Sony Ericsson Stereo Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970

Design/Comfort: Sony Ericsson’s headset looks like a tangle of wires, but the tiny control unit hangs like a pendant while the earbuds extend from the neck loop by pleasingly thick, soft cable. The tiny buds slipped in with no trouble and stayed put while walking. The black-and-orange control module has a small but clear LCD that displays battery life and connection information. Controls for volume, track selection, mode select, and power are clearly labeled and easy to operate by feel.

 

Performance: The sound from these buds was robust and clear, with excellent bass and a satisfactorily defined set of midrange and high tones. The low end takes over too quickly for our taste, especially on rock and hip-hop tracks with lots of bass, but it does so without static or distortion. One unsettling aspect of this headset is that in multipoint mode, the microphone will often channel exterior sounds when music isn’t playing. The DS970 is good for only five to six hours of use.

 

Verdict: Short battery life is the only compromise in Sony Ericsson’s great-sounding performer.