Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Headphones (black)

• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 25 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 7 stars

  Cool Design, but room for improvement

  by JeffSanDiego on June 7, 2007

  Pros: Sleek, comfortable, lightweight, simple to use

  Cons: Phone calls are only heard in one ear, and battery life is poor!

  Summary: I've been using the S9 headsets (bought 2 pairs, one for the gym, one for around the house) for a couple of weeks now. I love the sleek, lightweight ...

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  Summary: I've been using the S9 headsets (bought 2 pairs, one for the gym, one for around the house) for a couple of weeks now. I love the sleek, lightweight design. They're also comfortable. However, I do have a couple of suggestions for Motorola to improve this product:
  
  1. Phone calls are only heard in the left ear. I'm used to stereo phone calls (my Motorola HT820's have stereo phone sound). The main place I use this headset is at the gym, where background noise makes hearing phone calls thru one ear a challenge. Motorola, why didn't you make the phone sound stereo???
  
  2. Battery Life could be better. I will fully charge my S9, then take it to the gym for about an hour or so of music listening, then turn it off and put it in my gymbag for listening the next time I workout (a day or two later). 50% of the time, the battery is completely dead, after only having been on for 60-90 minutes! This isn't good. To be fair, with continuous listening (ie. not turning it off and waiting a day or two), the battery seems to last a few hours. Motorola, another thing to improve!
  
  3. Volume - I wish it would adjust slightly louder, again at the gym (with background noise), I would like to turn up my music a little louder.
  
  Other than these 3 weak points, I'd have to say that these are the best Stereo Bluetooth Headsets I've tested so far! Motorola, I hope you're listening, make a great product even better!

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  8 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 4 stars

  Good as a headphone but a abysmal as a handsfree.

  by veeraragavan.n on January 8, 2008

  Pros: Good audio quality. Light weight. Mute and music controls.

  Cons: Very poor range and connectivity. Phone calls audiable only on left ear. No or poor noise cancellation for mic. Not usable in noisy conditions like traffic. Controls placement not headgear friendly.

  Summary: The S9 has a pretty good design both in terms of sturdiness, visual appeal and ergonomics. The only downside is that you cannot use it while lying down/leaning facing ...

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  Summary: The S9 has a pretty good design both in terms of sturdiness, visual appeal and ergonomics. The only downside is that you cannot use it while lying down/leaning facing upwards. I usually have to lean sideways while relaxing or lying down. I use a handfree while driving and that too inside a helmet. The placement of controls is not easy for reach when used within a helmet. I use a hands-free a lot for my official conference calls where I might have be part of calls while traveling especially on sub-urban trains or while driving a motorcycle. Here the mute button is really useful so that I can mute/un-mute for participating/answering. But given that the mic is really really poor and picks up so much of background noise, the person on the other end is really being nice to you if he does'nt disconnect or voice his discomfort.
  
  The S9, although not great, is a good pair of head phones with good enough audio quality for listening to music. Although this is marred to a great extent by the range it provides, which is abysmal. Whether it is music or a phone call, the audio drops are pretty high while on the move. I'm surprised that the original reviewer gives it a score or 8/10 and list only pinching as a problem. The pinching problem goes away once you get used to it for a week or 2. But functional problems like these are here to stay. If not for there the S9 would've been the best headset given the light weight and battery time for the same. The battery life although nothing great to rant about is just about enough for a full-time hand-free user like me. All in all a mediocre headset.
  
  I also own a Nokia BH-501 which has amazing audio and mic pickup quality but is very flimsy in design and lacks music controls and a mute button.

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  3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  Never should have been released to the public.

  by emunews on June 15, 2007

  Pros: Light, inconspicuous

  Cons: Annoying beeping sounds whenever you press a button, awkward controls

  Summary: This headset should never have been released to the public. First and foremost, it has this annoying loud beeping sound anytime you press a button. So, let's say you'...

