Motorola HT820 Bluetooth Stereo Headset Review

[Digital Puppy]

I just bought these and was trying to use them for the same reason as Kaso. I really need the microphone to work along with the high quality stereo sound simultaneously. Is that not possible with this headset?

If not, does anyone have any recommendations for other headsets I can try? I'm only comfortable with this over-the-ear style of headset (all earbuds hurt my ears a lot). I'm begining to wonder whether I can even use a wireless headset at all now... this limitation of bluetooth makes them useless for gaming

You know, I couldn't get HQ music with the mic to work on this set either, BUT...the Qstik EVOK could do this. Now, I was using the same BT dongle as when I was testing the Moto set, but it somehow works with EVOQ. I was using Skype and iTunes if that makes any difference. Unfortunately, the EVOQ has earbuds.....

[Hybridesque]

Earbuds are better for the music, better sealing in the ear, provided the foam/rubber pads are good. Means you can run less volume/power and hear the bass can be better.

I get such a kick from seeing my avatar in that screeny DP.

[Digital Puppy]

Earbuds are better for the music, better sealing in the ear, provided the foam/rubber pads are good. Means you can run less volume/power and hear the bass can be better.

Yeah, but there a tons of people who don't like buds...or the buds might be the wrong size...or just not confortable....

I get such a kick from seeing my avatar in that screeny DP.

Hehe...cool... You realize that now you are LR's test dummy when it comes to Skype VOIP. (I don't have that many Skype friends to call! )

[Hybridesque]

Ear buds are better for the music, better sealing in the ear, provided the foam/rubber pads are good. Means you can run less volume/power and hear the bass can be better.

Yeah, but there a tons of people who don't like buds...or the buds might be the wrong size...or just not comfortable....

Well, I have Foam ear pads on my earphones to help them sit better in my ears (otherwise they'd be rather loose). I can get them cheaply from most record stores. You do have to replace them periodically because of hygiene and wear though.

]I get such a kick from seeing my avatar in that screenshot DP.

Hehe...cool... You realize that now you are LR's test dummy when it comes to Skype VOIP. (I don't have that many Skype friends to call! )

I don't mind being called at all I wouldn't get to use Skype much otherwise, so many contacts but not many on-line though.

[jockmacmad]

Well I have a pair and to just go over the Mac quality. It sucks.

Whoever, posted before blasting them on the Mac was right. However, it's not the headphones ... I then connected them to my Nokia N95 and the sound was 100x better.

So it seems that although the Mac connects and sees them it simply doesn't (as yet) utilise them well. Ahh well for Ventrilo or Gizmo there fine. On the N95 there sooooo much better.

[BurgundyNGold]

Then I noticed the new Logitech wireless headphones -- WOW! They had a gray thick plastic headband, looked solid and strong! I picked up a pair and went to trade them in for the last time... then the smart CompUSA counter girl said "these are for an ipod sir". I looked at the connector and sure enough, they were specifically made to hook up to an ipod. I own an ipod, but I didn't need the headphones for the ipod, i needed it for my 20" iMac 2ghz fully loaded beautiful piece of computing genius. (God, why do people even buy PC's? This Mac computer ROCKS).

I had the same thing happen to me on my Logitech headphones. they cracked right down the middle. Since I have always had great experiences with Logitech Customer Support, I called them up and told them about the issue. They had me send it in and sent me the new FreePulse as a replacement! Great job, Logitech!

OK, here's the tieback to the Motorola HT820: The Logitech FreePulse comes with a BT adapter for sitting on top of an iPod, a Zen Jukeboz or whatever. It will basically fit in any 3.5mm audio jack. You can actually get your Motorola HT820 to pair with this jack. I got mine to pair with some fidding around. I think I held down the Logitech BT transmitter until it went into pairing mode then did the same for my HT820. Once i pairing mode, I just periodically pressed the button on the Logitech receiver and voila, they paired. I can now use my HT820 to listed to music on my iPod and my Zen Xtra and when a phone call comes in, I just click over (left button) to answer and then click over again to return to music.

One more note about the FreePulse that the Logitech folks probably don't want you to know. You can pair this with your PC by putting the headset into pairing mode and them having the BT Explorer discover the unit. I think the passcode is either 1234 or 0000, I can't recall which.'

EDIT: The passcode for the FreePulse to pair with your PC is 0000.

