Introduction

As somebody that’s passionate about music, I prefer a very specific combo: in-ear type earphones with a portable amp. The reason is simple, if audio is your number one priority, this combo easily outperforms any other setup. An added bonus is the fact that in-ear earphones basically act like earplugs, passively providing lots of sound isolation.

As always, there’s a catch: this setup isn’t that very portable or convenient: In-ear earphones, usually called In-ear-monitors or IEM require a tight seal in order to perform, requiring the need to be placed uncomfortably deep inside the ear-canal. For this reason they also require constant cleaning and it’s also the reason why IEM are not something you could share with others.

Another difficulty comes from the fact that you need to put them in correctly, requiring specific techniques like slightly opening the jaw or moisturizing the sleeves. Many first-time IEM buyers usually don’t know about these techniques and end up with a subpar listening experience. They are extremely effective at blocking out all sounds, meaning that throughout the day you’ll find yourself constantly taking them out just to have a normal conversation.  Lastly, there’s also the issue with wires and lugging around an amp isn’t my idea of fun.  I needed something more practical which brought me to the Nokia BH-905 and the updated BH-905i. Armed with almost $500 worth of 905 goodness I set to answer the question: IEM (Shure SE535 and SE425), 905 or 905i?

From 9 to 5 and 5i.

Based on price alone, both the BH-905i and 905 are stand-out products in Nokia’s line of audio accessories. With current prices varying anywhere from 230 to $300 for the 905i and 160 to $225 for the the 905, it instantly becomes clear that this is Nokia’s most expensive accessory  to date. To put things into perspective, a Nokia 700 costs around $329, which especially puts the 905i close to a full-featured smartphone! But judging by the prices alone, the regular BH-905 is an incredibly good value, as it can be found for just a bit below $200. In some cases even around $160, where it can be considered a steal. The value of the entire 905 series becomes clear when you compare it to other noise-canceling headphones of the same class and performance. For example Sennheiser’s Bluetooth and noise-canceling PXC 360 BT and 310 BT cost $589 and $499 respectively. Sony’s DR-BT50 is now $199 but lacks the noise-canceling feature and Bose’s QuietComfort series does have the noise-canceling function, it’s not wireless ($299 or $349). One quick look at similar headphones and it becomes clear how much you really get for the price, especially the current price for the BH-905.

The 905 series also stands out because of the designated 9xx numbers, a line normally reserved for Nokia’s best (performing) accessories (like the BH-904) and it just happens that the 905 and 905i sit at the very top of this line!

In contrast to the discreet nature of IEM, the 905 makes a statement due to it’s large size and plenty of chrome accents. It’s not bold like Skullcandy headphones with the crazy design and wild colors, but if you’re looking for something that’s as discreet as possible (and possibly smaller) you’ll need to look somewhere else. Despite the large size, the 905 exudes sophistication with it’s quality materials and understated Black color that makes it look smaller than it really is. It’s splashes of metallic accents that keeps things from getting too dull. In terms of design, the 905 series reminds me of the Bose QuietComfort line , but with a more modern twist to this familiar theme.

As expected from this this price range, IEM like the Shure SE425/535 and both the 905 and 905i come with plenty of accessories. One key difference between the 905 and 905i is the inclusion of the Audio Adapter for VoIP AD-77. It’s basically an adapter that allows you to connect your Nokia headset’s 3.5 mm plug to your PC and use both the microphone and the headphones. Handy if you plan on  using the 905 wired while making Skype calls,  but considering  that many laptops now include Bluetooth, I rather use the 905 wirelessly, which works just fine on my VAIO Z.  Because of this, the omission of the AD-77 from the 905’s package isn’t a deal breaker, in fact with an fairly up to date laptop, I doubt you’ll miss it. In case you do, the AD-77 can be purchased separately. Another small difference is the inclusion of a smaller inner pouch with the 905i  where the rest of the accessories can placed. The 905 un the other hand  uses a much larger pouch, where all the accessories can be hooked to the inside of the pouch. Not the most elegant solution, but it does the trick.

In terms of design of the headphone itself, they’re almost identical save for 905’s headband which makes a more dramatic outward curve. There’s been a lot of talk about the 905’s Princess Leia headband and generally people don’t seem to like. I’m not a fan of it myself and prefer the updated design of the 905i. In terms of durability there is  one huge difference. Due to the bigger curve, the 905’s headband is more likely to flex unnaturally and in many cases breaking the surrounding plastic. There have been many reports where the plastic simply breaks after days of usage. This happened to my 905 and several other people I know. This doesn’t seem to be an issue with the newer 905i since pressure is not applied to the plastic cover, but the metal that separates the upper from the lower part. This definitely  isn’t something you can’t fix with super glue, but just be aware that if you do get the 905, chances are, the plastic will eventually break.

Compared to your typical IEM, the 905 series are more practical for daily usage. Both use an supra-aural design, meaning they sit directly on top of the ears, not requiring any specific techniques to put them on. This will come down to the fact that you’ll always get the best performance, without the need for complicated techniques to worry about when putting them on. If you’ve ever owned IEM, you’ll know that you constantly have to clean them due to the fact that they collect ear wax when sitting in or near the ear canal. With supra-aural designs this isn’t an issue, instead it’s simply a matter of placing them on top of the ears and your set. One notable aspect of the 905 series is that they’re extremely comfortable due to the use of lot’s of padding, something that can’t always be said about IEM. In fact many have a lot of trouble getting used to IEM due to the uncomfortable feeling of having an external object in your ear canal.

