Nokia has been leading the mobile phones' market for years, so it's no wonder that they've also decided to tackle the field of accessories. So, in order to extend the level of functionality provided by mobile phones and to convince users of their devotion to communication, the company has released several headsets designed to provide users with a more pleasant communications experience, including here the BH-501 Bluetooth headset.
Design He says: The Nokia BH-501 has a very modern, silver + white or silver + black design, with sleek lines for dynamic users. The headphones hang around the back of the neck and are sustained by the wearers' ears. Overall, the headphones look nice, given the lack of flimsy wires. The foldable design translates into easier storage when traveling.
She says: When it comes to design, Nokia is not recommended as the best for no reason. This way, over the years, its products have almost constantly displayed a modern design (albeit not always a particularly attractive one), which mixes elegance and functionality in a more than harmonious manner. And the BH-501 is no exception from that unwritten rule. Sleek and subtle, the headset comes in a silver finish, with white or black details, with delicate and ergonomic lines, not to mention a very practical, foldable design.
FeaturesHe says: As far as compact headphones go, the device isn't that rich, feature-wise. It uses a Bluetooth 1.2 transmitter/emitter in order to communicate with mobile phones or A2DP enabled MP3 players. The interesting feature for mobile users is that they don't have to look like cyborgs anymore by wearing a mono Bluetooth headset. The headphones come with an integrated microphone and when faced with an incoming call, they will switch to the headset profile, allowing users to take the call by only pressing a button.
She says: This headset is compatible with mobile phones, MP3 players, PDAs or PCs. They provide high-quality sound to their users, according to the manufacturer, allowing them to enjoy their favorite tunes and also take calls easily, thanks to the buttons built into the headset. Also, just as the name implies, they offer users Bluetooth connectivity, operating up to ten meters away from the device.
Performance
He says: If used continuously, the headphones provide 11 hours of talk and music playback. So, considering you get up in the morning and use them all day long, you should get by the day without any problems. At the end of the day, just plug them in for charging: 4 hours should be enough for a complete charge so you can start again the next day. Sound is not better, nor worse than a standard wired set, but quality is in the “ear of the listener”, so don't take my word for it.
She says: The headset sports a 260 mAh Li-Polymer battery, which grants it up to 11 hours of talk time and up to 150 hours of standby time. If its juice runs dry, you will have to wait about four hours for the battery to charge completely. Measuring 140 x 115 x 50 mm and weighing only 68 grams, you will tend to forget that you even have the BH-501 on!
User Friendly He says: Most users should have no problem pairing their BH-501 with a mobile phone. Just activate Bluetooth on the phone and start up the headphones. They should be detected by the phone and pairing should be at a button away. It doesn't get easier than that. The phone and headphones will automatically switch between stereo and headset profiles.
She says: This is not exactly the most complex Bluetooth headset out there, but, just in case there are still people who didn't have the chance to get acquainted with this technology, the BH-501 comes with a complete user guide, so that everyone can work their way around this beautiful headset.
Value for money He says: Nokia accessories are usually expensive, but these headphones come at more than a reasonable price. Costing a bit over $60 they provide users with handsfree communication and wireless freedom. As I am a big fan of wireless devices, I truly appreciate the BH-501 headphones for their great functionality.
She says: The BH-501 sells for about 60 US dollars, a pretty fair sum, for such a product. Taking into account its design, features and specifications, I would say that the manufacturers have evaluated this item correctly, and you'll be very happy you paid this money once you get the headset.
Cool factor He says: In my opinion headphones always had somewhat of a cool factor (that is if users knew how to wear them). And since I don't think wires ever played a big role in the coolness factor, in the end, I'd vouch for the BH-501 any day. Besides, Nokia always has a thing for designing modern looking accessories.
She says: The features that the BH-501 sports make it a “good catch”, so does the price, but I think it's really the design that tops the expectations, making this headset a cool item in its range. It's fashionable, elegant and stylish, not to mention the fact that it does its job the way it's supposed to, so, I would say that it makes a really good investment.
