Style-wise, there’s not a huge amount of difference between the 903+ and the model it replaces. Plantronics says the casing is more rugged, and we do reckon you could throw the BackBeat into your bag without the included carry pouch and not worry too much about damaging it. The two earpieces are connected by a tough, rubber-coated cord, with the battery sections hooking over the back of your ears and the earbuds themselves mounted on flexible loops.

It’s a comfortable arrangement, as long as you haven’t got particularly large or small ears; there’s minimal adjustment beyond the rubber sections, although Plantronics do throw three different sized sets of earbuds into the box. In terms of controls, there’s a play/pause button on the right earpiece and a call answer/end button on the left; running down the back are power, volume-up/skip-forward and volume-down/skip-back keys.

Of course, different presses can do different tasks, and so long-holding the call button can redial the last number (phone permitting) or reject an incoming call, and other presses mute, trigger re-pairing, transfer ongoing conversations between headset and handset, and turn Bass Boost on or off. If your phone allows, you can do voice-activated dialing, too.

Like Plantronics’ recent monaural headsets, the BackBeat 9303+ gets AudioIQ2 and twin microphones for background noise reduction. It’s a system that works well, though unsurprisingly better with constant background sounds like road noise. Unfortunately there’s no MultiPoint, for hooking up two devices simultaneously; that seems a big omission when you consider how many people might want to pair their phone and their Bluetooth-enabled PMP at the same time.

It’s a shame, because musical performance is strong. The optional Bass Boost does a decent job of adding some thump – handy, since neither MP3s nor Bluetooth are generally known for having a great effect on audio quality – and while you’ll still get better sound from a wired headset, the convenience of the 903+’s is arguably worth the compromise.

Bluetooth A2DP obviously works with most recent devices that support the wireless standard, but if you’ve got an iPhone the experience is a little slicker. As we’ve seen on some other headsets, once paired with the Apple smartphone (or, indeed, an iPod touch) you get a separate battery meter in the status bar, that shows the charge left in your BackBeat. Plantronics reckon you’ll see up to 7hrs talktime or 7 days standby from a full charge, though obviously that depends on whether you’re using the headset for music or conversations. We managed to get through a day of heavy calling and some extended music sessions before the low-battery voice prompt piped up, and there’s a Listening Time announcement option, which will periodically tell you roughly how long you have left.

Considering the improvements in build, audio performance and usability over the headset it replaces, and the fact that Plantronics have kept the price at $99.99, we’re finding it tough to criticize the BackBeat 903+. Yes, if you’re a glasses wearer it can be a little trickier balancing the earpieces, and the absence of MultiPoint technology is a frustrating omission, but strong audio and flexible controls keep the Plantronics running with the front of the pack.

All three models are 3D-ready, and have HDMI 1.4 ports (four on the 920-K, six on the 1020-K and 1120-K) and Dolby ProLogic IIz support.  An ethernet port not only grants remote iPod touch/iPhone control but internet radio support (though not on the 920-K).  As for power, the 920-K and 1020-K each have seven channels of 110W, while the 1120-K boosts that to seven channels of 120W.

The new Pioneer VSX-920-K and VSX-1020-K receivers will go on sale in May 2010, priced at $399 and $549 respectively; the flagship Pioneer VSX-1120-K will follow in in June 2010, priced at $749.  If you want Bluetooth A2DP support, meanwhile, you’ll have to find an extra $99 for the Pioneer AS-BT100 dongle.

Press Release:

Pioneer Brings Unprecedented iPhone and iPod touch Control to New 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver Line

iControlAV App Available from the App Store, 3D Ready Feature for Next Generation Home Theater Experience

LONG BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Consumers looking for the ultimate A/V control center with seamless iPhone and iPod touch integration will find it in Pioneer’s new line of A/V receivers. The three new 7.1 channel, “Works with iPhone” certified receivers, the VSX-920-K, VSX-1020-K and the Pioneer-branded flagship receiver the VSX-1120-K, offer enhanced iPhone and iPod touch control and functionality, are 3D capable with the advanced version of HDMI and feature wireless Bluetooth audio streaming for Bluetooth-enabled devices1. Additionally, Pioneer today announced availability of its iControlAV App, which turns compatible iPhone and iPod touch into a fully functioning remote control for the Pioneer receiver, on the App Store.

“This year, with the addition of our new app and Bluetooth audio streaming, we expect to hold the leadership position in this category for the second consecutive year by continuing to provide iPhone and iPod touch users with seamless integration to their home A/V experience.”

