I've been trying various tools to play mp3 files to a Bluetooth headset whilst I decide whether to buy some a2dp headphones . Using the following and the .asoundrc at the bottom of the post:

bluez-4.41
dbus-1.2.14
dbus-glib-0.80
alsa-1.0.20
kernel-2.6.29.2

I get the following results:

1. mplayer-gtk1 (svn 29308): plays without problems

2. xmms-1.2.11: no error messages, but produces "noise" and "clicks" (the bluez wiki mentions "issues" with xmms).

3. aplay-1.0.20: Is it possible to play mp3 with aplay, if so, what command is required?

4. mpg123-1.8.1: "mpg123 -v -a plug:bluetooth file.mp3", "mpg123 -v -a bluetooth file.mp3", no error messages, but produces "noise" and "clicks"

I don't see why xmms and mpg123 wouldn't work and there are no error messages or pointers from "bluetoothd -dn" - does anybody have any ideas?

-----------
pcm.rawbluetooth {
   type bluetooth
   device 00:12:EE:A6:1D:F4
}

pcm.bluetooth {
   type plug
   slave {
      pcm {
         type bluetooth
         device 00:12:EE:A6:1D:F4
      }
   }
}