Motorola S9 Special Edition *Black on Black* Stereo Bluetooth Headset

by Motorola

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 3.5 x 8 inches ; 5.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000RF4PNG
• Item model number: 98806
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,026 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Weighing barely an ounce, the lightweight and discreet Motorola Bluetooth Active Headphones S9 let you wirelessly control your music and calls using the integrated touch controls on the sides of the headband. So take your music with you and leave the tangle of wires behind.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great wireless solution for your ipod, November 17, 2007

By 

Stephen M. Charme (central New Jersey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Motorola S9 Special Edition *Black on Black* Stereo Bluetooth Headset (Wireless Phone Accessory)

My ipod nano's wired headphones annoy me when I exercise, so I wanted to find a wireless alternative. I was a little hesitant about buying these headphones and the ipod adaptor because of some negative reviews, but after using them I was happy to find that I have had no problems. In fact, these work great. The headphones fit comfortably in my ear and are easy to take on and off. The sound quality is better than my ipod headphones and is actually quite good. The touch sensitive controls for volume etc. take a little getting used to, but with a little practice they are easy to operate.

I am a runner and have used these headphones both on the treadmill in the gym as well as outdoors. I have not experienced any loss of signal once the bluetooth connection has been established--and I run about six miles in an hour. It is a real pleasure to listen to my ipod without wires dangling all over me.

Please note that the bluetooth connection between the headphones and the ipod does not take place instantly. Turn the headphones on and wait for the solid blue light to come on that indicates that the headphones are in bluetooth mode. Then (1) turn on the ipod, (2) insert the adaptor (Note: inserting the adaptor before turning on the ipod did not permit a bluetooth connection to be established), (3) select the first song, and (4) hit the play button on the ipod. There is usually a delay of 10-40 seconds before the headphones make a bluetooth connection with the ipod. Not a big deal. I just restart the song from the beginning.

Making a bluetooth connection with my Samsung u-740 cell phone was a snap, and answering calls on the headphones was easy. I had no problem with sound quality.

Before purchasing these headphones and adaptor, you should keep some things in mind.

First, in order to insert the adaptor into the opening on the bottom of the ipod, either your ipod must be out of the case or you need a case that will give access. I use the latest Contour clear case, which does not permit a completely snug fit(due to two small plastic tabs around the earphone hole; you can remove these if you want), but snug enough so that a bluetooth connection can be established and the adaptor is in tight enough so that I don't worry about it falling out, and in fact it hasn't happened even when I run over rough terrain in the park. I bought an armband intended for the ipod shuffle, and use the belt clip on my Contour case to clip my ipod and inserted adaptor to the armband when I run. Everything is nice and secure.

Second, if you wear glasses, it works best to put the headphones on first and the glasses on second. The glasses won't fit quite as snugly as they normally do, but for exercise it will be fine. I found that if I put my sunglasses on first, the headphones did not fit as snugly in my ears, with a resulting loss in sound. The same thing applies if you wear a headband or bandana--put the headphones on first.

Third, since the headphones are curved in the back, if you wear anything with a collar that sticks up in the back, the collar will push against the headphones, which will come slightly out of their position in your ears. So wearing the headphones with a ski jacket won't work very well. With a thinner collar, you will occasionally have to reposition the headphones as the collar pushes against them. Also, if you wear a ski hat to run, you will not be able to pull it down over your ears.

Fourth, because of the back of the neck design, you will not be able to use these headphones comfortably to lay on your back (like on a blanket at the beach, a couch in your den, a chaise lounge by the pool) or to sit in a reclining position with your head back (like in a car or airplane).

Fifth, because the bluetooth adaptor goes into the socket that is used for charging, there is no way to use the adaptor and charge your ipod at the same time, as you can do using earbuds. Therefore for a long car or plane ride you are better off using your earbuds or some other headset.

So don't throw away your ipod earbuds or over-the-ear headsets, but do enjoy this unit in those situations where the limitations I described above don't matter.

All in all I am very satisfied with this product. If you are looking for a wireless solution, albeit not a perfect one, this is it.

Update Nov. 10, 2008: I have now been using this product for one year and have been very satisfied with its performance. However, I am now on my third pair.

Shortly before Labor Day, the battery did not seem to be holding a charge, and I got a replacement set of headphones. I see from other reviews that other people have also had some battery issues, though I have no idea how widespread that is.

I started going to a new gym this fall, and it tends to very humid where the treadmills are. A couple of nights ago I was drenched in sweat and so were the headphones. The volume control stopped working (it was stuck on the highest volume) and there was static coming out of one of the earbuds. Fortunately it was not too late to get another free replacement from the store where I purchased them.

I note that all electronic items can be "zapped" by moisture unless they are specifically designed to be water resistant. It appears that these headphones are not. It never was an issue for me until I started running indoors at my new gym. Now that I know about the problem, I will just wipe them periodically before the sweat really builds up.

Update January 22, 2012: I recently bought the iPhone 4S. This headset works flawlessly with it. No need for a separate bluetooth adaptor and no need to enter any passcode to pair this. Just turn bluetooth on for the iPhone 4S (make sure you do this first, or pairing may not work), and then turn on this headset. Bingo! You are connected.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freakin' GREAT!, January 10, 2008

By 

Ross R. (VA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Motorola S9 Special Edition *Black on Black* Stereo Bluetooth Headset (Wireless Phone Accessory)

Like other reviewers, I found my new iPod Touch's headphone wire annoying.

So I ordered these based on the positive reviews. The only negative I can give so far is that the batteries were dead when I opened the box and my set required a full 2 hours to charge before I could use it. Unlike another reviewer, I received exactly what was pictured, including the Motorola D650 bluetooth adaptor.

Once charged, I followed the handy quick start instructions and was connected to my phone (Motorola Razr) in less than 30 seconds and 30 seconds after that I was listening to Unwritten Law streaming out of my iPod. The setup process couldn't be easier. A few test calls to verify the pausing / restart and sound quality of calls and I was off and running, literally & figuratively!

Comfort is surprisingly good and they are very secure. I put the larger rubber cover over the ear buds but found they muffled outside noises too much for my taste. I'll be switching to those next time I'm on an airplane though.

I then spent the rest of the evening experimenting with the range. I have a 3-story townhouse with a central stairwell. On the same level, there is never a dropout. The worst case I had was when I placed the iPod in the laundry room in the far front corner of the basement and went all the way upstairs. Sound quality started to drop when my head wasn't turned in the right direction... but I was 40+ feet away and separated by 2 floors and 2 walls.

I've since used them outside, where the microphone picks up a bit too much wind noise for my taste (it's bearable, just more than I'm used to with my Plantronics), and at the gym, where not having to shift a headset cord every time I switch equipment makes it all worth it.

Here I am 2 days later and the battery still hasn't died. The headset has had at least 60 minutes of phone calls (I don't use it in the car), and well over 6 hours of podcasts & music.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Won't Last For Long, November 6, 2008

By 

R. Shuri (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Motorola S9 Special Edition *Black on Black* Stereo Bluetooth Headset (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I've bought 2 of these in the past year or so. The first pair died when I touched the buttons with sweaty fingers during a workout. I guessed that caused permanent damage to the buttons - thereafter the buttons randomly and frequently pressed themselves - very annoying.

Second pair worked great for a month or two, then the same weird thing happened with the buttons: it's like someone is pressing them repeatedly - but this time I was very careful not to get moisture near the headset.

Several calls to Motorola and no one was there to take my call. Seriously - customer service rings and then a recorded voice says "No one can take your call - try back later."