Samsung SBH500 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

Samsung SBH500

Samsung SBH500

Samsung SBH500

Samsung SBH500
Weight	74g (2.6oz)
Body Size	150.5mm x 169mm x 50mm 5.9" x 6.7" x 2"
Talk Time	up to 12 hours
Standby Time	up to 8.5 days
Ear Loop	Over the ear
Left/Right Ear?	Both
LEDs	1, blue/red/purple
Pairings	Multiple
Headset Sound	Excellent
Mic Sound	Usable
Included Accessories	AC power

Stereo Bluetooth headsets are becoming more and more popular, and Samsung isn't one to be left out in the cold. The SBH500 is an around-the-neck headset, with nicely padded earpieces and several convenient features. How well does the Samsung SBH500 stand up to constant music and loud backgrounds? We put the SBH500 through the gauntlet to see how it handles.

The Samsung SBH500 is clad in matte black plastic and comes with a proprietary AC wall charger. The earpads are not interchangeable, though there's also no need for them to be. Both are covered in a luxurious thick pad, similar to that of high-end full-can headphones.

The right hand earpiece is where you'll find all the controls, with the dead center offering the end/send button, and the LED notification light forming a thin ring around it. To the left and right of this main button are the forward and back buttons, respectively. Above the end/send button is a play/pause button, so that all controls are within easy reach. The volume rocker is also located on the right side, just above the play/pause button, but on the side of the headset.

The left earpiece does not offer any controls at all, but along the bottom edge is where you'll find the handy physical on/off switch, right next to a charging port with a convenient slide cover, to keep dust and debris out. The headband of the headset is made from a slightly bendable, rubbery plastic material.

Weighing in at 74g (2.6oz), the Samsung SBH500 isn't exactly featherweight, but I was able to wear them without any soreness in my neck. However, there are little strips of hard plastic on the part which goes over your ear, and after several hours, I found that there was soreness where my ear connects to my head, where this plastic had rested. It wasn't unbearable, but uncomfortable after several hours of continuous use.

The LED notification light, which forms a thin circle around the end/send button, periodically flashes blue while the headset is on or in use. When you first turn the SBH500 on, you'll see the light flash blue, red, and then purple twice, and will then turn a solid blue, to show that it's in 'pairing' mode. To re-enter pairing mode later, simply press and hold the end/send key while turning the headset on.

When the headset is successfully paired with your phone or computer, simply press the end/send key to answer a call, and press the same button to end the call. The Samsung SBH500 can also activate voice dialing, if your phone supports it, by pressing and holding the end/send key for a few seconds. Depending on your cell phone, you can also quickly press the end/send key once or twice to redial the last number you called, as well.