Motorola Rokr S9 HD - black
Manufacturer: Motorola Part number: 89274N
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Motorola Rokr S9 HD is a simple and lightweight stereo Bluetooth headset, but take caution when using it for an active lifestyle.
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CNET editors' review
Motorola Rokr S9 HD - black price range: $71.99 - $79.99
- Reviewed by: Nicole Lee
- Reviewed on: 07/01/2009
The good: The Motorola Rokr S9 HD has a comfortable and secure design and great audio quality. The buttons are easy to use as well.
The bad: The Motorola Rokr S9 HD can feel unwieldy when exercising or working out, and the Bluetooth connection cuts out occasionally if the paired device isn't positioned correctly. Also, the power button feels stiff, and the charger jack cover isn't secured properly.
The bottom line: The Motorola Rokr S9 HD is a simple and lightweight stereo Bluetooth headset, but take caution when using it for an active lifestyle.
When Motorola came out with the Motorola Rokr S9 headset two years ago, stereo Bluetooth headsets were still fairly new, and the S9 gained popularity because of its sports-centric design. Now that more phones have stereo Bluetooth capability (including the iPhone 3G, thanks to its latest firmware update), Motorola is wise to keep hammering away at making new headsets, like the Motorola Rokr S9 HD. It has a similar design to the S9, but is equipped with higher fidelity sound for your music-listening needs. We quite like the sound quality and the fit was OK, but it doesn't handle sports activity as well as we would like. The Motorola Rokr S9 HD retails for $99.99 but you can find it for as low as $60. The Rokr S9 HD comes with a Motorola D650 iPod adapter.
The Motorola Rokr S9 HD has a design almost identical to the S9. The neckband connecting the two earpieces floats slightly behind the head, and you wear the headset so that the ear loops hook over the top of your ears. It's not at all clunky or bulky, but we did find that it does pinch the sides of our head slightly. The S9 HD can also be a bit of a hassle if you have longer hair. Otherwise, it's quite comfortable to wear and it's easy to slip the headset on and off because of the slightly flexible ear loops. The earpieces sit just inside the ear opening, and there are three different size earbud coverings for a more custom fit.
The battery of the S9 HD is housed in a long and flat base at the back of the neckband. Underneath the base are the power button and charger jack with an indicator light in between. The music player controls are located above the right earpiece and the call button and volume controls are above the left. These side earpiece buttons are raised above the surface and are easy to find and press, but the power button on the neckband is a bit stiff. Also, the charger jack is covered up by a rubber flap that isn't very secure, thus reducing the headset's moisture resistance.
We tested the Motorola Rokr S9 HD headset with the Apple iPhone 3G and the Casio Exilim C721. The Rokr S9 HD comes with SRS-WOW HD sound that really amps up the overall fidelity of the music. You can choose between two SRS-WOW HD settings: one has fuller sound with more clarity, and another has balanced audio with enhanced bass. Music quality was quite spectacular as a result; the bass sounded round and full, and we were impressed with the surround sound qualities of the high-definition audio.
Call quality was a little less than stellar, but still surprisingly good. We could hear our callers loud and clear without any problems and vice versa. However, callers did detect quite a bit of echo in the background and they said our voices sounded rather harsh and machine-like at times.
We also tested the Rokr S9 HD out while jogging outdoors. The headset bounced up and down a lot, which felt a little uncomfortable and unwieldy. We also found that the Bluetooth connection would cut out every once in a while, especially if we were really jogging at a rapid pace. This happened a lot more when the paired handset was in the pocket, which might've caused a slight antenna interference; we would advise you wear an armband for better connectivity.
Other features of the Rokr S9 HD include support for call waiting and last number redial, plus the ability to transfer calls from the headset to the phone and vice versa. The Rokr S9 HD also has multipoint technology, which means it can connect up to two phones at once.
