Sony MDR-AS800BT Active Sports Bluetooth Headset, 20-20000Hz Frequency Response, 6mm Driver Unit, Black

SKU: SOMDRAS800BB

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Questions & Answers

Shopper : Does anyone else think that the volume on these is pretty low? I turned the volume all the way up on my phone and the music just isn't very loud.REBECCA M : You need to turn the volume up on the headphones. Other wise it might be the quality of the music you are listening to Dolby etc

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2015-08-16T20:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Pretty good

It's pretty good! The sound isn't that loud for me but I mean it's not too quiet but wish it could go louder because I'm a runner and I love to hear the music a little louder. These earbuds are good for blocking out any noise also which is fantastic. I did switch phones and I have been trying to connect it to my new phone and it isn't working. Please help because it would be a big disappoint.

MadisynGa

2015-07-12T20:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

Won't connect to new IPhone 6

I had an IPhone 5 that this headset connected wonderfully to. Now, it is undiscoverable on my new IPhone. I have brought both devices into the Apple Store and they have told me that it is the headphones that is having the problem, not my phone.

JackT25

2015-05-29T20:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

Another unhappy customer - can't turn up volume

As several other reviewers listed, I can't get the volume up. When following the instructed steps, it just shuts off. My connection is solid. I have tried hitting the button in several configurations to no avail. The instructions say that some devices may not support this feature. I have an iPhone 5S. I'm guessing my device doesn't support it. If anyone has gotten it to work on a 5S, please advise. Otherwise, it's going back to the store.

TBel

2015-05-18T20:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

Can't Increase Volume

When pressing the button quickly and holding it down on the 2nd tap to increase volume, the ear buds turn off? I know I have "fat fingers" but this is ridiculous! HELP!!!

DisappointedIndy500

2015-05-09T20:00:00

Rated 2 out of 5

I am having trouble connecting the headset

Hello, I bought this headset in a store a couple weeks back. The worker in the store told me that they are suitable to use with iPhone, but so far I have not been able to connect it with my iPhone. Was I given the wrong information when I bought them? Thank you in advance.

Dan83

2015-04-13T20:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Love the sound, hate the button

Overall: I really like this headset for travel and exercise Pros: This headset is great for running - earbuds stay in my ears thanks to having so many options included in the box. The sound quality is good, and they easily paired with my Galaxy S4 and Sony Xperia tablet. *AFTER* I finally figured out the button controls to increase the volume on the headset, I was able to watch a movie on my tablet on a flight with excellent sound quality and comfort. Cons: that button The single button control took me an hour to figure out. In the end, I found that using my fingernail to press it actually allowed me to feel the click. When I first started with it, I could successfully turn the headset off. And nothing else. Over and over! If you press the button about 100 times to "loosen" it up, it becomes easier to press and if you use your fingernail, you can finally sense the clicks. After doing so, I succeeded in using next track, previous track, and the ever-elusive volume up. I'd recommend to a friend, but I'd make sure to be there for the unboxing so I could show him/her how to control it.

ErikaT

2015-02-24T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Best bluetooth earbud !!!!!!

These earbuds are great! The bluetooth works very well, great sony sound with the ability to receive calls and splash proof! The perfect head phones for the work out session.

Frogman81

2014-12-19T19:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

Can't sync with Surface Pro 3 running 8.1 (bluetoo

I can't rate it yet... I synced it with my Phone but can't sync it with my Surface Pro 3 running Windows 8.1 using bluetooth... I am looking to return them if I can't find a solution...

Khash

2014-12-12T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Brilliant BT in-ear headset

I have used dozen of several headsets and Sony surprised me really positive for the long time. MDR-AS800BT in-ear headset is awesome. NFC and especially aptX support is the point. I'm really pleased to my purchase. They are even better than my 500€ Denon BT aptX over ear headset . Well done SONY, keep up good work.

