Staff Techdrunk 
Altec Lansing, a division of Plantronics Inc. has introduced Backbeat 906 and 903 stereo headphones, its first wearable stereo Bluetooth products. Backbeat 906 comes with a stereo Bluetooth 20.0 adapter, whereas the Backbeat 903 only has headphones. Designed for active lifestyle, the bluetooth headphones provide wireless stereo music listening and calling in a light, flexible and behind the neck wearing style.
The new products are a combination of audio and voice technology from Altec Lansing and provide full stereo, call support for most of the music enabled mobile handsets. Backbeat headphones have OpenMic technology, which allows users to open the microphone audio to their surroundings only with a touch of a button. This technique allows the user to hear the surrounding sounds without even removing the headphones.
The headphones also feature BassBoost technology, that enhances speaker output in a low frequency range for receiving sound with depth and resonance. Plantronics Dual-Mic Audio IQ Technology is also used to separate voice from noise and thus, making the audio clarity during calls. Dual microphones accurately isolate voice signals and sense the caller’s surroundings to improve background noise and adjust the sound in the best possible two-way audio manner.
The Backbeat bluetooth headphones have a soft neckband, so wearer can fold them easily for storing in pockets or bags. These headphones also feature pivoting, telescoping earpieces for a better and secure fit. Soft silicone tips rest gently with the curve of the ear. The intuitively placed phone and music controls have tactile feel that makes the usage easy. All the material used in the headphones is sweat resistant and highly durable.
The headphone includes a stereo 2.0 Bluetooth adaptor to transmit wireless stereo sound from iPhones and MP3 devices through a 3.5mm jack.
It only has headphones and is specifically designed to be used with Bluetooth enabled MP3 players and stereo bluetooth enabled mobile, which don’t have a separate bluetooth adaptor.
Both the headphones have bluetooth v2.1 with EDR, support profiles like headset, A2DP, AVRA and handsfree for wireless call and music control. They have up to 7 hours of talk/music playback time and 8 days standby time.
Priced at Rs. 6,322 (Blackbeat 906) and Rs. 4,862 (Blackbeat 903), the models will be available by late February 2009 at selected CE retailer outlets and via their website.
