Altec Lansing Backbeat 903 review

The Bluetooth-enabled Backbeat 903 is a real wireless winner Tested at £60.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

The perfect partner for your Bluetooth-enabled portable

Pros

  • +

    Detailed, open delivery, comfortable, microphone is a nice touch

Cons

  • -

    Only that the on-ear controls are not fully compatible with the iPhone

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If the Altec Lansing headphones here look familiar, it's because we reviewed them back in October 2009. Thing is, when they appeared in the magazine's Round-Up of wireless headphones, they did so as the Backbeat 906, which includes a Bluetooth sender.

As there's a vast quantity of devices out there that already have stereo Bluetooth built-in (including the iPhone), and knowing how such things can affect sound quality, we felt it necessary to test the sender-less version.

Thankfully it sounds just as good, with a detailed, open and dynamic delivery defying what many will expect from Bluetooth headphones.

Add a comfortable design, easy pairing, on-ear controls (although skip forward and back doesn't work on the iPhone), and a built-in mic for taking calls, and you've got a real wireless winner.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


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