“Last year, the Pioneer line of A/V receivers set record growth in the under $500 price point. We know that the dramatic growth was a direct result of our enhancements to convenience and connectivity options expected from Apple users,” said David Bales, marketing manager of audio products for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “This year, with the addition of our new app and Bluetooth audio streaming, we expect to hold the leadership position in this category for the second consecutive year by continuing to provide iPhone and iPod touch users with seamless integration to their home A/V experience.”

iControl AVR App & Expanded iPhone Functionality

The 7.1 channel models deliver expanded iPhone functionality with the top two models featuring the Company’s first app for their home entertainment products and Bluetooth Audio Streaming for wireless devices.

“Works with iPhone” Certification – The new line of 7.1 receivers are iPhone certified and allow for playback of content on an iPhone and iPod touch including, on-screen display of track data, album art, photos and video on a connected TV. With an included USB/ video cable, users can listen to their music, view photos and watch downloaded as well as stream audio and video such as YouTube and Rhapsody music services all while charging their Apple devices when connected to the receiver.

iControlAV App – Pioneer’s first app compatible with their home entertainment products, iControlAV, provides iPhone and iPod touch users convenient integration of their devices with their home theater system. The free iControlAV App turns iPhone and iPod touch into a fully functioning remote control for the VSX-1020-K and VSX-1120-K Pioneer receivers. When the receivers are connected via Ethernet to an existing wireless router, the app allows users to wirelessly control their home theater receiver and includes graphical representations of these four controllable elements:

Control – Adjusts the main volume, mute, select and switch inputs including multi-zones as well as display audio/video status information with a slight touch of the screen.

Precision – Allows users to turn on/off two of Pioneer’s proprietary sound enhancements, PQLS which achieves jitter-free signal transmission via HDMI and Phase Control which permits precise phase control of multi-channel speakers. Video tutorials on each technology are also included.

Balance – With a roll and hold motion users can adjust the output balance of their speakers for 360 degree sound leveling to match their present listening position.
Emphasis – With a tilt and hold motion users can adjust dialogue and bass levels of the center speaker and subwoofer for optimum clarity of soundtracks with dynamic vocals or video games with extra bass. The display additionally shows a graphic of the status of each speaker.

Bluetooth Audio Streaming – The full line of new models feature wireless Bluetooth audio streaming from any Bluetooth-enabled iPhone, iPod touch, Android™ platform, other smart phones or personal computer with an optional Bluetooth adaptor. The Pioneer branded AS-BT100 ($99), Bluetooth Adaptor, allows consumers to keep the phone close to them while they enjoy music through their home theater system.

iPhone Control Button – The VSX-920-K and VSX-1020-K feature a front panel button that transfers iPod navigation control and on-screen display from the A/V receiver’s remote control back to the connected iPhone or iPod touch so users can easily and quickly navigate through their library of media files directly on the device.

3D Ready Features

As 3D technology is introduced to the mass marketplace, Pioneer has incorporated features into its line of A/V receivers that allow seamless integration into a 3D home theater system.

HDMI 1.4 – The latest HDMI version 1.4, provides more high definition connectivity options for consumers seeking compatibility with the latest audio and video formats. HDMI 1.4 allows for passage of the high data transfer rate required by the Blu-ray 3D specification as well as a new 3D specific command protocol. Additionally, the flagship VSX-1120-K features an Audio Return Channel, which allows a receiver to reproduce audio from a compatible TV’s built-in tuner.
Dolby ProLogic IIz® Decoding – Audio performance is paramount in an A/V receiver, and all the new Pioneer receivers are equipped to decode new HD audio formats including Dolby True HD® and DTS Master® with the new Dolby ProLogic IIz height channel. For the ultimate home theater experience, Dolby ProLogic IIz identifies non directional audio cues that occur naturally in a surround sound mix. The appropriate elements of the signal are directed to front height speakers for an enhanced surround sound experience. Creating the depth and dimension of a lifelike soundstage, this speaker configuration is compatible with all 5.1 and stereo entertainment content, is ideal for gamers and may also complement a 3D video experience. The new technology provides new 7.1 speaker placement options for consumers as well as easier installation solutions. Additionally, the top two models feature Pioneer’s proprietary Front Wide Mode which adds versatility and dimension to a 7.1 speaker arrangement.
Multi-Media Connectivity and Pioneer’s Proprietary A/V Technology

Pioneer incorporated its proprietary audio enhancement technology that restores Bluetooth transmissions as well as advanced room calibration technologies into its 7.1 channel line.

Sound Retriever AIR – The VSX-1120-K and VSX-1020-K feature the new Pioneer-developed Sound Retriever AIR. Similar to Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR), Sound Retriever AIR restores critical audio data that is often removed from compressed audio files during the encoding process and for the first time, restores data from Bluetooth transmissions.

Internet Radio – When connected to a home network, users can enjoy thousands of Internet radio stations worldwide, ranging from music and news to sports and talk on the flagship VSX-1120-K and VSX-1020-K. Both models come with 24 preloaded preset stations, easy URL entry of personal favorites and optional keyboard entry through the front USB input.