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  Summary: This headset should never have been released to the public. First and foremost, it has this annoying loud beeping sound anytime you press a button. So, let's say you're listening to music and the favorite part of the song comes on. You press the volume up button. The music cuts out and it beeps in your ear. Press the volume button again, the music cuts out and it beep again. Ugh! I called Motorola technical support and they said there's no way to turn off this 'feature'.
  
  Also, the controls are awkward. First, the buttons don't have a good tactile feel to them, so there's no easy way to tell which button your pressing. Second, the buttons are too sensitive. If you slide your fingers over the buttons to find the button you're looking for, it registers it presses. And you get more annoying beeps.
  
  I'm returning mine to the store.

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  7 out of 14 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 2 stars

  it's unfortunate. poor quality.

  by mconjura on August 29, 2008

  Pros: wireless, great sound, nice design

  Cons: very poor quality. just like the other posts relating to volume control.

  Summary: had mine for several months, used it during work outs...didn't hold up. volume control just fried. volume would lower on its own (hardware issue) to the point where ...

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  Summary: had mine for several months, used it during work outs...didn't hold up. volume control just fried. volume would lower on its own (hardware issue) to the point where it became silent. no more control.
  not worth the headache. unacceptable.

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  1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 10 stars

  WOW! best stereo bluetooth headphones on the market

  by cabel417 on July 12, 2007

  Pros: looks great around your head, sound is excellent, very loud, comfort, easy to use buttons

  Cons: your voice is recognized through a small speakerphone, will pick up background noise when talking

  Summary: If your looking for bluetooth stereo headphones, look no further...seriously!
  
  Let me start off by saying I have done a lot of research on these bluetooth stereo headphones. I
  
  ...

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  Summary: If your looking for bluetooth stereo headphones, look no further...seriously!
  
  Let me start off by saying I have done a lot of research on these bluetooth stereo headphones. I have a LG chocolate and I have been looking for these to replace my mp3 player and to use something more convenient when working out.
  
  After doing a lot of research, I decided to buy these b/c i thought they looked the most subtle and seemed to look very cool when ur wearing them. Most of the other stereo bluetooth headphones are gigantic and make you look like a nerd. Research told me that most the of the stereo bluetooth headphones are still poor quality when listening to music but I wanted one anyway.
  
  I bought the s9 for $74.99. I wasnt expecting much, but I found out that this thing is great! Everytime I use it, I can't stop smiling b/c its so cool!
  
  Some people were complaining about the comfort. I have a normal size head and it fits perfectly! I can't feel any of the wraparound piece, it just feels like I'm wearing regular earbuds.
  
  The sound is fantastic! I can't hear any difference between these and my best pair of headphones...seriously! tremendous bass sound, everything is crystal clear.
  
  a problem with most bluetooth stereo headphones is the loudness factor, they don't get loud enough. You won't have a problem with that when using these. I have these set to volume 4/10 and its perfect loudness. When set to 10/10, you can listen to the song clearly w/out even having it in ur ears.
  
  The buttons are great. They are very easy to use. Don't listen to the other guy that said the volume control is screwed up. It does make a very subtle beep but the music doesnt pause. The beep is actually good b/c you know when u lowered or raised the volume.
  
  the only con I can come up with is when your talking to someone with these, you are talking through a small speakerphone b/c there aren't any pieces close to your mouth (if there was, it would look pretty lame). It will pick up background noise that the other person you are talking to can hear. I normally bought these for listening to music though, not calling people. Other than that I can't think of any other cons.
  
  I really don't know why this isn't scored higher. Maybe it just works well w/ the LG chocolate or something...it's great b/c the color matches perfectly with it too. This is one of the best decisions I've ever made in buying electronics. I'm so happy with it. Buy it! you won't regret it.

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  1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 9 stars

  Best investment for anyone who worksout!

  by NSReyes on May 2, 2007

  Pros: Extremely Lightweight, Bluetooth = WIRELESS

  Cons: Pinches a little until you get them adjusted, but how many form fitting items fit perfect right out of the box?

  Summary: I bought these the day they came out, and have used them everyday in my workouts. I can't possibly imagine going back to wired headphones! This item is so ...

