BlueAnt Bluetooth Stereo Speaker with Multipoint, A2DP, and Text-to-Speech - Retail Packaging - Black

by BlueAnt

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.9 x 0.6 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003NYIS68
• Item model number: USEN-BAW-S4
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (158 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,490 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

BlueAnt S4 Bluetooth Stereo Speaker withMultipoint, A2DP, and Text-to-Speech.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

213 of 217 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Yet!, June 12, 2010

By 

GatorJ (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BlueAnt Bluetooth Stereo Speaker with Multipoint, A2DP, and Text-to-Speech - Retail Packaging - Black (Wireless Phone Accessory)

This is best handsfree car speakerphone I've had so far. My first was a Motorola T305 which I found to be (barely) adequate. I then purchased a Blueant SuperTooth II which I used up until the purchase of this unit. I really liked the SuperTooth II in terms of call quality, amazing battery life and the convenience of the on/off switch being activated by the microphone boom. It was a bit limited in its feature set as newer models were being released, but it was/is a solid performer. Based on excellent reviews of the Motorola T505 and my desire to get a new gadget, I also purchased one of those. I was not particularly impressed with it in terms of call quality or ease of use and gave it to the same friend who inherited my Motorola T305.

I was ready to get a new handsfree (nothing wrong with the SuperTooth II, I just wanted a new gadget again) and was pleasantly surprised to learn BlueAnt had just released the new S4. I quickly ordered one and received it on Monday (I'm writing this on Saturday).

First thing I noticed after opening the box is that the S4 is noticeably smaller and lighter than the II. It is nicely finished and I find it to be much nicer looking than the II, almost elegant in appearance. The S4 does NOT come with an AC charger. Instead you are supplied with a cigarette lighter adapter and an approximately 11" long USB cable. The S4 uses a micro USB plug with the port on the side of the device, next to the slide on/off/battery save switch. The port is covered by a lighter gray cover. Also in the box are the manual and two sunvisor clips...one for thicker, one for thinner sunvisors. The unit is held to the sunvisor clips by two rather strong magnets.

After charging the S4 for a while...the battery is rated at 20 hours talk time and 700 hours standby, I paired it with my phone. That was easy, the first time you power up the S4 it talks you through the pairing procedure. For those who care, the S4 uses a male voice as opposed to the II's female one. (Edit: The SR does use a female voicxe for "answer or ignore" incoming calls (see below))

A couple of things to note so that you do everything in the correct order and don't have to repeat steps. The S4 has upgradeable firmware. The unit I received came with firmware version 1.2 and version 1.5 is currently available. The first thing you should do is go to BlueAnt's website and download the updater software. Follow the directions EXACTLY...if you don't press the phone icon "button" long enough...until both the green and red lights cycle on and off...the program won't run correctly (ask me how I know) and upgrade the firmware. After you are finished updating the S4, it has to be paired with your phone (all over again if you previously paired it prior to updating it). It will also be necessary to transfer your phone's contacts. If you transferred your phonebook prior to updating the firmware you will have to do it again. Also, and this is not clear from the manual, you have to disconnect the S4 from your computer to transfer your phonebook.


So now that it was updated and set up, it's time to play with it. The main function of any handsfree kit is to allow you to communicate clearly with it. It that sense, the highest compliment you can pay such a device is that people don't know you are using it. Everyone I've asked during a call has indicated they could hear me clearly and weren't aware I was on a speakerphone, whether I was in my fairly quiet daily driver or my much louder sports car. The volume on the S4 is excellent and is adjusted by merely swiping your finger along the face of the unit. Note, the S4 does NOT have an FM transmitter. I did not want that function, but if you require it, this is not the unit for you.

The S4 has a few LED lights that can be easily turned off by voice command if desired. The voice command system has worked flawlessly and truly renders the S4 a handsfree unit. You can check battery level, activate your phone's voice dialing, redial, call back your last incoming call, confirm connection to your phone, adjust voice recognition sensitivity, update your phonebook and access Bing's 411 service (in my area with my carrier) all though voice commands. When a call comes in, the S4 announces either the contact's name or telephone number and asks if you want to answer or ignore the call. You can answer or ignore calls be either voice command or tapping the phone icon on the face of the unit...one tap to answer, two to ignore and a single tap to terminate the call. If you transferred your phone's contacts, the S4 announces the name for incoming call, otherwise just the number.