The Motorola Rokr S9 HD comes with a Motorola D650 iPod adapter, which will add stereo Bluetooth functionality to any iPod via the dock connector. It also comes with a drawstring pouch for the headset. The Rokr S9 HD has a battery life of up to 6 hours talk time and/or playback time.
User reviews
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Hurt Like Hell!!"
by djs621 on July 17, 2009
Pros: Sound great look great
Cons: Pinch your ears
Summary: These headphones sound great in both calling and listening to music.. On the other hand they pinch your ears horribly... At first u notice it's a bit snug then ...
Summary: These headphones sound great in both calling and listening to music.. On the other hand they pinch your ears horribly... At first u notice it's a bit snug then a half hour later you have to get them off your head! I really wanted to like these headphones because they sounded great and looked great but i just couldn't stand how uncomfortable they were.. I wish CNET wouldn't be so diplomatic in their reviews by saying "may be unwieldy for an active lifestyle." Just say they hurt like hell when worn for a long time is that too much to ask.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Only one word "Outstanding"
by kernelnuts on September 21, 2009
Pros: The sound quality is amazing.
It connected to my iPhone without any issue.Cons: I could see where it might be somewhat uncomfortable to someone with a large head.
Summary: I had the previous version of this headset (the non-HD version) for over two years. I used the headset for 8+ hours every day and it just recently gave out (...
Summary: I had the previous version of this headset (the non-HD version) for over two years. I used the headset for 8+ hours every day and it just recently gave out (the usb socket wore out). So I decided to get the HD version and I couldn't be happier. The sound quality is better than any other headset I have ever heard (bluetooth or otherwise). The HD version also fits much better and does a much better job of blocking outside noise.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Improved reliability over S9. Stereo phone calls.
by stridentbeliever on June 29, 2009
Pros: Stereo audio for phone calls and richer, deeper bass as compared to S9. I have used these for the past month and they already have outlasted my S9's - double the lifespan!
Cons: Same as before and noted elsewhere; comfort could be an issue especially if you have long hair.
Summary: Stereo audio for phone calls and richer, deeper bass as compared to S9. I have used these for the past month and they already have outlasted my S9's - ...
Summary: Stereo audio for phone calls and richer, deeper bass as compared to S9. I have used these for the past month and they already have outlasted my S9's - double the life. I had 3 S9's prior to this and each failed and was returned to Motorola - the controls stopped working twice and audio output failed on one unit. So far this unit continues to rock and roll - fingers crossed. All control buttons are now raised which is easier to depress but slightly more difficult to distinguish the controls. You have to remember where you fingers are in order to hit the right button. Since my experience with 3 of the previous models of S9's, I avoid sweaty situations, which is ironic since it is these environments which the S9 series was supposedly able to perform in. The S9 I owned, all three of them, started to malfunction when exposed to sweat, loss of audio and controls. So with this one, I avoid sweat. I pair it with my AT&T Tilt - pairing issues I can say are related to this phone; such as failure to pair, requiring re-bonding. These issues are not experienced when paired to my HP iPaq 6515. Battery life is about 5 hours of continuous play. If you have been burned by the Motorola S9 and have doubts about upgrading to this S9 HD, I would ask you to keep an open mind because so far, the reliability of this model surpasses that of the S9 - hell, phone calls are in stereo now!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Expensive for what you get
by harlembroker on December 2, 2009
Pros: No wires, cool look, external controls a plus, syncs easily with my blackberry
Cons: VERY poor connectivity outdoors with music listening and phone use
people hated talking to me on the phone, poorly designed...earbuds fell out because they are only glued in. after trying to fit the rubber covers the ear buds ripped out.Summary: My primary cimplaint is the poor connectivity. I live in the city and with all the other radio waves, the device seemed to always lose connection and interfere with my ...
