Bluetooth headphones

	Model CVELZ-17Y from mainland China's Chinavasion is made of bendable plastic. It can pair simultaneously with up to eight Bluetooth devices.

Lowering chipset costs are moving makers to improve audio quality in a bid to catch the Bluetooth wave.

Bluetooth headphones are projected to slowly catch up with infrared (IR) and RF (2.4GHz) models in terms of market share. Chipset costs continue to drop, paving the way for the technology’s wider adoption. The rapidly increasing number of Bluetooth-enabled A/V devices has resulted in a demand spike, most especially in mobile phone and in-car electronic applications. These products, however, are still considered high-end.

The R&D focus of Bluetooth headphone makers in mainland China, Taiwan and South Korea is on improving audio output quality and enhancing cosmetic design.

The number of makers on the mainland is expected to remain steady, as industry costs and technology barriers continue to go down. Guangdong province is a major production center, specifically the cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou. Many other manufacturing facilities are in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.

In South Korea, the majority of output is for mobile phone application and mostly features mono speakers. Aside from enhancing sound quality, makers’ focus is also on improving the user interface to meet the audio requirements of other electronic devices such as laptops and portable A/V media players.

In Taiwan, there are between 30 and 50 makers of Bluetooth headphones. These makers are focusing more on iPod compatibility and improved audio quality through noise cancellation.

	Taiwan's Juster offers model BSH-6210, a stereo Bluetooth 2.0 headphone set with an EDR system.

Products from mainland China makers highlight enhanced cosmetic designs, improved audio performance and value-added functions. Some models have noise cancellation. Bluetooth 1.2 and 2.0 are adopted, with models usually having an operating range of 10m. Chipsets come from CSR, ISSC and Broadcom.

Bluetooth headphone model CVELZ-17Y from Chinavasion Wholesale Ltd can pair simultaneously with up to eight Bluetooth devices. It is made of bendable plastic for a comfortable fit. Its 2x20mW speakers have 8ohm impedance. With a 3m operation range, the model supports HFP, A2DP, AVRCP and HSP. Its built-in rechargeable Li-ion batteries have up to 10hrs’ operating time or up to 10 days’ standby time.

Fujiyama Tech Co. Ltd has released model HT820 that weighs 100g. The unit features an intuitive music control button and a call button on its right and left earpieces, respectively. Operating time is about 17hrs while standby time is about 500hrs.

Shenzhen E-Fortune Digital Mfy Ltd has launched the BS06 Bluetooth headphone set with -80dBm receiver sensitivity. The unit features 79 operating channels. It supports HSP, HFP, A2DP and AVRCP. When fully charged, its lithium-based battery provides up to 12hrs’ operating time or up to 200hrs’ standby time.

Model WF9218A recently released by Shenzhen Z-blue Technology Co. Ltd is a Bluetooth stereo headphone set that supports HSP, HFP, A2DP and AVRCP. Its operating time is 5hrs while standby time is 150hrs. The headphone weighs 15g and features an omnidirectional 4mm microphone. Another Bluetooth headphone model from Shenzhen Z-blue, the WF168, has a built-in MP3 player, FM radio and caller ID.

	The SCS740 neckband-type Bluetooth stereo headphone set from South Korea’s Seecode has auto switching for music playback and phone call pickup.

Mainstream Bluetooth headphones in Taiwan offer a 50mW to 200mW power rating, paring encryption and authentication feature. Some high-end models support up to 500mW for better audio quality. Powered by rechargeable lithium- or alkaline-based batteries, mainstream Bluetooth headphones from Taiwan have an operating time of 4hrs to 9hrs. These have 3.5mm audio connectors and 30mm to 36mm speaker drivers.

Taiwan makers’ R&D direction is toward iPod compatibility, enhanced noise cancellation, stereo sound effect and lower power consumption. Designs differ according to application. For instance, units with vibration features are available for gaming use. There are also foldable, portable units for mobile phones.

Juster Co. Ltd offers model BSH-6210, a stereo Bluetooth 2.0 headphone set with an EDR system. The model supports switching from music listening to picking up incoming phone calls. Its supported profiles include A2DP, AVRCP, HSP and HFP. The operating range is up to 10m. The 75g model has an LED charging status indicator. Other specifications include about 88dB S/N ratio, up to 7hrs’ operating time and 2.5hrs charging time.

Aliteam Corp. Co. Ltd offers model RFB-938, which has a foldable and compact form factor. The model supports both RF 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 1.2 through its embedded antenna. Profiles supported include A2DP, AVRCP, HSP and HFP. Operating distance is up to 10m.

Vencer Co. Ltd launched model VS-2000 at Computex 2008. The model, which is compliant with Bluetooth 2.1 specifications, has up to 10hrs’ operating time or 400hrs standby time. It supports A2DP, AVRCP, HSP and HFP. It features a capacitive touch pad, LED indicator and integrated antenna.

	Shenzhen E-Fortune of mainland China has launched the BS06, a Bluetooth headphone set with 79 operating channels.

South Korea makers’ R&D priorities include improving audio output quality, designing ergonomic and compact models, and integrating more value-added functions. The majority of Bluetooth stereo headphones are for mobile phone use. These are compliant with Bluetooth 2.0.

Seecode Co. Ltd’s SCS740 and SCS741 offer music streaming, auto switching from music player to phone and voice dialing functions. The newly released SCS741 has improved housing design and ergonomic features. It can play music continuously for 8hrs, powered by a built-in 350mAh Li-polymer battery.

