Wireless Headphone Review

Wireless headphones are an option for those who don't want to be tethered to the source. They're a good choice for home theater, a home stereo system or even for computer games where you wouldn't want a cord to get in the way of your game-controlling hand. The problem with almost all wireless headphones is sound quality -- while still very good, it doesn't quite measure up to what you can get from corded headphones. While that trade-off is acceptable to many, if you demand the very best audio quality, see the ConsumerSearch report on wired headphones.

For this update, we found a good number of reviews of wireless headphones, but CNet.com stands out as the best. Recommendations are based on objective testing and unbiased listening. The site adds new wireless headphone reviews continually, although even CNet is not immune from ranking items that have since been discontinued. For instance, the Ten Technology naviPlay is a top pick at CNet among Bluetooth headphones, but all that remains of Ten Technology is its online carcass - the home page states that the company "has ceased operations at this time."

Consumer Reports' recently updated report on Bluetooth headsets includes four stereo models. However, while testing is fair, discussion is minimal and half of the tested stereo headsets rated well enough to earn a recommendation.

Many serious audiophiles -- and reviewers -- compare wireless headphones with corded models. Such comparisons aren't very useful because most consumers already know they are sacrificing significant sound quality for the freedom of cordless music and sound. One telling comparison, however, is an older (Sept. 2007) review of six wireless headphones in The Sunday Times (London) in which headphones are ranked against each other and also evaluated for sound quality against one corded headphone, the $40 Sennheiser PX 100. The corded Sennheiser headphones beat the sound quality of all six wireless headphones tried by reviewer David Price, who is also the editor of the British magazine Hi-Fi World.

While some wireless headphones stand out as top choices, others clearly lag behind. Then there are those that draw widely varying opinions. The most controversial wireless headphone we found among professional and user reviews is the Plantronics Voyager 855 (*Est. $70). Some reviewers say music quality is average or below-average, while others think it's excellent. Werner Ruotsalainen of Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine, who rated the Voyager 855's music quality highly, quotes the Plantronics acoustic designer, who says that it's very important to have a good seal between the earpiece and the ear canal. Pulling slightly on the earpiece should produce a small suction feeling to get the best music quality -- though, like most wireless headsets, it will not be up to audiophile standards.