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CavemanMike

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 8, 2013
211
11
I was leaning towards the Plantronics Voyager Pro HD.

It features A2DP.

However, it is NOT bluetooth 4.0.

Does that matter? I read that BT 4 is not compatible with BT 3 or 2, although if the device supports both, then it's fine. However, I've also read that the nano is low-energy which I think is geared for heart monitors, not for bluetooth audio. I just learned that iphone 4S is bluetooth 4, so maybe it's not as new as I thought?

I want to use the same headset for my Galaxy S3 as well as my Nano 7th generation. I really like the over-the-ear form factor of my old Plantronics Voyager, and I like how the rubber part that goes in your ear doesn't detach when I put the headset in my pocket. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
MIke
 
Thanks!

They should work just fine, Bluetooth 4.0 is backwards compatible with devices that support the older standard.

I think I got confused when I read the low-energy is not backward compatible, but I have a growing sense that low-energy would only be relevant for fitness apps, not for listening to podcasts.

BTW, I'm totally in love with my nano 7th, particularly how it connects bluetooth to my ford fusion, and how I can pause/fast forward from the nav screen, without wires or fumbling with the ipod controls while driving! Simply awesome!

Mike
 
I think I got confused when I read the low-energy is not backward compatible, but I have a growing sense that low-energy would only be relevant for fitness apps, not for listening to podcasts.

BTW, I'm totally in love with my nano 7th, particularly how it connects bluetooth to my ford fusion, and how I can pause/fast forward from the nav screen, without wires or fumbling with the ipod controls while driving! Simply awesome!

Mike

What they were most likely trying to say is that connecting a Bluetooth 2.1 device to your 4.0 iPod means it will only be able to utilize what 2.1 has to offer. Bluetooth 4.0 devices are usually better on battery life and support better audio codecs
 
What they were most likely trying to say is that connecting a Bluetooth 2.1 device to your 4.0 iPod means it will only be able to utilize what 2.1 has to offer. Bluetooth 4.0 devices are usually better on battery life and support better audio codecs

Ah, that makes total sense.

I guess I now can resume my quest for the perfect headset.

I certainly need the A2DP to listen to podcasts. It would be nice if I can find a headset that has the other profile (the one that lets you pause,play, fast forward over bluetooth) - that would be cool.

If anyone here can suggest a cool headset, I'm all EARS :)

Thanks again!

Mike
 
Bluetooth 4.0 has no improvements for audio streaming, so you will not see it in headsets for a while (due to prices).

You want a Bluetooth 2.1+EDR or higher headset that supports both A2DP (for streaming audio) and AVRCP (if you want to play/pause/forward/back on the headset).
 
Bluetooth 4.0 has no improvements for audio streaming, so you will not see it in headsets for a while (due to prices).

You want a Bluetooth 2.1+EDR or higher headset that supports both A2DP (for streaming audio) and AVRCP (if you want to play/pause/forward/back on the headset).

Thanks Eddie: that's sounds like solid advice. I was driving myself CRAZY when I restricted my search to only BT 4.0 :)
 
Bluetooth 4.0 has no improvements for audio streaming, so you will not see it in headsets for a while (due to prices).

You want a Bluetooth 2.1+EDR or higher headset that supports both A2DP (for streaming audio) and AVRCP (if you want to play/pause/forward/back on the headset).

The Voyager Pro HD:
http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/voyager-pro-hd?skuId=sku5900014#overview

Supports: A2dp,avrcp, hfp, hsp, ssp and is BT 3.0

I called their pre-sales tech and was told the play/pause FF/REW is done on the headset with 2 buttons.

Since I presently have the same form factor in my old voyager headset, and like it, I'm going to go with the new voyager pro hd.

Thanks again!

Mike
 
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