Big Picture Big Sound

Part I: Everyone Wants a Hybrid

Many owners of Palm's Treo 650 and Treo 700w smart phones have discovered something: in addition to being a great all-around phone/e-mail/web surfing PDA, the Treo is actually pretty good at the portable music and portable home theater thing too. Its integrated RealPlayer MP3 player and high resolution screen (plus a huge selection of aftermarket media player software) make listening to music and watching video content on the Treo more than a little enjoyable, without the need to carry around multiple devices.

But finding a good pair of headphones for the Treo is not as simple as for an iPod. The Treo's tiny 2.5 mm jack doesn't directly support most portable headphones (without an adapter) and plugging in a standard pair of headphones would disable the phone's hands-free functionality anyway, since most headphones don't include an integrated hands-free microphone. Well the times they are a changing, because now there is a whole new category of "hybrid" stereo earphones made expressly for the Treo. These multi-function headsets merge a pair of stereo headphones with an integrated hands-free microphone and a button to switch between your media player and an incoming phone call.

There are currently several models to choose from all the way from basic headsets under $15 (street price) to high-end audiophile 'phones that sell for over $300. We'll be covering 3 models from three different vendors, running the range from entry-level to top-of-the line, starting with this basic model from PalmOne.

The Value Leader

With an MSRP of $29.99, but an actual "street price" below $15, PalmOne's hybrid headset seems to be the lowest cost solution to the phone/media integration challenge. It performs the basic functions required to integrate the Treo's phone and media functions, though it is missing some advanced features, such as an integrated volume control. The unit is comprised of a pair of hard plastic earbuds with thin foam covers, an integrated microphone and a button to switch between your media player and phone functions.

Functionality, Comfort and Ergonomics

In order to hear the ring of an incoming call through the earphones, make sure your phone is in "silent/vibrate" mode, otherwise the ring will go to the external speaker and you might not hear it over the music. When you do hear the ring, a simple tap on the button (located just below your left cheek) switches over to take the call.

Switching to hands-free phone mode, you'll get to hear your incoming caller in stereo, or actually dual mono, but it will sound like the voice is coming from the center of your brain. A little eerie at first, but you get used to it. You can pretend it's your conscience speaking, or God. Anything but a telemarketer. You can also hear your own voice in the headset when talking in hands-free mode, so you'll have some idea what the person at the other end of the line is hearing. Once you've finished with the call, the phone switches back over to your media player so you can continue listening to music or watching a video.

The Palm's button also supports external control programs available for the Treo 650 such as "Headset Controls." The "Headset Controls" software allows you to use the mic button to control your phone and/or media player with one or more presses to the button. For example, two quick presses could do a "redial" or one long press and one short press might jump to the next song. It's highly programmable, and a very handy feature indeed if your Treo is tucked away in a protective belt-case like mine.

The microphone is of average quality, but it's placement very close to the mouth will pick up your voice reasonably well without too much background noise. The earbuds are reasonably comfortable but can come out of your ears fairly easily. With one earplug cord longer than the other, it's possible to put the cord behind your neck, getting rid of some cord clutter. This also reduces some of the downward strain on the headphones and should help keep the 'phones in your ears longer.

Performance/Sound Quality

The sound of the PalmOne 'phones is about what you'd expect from a cheap pair of earbuds. Bass response is not very extended, the high frequencies are a bit dull but they don't sound too bad in the critical midrange region where most vocals reside. The sonic flaws are mostly of subtraction, not addition. They are not overly boomy in the bass or screechy in the treble, so it's easy to listen to them for extended periods without fatigue. If you're a folk music fan, and listen in mostly quiet locations, then you may find the sound acceptable, particularly given the low cost.

The PalmOne 'phones provide minimal isolation from outside noise so you may need to turn them up loud if you're listening to music in a noisy place like a plane, train or subway, and this is never ideal. I prefer noise-isolating earphones - ones that form a tight seal in your ear like earplugs - so I can get lost in the music even at low volume levels via nearly complete isolation of background noise.

Final Thoughts

The PalmOne hybrid headset/stereo headphones offer good value, and perform reasonably well as headphones and as a hands-free device. But they're not really worthy of consideration if you're looking for high-end audio performance, maximum flexibility or comfort. The buds can come out of your ears fairly easily, particularly since there is no integrated clip to remove some of the downward strain tugging at the phones. If you're planning to use these while doing strenuous exercise, then don't bother.

If you're on a tight budget, then these will at least get you started, but your Treo is worthy of better.

Where to Buy:

Order Palm Treo 650 Hybrid Stereo Headset from Amazon.com

Manufacturer's Contact Information:

Palm, Inc. Corporate Headquarters
950 W. Maude Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
1 (408) 617-7000 Main Phone
1 (408) 617-0100 Main Fax
Web site: http://www.palm.com/us/

Related articles:

° Part I: Palm Treo 650 Hybrid HeadSet/Headphones
° Part II: Seidio 2-in-1 In Ear Noise Isolating Retractable Headset/Headphones
° Part III: Shure I4c-T Sound Isolating Earphones
° Part IV: Seidio 2-in-1 Hands-Free Headset with Stereo Headphone adapter

° Shure E2c Noise Isolating Earphones
° Etymotic Research ER4P Earphones with Headroom Total AirHead amplifier