Vmatti

2014-12-11T19:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

Convenient Bluetooth Headset But Average Sound

One of the great things about ear buds is that since they are designed to fit inside and seal the ear canal the bass response can easily approach a larger, more expensive pair of headphones. I’ve owned some good ear buds over the years including the non-Bluetooth Sony MDR-EX71SLA (for an amazingly low $23 and sounded superb) and the Sennheiser MM 70i (for $100; also good but not actually as impressive on the low end as the Sony’s). So they are my frame of reference for comparing the MDR-AS800BT. BUILD The headset is designed with an active lifestyle in mind so it has a sporty but somewhat high-end look. The ear bud’s housing seems a bit obtrusive and protrude from the ear more than I would prefer. Due to their larger size I frequently felt like they were going to fall out (I will admit that I have smaller than average ear canals…according to my former Ear Throat and Nose doctor). The headset is also splash proof so sweat and picking up a bit of condensation sitting in the shower room should not affect them. They are NOT submersible however. BASIC FEATURES & SETUP Paring the headset to my Android device was very easy using the NFC function. It was almost as easy for my iPhone but just involved a few more clicks. The headset can also be used to take phone calls. All of the functions of the unit are handled by one button on the right ear bud housing which seems a bit strange to me. In my situation once the headset was inside my ear I had to fumble to locate the multi-function button, which usually resulted in the ear bud falling out. It seems like putting the control on the adjustment band would be better. I do really love NFC though. The adjustment band contains the NFC sensor and by touching it to your mobile device it automatically powers up the headset and connects. Very simple! SOUND Here’s where the news gets bad. In comparison to my previous ear bud experience I was extremely disappointed with the AS800BT’s sound quality. There was way too much high end and no matter what EQ preset used on the iPhone or Android devices I could barely get rid of enough high-end to produce a balanced sound. Everything sounded, for lack of a better word “sizzily.” And conversely they didn’t have enough oomph (again, for the lack of a better word) in the bass region. CONCLUSION While the headset seems to be a perfect match for an active lifestyle and the Bluetooth worked flawlessly, it was definitely not a pleasant listening experience. I also feel that the ear bud housing is unusually large and may not easily stay in place inside of some people’s ears when involved in vigorous exercise. Used first as mobile headset and second for enjoying music it will perform fine. But as your main earphones for music listening the sound quality, I do not believe, is acceptable—certainly not at this price point—and especially considering we live in a world that craves bass.

sandiegodom

2014-12-10T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great if it can stay in my ears

When I can finally get it in my ears (mirror for me is necessary), it is great. FEATURES: - Two ways to wear (I have trouble with the Secure fit way) i'll have to try it again later. - Comes with 4 ear bud sizes and 2 pairs of fit loops, and case. - One button operation - a quick study you will get the hang of it - 4.5 hours of life - Water resistant - Travel case is great for traveling or throw in your gym bag without dealing with tangles - Great sound of course. - iPhone shows how much battery is left! Love that! - Base is really good I actually turned around thinking someone knocked on the door COMPARISON TO SPORT WALKMAN MP3: - This Active sports Bluetooth headset offers a different use - if you're running on a treadmill, you can have your phone in your pocket or strapped to your arm (this doesn't need to plug in though). If you need your phone handy to take a call, you need this so you don't miss an important call. Comparing to the Sports MP3 walkman: - The MP3 Sports Walkman is music only and hands free (so you don't need to bring your phone) and you import your songs directly to the Walkman via USB. Music only (http://store.sony.com/sony-sports-mp3-player-zid27-NWZW273S//cat-27-catid-All-Players-Docks?vva_ColorCode=FFFFFF&_t=pfm%3Dsearch). I love this model for the straight runs without a phone. ADDRESSING OTHER REVIEWS: I always read what others say and test it out to see if I can solve the problem or if I come across the same problem. I'm going to address a few things I observed: - I was going to complain about wanting the volume to be louder - however if you go to the audio source (such as iPhone) you can increase the volume on it and by then the sound level it will blow out your ear drums if you let it. So just use all means to increase volume, it's fine and sounds great. It will be loud enough, I swear. - I thought I heard a song skip but then I let a few more songs to play and have yet to hear a skip so I'm not sure what that was (I was also unfamiliar with that song). ATTACHED PHOTOS: (1) Ear pieces (2) Screen shot of phone (with pic) so you can see top says the bluetooth battery life. So neat!

DianaE310

2014-12-08T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Finally stay in ear – awesome ear buds!

