Product Face-Offs
Nokia BH-504
| Specifications | |||
| Standard | Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR | ||
| Range | 10 metres | ||
| Standby Time | 90 hours | ||
| Talk Time | 7.5 hours | ||
| Weight | 108 grams | ||
 See all specifications | |||
| Dimensions | 170 x 143.5 x 48.5 mm |
| Accessories | Case, charger |
 Hide specifications | |
Tristan François
Updated: November 02, 2009 - Test date: October 28, 2009
Updated: November 02, 2009 - Test date: October 28, 2009
No wires, nothing to hold on to
There's a real risk with wireless products like these: having them stolen straight off your ears.
With wired headphones, you've nearly always got a cable that goes under your coat or into a pocket, and is attached to your MP3 player or telephone. It's often enough to slow down a would-be thief, even if it doesn't stop him in his tracks.
With a wireless headset though, there's nothing to stop somebody plucking the headset straight off your head. Caution is advised, then, if you plan to use it on public transport.
With wired headphones, you've nearly always got a cable that goes under your coat or into a pocket, and is attached to your MP3 player or telephone. It's often enough to slow down a would-be thief, even if it doesn't stop him in his tracks.
With a wireless headset though, there's nothing to stop somebody plucking the headset straight off your head. Caution is advised, then, if you plan to use it on public transport.
For our round-up of Bluetooth headsets, we mostly looked at earpieces. However, several manufacturers have decided to use the protocol to transmit a stereo audio signal to produce larger wireless headsets.
Fit and features: not quite the HQ-1900
The BH-504 claims to be for use on the go, so its central band folds into three allowing the whole thing to slide into the case. When you try it on, you can feel the weight of the battery and these headphones are definitely heavier than their wired counterparts. Despite that, they're still comfortable enough as the central band is thin and light enough to forget.
On one of the headphones are controls to adjust the volume and playback of your music, making it very easy to control your mobile from your headphones, although touching your ears the whole time can look a little odd.
Audio Quality: top quality audio isn't always perfect for Bluetooth
Being easy to use is one thing, but the audio quality also needs to be up to scratch too. Unfortunately, the BH-504 can't rival the quality of genuine wired headphones. The sound lacks detail and clarity, but it's hard to know whether it's the headphones that are to blame, or Bluetooth, or both.
The microphone is a little too far away from your mouth to produce an accurate sound, but is still reasonable.
The BH-504 can't rival wired headphones, but we never thought it would. Instead, it's better to think of it as a hybrid option, in between Bluetooth earpieces and full-sized headphones.
Fit and features: not quite the HQ-1900
The BH-504 claims to be for use on the go, so its central band folds into three allowing the whole thing to slide into the case. When you try it on, you can feel the weight of the battery and these headphones are definitely heavier than their wired counterparts. Despite that, they're still comfortable enough as the central band is thin and light enough to forget.
On one of the headphones are controls to adjust the volume and playback of your music, making it very easy to control your mobile from your headphones, although touching your ears the whole time can look a little odd.
Audio Quality: top quality audio isn't always perfect for Bluetooth
Being easy to use is one thing, but the audio quality also needs to be up to scratch too. Unfortunately, the BH-504 can't rival the quality of genuine wired headphones. The sound lacks detail and clarity, but it's hard to know whether it's the headphones that are to blame, or Bluetooth, or both.
The microphone is a little too far away from your mouth to produce an accurate sound, but is still reasonable.
The BH-504 can't rival wired headphones, but we never thought it would. Instead, it's better to think of it as a hybrid option, in between Bluetooth earpieces and full-sized headphones.
Pluses
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Compact and easy to look after with its own case
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Muscial and mobile phone controls included on one side of the headphones
Minuses
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Audio quality can't rival wired headphones
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Wireless, so easy to steal
Unfortunately, it seems that Bluetooth can't produce perfect audio quality. The BH-504 does the best it can, but can't rival wired headphones.
