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Product Spotlight: Zoom Bluetooth iPod Transmitter And iHiFi Stereo Headphones

Wireless iPod Listening At A Reasonable Price

by Veggie Jackson

Name: Zoom 4385 Bluetooth iPod Transmitter And iHiFi Stereo Headphones
Price: $89.99
Specifications :
    * Bluetooth v1.2 class 2 headphones/headset supports Bluetooth A2DP, AVRCP, HSP and HFP.
    * Bluetooth v1.2 class 2 transmitter supports A2DP and AVRCP.
    * 6 hour battery life.
    * 20 meter range
    * 2 year warranty



We got to see and review lots of fun, exciting new products at CES this year, and now that everyone's home, we're starting to see a flood of even newer accessories sent in to us to be reviewed.  The first is Zoom’s new Bluetooth kit for the iPod, and it does exactly what it says it does.  For only $89.99, it allows you to access any Bluetooth-enabled equipment from up to 20 meters (approx. 65 feet for Americans) and delivers crystal clear audio from a distance.  The kit includes a Bluetooth adapter for iPods, allowing remote listening to any iPod (except for the red-headed stepchild of the family, the Shuffle,) and includes iPod controls on the headset itself.  These controls are very handy for remote listening, and the audio quality is simply superb.  There seems to be no degradation of signal regardless of the distance to the player, and the speakers themselves are crisp and loud with plenty of bass.  There is also a swing-out microphone on the headset making the Zoom perfect for phone calls and online gaming (we tested and it works just fine on the PS3.)  Of course, if you are just looking for a gaming headset or your phone already has Bluetooth, the transmitter is wasted on you, and you can certainly find a cheaper alternative (including several standalone headsets from Zoom.)

 

The 4385 with microphone out, connected to my busted, five-year old iPod mini.   

 

As for construction, the headphones themselves are sturdy and well put together, if a bit bulky, but the transmitter feels a bit cheaper.  A solid squeeze of the transmitter would probably crack the plastic, but most people shouldn’t have a problem with normal use.  The headphones have three hinges on the headstrap to allow them to fold up, but the heavy earphones and overall bulkiness make this feature somewhat useless, as the headset won't stay in the condensed position.  An included carrying case would have made this work better, but sadly, one was not included.  These are very minor complaints about an overall well-built product.

Overall, the Zoom is a very high quality headset kit at a decent price.  If you’re looking for Bluetooth capability from your iPod, I can’t recommend it highly enough.  It’s a new enough product that Zoom’s website doesn’t have it listed yet, but you can find the rest of their Bluetooth products here.

Comments
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  • Nikkita
    Nikkita

    nice. that would be perfect for my pajama dance sessions i have every morning

  • ThE BuTTon SmAsHeR
    ThE BuTTon SmAsHeR

    The headphones actually look pretty cool, and for the price, they don't seem like a bad purchase to make......

  • Sarah
    Sarah

    nice, those are snazzy.

  • Vigo the Carpathian
    Vigo the Carpathian

    This pleases me. I was so sure that the iPod Touch would have Bluetooth, but no. Apple seems to be resisting it with all their hearts. This looks like a nice workaround.

  • Sean
    Sean

    I've been looking to get a pair of bluetooth headphones... $90 is not too steep... they sound like a quality product.

  • Baby Destro
    Baby Destro

    I saw these for about $70 on some website. They lok cool

  • The Fate Dweller
    The Fate Dweller

    I need these!!!

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