Plantronics Pulsar 590A Bluetooth stereo headphones

Review Since the dawn of time three questions have preoccupied mankind. Is there a God? Are we alone in the Universe? And, how do I wear headphones without getting tangled up in the cord?

OK, so that last one has only been around since the late-1970s when people first started to limp around with a Japanese-built electronic brick in their pockets. The Sony Walkman revolutionised the way we listen to music and, since its advent, portable music devices have become smaller, slicker and, from a technological standpoint, are now light years away from those twin-spool monsters of yesteryear...

But headphones are still basically two small speakers strapped to your head. Sure, you can buy the small ones that go so far into your ear that you need a neurosurgeon to remove them, or you can stick to the big ones - the 'cans' - favourite of wannabe DJs and sk8ter boys everywhere.

Most deliver sound so good you-re likely to think Fatboy Slim has moved into your cranium and some cost more than your average MP3 player. But they all have one thing in common: the dreaded cord.

Plantronics' 590A headphones are different. Utilising the ubiquitous Bluetooth protocol you can now be truly wireless for sound. No more snagging on your jacket collar or garrotting yourself when you turn to reach something from your bag - intriguing prospects, both.

The full kit comprises the headphones, an in-flight extension lead, a rather natty charging cradle and the optional Bluetooth universal adaptor. The adaptor has a 3.5mm jack plug allowing you to plug it into just about any audio device you can think of. With Bluetooth you can connect to most mobile phones and you are introduced to the 590As' alter-ego, a handsfree headset.

Pairing was easy, both between the adaptor and the headset, and between the 'phones and my Nokia phone. Within minutes I was wireless and wonderfully immersed in sound.