In the week I've had the S4 I've been very impressed with its call quality, feature set and convenience. Battery level is still at high after the initial charge. Assuming you don't need the FM transmitter function, I believe this is an excellent choice and recommend it without hesitation or other qualification.

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Purchase, June 17, 2010

By 

D. Forman "Ben's Mom" (Decatur, Ga) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BlueAnt Bluetooth Stereo Speaker with Multipoint, A2DP, and Text-to-Speech - Retail Packaging - Black (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I had wanted to get a hands free device for the car after getting and I Phone. I did a lot of research and reading and decided that I didn't want anything that dealt with the radio. I wanted to keep it simple. When my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday, this is what I asked for. I love the Blueant S4. It is easy to use and was easy to set up with my I Phone. I did purchase a longer charging cord, as the cord that came with the S4 was about 6 inches long and wouldn't really work in my car. Now I can have the S4 charging if need be and not have to worry. No one realizes that I am on a speaker phone unless my son is in the car and decides to chime in with a hello or two. I would definitely recommend to others who are technically challenged like myself. If I can set it up and use it, anyone who can read and follow directions can do it too.

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good attempt, but still room for improvement, September 9, 2010

By 

Raoul Yeates "MISH" (Tobago TT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: BlueAnt Bluetooth Stereo Speaker with Multipoint, A2DP, and Text-to-Speech - Retail Packaging - Black (Wireless Phone Accessory)

Let me just start off by saying that everyone's tastes would differ... and the opinions stated by myself may not be what you experience... I suggest reading more reviews... especially the critical comments about the item to help improve your decision making process...

Now with that said, The Blueant S4 was purchased to replace the ST3 which I purchased actually 2 weeks earlier... not that I didn't like the ST3 (I love it) but disappointingly it did not have multipoint. I believe that if the ST3 carried this feature it would be a top seller.

It is a nicely designed speakerphone and I do like the fact that the power buttons slide on/off unlike the heavy pressing you had to do for the ST3. Also the lights are not as bright so it is great to drive with at night.Slightly larger than the ST3 but still quite light... the visor in my vehicle didn't hang or fall everytime I hit rough stretches of road. Also really nice is the handsfree trigger where you say "blueant, speak to me" and the cool voice awaits your command... though I would have liked to have the language options available on it as the ST3. But the problem with the trigger is that there are times that you have a conversation and may just mention some words that the S4 believes sounds like the trigger phrase... and it goes waiting for you.

Unfortunately there are some key issues that are more serious than that though... Firstly, sometimes the commands are not recognized. Now my car is loud, but has been used in other vehicles as well and when there is an incoming call in which it asks you to say "answer", there are times it would not answer... also it says to touch the unit itself... which also is hit or miss... unless I have been doing something wrong.

The Speaker loudness during a call could have been a little better. The trigger voice you will notice is usually louder than the call itself, but it is pretty good... not as good as the ST3 though... with the windows down, it was a little difficult to keep a sound conversation dependent of your speed.

Another note that disappoints me is the voice dialing... I have 2 sony ericsson phones that have the system setup, however I cannot get either to voice dial through the S4... again I am not sure if this is just an issue with my phones or the S4 itself.

But most problematic with the S4 experienced, is the connection problems with the phones if you step out the vehicle. Many times I have stepped out the car for a few minutes out of range, then when I return I would expect it to connect by saying the trigger phrase and asking if connected... many times I get no response. Touching the center button manually should get it to connect and even then there are times that it doesn't... I have found myself on many occasions having to turn off the system and restart it just to pick up the BOTH phones I have...

Also, blueant could have done a better job with the components that come with the package... mainly the addition of a house charger and even if not that, they could have given a LONGER cord rather than the strip of USB connector they give you... I felt like was being short changed with the S4, after receiving all the ammenities of the ST3, which comes with a longer cord, a car charger separately and a house charger.

But all in all, it is still a suitable speakerphone for basically doing just that.. being a speakerphone. But to make this competitive in my opinion, Blueant has some homework to do. Perhaps a software update may improve some things, perhaps not, definately they need to improve their accessories available than what they give you now.

Good: Slide power button, trigger phrase quite helpful, lights not too bright for night driving, fairly good call quality, multipoint

BAD: Limited accessories, calls in the speaker not very loud, voice answer not always solid, voice dialing issues, reconnection to phone(s) problematic

Gets 3 stars from me. I will continue to test this item and return with more feedback as time progresses...