Frisby 2gb Wireless Sport Mp3 Player Headset | List Price: $79.95
Discount Price: $49.99
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Brand: Frisby
Features: - Revolutionary, 2 GB Wireless MP3 Sport Headphones. Listen to your MP3 audio while you are bicyling, jogging, walking, driving, etc., directly from your headphones
- The wireless headphone design offers superior comfort and stability. It won't fall off while you are engaged in your favorite sporting activity or your daily routine
- Wireless headset with integrated MP3 player, no more tangled wires.
- It comes with 1 year manufacturing warranty
Frisby is now Hisonic (now $49.99, shipping optional) [Posted on 2007-08-12]
(Updated October 4, 2008).
I now own no less than 3 of these phones. As it takes about 20 to 25 minutes to load 2 Gigabytes of music (about 16 to 24 hours' worth) from my computer to the phones, I like to load them and keep them loaded with different styles of music. I just grab whichever phones hold the type of music I am in the mood for and go about my business (I like LOTS of variety - I'm funny that way). Besides, one never knows when the first one is going to go bust and I never want to be without one. Yes, it is that important. Music is my life.
However, my original headset was made under the Frisby brand (my second and third are both branded "Hisonic" but are identical to the original "Frisby" - for the most part). After 14 months of use, the Frisby is starting to die. A couple of months ago, it was still working fine. That is to say, it would run for 12 hours on a fully recharged AAA battery. In the last couple of months, the MP3 player (and/or battery) is losing playing time and failing prematurely. It still works but not as long, in fact only about 30 minutes.
I originally suspected that sweat was shorting out the battery connection to the player because of exposed screws at the bend/swivel joint in the band as well as where the band connects to the player and battery shells. So, I wrapped electrical tape around those exposed screw heads to keep the sweat out. Alas, it was to no avail. The player died after 20 minutes of use today. Upon returning home, I placed a fresh battery in the chamber and turned on the player. It's battery icon in the display showed it as being fully recharged -- for about 10 seconds. Then it displayed as being empty and the "low battery" warning displayed and the player shut down. I am beginning to think that sweat is not the issue after all (although, it might be). It is simply old age (not mine, the player's).
I believe you can expect at least one year of reliable service from this player. After that, it will slowly degrade in service until it quits altogether a few months after that. Note: My other two newer Hisonic players still work just fine. They are 4 months and 2 weeks old, respectively.
Is a year's service worth $49.95? You betcha!! Despite the player's shortcomings, I wouldn't be without it. There is nothing better or more reliable out there in Amazonland. "You pays your money; you takes your chances" (so to colloquially speak).
Read more details of the player's operation and features in my original review below.
(Below text revised August 12, 2008)
Having researched the web, I found models from Aiwa, Coby, Nextar, Zopid and Frisby (a division of Comsis Computer). Frisby sold the patents on this model to Kaito Electronics which now markets it under the "Hisonic" brand.
Clearly, this Hisonic (formerly "Frisby") model is the winner. While some of the others were less (and more) expensive, they all had less storage space than this Hisonic model.
This Hisonic model does have a few minor drawbacks. It seems to be somewhat flimsily constructed in folding sections that are not very ergonomically correct or comfortable to wear for extended periods despite the rotating earpieces. The connecting bar at the folding joint rubs against the bone of your skull behind your ears requiring you to hook the bars over the tops of your ears in order to prevent the earpieces from slipping and falling off. This makes the tops of your ears stick out. Aside from making you look silly, it is somewhat uncomfortable at first although one gets used to it after a while. I find that it helps to point the connecting bar as far down the back of your neck as possible.
How does it sound? The overall sound quality of this Hisonic model is, in my estimation, "adequate but not breath-taking". However, I doubt if any of the other brands of phones in this style sound any better than this one. Any headphone that sits ON the ear is not going to yield as much bass response as those earpieces that are lodged INSIDE the ear canal. But then, with the IN-THE-EAR plugs, you have to deal with those annoying cords and who wants that?
The Hisonic has 6 equalization (tone) settings. The only one of the settings I found to be satisfactory is the one named "Bass". Incidentally, the louder you turn the volume, the more bass there seems to be in relation to the mid-range and treble.
To save space on my hard drive, I ripped most of my CD's into WMA files (using Windows Media Player) with a variable bit rate of 85 to 145 kbps (the intermediate setting). This may account for the lack of "highs" in the WMA files. You may be able to achieve better results by adopting a higher bit rate during the ripping of your CD's to WMA files (though it will take up more space on your drives) or by choosing to save the files in MP3 format.
This Hisonic model runs on a single AAA battery. Regardless of what the manufacturer is claiming, I recently placed a fully recharged rechargeable battery in this headphone and listened continuously for 12 hours before the battery finally quit. I think that is pretty darned good. Alkaline batteries may last longer.
