I got to preview and listen to some amazing stuff from Altec Lansing Wednesday at Macworld for over an hour in a private room in the South Hall of the Moscone Center. Steve Schlangen, Docking Audio Product Manager, pulled out Altec’s latest headset, just announced at Macworld, for the iPhone for me to see. Yes, I wrote wireless. Since Apple has found it fit to disable the stereo profile in its Bluetooth software on the iPhone, Altec Lansing packages the BackBeat 906 with a wireless pack (it is Bluetooth) that plugs into the headphone jack of your iPhone or any other device with a 1/8 inch (3.5mm) jack. The pack adds about $30 to the price tag (Altec offers the 903 without the pack if you have a device that allows for the stereo pairing) from its offering sans the pack, but at the mere cost of lunch for two at a nice place, you can’t go wrong with this little guy plugged into the top of your iPhone. Once attached, you’ll be able to control both your phone and music with the “intuitively spaced” and buttons with “tactile feel for easy use”. The behind-the-neck style band if flexible and sweat-resistant making it perfect for a jog around the block or a hard cycle in the gym.

Schlangen claimed that the soft silicone tips were comfortable enough for him that he could wear it, “all day and forget they are in my ears”. I was sure to warn him that would be the first thing I tested once SvenOnTech receives its pair for review. With a talk time of 7 hours and nearly 8 days of stand-by, I’ll get a good opportunity to test the comfort of these sweet looking headsets.

Schlangen also pointed out the 906s unique Dual-Mic AudioIQ technology borrowed from its new parent, Plantronics. This technology allows the BackBeat to “accurately isolate voice signals: one microphone captures voice as the second microphone identifies background noise and removes it.” Schlangen said this makes the caller sound as if they are in front of you.

Promises, promises, we know, but Altec has a good track record. We’ll be sure to let you know when what we think once we get our ears on them…all day.

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