I have tried several BT ear buds in the past including expensive Bose ones but have returned them as they always tend to fall off from the ear. So when I received these I was skeptical as well. When I first tried them out I was in a hurry to clean/blow off all the fall leaves in my yard so was in a real hurry before it got dark but wanted to listen to some music while I was at it. So I thought how hard it could be putting on some ear phones on! Wrong! I read the included folded one piece ‘quick guide’ which was useless, and so was the other included ‘detailed’ manual. I wanted to try the over-the-ears secure-fit sports configuration. I just could not do it – the whole thing was a big mess, so thought I’d have to return it and I was going to give it a two-star review as this thing just did not want to work. In any case I used my existing headphones and did the leaves! Few days later after calming down I went to the online manual: http://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/as800bt/v1/en2/print.html read it carefully and I was finally able to set it up. Initially I had done everything wrong. Sony also has another online link: http://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/as800bt/v1/h_uc/index.html but don’t use this, use the first one which gives a lot more details. Basically you need to reverse the Right unit with the Left Arc and vice-versa. Also the Arc has to go in exactly as the manual says. It is actually pretty easy to do if you pay attention and read. So before you think of returning it to the store, give it another try as these headphones, once you get them working are just awesome. I have tried all kinds of things with my head to see if I could get them to pop-out of my ears but I could not. So these are the perfect Sports earphones. They are also Splash Proof. They are extremely comfortable as well. Kudos to the Sony engineers on the design. They are also very sleek looking and high-tech in the sense that the Arc Supporters that fit inside of your ear lobe and the Adjustment band etc are unique features and only be found on this head set. The ear buds are designed such that they point down and go inside the ear canal while the Arc supporters cling on to your outer ear. Because they fit so tight and comfortably they tend to be somewhat ‘noise-cancelling’ although that is not a feature of these ear buds. The set comes with 4 different ear bud sizes and 3 different Arc supporters. The SS (smallest) ear bud and the S (Smallest) Arc Supporter worked for me. These different sizes should fit anybody I would say. Also it comes with a small carrying case – how perfect! I paired this with my Sony Xperia Z1 phone using the NFC function and that was a breeze. Also pairing with an IPAD and IPOD was a breeze as well and worked right away. My Xperia Z1 came with its own wired ear phones and I thought those were great but try these on and the sound quality is many times better. However the volume level on the wired ear-phones were higher than this BT set (I do listen to very loud music though so for an average person these would be more than adequate). Controlling functions (such as volume, next/previous track) is done thru one single button on the Right side ear phone (i.e. one click to answer an incoming call, two presses to increase the volume etc). It works well, however I had an issue with using this on my Sony Xperia Z1 phone. The next/previous track does not work with the Xperia Z1 as it requires AVRCP for Bluetooth. And unbelievably The Xperia Z1 does not have that support – although this might be an issue from Android. The same functionality works fine with my IPAD or IPOD (Although the sound quality is better thru the Xperia Z1 compared to the IPOD/IPAD). Answering a call works extremely well. The call quality is really good and the other party said they could not notice any difference compared to using the phone directly. The batteries seem to last forever (although user manual said 4.5 hours) and are quick to charge. The Bluetooth reception with the device that plays it has a limited distance of 30 feet according to the user manual but it seems to work even up to about 45 feet or more. Once disconnected, when you walk towards the device it will connect automatically. In conclusion I have to say that I have finally found the perfect ear buds that do not fall off. It has excellent sound quality and functionality. WARNING: If you get a pair be sure to get a second pair as your significant other is bound to swipe them off of you!

