New Altec Lansing Stereo Bluetooth Headphones for Active Lifestyles Feature New OpenMic Technology

Wireless Headphones Offer Rich Stereo Sound, Dual-Mic Call Clarity and Custom Fit

Altec Lansing, a division of Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT), today introduced its first wearable stereo Bluetooth products, the Backbeat 906 and 903 Stereo Bluetooth headphones. The BackBeat 906 includes a stereo Bluetooth 2.0 adapter while the BackBeat 903 consists of the headphones only. Designed for active lifestyles, the new BackBeat products provide wireless stereo music listening and calls in a light, flexible, behind-the-neck wearing style.

The BackBeat headphones combine audio and voice technologies from Altec Lansing and Plantronics to provide brilliant, full-spectrum stereo sound and call support for most music-enabled mobile phones*. Further distinguishing the BackBeat headphones is OpenMic(TM), a technology that allows users to 'open' the microphone audio to their surroundings at the touch of a button. OpenMic allows the wearer to instantly hear their surroundings without removing the headphones, providing greater convenience and safety while exercising.

"With consumers so accustomed to MP3 capabilities in their mobile phones these days, the time is perfect for Altec Lansing to combine our legendary audio expertise with the convenience of Bluetooth," said Bernice Cramer, vice president of marketing and product management for Altec Lansing. "The BackBeat 906 is brimming with smartphone-friendly extras -- it's comfortable, simple and supports multiple voice features -- but particularly shines when listening to music."

Outstanding Audio for Music and Conversations

The BackBeat headphones deliver an exceptionally rich audio experience. Featuring Altec Lansing's new BassBoost technology, the headphones enhance speaker output in low frequency ranges for sound with depth and resonance.

The BackBeat headphones include Plantronics Dual-Mic AudioIQ® technology to separate voice from noise for audio clarity during calls. Similar to its performance in Plantronics' award-winning lineup of Bluetooth headsets, the inclusion of dual-microphones enables BackBeat to accurately isolate voice signals: one microphone captures voice as the second microphone identifies background noise and removes it. AudioIQ, Plantronics' proprietary digital signal processing algorithm, intelligently senses the caller's surroundings to further improve background noise and automatically adjusts the sound for the best possible two-way audio quality.

Flexible For Fit And Storage

Altec Lansing's BackBeat Bluetooth headphones are designed with a soft neckband to fold easily for quick storage in pockets or bags. They also feature pivoting, telescoping earpieces for a customized, secure fit. The comfortable in-ear design includes contoured, soft silicone tips that rest gently within the curve of the ear. Phone and music controls are intuitively spaced and have a tactile feel for easy use. All materials are sweat-resistant and highly durable.

Universal Stereo Bluetooth Adapter

The BackBeat 906 headphones include a stereo 2.0 Bluetooth adapter, which transmits wireless stereo sound from iPhones, iPods and other MP3 devices via a 3.5mm jack.

The BackBeat 903 consists of the headphones only and is specifically designed for use with Bluetooth enabled MP3 players and stereo Bluetooth enabled mobile phones that do not require a separate Bluetooth adapter.

The headphones integrate Bluetooth v2.1 with EDR and support profiles including Hands-Free, Headset, A2DP and AVRC for wireless call and music control capability. Talk/music playback time is rated up to 7 hours and standby time is up to 8 days. Headset weight is approximately 34 grams.

Pricing and Availability

Available late February 2009 at select CE retailers and www.alteclansing.com, the BackBeat 906 retails for $129.95 (U.S. MSRP) and the BackBeat 903 (without adapter) for $99.95 (U.S. MSRP). For more information visit: www.alteclansing.com.

The new BackBeat stereo Bluetooth series leads Altec Lansing's comprehensive new 2009 collection of headphones and headsets. For more information about Altec Lansing's complete BackBeat portfolio visit: http://www.alteclansing.com/winter2009/.

*Your music phone or device must have the A2DP Bluetooth profile to stream music and the AVRCP profile to control tracks and volume.

About Altec Lansing

For more than 70 years Altec Lansing has been viewed among audiophiles as the world's most valuable and innovative audio brand and boasts a unique history of innovation that includes the introduction of first talkie film speakers, the first iPod docking station and the first "Works with iPhone" speaker system. Altec Lansing makes a wide range of audio systems for the home and office; a line of headphones for personal listening; and the popular line of inMotion speaker systems for portable digital players. Altec Lansing, a division of Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT), is headquartered in Milford, PA.

Altec Lansing, AudioIQ, BackBeat, inMotion and OpenMic are trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. iPhone and iPod are trademarks of Apple, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Bluetooth word mark is owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such mark by Altec Lansing is under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. More information can be found at www.alteclansing.com.

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