the fit is very comfortable. They have a rubberized headband and really soft and comfy leather earpads. While very comfortable to wear, they did get pretty sweaty during a workout. This is inevitable and not a huge deal since they still stayed in place.
I’m glad they passed the workout test because when I first opened them, I was concerned they would fall off during a run, so I ran down the hallway of my office (got some strange looks in the process, but whatever), and they didn’t budge at all.
But then I thought, even though they’re adjustable, a smaller person with a smaller head might have problems with them slipping off. So, I put them on the head of a co-worker to see if they would slide off her small noggin, but they stayed put on her too. I did not ask her to run up and down the hallway though. (We try to stick to having only one crazy person in the office at a time.)
The Bluetooth pairing works really well. It’s very easy and intuitive even when you’re paired with multiple units. I’ve seen many that aren’t very good and always need to be reset, but these pair right away.
The controls are easy to master as they are very logically placed on the headset. You can turn the volume up and down, skip tracks if you’re listening to music, or you can stop music or end a call with the multi-function button. The microphone is located at the bottom of the headband near the earpad, so it’s in a great place to pick up your voice if you’re on a call.
I tested the sound quality by calling another person who was also wearing the same headset. We could hear one another perfectly well with very little echo and choppiness. To make a call, you just dial the number on your phone and choose to use your headphones for the call. To hang up when you’re done, press the multifunction button on the headset and your music will come back on automatically. The charge on this headset lasts for about five hours, which is comparable to other similar Bluetooth headsets currently on the market. I do wish that the battery life was a bit longer because I could easily use these all day!
After using this headset for a few days, I’m going to give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I think the price is great and overall functionality is fantastic. You’ll be happy with this purchase.