Customer Rating: 
Summary: I love this headset
Comment: After my experiences with the Motorola S9, and the Plantronics 855, I thought I would never find a stereo Bluetooth headset that sounded great and was comfortable to wear. I started with the S9 which had fairly good sound. However, don't plan on wearing it if you fly or rest your head back on a chair. It's extremely uncomfortable under these circumstances and pops off forward. I found it uncomfortable in general.
I next tried the Voyager 855. The sound quality was mediocre and it consistently skipped at the beginning of almost every mp3. This was the case on both the latest version of the RAZR and the LG Dare. In addition, although Plantronics provides three sizes of nubs and ear hooks, if you use the 2nd earpiece, only one size is available. Of course, it was to large for me. Lastly, the equipment quality is pretty poor, especially for a $100+(with tax) headset. The difference in quality became clear when I tried the Sony Ericssson HBH-DS980.
As soon as I picked up the product, I could see and feel the difference - quality all around. Like the others, three ear nubs are provided, and each of which installed easily and was quite comfortable. When I had the ones that best fir me installed, I could hardly sense the presence of the ear buds. Of all the Bluetooth stereo headsets I've tried, this one was most comfortable and had the best sound. In addition, the volume and track changing controls were easily accessed and very easy to use (they're on the lanyard control). Adjusting the size of the loops for each bud was quick and simple. This adjustability was important for me so the buds would not dislodge when I turned my head. The only complaint I'd register relates to the call disconnect button. The button itself was a little too close to the bud for me, and I have no hair. Might be problematic for someone with long hair. But even given that, I'd take this product any time. And from my testing of it with the new Storm, I'm sure it'll work just as well when my new Blackberry arrives.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: HBH DS980 decent unit
Comment: Easy set-up, sound is ok when earbuds stay in the ears. I need to try the other sizes of earbud adapters that come with the unit to see if they fit any better. Nice built-in lanyard to hold the unit around your neck.
A little difficult to browse your phone list, kinda slow with the bluetooth. Easier to just dial from your phone, and
use the headset to talk with....
Customer Rating:
Summary: Works well
Comment: This BT headset works as advertised. The sound quality is very good with ample volume, although the bass is slightly weak. It readily connected with my Nokia phone. It is an earbud design that uses the same replaceable earbuds found in Sony's Fantopia line of stereo headsets. It is comfortable in the ear. You answer calls by pushing a button/mic on the wire to the left earpiece. Since I got mine last month I find myself using it frequently. can wear it for long time periods without discomfort.
It's a pricey, but very good unit.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great device, small flaws, USES Any SE charger!
Comment: Small flaws tarnish this great product. I used this with a SE Z750 debranded and loaded with updated firmware from SE.
Edit: I just discovered that my SE Z750 charger, charges this BT device! YAY! I only need ONE charger with me when I travel. Other posts elsewhere show that this is the same for other SE phone models, you can use the same SE charger with the device!
First point. Sony doesn't consider this device to be a BT Handsfree (even if they included the profile) they consider this unit 'music wireless speakers' or 'wireless stereo.'
Bluetooth profiles are:
Headset Handsfree
Audio Streaming Audio Remote Controller Audio Remote Control
Target
Background:
Well, I've always hated those Borg-like (or Uhuru-ish) ear clips for Bluetooth. They scream-- I'm so important that I must be connected all the time... Another problem with them is that it's very hard to tell WHO it is on the other end. And why would you want to put a RF device in your ear (not that I'm saying its harmful, but...). And then you have to pull them out to listen in Stereo to your music or podcast or if you have the service, the audio stream of your cell's TV/Video cast.
Sony has come very close to solving these issues with the HBH-DS980. This Bluetooth stereo device will allow you listen to a music/sound source while keeping you connected to your phone for calls. It could be the same device or it could be a different device. As I write this I'm listening to iTunes on my laptop (networked iTunes library) and connected to my cell phone.
The unit has a lightweight forefinger length control unit that hangs off of a neck string, so that you can pop the ear buds out and still wear the device, ear buds dangling. The length of the ear bud's cords can be adjusted so you won't have big loops of wire hanging. The entire thing could be tucked into a shirt pocket as you wear it, if you don't want it dangling and people will assume you have some sort of mini-player in your pocket. There is a 'safety release' in the connectors that hold the ear bud wires if someone (small child?) pulls on the unit.
The extra feature that makes this better than some other units is that the display is full featured and goes beyond just a few icons to twenty pictograms plus text for caller id and music track information. Normally invisible the display on an incoming call it lights up with the caller id information. So now, you can accept/reject the call if you wish. Either press the 'call button' on the microphone bulge that hangs closer to your jaw line and the unit will pickup the call, and blank out the music automatically. Reject the call by holding the button down. A mellow beep or the phone's ringtone can announce the call and a beep tells you that the rejection went through. You can interrupt the music to make a call also by pressing the Call button.
The OLED on the unit will also display the ID information of the track you're listening to - provided your Bluetooth sending device supports that information which is NOT available as just a stereo headset. It must support the more advanced headset profile A2DP or Audio Gateway. Along with a volume graph (different settings for music and cell phones allowed), time, battery power, the devices that you are sync'd to, and were sync'd to in the past. However, the OLED is not bright enough for direct sunlight - small flaw.