Performance

There’s no doubt about it: generally IEM win by a wide margin when compared to similarly priced supra-aural headphones. I would be go as far as saying that IEM one or two steps lower in price range could still outperform a specific supra-aural design. This is especially the case with noise-canceling headphones, which  require expensive and complex  systems that take up a good chunk of a product’s total “budget.” For example, a $100 to $150 IEM from Shure, Ultimate Ears or Etymotic will easily beat the BH-905/i. This doesn’t mean that the 905 doesn’t sound good, in fact it sounds great. (The 905i is another story.) Generally IEM will easily outperform them for the simple reason that they have a higher dedicated “budget” for producing sound, while 905 and 905i have to divide between  sound being and noise-cancelation. IEM also have an unfair advantage since they sit in the ear canal.

High-end IEM like the Shure SE535 produce an impressively tighter lower-end and is able to dig quite deep with it’s triple driver design, while keeping up with fast and complex bass laden songs like THX’s World’s Deepest Bass. The 535 is able to present a meaty and solid foundation for the low-end without being exaggerated, presenting a very convincing and  impressive performance of the low-end.  Admittedly, many low-end single-driver IEM  will surpass the 905s when it comes to bass, again digging much deeper and providing a lot more detail, but obviously not as articulate as the $500 535.  The 905’s performance can be considered good to very good, especially considering the current prices. When  compared to IEM, the bass just didn’t go as deep and could be considered quite a big sloppy and vague. Overall  still quite impressive. In fact the average listener should be very pleased with the low end. It’s specifically the ability to go deeper and its tendency to keep things a bit vague that hinder it from getting an even higher score. The 905i disappoints here with insufficient volume and simply isn’t able to do any justice to the lower notes. While there is some bass to speak of, it’s nearly not as impressive as the cheaper 905 and lacks severely in volume.

In term of the mid-end the 905 impresses with plenty of volume and detail without being in your face. It does a pretty convincing job with male voices which are a bit more difficult to faithfully produce . I do wish it had little bit more mid-bass to support the mid-end, but overall very nice. The 905i does pull ahead here with it’s effortless performance, strangely  providing an even more uniform sound and details than 905. Ironically, there’s also a lot more mid-end bass which creates an even sweeter and convincing mid-end. This is strange considering how much the 905i lacked in the much deeper tones. Sadly, without enough volume headroom and an almost non-existent base, I can’t give it higher marks. The 905i simply couldn’t reach the same volumes as the older 905, even with its volume and sound enhancing features set to On.  Low-end IEM equal the 905 in terms of the overall mid-end, but when it comes mid-end bass they slightly pull ahead. IEM in the same price class of the 905 series obviously outperform it with an impressive mid/mid-end bass combo that’s not only even more detailed but very present.

Lastly, both the 905i and 905 do an average job when the higher notes are concerned, the same can be said about low to mid-end IEM: recessed, vague and at higher volumes sometimes too edgy. The 905 for example looses composure when you set it at max volume, where the reproduction is just all over the place. Usually you’ll have to move up to $500+ IEM to get a more detailed high-end, with the Etymotic being the rare exception.

IEM also provide superior sound isolation without complex electronics, blocking ALL external sounds, not just background noise like the 905 series. This is even more dramatic when you use custom-made sleeves. The 905 with it’s 8 mics does very good job at canceling background noise. No matter how many times I’ved used it before, it still manages to impress each time. It cancels and in some case lowers background noise, but there’s always a noticeable “hiss” heard. With music playing you can’t hear the hiss. I did see a huge improvement in noise-canceling performance with the 905i, a very dramatic improvement. The 905i’s active noise-cancelation is one of the best currently on the market and unexpectedly beats the previous 905 by quite a bit.

Conclusion

In terms of pure audio quality there is no doubt about it: IEM one or two steps lower in price  could still outperform most supra-aural designs, including the 905 series. IEM in the same price range as the $300 905i provide a far superior performance in a more compact package. The same can be said about the 905. But as always, there’s another side to the story. The 905 specifically represents an incredible value considering current its prices below the $200 mark . In fact you’d have to go above the $400 range to find a wireless headphone of this caliber that also has noise cancelation and Bluetooth connectivity, making the BH-905 a unique product not only in Nokia’s line, but also the entire market. Performance is impressive and should be enough to impress 90% of users, but audiophiles should stick to their beloved IEM. The BH-905i on the other hand is a more expensive product that simply can’t perform as good as the older and cheaper 905, lacking in volume and base. It does make up for this with the one of the best active noise-canceling systems on the market. Sadly this is not enough for me to recommend it, instead I prefer the older 905.

Speaking of noise-cancelation, you still will get better results with IEM as they block all sound and not just suppress or block background noise like the 905 series. Worth noting, is that the 905i has one of the best active noise-cancelation on the market and Nokia should be applauded for this remarkable feat. I’m anxious to see where they take this and is with future products. There’s also the convenience factor to consider here. While IEM do a better excel at audio performance and noise-cancelation, they are uncomfortable to use and require constant cleaning. the 905 series with its generous padding is extremely comfortable and provides a more sensible solution for daily use.

If you’re only concerned with audio, I’d suggest having a serious look at IEM, but the BH-905 provides a more complete and convenient package at a very good price. Users should be careful though with issues surrounding the cracking headband plastic. But if you can get a BH-905 for around $160 I’d say buy and run! The 905i’s audio performance simply isn’t enough for me to recommend it. The BH-905 gets an 8.5 out of 10, while the BH-905i gets a 6 out of 10.

Nokia has several Bluetooth headsets like the BH-609 and 607 with a “My own key” function, basically a dedicated key that can be customized. The cool thing about this is that the customization can be done on the phone and that it wirelessly  reprograms the headset via Bluetooth. Earlier devices required a small program called  the Nokia Accessory Setup Application, but newer Symbian^3 devices have this function built-in.

