[klaberte]

Firstly, this isn't really an introduction.  I've been around since 2005.   I work as an electrical engineer, but I have had stints as a semi-professional musician and sound engineer.  I also consider myself a recovering audiophile.  I take pride in owning solid, but not overpriced, gear.  My last contribution here was my review of the Microsonic custom ear tips: 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/564067/review-etymotic-custom-fit-the-new-earmolds-by-microsonic
 
I am now traveling a lot by air, and find myself needing to make phone calls in airports (and on airplanes while the "cabin door is open", but during frequent PA announcements by the flight attendants).  I am looking for a headphone that is excellent at conducting phone calls in noisy environments.  This means being able to block out much of the PA announcements, both via the mic (so the others on the call cannot hear them) and by good noise blocking for me (thus the requirement for a 2-ear solution).
 
There are various wired headsets that suffice, but I seem to be a pro at catching the wire on everything.
 
This is the best I've come up with:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HLVWH4/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
I've also tried this, but it is identical (and I mean identical) to the much cheaper option just mentioned.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6DHWY2/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
However, neither really cancel background noise too well.  I have sound clips of these, as well as the Samsung HM7000, Plantronics Pro, Jawbone Icon, if anyone is interested in hearing them.
 
The headset of my dreams would also play background music acceptably well.  I have much better wired IEMs for this, but it would be nice if the bluetooth headphones could play music as well.
 
Perhaps there is a good bluetooth gamer headset that will suffice?  Any other suggestions?

 

[Closingracer]

Does it Require a Boom?

 

[klaberte]

I have done a lot of testing on a lot of different headsets, as well as talked to designers at etymotic.  You take a huge SNR penalty for not having the mic close to the mouth.  In quiet environments, putting the mic near your ear, or on one of the wires that hang down on earbuds can work.  But introduce some background noise, and it becomes hopeless.  Check out these demo:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eprf0ki0JxM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtjEbE-csAY
 
My own test recordings give about the same results.
 
So yes, I think a boom is necessary.

 

[Closingracer]

I have the jaybird bluebud x which are pricey at 169 msrp (144 or so on amazon) and are bluetooth earphones and from when I used them do a fairly good job at blocking background noise. Note I don't go to places terribly loud nor go on a lot of airplanes so it is relative to my experience

 

[seafoam]

I've been looking for the same and just heard about the Plantronics Blackwire C720 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009KZ367A.  It was review here: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-usb-office-headset/ 

 

[MLSreality]

KLABert,
Did you ever get an answer, or find one on your own, for what you were looking for?
I am looking for the same thing.  On Amazon, I found several headsets, but know nothing about these brands I have not heard of:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008MB0W7K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2LM6ZPY06LT1N
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8H79JA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A163XPO5H90WDP
 
If you found a better solution, I would be very interested.
Mike

 

[MLSreality]

  KLABert,
Did you ever get an answer, or find one on your own, for what you were looking for?
I am looking for the same thing.  On Amazon, I found several headsets, but know nothing about these brands I have not heard of:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008MB0W7K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2LM6ZPY06LT1N
This one turned out to be a single ear pad, NOT stereo
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8H79JA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A163XPO5H90WDP
 
If you found a better solution, I would be very interested.
Mike

I did find:  http://www.cellphoneshop.net/bhm20.html
which I find to be of acceptable quality (I am not an audiophile), is Bluetooth, 2 ear pads, stereo, noise canceling, adjustable boom mic, and will work with two different Bluetooth sources.