[cat_daddy]

Ok,

I did try the Reg Ed's suggested in the two threads mentioned, plus the BT Audio cab as well. The results are the same - crappy audio quality on my hands-free devices. I even vainly attempted some adjustments to the "quality" Reg key, but noticed no differences.

To recap, the hands-free devices I use have a static/crackle sound associated with the audio. I have not tried my stereo headphones.

*My hands-free devices*

Platronics Discovery 640 (quality slightly degraded)
Magellan Maestro 4040 (quality heavily degraded)
Dell Latitude 650 (moderate-heavily degraded)

I think it's important to note, all these devices were fine under WM5.