I wasn’t even aware of this until I connected the BH-609 to my N8, because strangely the manual informed me to download the Nokia Accessory Setup Application, but the OVI Store quickly showed that this program was incompatible with the N8. After pairing the BH-609 a menu popped up with many options to customize the headset on the phone itself! But after accidentally closing this menu I was left clueless as to where it could be found.

It turns out you have to go to: Settings>Phone> Nokia Accessory. This menu doesn’t appear until your headset is paired and connected to your Symbian^3 device. Once there it can give you info on your headset like the battery life, hardwar version, software version and model number. Most importantly you can change many functions like the initial volume, indicator lights and the My Own Key button. Afterwards it just a matter of “sending” the settings to the headset without connecting a single function. I do wish the My Own Key had more cusitmization options, like for example giving it the option Play/Pause music as it’s currently limited to just just a few options. It would be interesting to see if somehow the firmware of the headset can be upgraded using this method.

The current trend of thin, large screen slate-type smartphones might offer more power and lots of screen real-estate, but due to the the lack of a stand they sure make it more difficult for you to just glance at the screen and get the information you want. As screens get larger and widgets more advanced, it’s seems like every new generation of devices seems to be able to show more info at once, on a single screen. Yet at the same it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a device that can stand upright or sideways on its own and actually allow you to see what’s on the screen, without having to pick it up, sort of like a night clock.

Earlier devices like N96, N86 8MP made it easy due to the inclusion of a kickstand, while smartphones with a flip-out keyboard (E7, N97) also have an angled screen that make this possible. The same can’t be said about the N8, for example. It’s even worse with those 4.3” monstrosities that can’t stand upright, at least not at an angle, requiring you to constantly pick it up. Holding a phone upright, even for a 15 minute video can get tiresome. I’ve had my share of trying to balance my N8 in front of a heavy device, only to find the angle not quite right or the device falling flat.

The StuckBuddy Suction Cup Stand or just StuckBuddy for short is aims to add an instant stand to any phone or device  and is one of those simple “why didn’t I think of that?” type of ideas. The StuckBuddy is basically a Black rubber suction cup with a ball on the other end. The idea is that by sticking it t your device, you instantly get a stand. The ball on the other end makes for quick, precise and smooth adjustments in any direction, while the rubbery material means that it will grip to even the slickest or uneven surface. The oversized rounded sidealso prevents the device from tipping over or even moving when using the touch screen. It’s made from a single piece of rubber, so no moving parts,  it won’t break if it falls and a bit of water will make it look brand new. Those are qualities rarely found in any accessories before. It’s also pretty small small, meaning that you could easily throw it in your pocket or purse. 

At first I thought that the suction would be enough to stick the Stuckbuddy to my N8 and of course that didn’t work as it would quickly come of after a few minutes. This was until I realized that the suction does need  a single drop of water, which helped wonderfully, creating a very strong suction. It would take a few minutes for the suction to “settle”, but afterwards I’d be willing to hold my N8 a few feet of the ground, dangling by the tiny StuckBuddy.

A certain specific angle can be even achieved by sticking the stand at specific location, the lower you stick it, the more upright your phone will stand. Sticking it higher tilts the screen backwards.

Currently it only comes in Black but I kind of wish they would offer more colors. There isn’t really anything bad I could say about the StuckBuddy it simple and does what it’s supposed to do really really well. It’s small and handy, although in some cases you don’t always have access to water that allows for the strong suction. Highly recommended: a 10 out of 10.

The StuckBuddy can be purchased at Mobile Fun.

Pros

-Cheap

-Simple, small and durable

-Instant stand

-Universal

Cons

-Needs water

Recently I reviewed the Nokia Silicone Cover CC-1005 and while it looks extremely good it does take away from the design of the N8 in the sense that it  covers the entire device with the silicone material, hiding the beautiful design and metal body. The idea behind the CC-3000 is that offers some protection, while still allowing you to show of the N8’s striking exterior. Is this better than the CC-1005? Which of the two should you get? Let’s find out.

The CC-3000 is a hard cover case made out of a soft touch plastic. Nokia is offering it in Pink, Blue, White and Black, but strangely leaving out the original Grey, Orange and Green. The chosen colors for the CC-3000 are indeed attractive and colorful, but it’s a mystery as to why there not offering a matching case for all the original colors. I can’t think of a single reason why they weren’t able to manufacturer the case in these colors. Nokia’s design department should have known that someone with a Green N8 is likely to look for a matching Green case. They could always do some mixing and matching by going for other colors, but without any doubt some will be disappointed by the lack of a corresponding case. Not offering these colors is a missed opportunity.

Update: Nokia has now created the CC-3013, CC-3001 and CC-3002 which are available in Grey, Orange and Green, however these cases are either two-toned or have a glossy material. In my opinion, Nokia should still update the CC-3000 and include these missing colors, especially for the single color and soft-touch material.

The case mostly protects the back, but leaves a large opening for the entire camera module, as a result a large part of the metal is exposed.

To decrease the chances of this part getting scratched, the edges of this opening are slightly raised. This won’t protect the camera module from sharp objects like keys, but it will prevent scratches that occur when the N8 slightly slides as you put down or pick it from a hard flat surface. Many that use their N8 without a case have reported that their N8 had developed scratches around the edges of the camera module, this case will definitely prevent that. The sides of the N8 are left exposed with the exception of the corners where the case curves up to grip to the body of the N8. The top and bottom of the N8 are also exposed.

