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Photos: Altec Lansing Backbeat Bluetooth headset

Get a hands-on look at Altec Lansing's BackBeat 906 and 903 stereo Bluetooth headphones, announced at CES 2009.

Donald Bell
Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
Donald Bell
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1 of 7 Donald Bell/CBS Interactive

Altec Lansing BackBeat Bluetooth headset

Altec Lansing's BackBeat Bluetooth headset offers stereo A2DP Bluetooth audio with AVRC control for compatible music players. The right earpiece offers a play/pause button for music control, while the left earpiece includes a call-answering button. A slim, spring-loaded rocker switch can be found on the underside of the right earpiece, which is used for volume control and track skip.

Overall, the construction feels very solid without being too heavy on the ears. All the components that touch the ear use a soft, comfortable rubber.

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2 of 7 Donald Bell/CBS Interactive

Altec Lansing BackBeat Bluetooth transmitter

The BackBeat Bluetooth headset comes in two flavors: the BackBeat 906 ($129) and BackBeat 903 ($99). The difference between the two models is the inclusion of the Bluetooth transmitter (shown here with the iPhone), which is only offered with the BackBeat 906. The Altec Lansing Bluetooth transmitter uses a 3.5mm audio cable and recharges over a mini USB connection.

The transmitter isn't exceptionally pretty or small, but few standalone Bluetooth transmitters are. When used with the iPhone, you can stream stereo audio from the headphone jack, as well as answer incoming calls using the headset's microphone. Phone call conversations are heard in both ears in dual mono.

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Altec Lansing BackBeat Bluetooth headset

The Altec Lansing BackBeat Bluetooth headset comes in an attractive box. Check out the little cloth tag on the bottom right corner. Neat.
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Altec Lansing BackBeat Bluetooth headset

The BackBeat box opens to reveal a view of the headset from both sides. Here you can get a sense of the thick, comfortable cable that connects the two earpieces and rests behind the neck during use.
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Altec Lansing BackBeat Bluetooth headset

With the BackBeat 906 bundle, you can use the included Bluetooth transmitter to stream music from any portable audio player, including the iPod.
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Altec Lansing BackBeat Bluetooth headset

The silicone rubber ear tips used on the BackBeat Bluetooth headset aren't intended to completely seal the ear and isolate against sound. Rather, the tips swivel to fit loosely and comfortably in the ear, making them more comfortable to wear while walking or exercising. When music playback is muted, the headphones take advantage of integrated microphones to pipe in the sound of the world around you, making it easier to carry on a conversation without taking off the headset.

Overall, I thought the sound quality and call quality were good, keeping in mind the inherent limitations of Bluetooth audio. I'd need to spend more time with them before making any conclusive descriptions of their sound quality. A lot of what you're paying for is the convenience of wireless audio, and a design that is both comfy and stylish.

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7 of 7 Donald Bell/CBS Interactive

Altec Lansing BackBeat series

Altec Lansing's BackBeat series also includes several non-Bluetooth headphones and headsets. Shown here are the BackBeat 106, 206, and 226 headphones, priced at $30, $50, and $80, respectively.

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