It really is quite amazing how far wireless technology has taken us. Cellular phones truly revolutionized the telecommunications industry and the advent of WiFi made it so much easier to connect our homes and offices to the Internet; all this without having to run messy cables in every which direction. A similar sentiment can be expressed about Bluetooth technology, as it provides for handsfree conversations and completely wireless musical enjoyment.
You may remember the iLuv i199BLK mini audio system that I reviewed some time back and how it comes with the ability to pair with Bluetooth devices. Well, what better way to test that functionality than with a set of premium stereo Bluetooth headphones from the same iLuv team? That’s exactly what I did. The iLuv i222 Bluetooth Stereo Backphones take on the very comfortable behind-the-neck design. On one earpiece, you’ll find the controls for audio. On the other, you get the button for the phone functions.
Features and Specifications
iLuv refers to the i222 Backphones as “stylish stereo behind-the-neck headset with Bluetooth wireless technology” and that pretty much sums up everything that this headset does. Diving a little further, you’ll find that the more precise features and specifications include:
- Embedded digital signal processor (DSP) for noise and echo cancellation
- Audio devices without Bluetooth wireless technology can connect to i222 using the included wireless audio transmitter
- Ergonomic design for comfortable and secure fit
- Integrated remote control functions (Play / Next / Prev / Stop) and volume control
- Supports HSP, HFP, A2DP, and AVRCP profiles
- Standby time up to 300 hours
- Continuous listening time up to 8 hours
- Continuous talking time up to 10 hours
- Communication range up to 33ft
- Compliant with Bluetooth V2.0
Generally speaking, iLuv is not going to floor anyone with these features, but the i222 Bluetooth Stereo Backphones sound like they can do everything that you’d need from a set of stereo Bluetooth headphones. The inclusion of DSP technology may also help with call clarity, because it aims to cancel out noise and echos somewhat similar to technology employed by Aliph with their Jawbone Headset and Plantronics with Audio-IQ.
What’s Included in the Box?
When it comes to most stereo Bluetooth headsets, all you get is the headset itself and a charger. Thankfully, iLuv was gracious enough to toss in a few extras along with the iLuv i222 Bluetooth Stereo Backphones. Inside the package, you will find the following.
- Wireless stereo behind-the-neck headset
- Wireless audio transmitter
- USB power adapter
- Spare ear cushion
- Instruction manual
- Warranty card
Having some extra ear cushions are nice and all, but the most notable inclusion here is the “free” wireless audio transmitter. In effect, what you can do is plug this sucker into any 3.5mm audio jack and that device — whether it be an MP3 player, notebook computer, or Nintendo DS — suddenly becomes Bluetooth compatible. This is a very sweet addition and it’s something that many people would be interested in buying separately.
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