It may seem like you’re not getting much with the CC-3000 considering that a great part of the device is still left exposed and the fact that very little material is used, but it makes perfect sense. This case is all about using less material and using it at key locations where it matters. This makes for case that’s as light as possible, while still showcasing the N8’s design. One thing is for sure, the CC-3000 wasn’t made to protect the N8 from falls or a more active use. In situation were you’re likely to accidentally drop your N8 or use it in more demanding situations you’re better of with a silicone, leather or even rugged case. In other situations, the CC-3000 is simply perfect: It almost feels like you’re not using a case at all, it adds some extra grip and to me it evens seems to add to the overall design.

Considering the fact that when you put the N8 down, it’s the back that touches the surface, it’s no surprise that most of the CC-3000’s material was used to cover the back of the N8. Since the N8 can’t stand on it’s sides this area is left exposed. Even so, the corners don’t allow the sides to touch the surface adding some protection: When you hold the N8 on it’s side, you’ll notice that these raised edge also raise the body, never allowing it to touch the surface.

One small detail that you should be aware of and one that can clearly be seen from the pictures above is the fact that the case doesn’t match the N8’s tone of Blue, the same can be said Nokia’s CC-1005 silicone case. The difference is that the CC-3000 does comes closer to the N8’s Blue. A nice detail is the “Nseries” logo on the back of the case.

The CC-3000 is extremely easily to clean and the soft-touch material makes it very easy rub scratches out. One day I noticed that noticed that the case had a black scratch on the back. With a bit of rubbing I was able to remove 90% of this. Thinking that the rest was permanent it complete disappeared after about a week. Not only did it prevent this from scratching my N8, but the scratch was easily removed.

CC-3000 or CC-1005?

Choosing between the 3000 and the 1500  comes down to whether you prefer extra protection or a product that balances protection and design. Aesthetically speaking, the CC-1500 wins hand down: the N8 is a very attractive looking phone and the CC-3000 compliments this without adding any bulk or any features that are not in harmony with the overall theme. But if protecting N8 is your number one priority, the silicone-based CC-1500 is definitely the better choice and  covers a much higher percentage of the body. The soft material is also more likely to protect the device and absorb the energy in case of a fall.

Both of these cases offer some extra grip, a welcome addition to a device as slippery as the N8, but the 1500’s silicone material and the fact that it wraps completely around the N8 makes it the better choice. The CC-1500 also covers a great deal of the camera module, in contrast the CC-3000 leaves a good part of the camera module exposed. On the other hand, it’s very easy to change SIM/Memory cards with the CC-3000 on as it leaves this area unexposed. You’d have to completely remove the CC-1500 to access these features. As for the camera shutter button it works with both cases, but with the silicone you almost loose much of the tactile two-stage mechanism of the button.

In the end it really depends on your usage, but the silicone-based CC-1500 still looks good and offers the better protection, which makes it the overall winner. Do consider that the 3000 looks extremely look and doesn’t add any bulk to the N8, while still providing some protection. In the end I did find myself liking the CC-3000 a lot more, even though the CC-1500 might be the better case.  The CC-3000 gets a 9 out of 10.

Pros

-Offers protection while still showing the N8’s design

-Looks really good

-Soft touch material feel great and adds extra grip

-Scratches disappear after a while or are easy to rub out

-Doesn’t add bulk

Cons

-Not available in all colors of the N8.

-Doesn’t match the N8’s tone of Blue.

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Nokia N8 cover

As a camera-centric device, the N8 almost begs for an “always-on” case that doesn’t require you to constantly take it out and put it back in, matching the N8’s “ready to shoot” philosophy. Could Nokia’s own Silicone Cover CC-1005 be that case?

The CC-1005, as the name suggests, is a silicone case made specifically for the N8 and is Nokia’s first foray into the silicone case business, which traditionally has only been about cases made out of leather or cloth. The 1005 is available in 4 colors, (almost) matching the 4 colors available for the N8: Blue, Black, Green and a Pinkish Red. I say “almost,” because even though Nokia is offering the Pink CC-1005 color, there is no matching Pink N8. As you know by now the N8 is offered in Orange, so it’s a mystery to me as to why Nokia wasn’t able to create a matching case. If you’re the owner of the Orange N8, you’re pretty much out of luck here, unless you decide to settle for the Pinkish Red color or choose one of the other three colors.

Compared to cheaper silicone cases you find on Ebay, the 1005 offers a case that’s not too thick or too thin, yet it still able to keep it’s shape without deforming from the simple act of taking it off. Unlike the those really thick silicone cases, that add way to much material, the 1005 seems to have gotten it just right with just the right amount of padding without looking too chunky. On the other hand there are those cases that are way too thin that wiggle and shift just from holding the device, this is not the case with the CC-1005.

Worth noting however, is the fact that this shade of Blue is quite a bit different than the Blue on the N8 itself, going for a darker  Blue instead of the N8’s more neutral light Blue. In the image above you can’t quite see  the true shade of Blue of the case, but what you can see is that the two colors don’t quite match fully. For most this should be fine and overall it does look  good on the N8, but those looking for the colors to match exactly should look elsewhere. The case is also very easy to put on or take of and doesn’t add any measureable weight to the N8. What it does add however is much needed grip as the N8 is a very slippery device.

On the back there are cutouts for the camera, Xenon flash, speaker and rear microphone. The case also ads a few extra millimeters to the height of the camera island, in essence creating a higher “wall” for the lens, raising a bit higher of any flat surface, making it a bit more difficult to get scratched. A Nice touch is the silver Nseries logo on the case itself, a little detail that you won’t easily on a cheaper silicone case.

On the left side there is an opening for both the microUSB and charging light, but strangely not for the microSD/SIM card slot. Admittedly these aren’t functions that most people will be using often, but in the case you do, it might get very annoying having to constantly remove the case to access these features. One reason why they might have done this is to have a more better fitting case. Having larger openings means that overall structure is like to bend or loose it’s shape with time.

