The lowdown

Much though we all like to try to re-enact the iPod advert, I for one can't do so with immediately tangling myself up in a complex knot of headphone cable. Obviously Bluetooth technology has put wireless personal audio on the cards for a while now but it has proved very hard to retain any real semblance of sound quality in the headphones. Plantronics has a bit of experience in Bluetooth audio and has applied its know-how to normal headphones which helpfully double up as a headset/mic combo for fielding calls.

What's good?

Setting up the Pulsar 509As involves the same simple process as every other Bluetooth device. When connecting to a personal audio device such as an MP3 player, all you have to do is attach the accompanying circular Bluetooth dongle, pair it with the headset and you're off. This also means that the headset can be paired with another Bluetooth enabled device at the same time; a likely candidate for this a Mobile Phone and this also shows off the 509A's other neat feature. If you're listening to your music and your phone rings, the headphones automatically cut out the music to let you take the call and once finished, they bring the music back.

The main disadvantage of wireless headphones is that they need to be recharged. Fortunately Plantronics has seen to it that these headphones and their dongle get around 12 hours of use from a single charge using either the USB or AC adaptor.

What's bad?

The Pulsar 509A proves to have a bit of a dual personality; incoming and outgoing sound quality for phone calls is clear and impressive, but in contrast the sound channelled from music players lacks the same crispness instead sounding quite tinny and dull. As is normal with most Bluetooth devices, the tiny buttons are quite fiddly; we were conveniently able to remotely control the volume although the track skipping function never seemed to work. Apparently not all the features work with all players.

Do you need it?

The best reason for buying a pair of Plantonics' Pulsar 509As is their fantastic dual pairing options. If you often use hands free kits and Mp3 players, you are probably well versed in the complications that two sets of wires can generate; being able to eliminate both sets of cables is a huge benefit. The sound quality, although on a par with almost every rival product, is still nowhere near that which is possible through wired headphones. The price of £129.99 doesn't help make the decision any easier either, but, if you are carrying a lot of gadgets around with you, there's no doubt that the 509As could make your life easier, even if you have to sacrifice some acoustic quality.

Overview

Useful Links: Zoodex Features: 12 hours talk time, 10 hours listening time Universal adaptor for all 3.5mm jacks Buttons to control calls and music functions Automatic switching between music and calls Verdict: