Product Description
Nokia BH-503 Bluetooth Stereo Headset: High-Quality Audio Streaming from Bluetooth Device. Over-the-Ear Headphones. Power, Call, Media and Volume Keys. Music Pauses for Incoming Call. Up to 11 Hours Music/Talk Time.

Product Features
    * High-Quality Audio Streaming from Bluetooth Device
    * Over-the-Ear Headphones
    * Power, Call, Media and Volume Keys
    * Music Pauses for Incoming Call
    * Up to 11 Hours Music/Talk Time

Customer Review

By
Oatnet "Oatnet"(Southern California)

An earlier reviewer commented that these 'slid down his ears' and 'hurt his ears'. I would suspect that he is not tucking the band behind his ears - just like we do with eyeglasses - just like we do with most behind-the-head headsets. However I am sure that there are some people whose head shape doesn't work with _any_ behind-the-head style headphones, including this one, given the variety of humanity.

My head fits most behind-the-head headphones, and I find the Nokia BH-503's very comfortable. I have worn them for as much as 5 hours at a time, and they were still comfortable when I took them off. Battery life is excellent - I don't know how long they last because my usage varies widely - but sometimes I go a week before getting around to recharging them, and I haven't run out of juice on them yet.

However, the big deal with the BH-503 is SOUND QUALITY. These sound really good. I am a sound quality snob, who previously, reluctantly, compromised on sound quality to get wireless convenience. The best sound quality I had previously found was the Motorokr s305, which was light and functional, and sound quality was much better compared to everything else I had tried, but not great.

However, with the BH-503, sound quality is GREAT, no more compromises for wireless convenience. If you liked the Sennheiser PMX-100 headphones, you will be pleased with these. Microphone quality is also excellent.

The headphones work very well with the iPhone 3GS, both for listening to music and making phone calls. With OS 3.1, you can also use voice commands to choose next track/previous track (apple blocks only those buttons from the bluetooth profile) as well as 'Call Robert' or 'Play Pink Floyd'. The action on the buttons is great, and I have frequently used these while sweating profusely for hours, and they just keep on working.

To be fair, they are much larger and heavier than the Motorokr s305. The BH503's larger size adds to the 'Princess Leia' effect all behind-the-head headphones suffer from. I am aware of their weight on my head, whereas the s305 almost seemed to disappear. I see the tradeoff as being between Better sound and lighter weight. For me, I prefer the

By
Electronics Designer(Silicon Valley, CA)

First the good:
1. Excellent sound with lots of volume and reasonable - but not great - fidelity.
2. Few dropouts. Far fewer than the Plantronics 855 I bought and returned, but the BH-503 does exhibit some dropouts.
3. Excellent usability on the right-earpiece switches. Nice feel.
4. Rapid charging time and long-lasting playing time.

Now the bad:
1. Why were Nokia's designers thinking? That gravity won't pull down on the headset?! These headphones slide down on your ears. Why? DUH!! Because gravity pulls them down and Nokia provided no way to keep them up except for the friction against your ears. Whatever happened to a good old-fashioned over-the-head retaining hoop? PAY ATTENTION NOKIA!!!
2. These headphones will hurt your ears over time. Sad but true. Wearing them for much over an hour is going to make your ears sore.
3. Nokia is obviously struggling with the "falling off problem," as evidenced by their earlier attempt to put "hooks" on the since-discontinued BH-501. Those over-the-ear hooks reportedly also hurt or caused discomfort to the user's ears. How hard can it be to design a proper headset Nokia?

So, that's it. 3-out-5. Nice try on the sound, but not nearly good enough on the form and fit. Unfortunately, options for Bluetooth Stereo headsets are limited. Nokia's BH-604 headset is too large, but with an over-the-head design will obviously stay in place. I'm keeping the BH-503 for now because I need them, and they are a so-so halfway measure. That said, I sure hope and pray Nokia's designers figure out that headphones are supposed to stay in place without hurting your ears in the process.

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