U&I Co. Ltd’s Bluetooth headphones have unique compact designs. Model UIBS-700 is a Bluetooth stereo earphone and speaker in one. It features a high-power amplifier and an LCD screen that shows music information and caller ID. It also comes with a remote control.

	Model UIBS-700 from U&I of South Korea is a Bluetooth stereo earphone and speaker in one. It features a high-power amplifier and an LCD screen that shows music information and caller ID.

The price range of Bluetooth headphones differs from region to region. As with other electronic products, Bluetooth headphone prices are dependent on the materials used, product features and configuration, international standard approvals and order quantity.

In mainland China, Bluetooth headphones are from $6 to $25. A stereo Bluetooth 2.0 model with support for different profiles and a UL or FCC approval is priced at about $20.

Taiwan’s Bluetooth headphones are still in the high-end price range. Basic models are priced below $15, while stereo models are priced from $20 to $40.

The retail price for a Bluetooth stereo headphone set in South Korea ranges from $35 to $100. The current domestic market, however, is dominated by global players’ products.

	Fujiyama Tech of mainland China has released model HT820, which features an intuitive music control button and a call button. Operating time is about 17hrs while standby time is about 500hrs.

Aside from Bluetooth headphones, mainland China makers also offer other Bluetooth and A/V products such as USB dongles, MP3 players, loudspeakers, digital photo frames, wireless VoIP phones and card readers.

Most mainland makers deal with general assembly, tests, aging, repair, QC and packaging in-house. They usually subcontract portions of mold making, SMT and plastic injection processes and electronic parts making. Makers usually have test instruments such as audio generators, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers and signal generators. Other tests include drop, bending and high-low temperature storage.

Shenzhen E-Fortune’s factory, which has six dedicated Bluetooth production lines, has a monthly capacity of 300,000 units. The company began making Bluetooth headphones in 2004. Its product development team is made up of 20 engineers.

Shenzhen Z-blue is a member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). It has a 500-member workforce and two dedicated production lines for Bluetooth headphones. Its product development team has 10 to 19 engineers. The company averages an output of 50,000 Bluetooth headphones a month, but it can go as high as 100,000 units if necessary. Shenzhen Z-blue uses Anritsu’s 8852 Bluetooth testing apparatus. The company also offers Bluetooth USB dongles, Bluetooth MP3 players, Bluetooth loudspeakers and Bluetooth car kits.

Shenzhen Z-blue ships 80 percent of its Bluetooth headphones to Eastern Europe, North America, Central/South America, Asia, Western Europe and Oceania.

Fujiyama Tech employs more than 700 workers in its more than 5,000sqm factory in Shenzhen. The factory has five high-speed SMT placers and three bonding machines. Three of its production lines are dedicated for Bluetooth headphone production. The company has a monthly capacity of 150,000 Bluetooth headphones, while its monthly production average is 120,000 units. Aside from Bluetooth headphones, Fujiyama Tech is also engaged in the manufacture of MP3/MP4 players, mobile phones, memory cards, digital photo frames and USB flash drives. Its product development team consists of about 20 engineers. Fujiyama Tech exports 30 percent of its Bluetooth headphones. Its major export market is Europe.

Taiwan Bluetooth headphone makers also maintain other lines such as computer, mobile phone and car A/V products. For headphones, most offer both wired and wireless models. Only 60 percent of these suppliers have in-house manufacturing capability. Taiwan makers mostly export their Bluetooth headphones to Europe and North America.

Juster’s product lines consist of mini hi-fi speakers, 5.1ch home theater systems, computer speakers and wireless headphones. Wireless headphones account for less than 10 percent of its total output. The company’s factory is in Guangdong, mainland China. It is now certified under the ISO 9001 standard. Juster can produce about 20 million speakers each month. The maker’s products have approvals from CE, FCC, GS, UL, CUL, T-mark and c-mark.

Aliteam offers both wired and wireless headphone models. Its factory is in Guangzhou, Guangdong, in mainland China. Aliteam’s major export markets are Europe and North America. About 10 percent of Aliteam’s sales revenue is generated from its own-brand Alteam products. The rest is accounted for by sales generated by its OEM and ODM businesses.

Vencer was established in 2007. It provides a wide range of Bluetooth products such as headphones, adapters, USB dongles and Vista remote controls. The company’s factory is located in Dongguan, Guangdong province. Twenty engineers comprise Vencer’s product development team.

South Korea’s Bluetooth industry got a boost when the Bluetooth SIG opened a branch office in Seoul in February 2008. The office has since been helping gather support for the technology by disseminating relevant and up-to-date information, and marketing some of the Bluetooth products of South Korea makers.

Bluetooth headphone makers in the region supply mono headsets for mobile phones and stereo headphones for A/V products, with the former dominating the domestic market. Some of the active players that offer both mono and stereo models are Asiana IDT, Movon, Seecode, Cresyn, U&I, Diostech, Zenocom and Boyoung Tech. The majority of these makers offer own-brand models, as well as OEM products.

Seecode exports its Bluetooth headphones to Europe. It also has an OEM business arrangement with a major mobile communication service provider. Seecode’s R&D is focused on improving sound output, increasing A/V product compatibility and making ergonomic models.

U&I’s Bluetooth headphone output is marketed under its own brand. Ninety percent of the headphones are shipped to the US and Japan. The company will export to Europe soon. U&I’s R&D is focused on unique and compact designs. To widen its market reach, the maker will expand the compatibility feature of its Bluetooth headphones for use with other multimedia A/V devices.