On the right side, there’s an opening for the lock switch and they even added some extra touches like icon indicating where the camera button is and even creating two raised bumps for the volume, just like on volume button of the N8.

The case has all the necessary opening for the HDMI port and 3.5mm jack. A raised area for the power button should make it easy for you to turn on the N8, even in complete darkness.

One area where the case literally really shines is when it come to the menu button. Other cases just put a raised area where the Menu button is supposed to be and that would be about it. In this case they made this area thin enough that the light could shine through, allowing you to see the menu button in the dark, but also have the benefit of notification with the flashing menu button. It also gives this very cool Blue glowing effect.

There are the necessary openings for the front mic and Nokia 2.0mm charging connection.  Another interesting detail is that with this case, the N8 is unable to stand upright while with other and cheaper cases it was.

Conclusion

An always-on silicone case is perfect for a device such as the N8. allowing you to quickly take shots without ever worrying about flaps or taking it out of a case and in the process missing that once-in-a-lifetime shot. In typical Nokia fashion, the quality of the 1005  is miles above other cheaper cases, but do expect to pay quite a premium for any genuine Nokia case, even if it’s just a silicone case. The CC-1005 look extremely good and has cutouts for most features of the N8. Strangely they decided to not include openings for the microSD/SIM card slot. I’m not sure why they did this, but judging by the large space these two opening would take, they probably decided to sacrifice this for overall better fitting and stronger case.

The CC-1005 has nice cool touches such as the silver Nseries logo on the back Blue glowing effect that it adds to the Menu button and while it the color doesn’t fully match the Blue of the N8, it does match the N8’s overall handsome looks. I do wish they made the bottom a bit flatter so the N8 could stand upright like other cases, but in the end, even with some small faults, the Nokia CC-1005 is probably the best case out there for the Nokia N8. It gets a 9.8 out of 10.

Pros

• Adds much needed grip
• Always-on protection
• This add any measurable weight
• The material isn’t to thick or thin like some cheaper silicone case
• The Nseries logo is a nice touch
• Opening for most function of the N8.
• Raised Camera and Power Button.

Cons

• Colors doesn’t fully match the N8
• No Orange CC-1005
• No opening for microSD/SIM card slot
• The N8 can’t stand upright with the case on.

Nokia N8 case

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A headset that has a reasonable price, is splash resistant, wireless and even sounds as good  as other headphones in the $250 to $300 range? And did I mention that it even supports the futuristic NFC feature? Sounds too good to be true? Surprisingly such a product does exist and it’s called the Nokia BH-505. The BH-505 is one of those hidden understated gems, that doesn’t get much attention when in fact it should. Let’s take a closer look at the 505s and see what makes them so great.

The BH-505

The BH-505 is a futuristic looking beast, looking like something you’d expect a jogger to wear if you were to head ten years in the future and step straight out of a time machine. That’s nothing new for Nokia Nokia accessories as they generally tend to look very green, organic and futuristic. This is especially true for the BH-505, that seems to push the bar just a tad higher. This effect is further enhanced by the curvy shape, the choice of very neutral colors and lastly the fact that it is incredibly light yet extremely tough and flexible. In fact, when you first pickup the 505s it doesn’t even seem electronic in nature, let alone something that produces sound.

1. Indicator light                             7.Rewind/fast-forward key

2. Cover of the charger connector  8. Microphone

3.Power key                                    9. Play/Pause key

4.Answer/end key                           10.NFC

5.Earplugs

6.Volume key

It all could have gone horribly wrong with a busy design scattered with buttons, but instead they did an amazing job when it comes to the integration of various functions in the overall design, creating a marvel of minimalistic design. For example if it wasn’t for the manual I would have never guessed that the charger connector was hidden behind a plastic flap that simply and beautifully disappears in the overall design. Another example is the NFC function that uses a large part of the headset, but again is seamlessly integrated in the overall body, without standing out like s sore thumb. If you don’t plan on using NFC, you’ll never know it’s even there.

While at first look it doesn’t look like it offers any audio controls, the BH-505 offers plenty of control for music and phone calls, in fact all the essentials are there: volume controls, rewind/fast-forward, play/pause and even call/end call. All of the buttons are well placed and some of them are extremely large like the play/pause button and call/end call. It will however, require a little bit of getting used to and remembering where all the buttons are located, for example: that music controls are on the left and that pushing the rewind/fast-forward up will skip to the next song.  It’s also safe to say that in about  a day’s use it will all become second nature. Considering its target use, I especially wanted to get a feel how easy it was to use these controls, during activities where you are not just sitting down. I particularly wanted to see how these would fair while jogging. They not only proved quite easy to use, but they didn’t take away from the actual activity and the headset stayed nicely in place.

Nokia went with a very neutral two-tone color scheme, wisely choosing a darker grey for the inner part of the headset. This has probably to do with the fact that as a headset for “active” use it will probably get dirty and a darker grey color is probably a better choice. What at first was a mystery to me is the use of the light-grey, almost white color, on the outer par of the headset. While it does look extremely good, I had to wonder how I would be able to keep it clean. This is especially the case for a headset where you’re not expected to sit in an office all day and listen to music, but rather go out in the real world, where it could easily could get dirty. Strangely enough, it never did get dirty and with a little wipe it should be able to keep this look for a very long time. It seems they were able to do this by a combination of some material where dirt doesn’t stick to it and a light, almost white color that does have a very light tone, but at at the same time grey enough to keep it looking good.