[Sting3000]

I have an $8.00 pair of CVS Pharmacy headphones that I HATE. I am going to get these ASAP! I've been waiting for a pair that were not $250.00 and above. It looks like I can grow with this product as well. How much more expensive are the Plantronics that you mentioned up above that sound better? If the price is not that much different, I might go with those.

Thanks!

[Digital Puppy]

Current Pricing:

Moto HT820 - ~$65

Plantronics Pulsar 590E (no dongle) - ~$75

Plantronics 590A (with dongle) - ~$110

Logitech FreePulse - ~$80

[Sting3000]

Ok, so now I have to get the 590A Plantronics version w/ Dongle. Thanks for the info! That looks like a great piece of equipment.

[BurgundyNGold]

OK, so here's the summary of my HT820 problems with my PC850 BT adapter and Skype. And how I got it working perfectly. Hopfully this will help others here, as well:

I had a whole slew of messed up problems with my Motorola HT820 with my PC850 USB BT adapter -- both with and without Skype. My stereo audio was flimsy at best. When using Skype, the HT820 would work for about 6 seconds and then turn off completely, leaving the call in progress. And don't even get me started on trying to get the stereo audio to work at the same time as the Skype mono headset. It was impossible.

I tried using that BlueSoleil software and to say that it was flaky is an understatement. I never got it to recognize either my PC850 or by Belkin USB BT adapter.

So I called Motorola Customer Service. They recommended that I update my PC850 software (I was using version 4.1.x) to the latest version (5.1.0.1201) which includes Skype support. You can get the latest PC850 software here.

This solved my problem 100%. Everything works as advertised and I even get better audio range on my HT820 with the PC850. The new software allows for two separate services to be connected at the same time (Motorola HT820 Stereo Audio and Motorola HT820 Hands-Free unit). I'm guessing the former is the A2DP profile and the latter is for use with Skype.

A few installation notes:

1) The download file for the latest PC850 software does not have an extension, but it is a ZIP file. Just add the ZIP extension and decompress to get to the INSTALL.EXE.

2) Run the INSTALL.EXE and make sure to first choose the "Uninstall" (third) option if you have any other bluetooth software running. After the reboot, run the INSTALL.EXE again and run the "Install" (first) option. I happened to have Skype already installed so I didn't need to use the "Install Skype" (second) option.

3) During uninstall, you wil be prompted to remove your PC850. Remove it and leave it disconnected until you are prompted to pug it in again during the installation of the updated PC850 software.

4) After install, Skype will prompt you whether to allow the BT stack to use Skype. Choose to allow this every time.

5) BEFORE attempting to pair your HT820 with the newly installed PC850 software (bluetooth), be sure to CHARGE YOUR HT820 for at least 30 seconds. This resets the unit, which apparently makes difference according to the Motorola support agent.

Best of luck!

[Toll Booth Willie]

Hi Burgundy and Gold,

I actually already followed your steps before I even saw this post; the last thing I need to get this to be really effective is to be able to switch easily between the two profiles on the PC - the headset profile, for Skype, and the Stereo profile, for itunes. This seems to be a real pain in the ass.

[amandadam]

Hello my fellow legit reviewers.This is my first post.I purchased my HT 820 phones this past July 2007,to use with my Motorola Rizr phone.As I type this post I'm listening to Lee Ritenour's Smoke 'n' Mirrors,that I have stored in my Rizr's sd card.This is the only device I purchased these phones for,and can only say,WOW.Great sound quality,clear as a bell,with loads of detail.A match made in heaven,with no need for any EQ or other sound enhancement such as BBE,graphic equalizer,etc.Of course if you listen to a recording of inferior quality, thats what you'll hear.Switching to answer an incoming call or going back to or foward to another track,as well, is a click away,on the right side,with volume adjust on the left.Clarity on my end or to an incoming caller is clear as well.Comfort wise,they will cause some fatigue over an extended period of wear,which should be expected,to some degree.These are after all,cans,which have a little weight to them,as compared to earbuds.Recharging is a breeze,with the mini usb wall and or car charger.I paid $49.00 ,including shipping,on Ebay and am very satisfied with my purchase.Since I haven't ever tried these phones,other then with my Rizr phone,this review is probably not applicable to many would be buyers.I hope this review is helpful in some small way, however.

[Digital Puppy]

Great review, Amandadam! And welcome to the L.R. forums!

The Motorola HT820 headsets have been a solid choice for those who want Bluetooth stereo sound from their device. You got a pretty good price as well.

Hopefully, you can stick around and share some of your experiences.