Summary: My primary cimplaint is the poor connectivity. I live in the city and with all the other radio waves, the device seemed to always lose connection and interfere with my music listening. Everyone hated talking to me on the phone, either they thought they were on speaker or they couldn't hear me at all.I tried to replace the rubber pieces that fit into the ear. but after tying to put one on the entire speaker ripped out. the speakers are only glued to the surface of the plastic molding so the design is very poor. The volume is still not what I would prefer. especially in noisy environments. I wanted to like these and motorolla usually has good product. but the ROKKRS did not pass the test with me. $90 down the drain
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It looks cool... that's it
by mcox1124 on November 16, 2009
Pros: Looks great, great sound quality when listening to music.
Cons: Extremely uncomfortable and horrible call quality
Summary: While the iPod/iPhone sounded great when listening to music, what good is it when your ears hurt after 30 minutes of use because there is no adjustability available? Call ...
Summary: While the iPod/iPhone sounded great when listening to music, what good is it when your ears hurt after 30 minutes of use because there is no adjustability available? Call quality was horrendously bad. If I was moving at all (even driving, being stationary myself), every one sounded like an illiterate robot and the people i was talking to actually asked me to call them back from a regular phone because this headset picked up more background noise then my voice. I wasn't able to make one successful phone call with these. Absolute waste of time and money.
I ended up taking this garbage headphones back and replaced them with the Altec Lansing Backbeat 906 bluetooth headphones. The new ones are by leaps and bounds a better product and highly recommended. Great call quality (people can't tell I'm on bluetooth headphones), very lightweight and aren't obstructed if you wear glasses. While the bass-response isn't as good as the Motorola's, overall quality and satisfaction with the product results in a 10/10 for me. -
Decent product but overall dissastisfied
by Cloud9South on November 10, 2009
Pros: Sound quality is good, buttons are easy to use, it syncs easy with my iPhone. I have not had any problem using it to talk on the phone. I've not used the buttons much but they work ok so far.
Cons: I have a small head and it still clamps too tight and hurts my ears. The design feels awkward. It is too uncomfortable to use for long. Reception poor when I am moving around or if the phone i s not just perfect in alignment with the headphones.
Summary: I'm looking for something more comfortable even though I bought this only a month ago.
Summary: I'm looking for something more comfortable even though I bought this only a month ago.
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Has good points-bad points Good outweigh the bad
by Cholerae on November 10, 2009
Pros: Sound is fantastic. Music in both ears, phone call in both ears? The best. Range is fantastic.
Cons: Going to be tight on big heads.
Summary: Just got this for my iPhone. Absolutely the best having wireless music and ability to take phone calls in one design. Definitely tight on the head. I do seem to ...
Summary: Just got this for my iPhone. Absolutely the best having wireless music and ability to take phone calls in one design. Definitely tight on the head. I do seem to be getting used to it, but not sure why they made the thing so stiff. Bigger heads will NOT want this headset. The range is fantastic. I read many reviews stating you had to have the phone in this pocket or that pocket in order to keep the pairing. I haven't experienced that at all. I had my phone downstairs, I went upstairs into my bedroom and closed the door. Still paired, no skipping, no static. NADA. It was crystal clear. I can say, when I first paired the device, it had a terrible connection and dropped sound while the phone and headset were 1 foot apart. I re-paired and haven't had a problem since. Range is exceptional.
For my head, the fit is excellent. These things are not coming off, unless I take them off. Solid feel. Not all the controls translate to the iphone, which sucks. Some people state the pause button works, but not for me.
Bottom line. If you have a smaller head, this headset is awesome. -
Can't imagine being without them
by jeremysixsix on November 7, 2009
Pros: The motorola S9-HD work great indoors.
Sound is great. The build quality is fine. Worked right after charging. I've use for a week now and charge time is great. Phone runs out before they do which is at least all day for me. Call qualilty is great.Cons: As soon as I go outside the sound breaks up.
Summary: I have to say I love these things. They are comfortable for me, even with glasses. My glasses fit comfortably over or under the headphones. I hated wires getting tangled ...
