-
"Wow! best bluetooth stereo headphones on the market by far!" on by cabel417
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.
Summary: 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 feelany 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. -
"sounds good but not 100% sweatproof" on by mimsIII
Pros: comfy device, good sound
Cons: little bulky, salt from sweat will kill it
Summary: I bought this stereo bluetooth headset for my new Moto Razr V3xx to take on a fishing trip. Also had to buy a MicroSD card to store music on my phone.
I did no research to know what other headphones were out there, so I was kind of going at it blind. This model just happened to be newly released (bought in Apr 07), but I had no idea.
This was my first Bluetooth device, so I didn't know what to expect. I was pleased at first at how well it worked. Sounded clear and plenty loud.
After the trip, I began using the headset while cycling and inline skating. I tend to do many hours at a time on the bike or skates. But one day recently it was in the 90s and I was sweating like crazy. The next day the buttons were not working and I noticed that there was quite a bit of salt caked up around the speakers. Don't have to be Sherlock to know what happened. So I simply took the S9s back to Best Buy and traded them in on a new set. But this time I started using the large, soft earcups. Sounded even better! But now it might be more dangerous to bike or skate since the fat earcups tend to block out more ambient sound.
I love them, but they aren't as sweat resistant as they are claimed to be. -
"Not such a good fit..." on by guyfromseattle
Pros: Audio quality, range, style, controls
Cons: Astonishingly uncomfortable
Summary: I bought my S9's without doing my homework -- my bad. But I got lucky -- I have to say that the S9 is one of the neatest toys I've played with in recent memory.
The ear mounted controls make listening to and controlling music, as well and making and receiving calls a breeze – plus you get to feel a little like Lieutenant O’Hura. For best hands-free calling performance you’ll want to use the S9’s with a phone that has good speech recognition.
In addition to the great controls, the audio quality of the S9 is very good as well. Clear highs, nice midrange, and warm bass -- all well balanced at both high and low volumes.
Be forewarned, however, that while the headphones are capable of great audio your device may not be. For instance, my Vista Tablet PC rocked with the S9, while audio from my phone was "fuzzy." Listening to the same music on my phone with wired headphones produced beautiful audio. Clearly some phones could use better A2DP profile support (I’m talking to you HTC.)
The styling of the S9 is nice as well. And they are light-weight. But the real issue isn’t always weight. In the case of the S9, a product that I would otherwise rate as a 10, there is a major problem that makes it loose 5 points: the S9 is the most uncomfortable device I have ever worn over my ears. The CNET review hints at, but largely sidesteps, this very serious issue.
Because of the hard plastic used in the construction of the arms, the S9 squeezes against your head just above the ears. After just 30 minutes it this can become extremely uncomfortable. And don’t even think about wearing sunglasses or a hat with the S9 as both compound the problem significantly. A lesser issue is discomfort in the ear opening where the drivers rest, although this could probably compensated for with a different size earpiece, of which several are included with the S9.
To summarize, the S9 is excellent technology that works well, but it’s industrial design is severely flawed if Motorola intended to target consumers that would wear the S9’s for hours at a time. I suppose I could just have a big head, but I wear a medium in a baseball cap. Go figure. -
"Here's a more accurate review" on by MarkToronto
Pros: Cool looking, Low front facing profile, touch controls are really intuitive
Cons: Music cuts out outdoors, Bulky in the back
Summary: I am a gadget freak, so these were at the top of my list as soon as they came out.
Before I start I will state how I am using them: I have paired mine with my Motorola Razr V3, and my iPod Touch (which has the Motorola iPod Bluetooth Connector attached to it)
While I agree with some of the article. I disagree with how glowing a review the article seems to give. (Makes me think somebody got a free pair of headphones out of it).
Don't get my wrong, these headphones are cool. They are sleek looking.
Before I praise them, let me bash them for their major flaws:
1) The bulk in the back: since these are a behind-the-head model, you get a nice low profile if somebody is looking at you from the face or side. But lurking right behind your head is the battery, and presumably the electronics that run the thing. To give you an example of how big the back part is: The length of the bulk is roughly 3" around the back of your head, which doesn't really matter. It's behind your head. The height of the bulky bit is almost 1 inch. So it's bandaid shaped. The problem is, it is also 1/2 and inch thick, and sticks out another 1/2 inch from the back of your neck.