Video Processing – Pioneer A/V receivers have a strong heritage as the ultimate in video processing, and this year is no exception. All receivers feature high performance video conversion to HDMI and 1080p video scaling to ensure the highest quality video reproduction from analog digital and lower resolution video sources. The VSX-1120-K also features a Pioneer-tuned Marvell® Qdeo™ video processor providing the highest quality video switching for superb clarity and accuracy that was only previously found in flagship Elite models.

Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration – The VSX-1120-K is THX™ Select2 Plus certified to create the power and performance of the cinema in your home theater and utilizes high power discrete transistors for accurate, multi-channel amplification. Additionally, Pioneer’s proprietary room calibration and sound tuning technology, MCACC, is utilized to analyze the room’s speakers and optimize each one to balance out any room-induced acoustic inaccuracies. MCACC provides an optimal, customized audio experience in any room configuration. The VSX-1020-K and VSX-1120-K feature Advanced MCACC which adds a wider variety of room calibration enchantments including an adjustable 9-band EQ and on-screen graphic user interface.

Precision Quartz Locking System – The two top models feature the proprietary Pioneer Precision Quartz Locking System (PQLS) which utilizes the digital clock in the A/V receiver to exactly synchronize the signal passage from a compatible Pioneer Blu-ray player. This creates absolute synchronized and jitter-free playback of all advanced audio formats. The VSX-1020-K features two-channel PQLS for jitter-less CD playback while the VSX-1120-K additionally offers multi-channel PQLS for enhanced DVD and Blu-ray Disc playback.

All models are finished with a premium glossy, black. The VSX-920-K, VSX-1020-K will be available in May 2010 and the flagship VSX-1120-K will be available in June 2010.

Pioneer’s iControlAV App is currently available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

It all began with a passion for music that Pioneer founder Nozomu Matsumoto hoped to share with the world. He started Pioneer in 1938 as a specialty speaker company, building products out of his garage. Today, Pioneer’s Home Entertainment and Business Solutions Group continues Matsumoto’s enthusiasm, developing award-winning audio and video home theater products including A/V receivers, Blu-ray Disc® and DVD players, and speakers. Long-standing partnerships and collaborations with the creative community have provided Pioneer unique insight in its quest to capture the purity of a movie or musical artist’s original vision into its broad range of home entertainment products. The company’s brands include Pioneer® and Elite®. More details can be found at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

1 Bluetooth audio streaming requires iPod touch (2nd generation or later), iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS with iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

The various buttons – for call answering, volume, playback and track control – are all mixed into various Stargate-esque glyphs, and there’s also a watch function too.  You’ll need to be able to decipher it, though, since Tokyflash are using their usual obscure code of different LEDs.

Unlike earlier estimates, the Kisai Escape C actually comes in under budget.  Having been told to expect a sticker price of $150 to $180, Tokyoflash are actually selling the Bluetooth pendant for $107.42, with a choice of various necklace styles from plain cords through braids and chains.

Bizarrely, Google make no mention of Bluetooth on the Desktop Dock’s product page, instead burying it in the user guide [pdf link].  As expected, music is funnelled from Nexus One to Desktop Dock via A2DP – you’re prompted to pair them when you first slot in the phone – though there’s no word on whether you can subsequently play music remotely or if the handset always has to be docked.

Even more bizarre, the Desktop Dock doesn’t sync your Nexus One with your computer; in fact there’s no data transfer feature at all.  All it’ll do is recharge the phone and play music.  Still, that’s a pretty handy thing to have, and we reckon quite a few Nexus One owners will pay $45 for the privilege.

[via Android Community]

Compared to the Jawbone PRIME, the new ICON is obviously shorter in length (though a little broader across). Aliph has made a name for themselves with distinctive finishes, and the ICON is no different: rather than just offering various color variants, the headset is available in six different color/texture pairs. Our review unit (“The Thinker”) has a circular texture and matte silver finish, but the ICON also comes in a more sober, embossed gunmetal all the way through to red-tinted acrylic and satin-finish liquid gold.

Controls are minimal, with a multifunction button well placed along the back edge of the headset, a microUSB port – a first for Aliph – next to it, and a hardware power switch on the inner side. The status LED has also been moved, and now surrounds the Voice Activity Sensor (VAS), the small stud to the front of the ICON that Aliph use to pick up speech vibrations from your cheek and help cut down background noise.

That new software deserves a mention, and in fact Aliph is particularly proud. The company has apparently rebuilt their code from the ground-up – including v2.5 of their NoiseAssassin DSP – and they reckon its made the ICON more responsive than previous Jawbone headsets. It also makes for a more future-proofed headset; Aliph is also launching a companion website (currently in private beta), MyTALK, which will allow ICON owners ((including all future Jawbone headsets) to update their headset’s firmware as new versions are pushed out. The included, USB cable not only plugs into the (also included) AC adapter, but hooks the ICON up to MyTALK.