Summary: I have to say I love these things. They are comfortable for me, even with glasses. My glasses fit comfortably over or under the headphones. I hated wires getting tangled up and my Samsung behold has a proprietary headphone jack so one can only use the ones that came with the phone and they were terrible. The volume was not loud and they kept falling out of my ears. Outdoors they don't work well, the sound breaks up. If I put my phone in my back pack close to the headphones it works fine but I'm not always walking around with a backpack except for school. Overall I love them so far. They look weird but not having to deal with any wires is great.
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Great sound -not so good physically
by vbuendia on November 5, 2009
Pros: Great sound, it is impressive how well the device delivers sound.
Great battery life.
Surprisingly light and excellent fit. Perfect for sports.Cons: The small ear buds continuously fall off the headphone.
The blue-tooth reception is not good.
The call quality is less than acceptable.
The charging mini-USB receptacle is covered by a rubber cap that doesn't seem to fit well.Summary: Good headphones if yo are thinking about eliminating your wires and not look like you have earmuffs.
The sound quality is outstanding (once you manage to line up your transmitter ...Summary: Good headphones if yo are thinking about eliminating your wires and not look like you have earmuffs.
The sound quality is outstanding (once you manage to line up your transmitter and the earphone). SRS WOW HD technology does make a difference.
This earphones fit almost perfectly in your neck and fit well in your ears, and since they are very light then don't fall off easily. Perfect for running, jogging or similar activities.
My two biggest complains are poor call quality and poor blue-tooth reception. Also, the ear rubber pieces fall off the little speakers very often. I would like to see an improved blue-tooth reception, a much better call quality and noise-canceling earbuds (the currently offered earbuds are not very good) all of it in the exact same design. I think Motorola nailed it with this device but making this little improvements will make this earphones the best of the market. -
Returned it 4 times in 10 months
by TBWilliams62 on November 2, 2009
Pros: Great sound, easy to pairing, light weight and comfortable, on wires.
Cons: I had to return or exchange my S9-HD 4 times in 10 months because the microphone stops working about every 2.5 months.
Summary: I like the idea of being wireless while I am active in sports, but it breaks too often!
Summary: I like the idea of being wireless while I am active in sports, but it breaks too often!
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Motorola
- Part number: 89274N
- Description: The wireless music experience has been enhanced with an upgraded version of the award-winning MOTOROKR S9, the Motorola S9-HD. Freedom to exercise, move around and commute without wires to tangle or hold you back, is now enhanced with high-definition audio and ear buds that reduce background noise and improve comfort. The S9-HD is the benchmark of wireless music powered by Bluetooth wireless technology. The unique behind-the-head design creates a secure and stable fit - even in active conditions - plus easy to use controls for track selection, volume, play/pause and send/end that allow you to manage music and calls from the headphones.
General
- Product Type Headset - Bluetooth 2.0
- Width 5 in
- Depth 5.1 in
- Height 1.9 in
- Weight 1.1 oz
- Recommended Use PC multimedia, Cellular phone, Portable audio system
- Additional Features SRS WOW, Volume control, Answer/end button, Echo cancellation, Play/pause button, Track select buttons
- Bundled with Motorola Bluetooth Adapter for iPod D650
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor In-ear ear-bud (with behind-the-neck mount)
- Connectivity Technology Wireless - Bluetooth 2.0
- Bluetooth Profiles Hands Free Profile (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
Microphone
- Type Built-in
- Microphone Operation Mode Mono
Remote Control
- Type None
Wireless Link
- Transmission Range 33 ft
Miscellaneous
- Compliant Standards Bluetooth Class 2
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
- Battery Headset battery - Rechargeable
- Run Time (Up To) 6 hour(s)
Manufacturer info
- Motorola
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Motorola products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.motorola.com/
- Address:
600 N. Highway 45, Libertyville, IL 60048 - Phone: 847/576-5000