Incidentally, if you are going to use rechargeable AAA batteries, don't use Sony brand (they are just a millimeter too long to fit in the battery compartment of the Hisonic headphones). Instead, I found that Eveready Energizers (also available here on Amazon) will fit just fine in this model.
How many hours of music will it hold? I was able to fill up 2 Gigabytes of storage space with 484 Monophonic MP3 files of 3 minutes duration each (taken from CD reissues of old 78 rpm records). That brings the total to a WHOPPING 24 HOURS! (Hisonic also makes a 1GB model for less money but the 2GB model is a much better value for only a few dollars more). Depending on the bit-rate at which you copied the MP3 or WMA files from your CD's, you may get variable results. WMA files may take up less space on the flash drive if copied at a lower bit-rate, but they won't sound as good. You will just have to experiment to find a happy medium between longer playing time and better upper frequency response.
AAA batteries are small and easy to find. A spare is easy to carry in one's pocket. So, if you have a spare battery (or two) in your pocket, you can listen practically ALL DAY without having to repeat any music! It is like having a Juke-Box in your head only much less cumbersome.
At least one other reviewer said he had a problem with the battery being drained somewhat during file transfer from the computer to the headphones. While that is possible, it should not even be an issue as the battery need not be installed at all in order to transfer files. In fact, the instructions recommend removing the battery before transfering files. Whatever power the headphones may need for file transfer (if any) is derived directly from the USB port of your computer.
The Hisonic is VERY programmable and you can choose to play the tracks in the order in which they were loaded or in random shuffle order and some variations there-of. It even has folder partitioning capabilities so you can jump directly to other music genres depending on your mood without having to crawl and wade through many contiguous files to get there.
The thin lever on the underside of the right earpiece that is used to enter the display menues and navigate through them is somewhat flimsy and seems as though it might break if handled clumsily or carelessly. However, I have not experienced any malfunctions in 12 months of intermittent use so far. It is somewhat confusing at first to figure out how to manipulate this lever to get to where you want to go. Pushing it forward or backward simply moves it to play the next track or the previous track. To enter the menues and sub-folders, you have to push the lever straight in upon itself and then move the lever forward or backward to navigate through the menues and functions.
As others have observed, transferring MP3 or WMA files from your computer to this headphone's flash drive is simple and easy but somewhat slow (about 20 to 25 minutes to load 2 GB worth of music).
I need to mention one IMPORTANT 'caveat emptor' here.
The new Hisonic models have a file pre-loaded on the flash drive labeled "MICIN.DIR" which did not appear in the models previously manufactured by Frisby.
It is important to remember to place the MP3 files OUTSIDE of this "MICIN.DIR" file in the general "F-drive" (or "Removeable Disc") file instead of inside the "MICIN.DIR" file. If you place your MP3 files inside of this file, your headphone display will not recognize the presence of any files.
How much does it cost? The Frisby brand formerly sold here on Amazon for $100 and subsequently $80. The exact same model, now marketed under the Hisonic brand, has been reduced to $70 and then $60. Oddly, Amazon seems to have this exact same model listed three different times with three different prices. In one instance, the price shown is $49.95 with $7.50 shipping direct from Kaito Electronics. In some cases, shipping is free. You'll need to do several searches on Amazon until you find it at that price (or just follow the link to my other reviews).
While not perfect, the Hisonic 2GB MP3/WMA player is simply the best cordless, headphone-enclosed player of its kind available today.
I hope this review has been useful to you.
Dan (private consumer not affiliated with any company).
Actually, I'm surprised... [Posted on 2007-12-09]
I ordered this Frisby 2GB Wireless MP3 player to wear while I workout. That is pretty much limited to walking and running on a treadmill and a free weight workout while standing, sitting, and laying on a weight bench. The headset feels odd in your hands because the earphones are heavier than a normal headset (no doubt because of the electronics in the earpieces) and it gives the impression that the band is flimsy. But the band is really sturdy and has some unique joints that flex easily when putting it on your head. The headset fits well on my head and I really like the behind-the-neck band. The earpieces are comfortable. Overall, the fit is exactly what I was looking for.
Adding music to the headset was simple. The package includes a USB cable and some software. I didn't load the software but just plugged the headset into a USB drive and the headset was recognized as a removable drive. Easy as pie...drop and drag your music to the headset. The headset screen gives you information about the MP3 but since it is on my head I don't really care. I set the mode for random shuffle and listen to what ever I get. If i don't want to hear a particular song, the toggle switch is easy to find (right on the bottom of the right ear) to toggle to the next or previous song without taking the headset off.
Sound quality is what you might expect - nothing spectacular but not bad. It is what it is - a $65 MP3 player built into a headset. It exceeds my expectations in that regard, hence the title of this review.