samtheman2013

2014-12-03T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

STYLISH LISTENING FREEDOM

I had been using my Android tablet propped up on the book holder bracket of our elliptical trainer and my phone in a pocket on the elliptical’s “dashboard”. Turning up the tablet’s volume to listen to music or to audio books wasn’t working for me, but plugging in conventional earphones usually left me tangled in the cord. Not a serious problem, however I was open to a better solution – a Bluetooth wireless headset. I chose Sony’s MDR-AS800BT Active Sports Bluetooth Headset, the black one, and I’m enjoying it. Like most of Sony’s home audio products, the MDR-AS800BT is a sophisticated, pleasing design that is multifunctional and quite comfortable (literally). Sony engineers seem to have taken the ergonomics very seriously, they’ve accommodated two different ways to wear the headset: “easy fit” in-the-ear, with the cord hanging down and then behind the neck; or, “secure fit” over-the-ear, with the cord secured with a band at the back of the neck for very active-user wearing. Sony has included three sizes of ear fittings and four sizes of silicon earbuds for customizing the fit, even a small zippered case to keep it all together. There are so many pieces in this product, maybe Sony should have called it a “kit,” see my photo below. Either way, since it is sweat- and splash-resistant I don’t worry about abusing it. Although I doubt it’s meant for swimming or showering. Unexpectedly, the way the MDR-AS800BT came in the box fits me well. I suppose my wife might want to change the fittings or earbuds for herself – if she can pry it out of my hands. After an initial charging, about 2 hours using the included micro-USB cable, the MDR-AS800BT paired with my Xperia Tablet Z by touching each of the two Near Field Communication (NFC) logos together, which ought to work with most NFC-capable devices, such as a smart phone, music player, tablet. The headset’s NFC logo is on the bulge in the cord. The right-hand earpiece has the action, besides the charging port there’s a multi-function button to accept calls with and also to adjust volume, play, pause, and skip tracks. A built-in microphone in that earpiece allows talking on the phone. The printed/folded/multi-language Quick Start Guide in the box didn’t cut it for me. I much preferred Sony’s comprehensive and useful Help Guide for this product at: http://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/as800bt/v1/en2/print.html Also, I strongly suggest that you at least scan it and familiarize yourself with the Help Guide before setting up this headset. This Guide has especially valuable information if you intend to use more than one Bluetooth device or if you have any issues with controlling Bluetooth devices from the headset. One reason is that there are variant Bluetooth versions that affect how a device might operate. The native version in the MDR-AS800BT is Version 3.0, which specifies wireless streaming at up to 30 feet line-of-site, however I’ve noticed that in my home I can walk out of a room and even switch floors without losing the connection! In my initial set-up experimentation between the MDR-AS800BT and my Xperia Tablet Z, I needed to tweak some of the Tablet’s Bluetooth and Sound settings. For example, in the Tablet’s Profiles, I turned ON Phone Audio and Media Audio. In the Tablet I put the Settings/Volumes/Music slider full to the right, and in the Walkman app’s Headphone Settings I turned ON the Common Settings/Dynamic Equalizer to get the fullest volume. Sound-wise, the MDR-AS800BT uses closed-back 6mm dome drivers with a hi-fi frequency range. I set up my Xperia Tablet Z to communicate with the MDR-AS800BT so that I could play music tracks from Sony’s Walkman app while exercising. So far, I’ve listened to Folk/Pop, some jazz, some serious classical music, audio books and podcasts – they all sound rich and pleasing across the spectrum. I find my headset does an excellent job with the human voice in audio book narration and podcasts for instance. Better than I had expected. Sony’s Active Sports Bluetooth Headset has proven to have everything I was looking for – good sound, great fit, extensive connectivity, ease-of-use, and style. Getting all of this in an affordable package is a treat. Highly recommended.

BeJay2

2014-10-14T20:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

Fantastic sound quality with audio that skips

Firstly the positive: The sound quality is awesome! I have had Bose, Klipsch and B&O. These ear-buds blow them out of the water. They are extremely comfortable and I love wearing them. They are understated yet classy, something only Sony can pull off. The battery life is good and the NFC pairing works like a charm. Now the negative: And this is a big one! Every other song skips! This happens regardless of the bitrate or the file format. And, its disappointing that this happens with my Xperia Z3. Sony should ensure flawless comparability with their phones. And, the battery indicator feature is available on iOS but not on Xperia phones. Come on guys! To summarize, the audio quality is fantastic but the songs will skip every single time. :-(

CSarans

2014-10-13T20:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Amazing sound, but not loud enough!!!

Absolutely amazing sound. I wish they could get a tad louder. The competition offers similar clarity with a bit more volume. 5 stars if they address this with a firmware update.

ulrichrf

2014-09-18T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Best Bluetooth Headset i ever owned!!!

I was worried about bluetooth quality audio with previous devices i have purchased. When i first heard these headphones i was surprised they sound Amazing! You can hear Highs, Mids, and bass pretty well balanced. They come with 2 size ear adapters and 3 ear bud sizes. Also there is a little carrying case so you can travel with it .

Donny000

Sony MDR-AS800B Specifications

  • Driver Unit

    6mm, dome type

  • Frequency Response

    Effective range via Bluetooth mode 20 - 20000 Hz

  • Audio Format(s) Supported

    SBC, AAC and apt-X codec support

  • Type of Use

    Bluetooth

  • Noise Level

    Multi-function button on earpiece

  • Design

    Behind the neck, Active Sports Headset

  • Microphone

    Omni directional

  • Effective frequency range

    100 Hz - 4000 Hz

  • Cord

    Micro-USB charging cable

  • Remote Control

    Via Bluetooth AVRCP Play, Pause, Next, Previous, Volume +/-

  • Battery Type

    Built-in Lithium-ion rechargeable battery

  • Battery Life (Approx)

