Windows Phone Thoughts: IOGear Bluetooth Stereo Headphone Kit Reviewed

Introduction
Bluetooth-enabled stereo headphones have long been on my Christmas Wish List, but the cost and the reports I’d read about the resultant sound quality available through bluetooth had put me off. I’ve also dreamed of having a bluetooth earpiece for use on my bike, so I could keep connected to my cell phone while on the way to work and back home. And of course, I wanted it all in one package!!

So, when the chance came along to review the new IOGear GBMH201 Bluetooth Stereo Headphone Kit, I jumped at it right away. It was certainly an experience getting everything set up. It wasn’t that difficult using the transmitter and headphones provided in the kit, but I wanted to play with the set a bit to determine its full capabilities. So, there was a bit of exploration into uncharted territory. I’ll explain as we go along.

Packaging and Contents
The Headphone Kit which I reviewed comes in the now ubiquitous clear plastic, bubble-wrap package sealed around the edge. For a reviewer like me, these are the bane of my existence, since it’s almost impossible to open these things while leaving any portion of it intact for return to the manufacturer.


Figure 1: IOGear’s GBMH201 packaging.

At first glance, it appears as if all you get are the headphones and the bluetooth transmitter, but hidden in the bottom half (under the grey label) is a plethora of accessories and connectors.


Figure 2: The AC to USB power adapter.


Figure 3: Supplied power cables. Note the European power adapter and use of the micro-power plugs (yellow tipped) and the splitter provided)


Figure 4: Audio cables supplied with the package.


Figure 5: And you even get a carrying bag with additional earpiece covers.

So, here’s what you get:

• Stereo Headphones (aka GBMH201, if you want to order it separately);
  
• Bluetooth Audio Transmitter (GBMA201, also available separately);
  
• AC to USB power adapter;
  
• Detachable microphone on a bendable stalk which plugs into the headphones;
  
• Adapter cable – mini-phone (3.5mm) to RCA plug;
  
• Adapter cable – mini-phone (3.5mm) to 1/4" stereo phone;
  
• Extension cable – mini-phone (3.5mm);
  
• Power cable splitter (so you can charge the headphones and the transmitter at the same time);
  
• Quick Start Guide and;
  
• Cloth carrying bag.

Whew, that’s a lot to cram into any package! I was quite pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't ‘North America-centric’, in that connectors were provided for European standards as well. It appears that IOGear has thought of just about everything.

Charging Them Up
Both the headphones and the transmitter are powered by non-accessible/non-replaceable (as far as I could see) rechargeable cells, so the first order of business was to charge everything up. IOGear thoughtfully provides a splitter cable from the power adapter which can be used to charge them up simultaneously and the Quick Start Guide suggests you charge them for about two hours prior to first use. Although it looked like they came charged, I decided to not take any chances. When you plug them in, the charging cycle is identified by a red LED on the headphones and the audio transmitter. I found that the red LEDs went out (signifying the batteries were charged) after about an hour, but I decided to keep it charging for the full two hours, just in case.