So what? What this means is that if you are a traveller - these headphones ARE NOT FOR YOU. You cannot rest your head against a plane, train, bus, or car-with-headrest seat without it being uncomfortable and pushing the headphones off your head.
This is the one major flaw with this design. OK ... so now you may be thinking - I just want them for working out, and walking around the house.
No problem, as long as you don't run into the second (documented by Motorola) flaw with these headphones.
They DO NOT WORK OUTDOORS. If you are walking, these headphones cut out constantly. Motorola knows this, and even documents the fact that if you are outdoors they "may" cut out on you - well they will...constantly. Especially if you live in a city I suspect. I noticed my blackberry when it goes off cuts out the music as well.
Motorola recommends you keep the unit in a top shirt pocket while outdoors. While this does minimize the cut outs, it does not eliminate them.
So. No jogging, biking, etc. with these puppies on your head, or you will be listening to 45% silence 55% music the whole way.
If you are sitting at your desk with the ipod or whatever sitting stable, then you're fine. No cut outs at all. And walking around a room is ok if you don't go too far away from the transmission source.
You must keep these in mind if you want to use these headphones and be 100% happy with them.
Me? I'm about 80% happy, but ranked them a 6 out of 10 for grossly missing their mark.
GREAT idea, sucky implementation.
And having said all that, I still love them. It's nice to just reach up and tap the side of them to get to the next song or adjust the volume. I can even sometimes do it through my gloves in the winter.
Sound quality is good. The phone microphone isn't very good though. People will have a hard time hearing you if there is ANY kind of background noise. It's not terrible though...kind of like being on a junky speaker phone.
If you have an iPod Touch, you will notice that the iPod connector doesn't really go with the actual iPod. It's white, it's a weird shape: 1.5" x 1" but just as thick as the Touch. This means it kind of hangs to one side. There is nothing holding the connector TO the iPod other than the actual interface port. Which means I am worried it may end up getting lose, or worse, I'm worried about snapping it off of the iPod. There is no way you can put this in a jeans pocket with the connector on it without being fearful of it snapping in two.
So Motorola has a good idea...and they are almost comfortable, and they almost work. But are they worth it?
For the cool factor? Yes. Everyone in the office was saying: "Oh my god are those bluetooth/wireless?" And seemed genuinely impressed with how they looked.
For the comfort and functionality... Motorola should be slapped in the face.Updated
In addition to my other post where I give a more accurate review of the design flaws, I just wanted to add this. It's in response to some of the morons that expected these headphones to support "stereo" phone calls.
These are stereo headphones. They work on the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile).
THE DEVICE YOU PAIR WITH must support this to get stereo music. HOWEVER - Your phone calls will still be mono. um. Duh???
That's not the headphone's problem. That's the phone. It isn't transmitting the phone call using A2DP protocols.
I don't know of ANY phone that does transmit "stereo" phone calls. Besides I don't want to hear somebody inside my head. That's just creapy. :o)
So read the damn specifications before whining about your phone calls being mono.
Read my other review to find out the real flaws with these headphones. -
"with good phone, you will be blown away" on by pablito2525
Pros: lightweight, sound quality
Cons: controls take time to get used to
Summary: I have them with my Nokia 5300 and I'm absolutely amazed by the ease of use, sound quality and weight (what weight?). You will easily forget that you wear them, listening to the music. Incomming call ?, music pauses, changes to a ringtone, you tap just above your left speaker and start to talk. Everybody I talked to thru them, could not believe the sound quality, and you even cannot find the microphone on the damn thing! I played soccer with them today with no problem at all. Good job Motorola. I see in many reviews people strugling. Advice? Get the phone with Bluetooth 2.0.
Write a Review
Online Stores
| Store | Promotions | In Stock | Price | Total Cost | Initial Sort Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Yes | Yes | Tax: TBD Ship: TBD | $59.99 Shop Now | |
| See all prices | |||||
%20-%20Headphones%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/motorola-s9-bluetooth-active/4852-7877_7-32363768.html&x_breadcrumb=8900:6450:7877&x_arw_bkts=MAD:high_wireless_switcher){kind=small}