I tested Logitech’s FreePulse Wireless Headphones and Bluetooth receiver/transmitter with digital song files ranging from a 128-kbps-to-320-kbps stereo bit rate in iTunes on an Apple iBook and Dell Inspiron laptop and with a 30-gigabyte Photo iPod. The headphones’ sound quality was the same using all three devices, and what one would expect for the respective bit rate for each song. To use different audio sources, I had to select the right, custom-fit adapter to properly fit the FreePulse Wireless receiver/transmitter 3.5 millimeter stereo plug into the respective audio port.

I used the headphones with my iPod in my living room with a television in the background, with my baby daughter crying, while talking with my wife and while walking down a busy main street. The television audio was effectively nullified by the music coming out of the headphones, though I was able to hear my daughter, my wife and traffic. The headphones’ sound quality was good enough with an appropriate volume level so I could both enjoy my music and hear necessary background noise.

When walking down the busy main street, I tested the FreePulse Wireless Headphones with classical, jazz, blues, rock and hip-hop music. The Bluetooth headphones performed to a level of satisfaction equal to or better than many, if not most, wired headphones for each genre. The headphones generated the high-, the low- and middle-range sounds to which most ears are accustomed. The sound quality did not disappoint me – in fact, it pleased me. But I cannot advise an audiophile to buy these headphones. There is some level of fidelity that will be missing for those who have a trained ear.

Though the Bass Boost feature did make a difference improving the sound of treble-heavy music (when turned on) and bass-heavy music (when turned off), it was only a subtle change. I’d be happy using the equalizer on my audio device rather than worrying about the Bass Boost status of my headphones.

Audio Technical Specifications

• Laser-tuned 30-millimeter neodymium drivers realistically reproduce your music
• Sensitivity: 89 dB SPL, 1 KHz, 1mW, 1 cM
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20,000 KHz, 80 Hz – 16 KHz +/- 10 dB
• Nominal Power: 1mW
• Max Power: 20 mW
• Impedance: 32 ohm

Range

I found the FreePulse Bluetooth headphones worked well at 20-to-25-feet away from my audio device when there was no interfering walls between them. Logitech says the FreePulse Wireless Headphones get a 33-foot range. They do not. After about 25 feet, the audio quality degrades and/or the audio skips, making the listening experience unpleasant. However, I didn’t find myself needing to be more than 20-feet away from my audio source at any time, so this didn’t bother me personally.

What did bother me was when I – wearing the FreePulse Wireless headphones – walked away from my desk – where the FreePulse Wireless receiver/transmitter was plugged into my iPod – into the kitchen. The audio transmitted flawlessly when I was in clear sight of the receiver/transmitter, but when I walked behind a wall or opened the refrigerator door, the audio would cut out. And this was a mere 10-15 feet from my desk. Compared with the range of other Bluetooth devices, the FreePulse Wireless Headphones were a little disappointing.

I also found that the audio would skip from time to time as I was walking down the sidewalk with my iPod in my pocket. I’m not sure why this happened – perhaps from some form of interference? What I can say about the phenomenon is that my iPod does not regularly skip so I must attribute the skipping to the FreePulse Wireless headphones losing their connection with the receiver/transmitter. Either way, the skipping was not overly troublesome. If I had purchased the device, I think I would be slightly disappointed when it happened the first or second time, but I’m pretty sure the experience would not make me take the product back or feel sorry I bought the headphones.

Wireless Technical Specifications

• Bluetooth 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate
• Class 2 – 10 meter (6.6 – 32.8 feet) range
• Frequency: 2.4 Ghz
• Digital transmission format

Conclusion

Logitech’s FreePulse Bluetooth Headphones come a long way in providing an easy-to-use, private, wireless, listening experience that will sound good to most. The headphones have connection and range issues and their one-fit design will surely have many users grumbling. But we can certainly recommend these headphones to people who want to bring their audio device with them and not have to deal with routing wires from their pocket to their ears.

Pros

• Good sound quality
• Volume, Bass Boost controls on headphones
• Lightweight
• Generally comfortable to wear
• Good Battery life
• Easy to use

Cons

• No track-forward, track-back, play/pause buttons on headphones
• Can be awkward to wear and turn head or with ponytail
• Unadjustable headband
• Gets less than advertised range

By Andrew J. Manuse, of “For the Eyes of the Beholder,” a Manuse Media Company Web site.

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Posted March 27, 2007 by BlueTomorrow.com Editorial Staff