One huge plus of the 505 is that uses interchangeable earplugs. Nokia generously provides 3 sizes of both in-ear and regular ear pads. This mean that you could easily use the size that best fits your ears, or even use third party plugs like triple -flange or even foam tips. This is important as you’ll always be able to replace these with newer and cleaner ear pads. This is also key when it come to the the overall audio performance: The quality of the sound depends greatly on getting a good seal and having the ability to change earplugs that more effectively creates a seal will make or break audio the performance.

The 505s don’t have any kind of manual adjustment, it simply relies on the flexible plastic to  adjust to the size and width of your head. Due to this flexible, one thing is for sure,  the headset will not fall of no matter what the activity is. I did however wish that earphone themselves were adjustable. The reason is simple: depending on the shape of your head, ear and and ear canal they could slide out of your ear, breaking the seal and audio performance would be greatly reduced. During my grueling 1 hour rope jumping exercise, the ear pads tended to gradually slide out of my ears, breaking the seal. This only happened during rope jumping, but this was enough for me to wish that these were somewhat more adjustable. In the BH-505 defense, it really all depends on many factors, like I’ve sad before the shape of your head, ear and ear canal, but also on the activity. Rope jumping is an extreme where it’s really difficult for many headphone to stay in place. The BH-505 did however shine during activities. I absolutely loved these while running, no problems whosoever during running and the fact they are so light makes you even forget that are even there.

The pairing process is exactly like other Bluetooth audio device. The 505 is an oddity in the sense that it does include NFC, a wireless feature that is rarely seen in acccesroies and is just now starting to appear with phones like the Nexus S and Nokia’s own C7. I didn’t have to none of these phone in house, but I was particularly impressed by the inclusion of this forward-looking feature that makes the 505 even more future-proof.

Performance

The 505s really shine when using in-ear type plugs. While Nokia includes the regular ear pads they don’t sound nearly as good as in-ear pads, simply a night and day difference. This really is a shame as many consumers will probably just stick to the regular ear pads and never know how good their 505s really can really sound.

To give you an idea as to how good these sound, we’ can say that they sound exactly like the Nokia BH-214, which we reviewed a few months ago, save for a bit less volume headroom. This is even more impressive when you consider that these should cost less then $70! Even at this relatively lows price they come close and in some cases even surpass the flagship BH-905 which cost roughly 4 times as much! Once you factor in all those details, you truly start to see the great value that is the BH-505 and it’s spiritual twin the BH-214. With regular ear pads, the 505s sound about average, but with the right in-ear pads they are capable of some pretty impressive performance and sound isolation. When it comes to sound isolation, these are of course passive, which is more effective then active systems which the BH-904s use. Basically the in-ear pads of the 505 acts like earplugs blocking external sound without the need for complicated electronics and in the process keeping the price low.

The BH-505 is capable of an overall well-rounded performance, shining with a laid back, but detailed mids and a punchy but not particularly deep base, as expected from this price class. They are adequately loud at max volume, but the BH-214 are a bit louder. The BH-505 effortlessly produces the mids, without sounding harsh, in your face  and with coloring the always difficult to produce mail voice.  There’s lots of detail to be found here, especially when considering the price class. The base nicely blends in with mids, without ever over powering it creating a rich and dynamic sound. The 505s weak point are the high, which I must admit are difficult to produce, even for headphone in the $500 category. They do an extremly good job however, with high that again nicely blend in, with a sound that perhaps a bit vague, lacking a more aggressive attack and brightness. There are no doubts here, the BH-505 is sure to impress, making those that bought the BH-905 wonder where exactly the remaining $230 price difference went.

Audio performance is again very impressive, no lag or stutter during normal use. If you do walk away from your source, you can clearly hear a tiny pause, perhaps the unit increasing the transmission power to keep up with the increased distance. I was able to use the 505 close to the max 10 meters in my house which has very thick walls and electronics. The wireless range on the 505 was about the same as 214, but better then the expensive 905.

Conclusion

The Nokia BH-505 is best described as a reasonably priced headset that’s splash resistant, wireless and even sounds as good as much more expensive headphones. It’s also basically the BH-214 in a more modern package with the NFC and splash resistant features added, however you can’t use other wired earphones like the BH-214 can. Keeping up with the BH-214s tradition, the BH-505 sounds very impressive. This impressive sound is only achieved with in-ear pads, with regular ear pads these sound quite average.

I was particular impressed by the beautiful minimalistic and tough design of the BH-505 and really liked the fact that it has interchangeable ear pads, but real wished that it was a bit more adjustable. They are perfect for the active lifestyle, but if you’re planning on doing rope jumping I’d suggest looking for other alternatives. Even with some small flaws the BH-505 is a compelling product and is a step higher then the BH-214 and gets a 10 out of 10.

Pros

-Light colors that still manage to keep dirt away

-Interchangeable ear pads.

-Very light, yet durable.

-Impressive audio quality

-Future with NFC included

-Comfortable

-Splash resistant

Cons

Headphones come out during rope jumping

-No adjustment

A big thanks to our friends at MobileFun for providing this review unit.

Get your TV Wall Brackets here!

You know the drill: getting a new phone usually means getting a matching case and perhaps even a screen protector. The reasons vary, but many times it’s to protect your device, you just want it to look good or perhaps even for resale value when you do decide to sell it. Problem is that I always felt that I had to, but I didn’t want to.

Sure, a screen protector helped in preventing scratches, but makes using the touch screen an  uncomfortable task. It’s simply not as smooth, especially true for multi-touch devices, like the N8. Responsiveness aside,the screen simply doesn’t look as good as without the screen protector on, no matter how much they tell you that there using some amazing “clear screen” technology. For these reasons I always felt like my beautiful screen was stuck behind this piece of plastic that I must use, otherwise I would have to live with scratches or anything daily use throws at my screen.

