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A few weeks ago I wrote a review of the Sony Ericsson HBH-DS970 Stereo Bluetooth Headset. While my experience with that particular headset was decent, it was not as functional as I had hoped for and the lanyard style of transport was awkward at best.

It is for that reason that I decided to continue my quest for the best set of Bluetooth headphones for your BlackBerry. There are many types available so you can expect to see a few more headset reviews coming down the line from BBGeeks.

This time I have decided to check out the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset.

Introducing the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset for your BlackBerry

The Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset is one of the bulkier options when it comes to bluetooth headphones compatible with your BlackBerry. Where many headsets fall into the earbud category, the Samsung offering is more along the lines of popular studio headphones on the market.

This is one full featured set of headphones with all kinds of controls located on either side of the unit. You have options to control tracks, volume settings, add some extra bass and more.

The headset itself is billed as a noise canceling device and I can attest that I hear almost nothing around me when I am wearing them. This is pretty impressive and particularly handy when you work or travel in some noisy areas

Let’s take a look at what the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset can do.

Testing out the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset

Pairing the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset with my BlackBerry Bold went smooth as silk. Taking only a few seconds to connect after entering the standard “0000″ pairing code, it was nice that there are no tricky hoops to jump through. There is nothing worse than having to spend more than a minute or two to get a pair of headphones working before heading out.

Charging the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset was easy enough. It is suggested that you charge the headset for 3 hours to gain a full charge. Once it has been powered up you can expect up to 11 hours of talk time or play time. That same charge will last for a whopping 300 hours of standby time (not tested).

As soon as I placed the headset on my noggin everything got very quiet. That is the noise canceling in action and it works well.

When wearing the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset the various controls are located in easy to reach spots on either side of the device. On the left you have your volume controls in the perfect spot so they can be easily adjusted with a quick touch along with a line in cable jack. On the right you will find you track selection, play/pause buttons and the bass adjustment options. you are able to choose from normal, wide and bass modes for your listening pleasure.

In addition to the play controls located on the headphones there are also a couple microphones and a call answer switch that allows you to pick up calls and speak to your contacts hands free.

The call button works in a variety of ways depending on what circumstance it is used. A simple press will answer an incoming call or redial the last number called if there is no call waiting. If you want to reject an incoming call you can press and hold the call button. The same technique is used to activate voice dialing when no incoming call is on the line.

Overall impression of the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset

If you are looking for a stylish set of headphones that will allow you to rock out to your favorite tunes with no wires then you may have to look a little further than the Samsung SBH600 series. While they are definitely a quality offering, they are a little too bulky and the fitting is slightly awkward. The ear pieces tend to jut out at an angle instead of sitting flush against the side of your head.

The padding on the ear pieces are comfortable enough for use over extended hours but the weight of the headset itself can cause a little stiffness in the neck after a while. This should not be a problem if used on a plane or somewhere with adequate head support.

As far as sound is concerned, the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset offers a quality experience. The multiple options for bass control is a welcome touch. I love my bass so for music that is my permanent setting but the normal and wide settings provided a nice balance while watching television shows and other video files. I am no expert audiophile but I did not see a huge difference between listening to my music over the bluetooth connection as opposed to the direct in line jack solution.

The final thing I wanted to touch on is operational distance. The last product I reviewed had some issues with the bluetooth connection within only a few feet of the BlackBerry it was tested on. The Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset had no such issues and actually exceeded my expectations. I was able to leave my office and proceed almost all the way down the hallway before the bluetooth connection got flaky. I did not bother to measure the exact distance but rest assured you can be in any room in most houses and still stay connected.

Overall I think the Samsung headset is a great buy and I would suggest it for anyone looking for a set of headphones for their home stereo system of for long haul journeys with their BlackBerry. I may be a little vain but I have to say that these are not a daily listener. If a few small changes were made to the design I think these could be a must buy product.

You can purchase the Samsung SBH600 Stereo Headset from the BBGeeks Store for $99.95 (down from $149.95)

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