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  Summary: I bought these the day they came out, and have used them everyday in my workouts. I can't possibly imagine going back to wired headphones! This item is so great for anyone who exercises on a regular basis, as lifting heavy weights with wires around you can be a pain. These work great with my Samsung Upstage as I throw it in my gym bag and put in the corner of the weight room and can lift with no interruption. Motorola may make apple change it's mind about adding bluetooth it is "perfect...ha ha ha" iPod!

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  1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 3 stars

  Great idea; bad execution

  by Scott55 on November 15, 2007

  Pros: Great Sound. Great features. Good comfort.

  Cons: Quit after one try. Very poor Bluetooth power.

  Summary: Great sound quality and great idea overall. But a great idea isn't worthwhile if it won't work. Mine paired quickly with my Blackberry 8820, but would only work ...

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  Summary: Great sound quality and great idea overall. But a great idea isn't worthwhile if it won't work. Mine paired quickly with my Blackberry 8820, but would only work once. Then the phone part worked, but no music. Thank goodness I bought it at the AT&T for a prompt and no-hassle return. The clerk told me they'd had lots of returns.
  
  The Bluetooth power quality seems very poor - while running, I had to hold the phone nearly up to my ear to get consistent sound.

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  1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 8 stars

  Good considering...

  by alan.w.williford on August 11, 2007

  Pros: VERY light, clear and easy to use.

  Cons: The button beep are to loud.

  Summary: I like it alot. I do agree with some that the talking function should be in both ears. But hey! They are for music not talking.

  Summary: I like it alot. I do agree with some that the talking function should be in both ears. But hey! They are for music not talking.

  1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  Active people could love this if it were made better!

  by globalitcom on September 8, 2008

  Pros: Comfortable, above average sound, nice design, easy use.

  Cons: if you perspire as you workout (hello) the buttons/headphones will start beeping and the volume goes down, then the sound/volume will not work and you will have to find a replacement and work out without music. (A pain)

  Summary: DON'T use them for working out like they were intended for they will break. I have gone through 5 returns with Motorola and am now looking for an alternative/...

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  Summary: DON'T use them for working out like they were intended for they will break. I have gone through 5 returns with Motorola and am now looking for an alternative/replacement.

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• 8 stars

  Great bluetooth headphones

  by fondy on July 23, 2008

  Pros: Size/Fit, Easy setup, No Wires!!!

  Cons: Battery life, Price

  Summary: Disclaimer: these were purchased strictly for listening to music so I can't comment on the hands-free phone aspect.
  
  After reading so many horrible bluetooth headphone reviews and no real
  
  ...

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  Summary: Disclaimer: these were purchased strictly for listening to music so I can't comment on the hands-free phone aspect.
  
  After reading so many horrible bluetooth headphone reviews and no real way to test any of them in-store, it took a 50%-off clearance sale to get me to bite. I got the S9 as a package with the D650 iPod adapter for $65. I believe the reason for the price cut was to make room for Motorola's new version S9HD.
  
  The sound quality is pretty good. It's not Shure E500 quality, but they sound a lot better than Apple's earbuds, plus they're almost as comfortable. I would describe them as a cross between the Senn PX200 and the Koss KSC-75. Range is pretty good (20-30').
  
  Even though the S9 comes with different sized tips, I couldn't really get a proper noise-reducing seal like you get with 'In-Ear' monitors, but I suspect these weren't really designed to fit that way. The reason I say this is because, using the large tips, I was able to get a good enough seal to notice a boost in bass response, but it caused mids and highs to sound muffled.
  
  My first con is price. Like all bluetooth headphones, if you pay anywhere near MSRP for these, you're getting screwed.
  
  Second is the battery. It takes two hours to fully charge, then it's only good for about six hours. Though a six-hour listening session is probably more than adequate, a removable battery that could be charged outside of the earphone would be ideal. At least it does use mini-USB.
  
  One last peeve, when used with the iPod, the S9 forces you to make all volume adjustments via the headphone buttons. The other functions (play/pause FFW/REV) can be controlled both through the iPod clickwheel and/or the S9.

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