The same can be said about using a case. It adds bulk and you constantly have to get your device in and out of some of these cases. By the time you’ve managed to get the device out, you’ve probably missed the shot or the phone call. While there are some models that allow you to use the phone with the case on, you still have the added bulk that takes away from the design. Or even worse,  you’re stuck with some hanging flap, like with the N900 and it’s CP-408 case.

So, when I finally decided to get a Blue N8 I realized that didn’t have to get a case or even a screen protector! A device such as the N8, with it’s amazing camera is one of those devices that just begs you to use it without a case, allowing you to instantly capture a spontaneous moment. I was free to use it without needing all of those accessories, finally! With such a beautiful design , who would want to use a case anyway?  But wait, no case?

There are actually two reasons for this added freedom. First of all, it has an Anodized Aluminum body that’s pretty tough and should help against daily use and light scratches as you can see from the video below. The matte finish even helps hiding those finger print. (Nobody has to know that you ‘haven’t wiped your device clean for over a week )

Secondly, the gorilla glass on the screen means no need for screen protectors, which can be difficult to apply and expensive. Even taking a key and trying to scratch it won’t cause any damage, it’s that good!

Many mobile bloggers seem to agree. Take for example Rita El Khoury from Mobile R ’n’ R who says “no case so far”  when it comes to the N8. Mike Macias from Mobile Fanatics hasn’t been using any protection for his N8, but the device still looks good, even after quite a few falls.

I plan on using Nokia’s vary own Blue CC-1005 silicone cover from time to time to add some grip in situation where I know the device has a higher chance of accidentally falling (like hiking in the mountains), but it’s nice to know that I can take the silicon cover of any time (and I will) with the peace of mind that the N8 can withstand A LOT.

Now these added features won’t protect the device from a serious fall or abuse, but it does mean that the N8 is one of those rare devices designed for use in the real world, not just some chrome device that only looks good all polished behind some showcase.

What has been your experience with the N8? Is it really tough for your daily use? Let us know.

As the first unboxing of the E7 starts to hit the web, we can now get a better idea as to what’s included in the box. There’s been some discussion on what will be included, specifically whether  the Nokia Adapter Cable for USB OTG CA-157 and the Nokia Adapter for HDMI CA-156 will come in the box. The E7’s product officially doesn’t mention these two accessories, but the video above clearly shows these two accessories.

Maybe Nokia decided at the very last minute to include these or  this could just be a case of specific packages for specific regions. If you’re thinking of getting the E7, it might be wise to check what’s included in the package before clicking on that buy button, but the video above gives us some hope that maybe you won’t have to buy these accessories after all.

We’ve talked about Powermat, the wireless charging system before and even recommended it as one of the ultimate accessories for the N8. Here’s some more good news if you have an N8: a charging case for the Nokia N8, targeted for early Q2.  These Powermat cases usually are a hard case that has a built-in receiver on the back. This way you can simply put the N8 on the mat and it immediately start charging. It will also sense when the battery is full and instantly stop charging, a very elegant solution and definitely one I’d be interested in for my N8.

Judging by the image above it will probably be a black-only case at $39.99. Powermat this promise Powercube batteries that could replace the batteries for other Nokia devices like the 5800 XpressMusic, but it’s slow starting to look like they abandoned that idea for these cases.

Find out what else the Nokia N8 can do for you, by visiting the Dial-a-phone website.

Source: Engadget

We showed you what we consider to be the ultimate accessories for the N900 in part 1 and 2. Now it’s the N8’s turn, just in time for the holidays.

Case

Nokia Carrying Case CP-500

Here at The Nokia Guide we usually tend to prefer Nokia cases and it just happens that the N8 is probably the devices for which Nokia made the most amount of cases for. That’s 13 different types of products or 34 unique products in the Cases & Styling category! So there’s plenty to choose from here. But for the Ultimate Accessories for the N8, we will have to go with the CP-500. It’s available in a regular leather or snake leather print. The N8 rests in a plastic shell where all side ports and buttons are accessible, there’s even an opening for the camera. This does mean that camera module and lens are exposed.

Nokia Carrying Case CP-503

Available, in 3 different colors, it  isn’t designed to use the device with case on. It uses a unique flap that can quickly pull the N8 out.

It does have soft fibre lining that keeps your display clean, but also prevents scratching when pulling mechanism is at work. The camera module and lens are well protected with this case.

                                                                                                                                                 Nokia Hard Cover CC-3000

If you don’t want to bother with any cases and the added bulk, but still want to protect the Aluminum body from scratching, I’d recommend the Hard Cover CC-3000. It basically is a hard cover that only protects the back, giving you access to all keys and ports. Like many cases for the N8, it has an opening for the camera, allowing you to take quick pictures.

One thing to consider though is the fact that the lens and camera module are exposed, which will require extra care. Consider getting a screen protector for the front part of the N8. The Hard Cover CC-3000 is a personal favorite.

External Batteries

ZAGGSparq 2.0

There’s no easy way to change batteries, so you’ll need to rely on external batteries for charging on the go. The ZAGGSparq 2.0 has a whopping 6,000 mAh Lithium Polymer battery in a fairly compact body.

What’s even more impressive that the had a built-in wall outlets and 4 lights to indicate the charge level. It can charge two devices at the same time, it can even charge those two devices while charging itself. Yes, it’s that impressive. At $99 it’s in the upper range of accessories for the N8, but highly recommended.

Proporta USB TurboCharger 5000

Typically known for their smaller external batteries, Proporta has joined the 5000+ mAh external battery category with the USB TurboCharger 5000, while 1000 mAh shy of the ZAGGSparq 2.0, it makes it up with an included retractable cable and a range of interchangeable connector heads for your other devices.

