Bluetooth headsets: How do they work? Everything you need to know about wireless headsets

How do wireless/Bluetooth headphones work? Basically, the same as the wired ones, although they transmit via Bluetooth instead of wires. This answer seems obvious, but don't worry. In this article we will give you all the details on how they work.

If you're reading this, chances are you're about to buy a Bluetooth headset, or finding out about the technology that has caused a revolution in the audio world. Today, new phones are abandoning wired ports in favor of wireless connectivity. This is very understandable, as the new Bluetooth headsets free you from the hassle of wires, and integrate features that allow you to answer calls without using your hands, as well as great batteries.

In this concise guide, we tell you how Bluetooth headsets work, what Bluetooth connectivity is and several extra details. We hope it helps you decide whether to buy those new headsets or at least, proves to be illuminating to you on this topic.

How does the headset work?

Before answering the question: Bluetooth headsets, how do they work? we will explain the technology that the headsets contain in general. After all, Bluetooth headsets are no different from wired headsets, except for the method in which they receive and send audio to their drivers or transducers.

The main purpose of headphones is to act as a transducer that converts electrical energy (audio signals) into sound waves. This is true for both wired and wireless headsets. The drivers of the headphones are the transducers. They convert audio into sound, and therefore, the essential elements of headphones are a pair of drivers.

Wired and wireless headphones work when an analog audio signal (alternating current) passes through the drivers and causes a proportional movement in the diaphragm of the drivers. The movement of the diaphragm moves the air to produce sound waves that mimic the shape of the AC voltage of the audio signal.

This action is necessary, no matter what type of driver the headphones are equipped with. That said, the most common are of the dynamic type. The excellent Sony WH-1000XM4, for example, our favorite wireless headphones, use this type of driver.

What is Bluetooth technology?

Want to know the answer to the question: how do Bluetooth headsets work? First you need to know what Bluetooth technology is. This wireless connectivity is used to transmit data between fixed or mobile devices over short distances, using high frequency waves known as UHF.

Specifically, Bluetooth technology uses radio frequencies in the 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz range to transmit data wirelessly. This technology is quite complex and integrates too many details. This is due to the incredible range of applications it serves.

Bluetooth versions

This technology was originally developed in 1989. However, the first official version was launched in 1999. The managers developing this connectivity are constantly improving it and releasing new versions periodically. New Bluetooth types improve range, transfer speed and power consumption. The new wireless headphones use version 5.0 or later. However, they can work perfectly well with audio devices with version 4.2.

How do Bluetooth headsets work

The Bluetooth headset receives audio signals via Bluetooth technology. To work properly with an audio device, they must be synchronized or wirelessly connected to such devices.

Once paired, the headphones and the audio device create a network called Piconet in which the device can effectively send audio signals to the headphones via Bluetooth. Likewise, headphones with intelligent functions, voice control and playback, also send information back to the device via the network.

After the audio signal is picked up by the headset's Bluetooth receiver, it must pass through two key components in order for the drivers to do their job. First, the received audio signal needs to be converted into an analog signal. This is done through the integrated DACs. The audio is then sent to a headphone amplifier to bring the signal to a voltage level that can effectively drive the drivers.

We hope that with this simple guide you will be able to understand how Bluetooth headsets work. Now that you know the technology, you can check out our review of the best Bluetooth headsets on the market. We also recommend you check our guides on how to connect Bluetooth headsets to PC, PS4, Xbox One and LG TV.