Eagletech Arion Foldable Bluetooth 3.0 Headset Model:ARHP200BF

Bluetooth headsets are typically a far cry from headphones when it comes to features and sound quality. Most headsets are monoaural earpieces made for making cell phone calls, but even stereo Bluetooth headsets tend to be little more than earbuds with plastic connecting them. True headphone-sized Bluetooth headsets are few and far between, but EagleTech offers one up with its Arion foldable bluetooth Headset Model:ARHP200BF ($69.99 at Major e-tailers). It’s an on-ear stereo Bluetooth headset with a omnidirectional mic and a comfortable design. It lacks the power of a pair of wired headphones, but it is a well-made headset that lets you make calls and listen to your movies and music wirelessly and comfortably, without sticking anything inside your ear.

So who is EagleTech?

Eagle Tech is a Taiwan based audio products manufacturer. Founded in 1993 with computer power supplies and accessories. We have over 17 years of experience in supplying high quality computer components to major OEM clients. Since those days we have expanded our product portfolio to include PC peripherals such as our award-winning portable external hard drives with luxurious design and build quality. In recent years, Eagle Tech has expanded beyond hardcore computer DIY market to bring innovative and high quality audio products to the general consumer. 

Specifications:

• Bluetooth Version: 3.0
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
• Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) for wireless music streaming
• Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for wireless playback control
• Hands-free Audio (HFP) and Headset Profiles (HSP) for hands-free calling capability
• Headphone Type: Vertical on-the-ear
• Microphone Type: Omnidirectional
• Frequency Response: 80Hz 20kHz
• Operating Time: Up to 13 hours
• Power Input: DC 5V 160mAh
• Wireless Range: up to 30 foot
• Net Weight: 3.7 ounces
• Dimensions: 5.7 x 3.9 x 2.3 inches

Key Features:

• Great Sound! Neodymium drivers deliver powerful, accurate vibrations
• Integrated microphone for hands-free phone calls
• Battery meter on headset and iOS screen
• Multipoint technology connects up to two devices at the same time
• Space saving foldable headband design
• Remote media playback control buttons

Design:
The headset is almost Tron-like, with a smooth black-and-red trim design. Hinges between the headband and the cups let you fold up the headset, making it just slightly larger than a pair of folded sunglasses. The microphone is embedded internally next to the charging port of the right ear cup, making it completely hidden. The right cup holds all of the useful buttons and connections; a micro-USB port on the bottom lets you charge the headset. If you want to pick up a call, you need simply push the center button on your right ear cup without the need to actually handle your phone. Pairing is simple, though. You can pair up to eight devices with the headset by holding the center button for a few seconds.

Performance:

Cell Phone use:

Voice quality is excellent for making calls, but not quite good enough for any serious recording. Again, it’s an issue of the limitation of Bluetooth. The headset uses the same hands-free profile used in other Bluetooth devices used for making calls, so the voice and audio quality isn’t as good as the audio streamed through A2DP, like movies and music. It’s still more capable of picking up your voice than the average tiny Bluetooth headset. Voice quality is very good, with calls coming through clearly most times. The microphone picks up voices well, though like most Bluetooth headset mics, it falters in wind. Like all Bluetooth headsets, it’s not recommended for gaming; to use voice, the headset needs to function through the HFP profile, which means its audio quality won’t be nearly as good as the A2DP profile it uses to play back music and movies. If you want a headset for playing games or voice chatting on your PC or game console, look at  Razor’s or SteelSeries headset offerings.

Entertainment:

For music, the  Arion foldable bluetooth Headset sounds pretty clear, at times surprising me. With the volume cranked up all the way, music from my Samsung Galaxy Note sounded surprisingly good. Mid-range sound was crisp, treble notes felt a little flat—exactly what you can expect from most Bluetooth earphones, but not bad at all. In Colplays’s “Brothers & Sisters” the opening riff felt full and satisfying. This feeling carried through in The White Stripes “Seven Nation Army,” where the headphones reproduced the song’s heavy, flat bass notes without distortion.

This is a trait we’ve seen in all stereo Bluetooth headsets, and while it’s compounded by the Arion foldable bluetooth Headset using an on-ear design instead of an in-ear one to focus and isolate the sound, it’s not unexpected. The Arion foldable bluetooth Headset is definitely a comfortable, clear way to listen to music and take calls on your smartphone or tablet. Eagletech has framed this headset as an accessory mainly for enjoying your iPad and similar devices, and at that it excels. It’s definitely loud enough and offers enough hands-free control.

Conclusion:

All told, the Aurion is a great choice and easy to recommend. If you have the cash, the Nokia BH-905 remains a compelling option, since it has both wired and wireless Bluetooth modes, and also has active noise cancellation for use on airplanes and in other noisy environments. But if your looking for a good walking-around headset or gym headset, or even a kick back on your couch and play with your tablet headset, it’s the most comfortable option out there. Earning it our InsideIndustryNews.com Recommended product Award with a 9 out of 10 score.

Pros:

– Balanced sound quality

– Comfortable

– Attractive

– foldable design

– Feels durable.

– Great Price

Cons:

Not Many