    Continuous music playback up to 4.5 hours; Continuous communications up to 4.5 hours; Standby time 180 hours

  • Battery Charging (Approx)

    Appox. 2 hours from empty to full

  • Power Consumption (in Operation)

    0.6 W

  • Speaker Type

    Closed, dynamic

  • Bluetooth Technology

    Bluetooth specification Version 3.0
    2.4 GHz band (2.4000 GHz-2.4835 GHz
    FHSS

  • Network Transport Protocol

    A2DP (Sampling frequency 44.1 kHz)
    Transmission Range 20-20,000 Hz
    Line of sight approx.30 ft (10 m)

  • NFC

    One-touch Listening with NFC (Near Field Communications)

  • Cord Length

    micro-USB cable 19.75" / 50.16cm(Approx.)

  • Weight

    0.6oz / 17.00g not including Arc Supporters (Approx.)

About Sony MDR-AS800B

FEATURED REVIEWS

Best Bluetooth Headset i ever owned!!!

By Donny000

I was worried about bluetooth quality audio with previous devices i have purchased. When i first heard these headphones i was surprised they sound Amazing! You can hear Highs, Mids, and bass pretty well balanced. They come with 2 size ear adapters and 3 ear bud sizes. Also there is a little carrying case so you can travel with it .

Finally stay in ear – awesome ear buds!

By samtheman2013

I have tried several BT ear buds in the past including expensive Bose ones but have returned them as they always tend to fall off from the ear. So when I received these I was skeptical as well. When I first tried them out I was in a hurry to clean/blow off all the fall leaves in my yard so was in a real hurry before it got dark but wanted to listen to some music while I was at it. So I thought how hard it could be putting on some ear phones on! Wrong! I read the included folded one piece ‘qu...

View full Review

The Sony MDR-AS800BT Active Sports Bluetooth Black Headset is designed with an IPX4 splashproof design, you can wear these headphones while running in light rain or sitting around the pool. They are also highly sweat resistant, so you can work out without having to compromise comfort.

Wear over the ear or behind the neck for comfort
Choose the wearing style that best suits your sport. Wear over the ear with the lightweight earbuds securely in your ears and the band looping over and behind your head. Going for a run, Attach the supplied arc supporters to the outer rim of your ears for a snug, slip-free fit, with the band behind your neck. Your earbuds stay in place, whatever the terrain.

Micro USB port for easy charging
A micro USB port and supplied cable make quick power boosts really easy. With a full charge, you can listen for up to 4.5 hours using Bluetooth - enough for the longest runs and multiple workouts.

Small and light for all sports
Designed for easy wearing, these lightweight earbuds won't get in the way when you're cycling, running or working out at the gym. They're extremely small and compact too: you'll hardly realize you're wearing them.

Four sizes of earbud provide a snug fit
Find the fit that's right for you. With a durable, slip-free silicone design and a choice of four sizes - extra small, small, medium and large - you'll always be able to enjoy a snug, personal fit with these earbuds.

Make a one-touch connection with NFC
Near Field Communication (NFC) technology removes the need for wired connections and complex set-up sequences. Simply touch your NFC-enabled device to the on-body N-mark for a quick, seamless connection, then start streaming content via Bluetooth. No NFC? No problem. You can also connect and stream directly via Bluetooth.

Long, slim sound tube keeps headphones secure
A critical factor in the design of sports headphones is the length and diameter of the sound tube. These headphones sport an extra long tube with a small diameter for a secure and stable fit, no matter how high intensity your workout. The smaller diameter also helps keep the headphones compact.

Bluetooth connectivity for easy music streaming
Based on radio waves, Bluetooth technology allows you to make a quick, short-range wireless connection that won't be interrupted by objects in the signal path. Once paired, you're free to stream all of your favorite content - including movies, pictures and music - from your Smartphone or tablet to your headphones.

One button control of Smartphone calls
Stay in touch while listening to music. The one-button control on your headphones lets you take hands-free calls whenever they come through on your Android Smartphone or iPhone. You can also skip music tracks with a flick of your finger and switch easily between songs and calls with no need to remove your headphones.

What's in the box:

  • Sony MDR-AS800BT Active Sports Bluetooth Headset
  • Carrying Case
  • Micro-USB Charging Cable
  • 4 Sizes of Hybrid Silicone Earbuds
  • 3 Sizes of Arc Supporters
  • Adjustment Band
  • Sony Warranty