I recently decided it was time to start looking for a new headset. I've been spending more time on the phone and also wanted to be able to listen to some music, in stereo. I had misplaced my previous Bluetooth (mono) headset some time ago and was not happy with the cheap wired headphones I'd been using for listening to music.

After a bit of online research, I decided to try the Plantronics Backbeat 903+ Stereo Bluetooth Headset.

I've now been using the new headset for a couple of days and have to say I am quite happy with them, but...

I did have a few issues at first (after pairing them with my HTC Sensation - that bit was easy!), because the connection kept dropping out every few seconds. I had charged the battery for at least 3 or 4 hours before using them so I was confident this wasn't the cause. After using them for a while, I went online to do some more research and discovered I wasn't alone in my experience. One of the pages I read suggested to do a reset (Turn off. Hold power button in and plug in the charger), so I gave it a shot. This helped a little but the problem persisted.

I noted, while moving the phone around that it would drop the audio (music) connection whenever I held the phone in my right hand, directly adjacent to my right ear.... (apparently, the bluetooth receiver is in the left hand side of the device). This confirmed a long held personal theory: My head is full of lead!

I also noticed I could effect the signal by flipping the phone back-to-front. The Bluetooth signal (HTC Sensation) is stronger on the back (front of the phone facing away from me). This gave me an idea. My phone had an after-market protective cover on it made from plastic and aluminium. I removed the cover and the difference was remarkable. The backing material on this cover is very thin but, apparently, has the effect of 'shielding' the bluetooth signal.

After removing the cover, with the phone laying face down on a table, I could walk 10 metres away (next room) without losing the connection. Much better!

However, If I place the phone in the right front pocket of my jeans (or right acket pocket), it'll still drop the signal occasionally but it's not too bad. It only seems to effect the playback of music: The headset goes silent but doesn't tell me it has lost connection. I'll need to do some more "in call" testing to confirm is it's just the music, or the phone audio too.

Overall, build quality seems very good and the sound quality (music, incoming voice) is excellent. A couple of callers confirmed, when asked about sound quality, that my voice sounded a little hollow ("typical hands-free sound") but that is to be expected considering the design of this headset. The headset is relatively light and comfy. I wear eye glasses and it does require a little practice to get them on quickly, but once I'm wearing them, they are quite comfortable. The cord at the back can rub against clothing (collar of my jacket) and move around a little as a result, but it's not a big issue.

At this point I'd give them an 8/10. (cost: $115.00).