CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Mediocre
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 04/19/2006
- Updated on: 09/12/2006
The plastic Creative CB2530 headphones weigh 7 ounces and feel like they're ruggedly built; the ultrasoft vinyl ear cushions are almost large enough to completely cover our ears. However, we found the CB2530 only moderately comfortable after an hour of listening, mostly because the headphones squeezed our ears with a bit more pressure than we would have liked. The right ear cup conveniently houses a combination volume and muting control. The CB2530 doesn't fold for compact storage, and Creative doesn't supply a carry pouch.
The Creative CB2530 is powered with a total of three AAA batteries: one in the Bluetooth transmitter and two more in the headphone's left ear cup. Creative quotes a 7-hour life expectancy when using alkaline batteries, and we found that claim to be fairly accurate. Just be aware that you'll have to change batteries often; a rechargeable model would have been better in this case. The Bluetooth transmitter isn't a whole lot bigger than its battery and comes with a 7-inch-long cable, terminating with a 3.5mm gold-plated miniplug; we were disappointed to find Creative doesn't include a 6.3mm home adapter. The cable was too long for our tastes, plus it just dangles there, leaving us wondering where to put the transmitter after we plugged the cable into our iPod or MP3 player. The CB2530 uses Bluetooth 1.2 technology; its range is quoted as 32 feet, but our sample conked out around 20 feet.
To use the Creative CB2530, you must first pair the Bluetooth transmitter to the headphones. It's a simple enough procedure: just hold down the transmitter's power button until its blue LED indicator lights up, then flick on the headphones' power switch. The headphones' red LED illuminates, followed by the Bluetooth's blue LED, then the sound comes on. Or at least it's supposed to--there were times when we had to repeat the steps a few times before we got sound. When you're finished listening, simply turn off the headphones, and the transmitter automatically shuts itself off.
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