The 980 is also a remote control device. It has a dedicated Menu button that allows you to view the `Contacts List', `Call List' and `Device List' (and back up a level when using these lists). Using the rocker volume bar allows you to highlight these items and the Play/Stop button is also the 'Select' in this function. This works fine when your phone is the primary device. Sometimes the unit when connected to the laptop (in my case) disconnects from the phone. The call/contact list icons show, but as the phone is not primary there is nothing to display. Holding down the on/off button will resync you to the primary device (more later). But you may not realize that you are disconnected. Another small flaw. The manual says that you can easily transfer any call in progress on your phone to the headset by `pressing the Call button'.
Besides the manual method to either retrieve a recent call or dial one from your contact list (contact list is divided into alphabet; select a letter and scroll through listings with multiple numbers listed for each contact as they scroll by and can be selected with the Play/Stop button); you can also use voice dialing if your phone supports it. (Voice dialing on your phone will NOT negate the need to use the call button. Some phones support 'Call Control' by saying 'answer' or 'busy' and never have to move your hands. Magic Word (turn on the phone's voice command) and Voice Call Control however, doesn't appear to work with the unit, as it will not leave the microphone open all the time as it's a battery drainer. In my configuration, I could only press the Call button and then my phone would beep (in my ear) for the voice number that I recorded for each number. This could be a problem for some but, magic word is a battery drainer for your phone.
The Device List will also to allow you to connect to the additional devices. Select the previously paired device from the list and press the Play/Stop button and the `reconnecting Bluetooth' display will show. Adding a new device requires that the 980 be turned off, and then holding the on button until the `search for devices' pictogram shows. The unit supports auto-pairing, and if you're connecting device doesn't-- the pair code is the expected `0000'. Reconnecting or adding a device paired previously is done by the list and pressing the Play button until a reconnect icon appears. A problem exists where your phone and the unit will not always agree on what is connected all the time. Your phone might say it's not, and the unit may say that it is. Selecting a device that the 980 already thinks is connected won't show the `reconnecting' display. Just turning the unit on and off will resync the primary device, you'll have to reselect the secondary devices.
The unit can handle 'call waiting' by using the Call button as a flash button.
Headphones
Three different sized sets of silicon buds are supplied to give a good fit, you should be able to wash with soap and water. I found the headphones clear and bright sounding. 192bps media sounded very very good playing from my phone.
As an audio control:
I mentioned before that it can hold an independent volume setting for music vs. voice calls. The unit has independent Play/Stop, volume +/- rocker, Menu buttons and a skip/back slider. When connected to my SE phone; the Play buttons will startup or the media player at the last song in your playlist. You can scroll through the current playlist but you can not change playlists.
Also, the data for the music id on the unit is dependent on the software being used on the player and the Bluetooth profile being used. Right now, I don't have a Bluetooth profile beyond 'Headset (aka earphones and mic)' and stereo headset on the Bluetooth on my PC. So I am not seeing music information on the 980's display. The PC's `Audio Gateway' profile which `should' be valid is not working on the 980 and won't recognize it as a service beyond just headphones (but the Next/Previous buttons do work). My phone has a more sophisticated profile and it shows the data. I can however, go to the next/previous item in the current playlists on both my phone and iTunes.
Additional features:
Unit makes beeping noise and will (on my phone's display anyway) show `Battery Low on Headset" message. Really low battery will just shut the unit down; I got an hour of music playing after the first low battery message.
I think the proprietary charger connection is a plus. There is no question that the unit is correctly connected and the prong snaps into the units body. OLED lights up with animated charge pictogram.
Additional flaw: time display is 24hr there doesn't seem to be way to change it. My phone is set to 12hr AM/PM.
It would have been a big plus to be able to use your own headsets but then the mic would have to be in the unit, and that would have to be near your head.
Replacement silicon buds are 3 sets for $5 at some online sellers. Plus $5 shipping.
I hope that there is a firmware upgrade for this unit, the small flaws can add up to be annoyances for some, and it should all be `correctable' SE might update the firmware, they do for their phones.
Edit: I spoke with SE about some issues with the device, they don't expect to have a firmware update. One issue not mentioned is that the unit's display goes 'nuts' once in a while, and looks like static. Functionality is still there, you don't have a readable display. A full reset will correct this, it's described in the manual, shut off, hold call and menu buttons down together, and turn on, device will reset and correct it.
Also, you can setup your bluetooth profile in the phone to auto-answer calls without pressing the call/mic button.
My SE phone switches profiles when it detects that the 980 is in range automatically and transfers audio to the phone.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great BT Headset
Comment: This is the first BT headset that I bought. I bought this mainly to pair with my SE K800i for compatibility purposes. So far, I love the sound. It lacks a bit of bass and also the battery life could be better for sure. If you have a SE cellphone, the charger works for your phone as well (just an FYI) I think some people might not know that. This is a plus for me mainly because I wouldn't have to carry 2 charges if/when i'm traveling. The other pins are for music/functionality (radio) stuff for your wired headset.
Pro:
Light
Stylish
Can call out
Scroll through contacts and call
Receive call
listen to music
charger works with my SE cellphone as well
BT connectivity is quite good. I have yet to hear static or buzzing unless I am somewhat out of range. I work in a place where everyone uses cellphone and I have a few wireless devices at home and they do not seem to be interfering which is great :)
Cons:
3-4 hr battery life
lack of bass (depending on your liking)
USD $100
Can't use your own headphones (HBH-DS 220 can do that but has less functionality)
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