Once you’re registered and logged in, you can do more than just check for new firmware. From launch Aliph expect users to be able to use MyTALK to customize the so-called AudioApps – the ICON’s voice prompts – not only between different languages (French, German and Spanish) but different personalities such as “flirty”, “sexy” or “fierce”. There’s also DialApps, a more straightforward way to assign a speed dial to the multifunction button; as well as picking from your regular contacts, you can also choose to set one of various directory assistance services together with access to the Jott and Dial2Do subscription-based hands-free assistance services (which offer things like voice-to-SMS and Facebook text-to-speech).

Unlike the Jawbone PRIME, which could still be a little precarious without the ear-loop thanks to the length of its boom-arm, the Jawbone ICON is sufficiently short to be comfortably secure using only the in-ear grips. We wore the ICON on a walking weekend and at no point did it feel precarious or loose. Aliph provide the snap-on ear-loop; together with three “Fit” earbuds (that slot into your ear with a twisting motion) and four regular earbuds. It’s particularly handy if you wear glasses or sunglasses, which can often cause problems with regular ear-hooks. Once in place, unlike some Bluetooth headsets the ICON’s controls can be readily pressed without sending jabbing pains down your ear canal.

That’s partly because Aliph have done away with dedicated volume controls, instead leaving the ICON to manage audio itself. While other headsets have promised similar, the ICON actually normalizes volumes in what the company call “Active Dynamic Range Management”; all that’s important in our experience is that it works surprisingly well, both between calls in differing volume environments, and on conference calls where multiple participants are at distinctly different volumes. In fact audio quality as a whole is excellent, for both wearer and those on the other end of the line, along with similarly strong range. Aliph quote up to 33 feet (10m) range, but we squeezed out 50 feet (with line-of-sight) before some crackling set in. Usually Bluetooth headsets don’t react well to your cellphone being in a pocket on the opposite side of your body, but we had no problems with that, either. The ICON also supports Multipoint, meaning you can pair it with two Bluetooth devices – such as a cellphone and a laptop – simultaneously.

So is it perfect? Not quite. The obvious sacrifice when you shrink a headset down is battery life, and while Aliph quote up to 4.5hrs use from the ICON that’s a couple of hours less than the chunkier Plantronics Voyager Pro. We’d also liked to have seen Aliph slim down the ICON’s thickness: it’s short and narrow, yes, but that makes the amount by which it protrudes from your ear all the more noticeable. A2DP support (combining the stereo channels into mono, obviously) is also notable by its absence, though Aliph promise that will arrive in a user-upgradable firmware update.

Finally, we found the user experience differed in some ways quite distinctly depending on which handset you used the headset with. Aliph have obviously designed the Jawbone ICON with the iPhone in mind; when paired with Apple’s smartphone, you even get a battery icon on the iPhone’s status bar, showing how much charge the ICON has left. We also had better results with Aliph’s quick-connect/answer feature with the iPhone: if you have the ICON turned off and receive a call, you can flick the power switch and the headset will automatically connect and answer the call before it hits voicemail. That’s the theory, anyway; with an iPhone 3GS we had no problems, but the experience was far different with Google’s Nexus One; the ICON was never fast enough to catch the call before voicemail kicked in, and in several of our test calls failed to re-connect altogether. Aliph is aware of this issue and they’re actively working towards a swift resolution.

Nonetheless, in general use (i.e. when not racing to answer a call) we had few problems connecting and using the Jawbone ICON with various handsets, and were consistently impressed by the audio quality. We’d say, in fact, it’s pretty much on a par if not better than the already excellent Plantronics Voyager Pro, and with a welcome volume boost over the Jawbone PRIME. At the moment, Aliph intend to put the ICON on sale alongside, rather than instead of, the PRIME, and there’s no talk as yet of a price reduction from the latter’s $129. Given the Jawbone ICON is $99, that it’s audio quality is stronger, its fit more comfortable and it has more flexibility thanks to Aliph’s MyTALK system, it should come as no surprise that – unless pure battery longevity is core requirement – we’d recommend the ICON over the other two headsets. Get Your ICON on at Jawbone.com!

The new firmware update is version 8.19 and it is available for download now via this link at no charge. The Q1 had all sorts of features before and performs well, but it lacked the ability to stream audio from A2DP capable handsets, which the new firmware adds. You might be thinking what’s the point of this when you can’t listen in stereo with a mono headset like the Q1.

Well, the big deal is easily noticed by those that use mobile devices like the iPhone for navigation. The speakerphone built into the iPhone lacks the volume to make spoken directions heard in many vehicles. The ability to stream A2DP to the Q1 means that you can hear these spoken directions on your headset. In addition, you can listen to tunes if you can handle mono sound.