It too can charge two devices at the same, but it lacks the built-in wall prongs. At $67.95 it’s also cheaper then the Sparq.

Audio

HeadRoom Total AirHead & Total BitHead Headphone amps

Nokia is known for their good audio quality output through the 3.5mm audio jack, enough to drive many head/earphones with plenty of volume headroom and a clean output. Some head/earphones, especially high-end models require a bit more power to drive.

That’s exactly where these portable headphone amps come in. They can also dramatically improve the listening experience on midrange to high low-range headphones. It can even double as an amp for your laptop or desktop computer. It is USB-driven when used with a PC, but needs 4 AAA batteries when used with mobile devices. If you’re serious about audio you don’t only need good headphones, but also a good portable amp. The Total AirHead costs a reasonable $89, while the Total BitHead  will set you back $129,

Shure SE535

The successor to one of my personal favorites, the Shure SE535. It still manages to come very close in performance to earphones 2 or 3 times it’s price, making it a popular choice for high-end earphones.

The sound quality is amazing with it’s three drivers , making it worth every penny. We also love the modular cable design, allowing you to easily replace damaged cables. The price? A cool $499.

Ultimate Ears 18 Pro & 11 Pro

Perhaps the ultimate expression of performance and luxury when it comes to accessories. The Ultimate Ears 18 Pro and 11 Pro cost a jaw dropping $1350 and $1150 respectively, that’s almost 3 Nokia N8s for the 18 pro.

What you do get in return is amazing sound, just make sure you do get a portable amp and 360kbps or Wave audio files to enjoy this beast to the fullest.

Nokia Mini Speaker MD-11

This time we didn’t want to go with large bulky speakers, but something more compact. The best choice here is Nokia’s own MD-11. 50 hrs of music playback and compact enough to take anywhere with you. Nokia also created 4 cool colors to match the N8. You can even hook two of these together and get stereo sound. An added plus is the built-in antenna, so need to connect a headphone.

Stand

Nokia DT-29

Officially made for and included in the sales package of the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, the DT-29 could come in handy for the Nokia N8.

The stand can easily purchased separately on several online stores and Ebay. While some of these aren’t Nokia originals, they are cheap and will do the job just fine.

Cable

Nokia Cable for HDMI CA-183 or any standard HDMI cable

Nokia includes the Adapter for HDMI CA-156, but doesn’t include a HDMI cable, which also needed to hook up the N8 to a HDMI compatible TV. You can get any standard HDMI cable, depending on the length you need or the Nokia Cable for HDMI CA-183.

Nokia TV-Out Cable CA-75U

In the real world not all of us have giant 50” Plasma TVs with HDMI connectors. What if you want to hook up your N8 to a regular TV? Did you know that the Nokia TV-Out Cable CA-75U works with the N8? Yes that very same TV-out cable included with the N900 works just fne with the N8. Some users have reported that it sometimes is detected as a headset, but generally it works just fine.

Storage

Sandisk 32GB microSDHC

We’ve reviewed the Sandisk 32GB microSDHC card and it’s currently the highest capacity card for mobile devices. Adding this card will bump your storage to 48GB. While it isn’t the fastest mobile card, it should be enough for movies, pictures and music. Sandisk is selling it for $200, but it can easily be found online for prices well below $100.

Screen Protector

ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD

ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD is the golden standard when it comes to screen and full body protection. Even with a case I highly recommend using one of these, even with the Gorilla glass screen. Aluminum scratches easily, so it might be wise to get the full body protection. If you appreciate a device without any scratches and very important for the resale value, the invisibleSHIELD is a must. It’s extremely expensive considering it’s a piece of plastic and it’s a PAIN to put put, but once you get past all of this, you’ll understand why it’s worth it.

Bluetooth Headsets

Nokia BH-806

The BH-806 was revealed to us in proto form at Nokia World 2010 and we’re not sure when to expect it. We were intrigued by the unique, beautiful metal design and light weight and have high hopes for this stylish Bluetooth headset. Judging by the fact that it comes from the BH-8xx series, expect a neck strap and desktop charger.

More info on the BH-806 can be found here.

Nokia BH-904

Nokia’s best performing traditional headset: BH-904. While this headset is a bit larger than normal, it easily makes up for the this with its long 8hr operating time and quick recharge feature.

15minutes of charging is enough for 5hrs of operating time. It has  Digital Signal Processing background noise cancellation with 2 microphones. It can even connect to two devices at the same time! $99.95

Jawbone Icon

The Icon looks stylish and we like the innovative downloadable apps and updates through the MyTalk feature. Great noise reduction and small size makes the Icon a winner for us. Unique styling and lots of colors to choose from. At 4.5hrs of talk time, it’s only average when it comes to talk time.

Stylus

Nokia Capacitive Stylus SU-39

I know some if you still prefer to use a stylus, that’s why were recommending the tiny Nokia Capacitive Stylus SU-39. If you got an APAC N8 there no need for one as it will probably include the SU-36.

We do however like the SU-39 for its more compact size and the fact that you can use with both resistive and capacitive screens.

Charging

Powermat

The Powermat system allows you to wirelessly charge up to three devices at the same time. They also sell custom Powermat battery covers, which allows you to remove the original one to simply drop the device on the mat to charge it, sadly this can’t be done with the N8 but you can use the included Powercubes to wirelessly it. You can buy additional Powercubes at $40 each.

Nokia Charging Plate DT-600

Nokia’s own version of the Powermat, but without the wireless charging and much thicker, but just as effective. This device can charge several devices at the time, anything from microUSB, to miniUSB, Nokia 2mm pin and even devices from other manufacturers. All of this while connecting to a single power cable.