I have noticed a major complaint with other 'sports' headphones related to headphone failure when they get a bit of sweat on them. I don't sweat buckets but I sweat plenty and this headset seems to handle it fine. Water isn't dripping off of them when I take them off but they have had some exposure.
Overall, a fine product in my opinion.
This Mp3 Player is Awesome [Posted on 2008-02-08]
I bought this so that I could listen to my music without having wires hanging from my head. I don't have to worry about dropping my Mp3 player because it is securely sitting on my head! I love the user-friendly buttons and the great sound.
I highly recommend the Frisby Wireless Mp3 Player Headset!
My Frisby gets 5 Stars, I think [Posted on 2008-02-08]
I have had my Frisby 2GB headset for about a month now. I used to use an i-River headset with Sony earbuds when I ran, but I wanted something that didn't have the wire running to the headset as it would get caught in my hand sometimes while in stride. That interrupts a nice run almost as bad as a fall. The i-River player I had was cutting edge when I got it 5 years ago, but now the 256Mb storage just doesn't match up.
The Frisby headset doesn't have wires at all, but rests around the back of your head. So, one item fixed immediately. It has a decent sized 2Gb storage, so the second check box is also checked off.
Thus far, I'm very pleased with it. I attempted to check the 5-Star box, but I'm legally blind, so if I messed up and gave it a different rating and screwed everyone up, I apologize-- it's unintended.
The sound quality from the player is very good, with good bass and treble response, without the scratchiness of mid-range in some of the bottom-end players on the market. It has plenty of volume, and I find myself playing it at about 40% of max, unless it is very windy outside while I run.
Having the band around he back, base, of your head is odd-feeling for about 30 seconds or so, with the hooking position up and over your ears making you feel as if you like Dumbo, but it isn't actually noticeable at all because the headphones themselves cover your ears. So, it merely looks as if you are wearing headphones. Once you begin your exercise, you tend to forget they are even on after a minute or so, like earbuds. I really like my .... pair? Set? As I've had it for just a month, we'll see how well it holds up, but so far, so good. No sign of anything wearing out yet.
One thing about the AAA battery. I had the 2Gb of music already selected to place on the Frisby. I thought I had a new cell ready for it, and I put that battery in, then plugged the Frisby's USB cable into the proper connections and loaded it. That act of loading the 2Gb of music in mp3 format totally drained the AAA battery. I don't know if that battery was weak, or if it is that strenous a task to move and store the music files in the flash memory, but there it is. I've used the Frisby to merely play those music files for another month, on the next AAA, so perhaps that one was a fluke. FYI, I run about 4 miles, taking 40 minutes on average, perhaps 2-3 times per week, so I've gotten perhaps 10-15 hours of play time out of the AAA, I think.
John
great product, but sweat will kill it! [Posted on 2008-08-30]
I bought the "frisby" brand of this player (otherwise identical) about a year ago. The player looks kind of dorky, but the performance, convenience and ergonomics far outweigh any concerns about looks. The controls are small, but intuitive and easily manipulated while the player is on your head, without having to take it off. Sound is good, and I find it very comfortable wearing.
Heavy user: I use mine about 4-5 times a week at the gym; prior to buying this product, I had a small mp3 player that I could wear on a string around my neck, with wired ear-buds. I'd constantly be pulling out the ear-buds while exercising. This one-piece setup is far superior...no wires! Stays put during all kinds of physical activity. I find it comfortable, and you can easily slide them down around your neck if you want to carry on a conversation.
Problem with sweat: I sweat a lot during a workout. After about 8-9 months, I found the digital display would short out or something after a heavy workout. Presumably from sweat getting in around the control buttons? I'd dry the unit out by placing it on an AC register at home, or leave it on top of the stereo, which is just a little bit warm. The display would come back on after drying, until one day the whole unit quit for good. I did get a free replacement under the 1-year warranty (great customer service), but now after 3 months with the second unit, I'm getting the display failure again. Curiously, I can still load songs and listen to them, but the display seems to have quit and won't come back! Kind of like flying blind!
Anyway, despite these problems with moisture, I like the product so much, that I'm shopping for another replacement. Which is how I stumbled on this Amazon web page. As someone else mentioned, the price of this unit has come down, I think I paid $80 incl. shipping for the player a year ago (mid 2007).
I'm thinking about some solution to the moisture problem, like cutting fingers off surgical gloves and stretching them over the right ear pod containing the control buttons? Or something involving saran wrap? Maybe someone else has found a better solution and could post it? Or a Hisonic product engineer is reading this, and will address the moisture problem on future product redesign (lol)?
One other thing, someone mentioned that the battery compartment is tight, and some rechargeable batteries are just a millimeter too long, and won't fit in. I just shortened the batteries, by standing them up and carefully tapping on them with a hammer!!! They worked fine after the adjustment.
In summary, I love this player, despite the problems with sweat exposure. I haven't found any other comparable product out there.
Hopefully this review has been helpful.
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