Motorola's S9-HD looks white as a sheet

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 19th 2008 at 3:13PM

The follow-on to Motorola's sporty and moderately popular (for a stereo bluetooth headset, anyway) S9 may not have launched yet -- a disappointment, considering the original plan for a Q2 release when it was announced at CES -- but perhaps a little last-minute paint job was the reason for the delay. We've now spotted the S9-HD in a bright white getup with blue accents, a far cry from the black of the model shown at CES (and presumably still slated for launch) or the red of the original, but let's not kid ourselves: this one has a way better chance of finding its way into an ear canal or two. Hopefully we'll see it within a few weeks -- just in time for a successor to be launched at CES 2009, no doubt.

Filed under: Multimedia, Peripherals, Motorola

Tags: a2dp, bluetooth, moto, motorola, s9, s9 hd, s9-hd, S9Hd, stereo bluetooth, StereoBluetooth

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Riles @ Aug 19th 2008 3:41PM

Does anyone know if calls will come through in stereo as well with these or still just mono as with the old version?

Neutral

Mycroft @ Aug 19th 2008 4:45PM

I don't see a mic, so I am not sure how you would use this for phone calls.

I would like to find a stereo bluetooth headset that can be used to answer calls with this form factor though, anyone aware of any?

Neutral

prantap @ Aug 19th 2008 7:20PM

It does have a mic and can be paired b/w your phone and music player simultaneously to switch between the 2.

Neutral

Matt @ Aug 20th 2008 12:00PM

http://direct.motorola.com/ens/BTStereoHS_Web_ProductHome.asp

They sound great, have great battery life and can be used for calls.

I'm using a pair right now, actually...

Neutral

Taylor @ Aug 20th 2008 6:51PM

I think the one ear headset thing was for legal issues, because if you used it in a car, you're only allowed to have a headset on one ear.
That doesn't make it any less annoying when you aren't using it in a car, but if the laws are the same, they will probably still be that way, unless enough people complained...
-Taylor

Neutral

cl347bv @ Aug 19th 2008 4:18PM

amazing. i want em.

i wonder if the battery is any better than my current S9 that i have had swapped twice for only having about 3 hours of music playing time...

Neutral

bruintoo @ Aug 19th 2008 5:04PM

I went through four different S9 headphones (thru warranty). Motorola markets the S9 as active/sports headphones but they are not sweatproof. I used them at the gym and after a few uses the buttons stop working and the unit itself works intermittently. After the fourth replacement set, I just gave up on them. I wonder Moto has addressed that problem with this new unit.

Neutral

Anthony @ Aug 19th 2008 7:40PM

I totally agree. I'm on my 3rd, but they really are the best active set around (in both looks & functionality). Luckily there are real cheapies on eBay these days so picking up a spare or two isn't a big deal ($40 or so). Go Motorola- release these. They'll turn your company around, for sure.

Neutral

Anthony @ Aug 19th 2008 7:41PM

Neutral

furiousyellow @ Aug 19th 2008 5:12PM

I just hope this model really IS sweatproof.

Neutral

Jay84Virgo @ Aug 19th 2008 5:52PM

Its about time! Now release them already!

Neutral

Firtch @ Aug 19th 2008 7:58PM

My S9s have been great and sweatproof, too. 4hrs battery and uses a plain USB charger. The mic sucks, though, nobody is ever able to understand me with them unless it is 100% silent, and when does that happen? But the mic is so far from the mouth, it doesn't make sense.

I see no reason to wait for these, the old ones worked great. Mine were blue, though, I never saw any red ones for sale.

Neutral

IntoDeep @ Aug 19th 2008 9:47PM

It does have in-call audio to both ears unlike the last version but I'm curious if they've improved the mic performance.

Neutral

Stevo @ Aug 20th 2008 4:57PM

I just spoke with motorola about these headphones. They are supposed to be released end of this month/ beginning of Sept. but could not give me a definitive date. They should be available in both the solid black as shown earlier this year and also the white with blue accents. I specifically asked about the problems with sweat resistance due to the problems I had with my previous 3 S9 sets and all I could manage to get from them is that this is supposed to be an improvement. However, I haven't found anywhere that says they are specifically sweat resistant as stated by the original S9's. Also in relation to having stereo or mono phone calls...that has nothing to do with the headsets themselves. This is an issue with the phone used for pairing. Most phones don't support stereo during calls so therefore the headsets are only reproducing what information is sent to them. What I am curious about is if they are still using the crappy glue that is supposed to keep these water resistant. I constantly had to re-glue all the rubber parts before finally sending the headset in for warranty work. Also if they've addressed the issue with cutting in and out while outdoors. They're supposed to send me a set to replace the last S9's when these are released, so I can give an update whenever that happens.

Neutral

Michael @ Aug 21st 2008 4:58AM

I'm confused... what's the improvement of these over the last S9's?

I loved the fit and style of the last S9's, but I could never pair them properly with both my phone and iPod adapter, so I gave up and got Jabra's 8010's. (The issue was my phone does A2DP as well as the iPod adapter, and the S9's would only connect to one A2DP device at a time. Jabra's headsets had no problem with 2 A2DP devices.)

Neutral

jsweaz @ Sep 25th 2008 1:16PM

If you look at the picture of the White/Blue S9-HD's and compare them to the typical Red/Black S9's, Motorola appears to have foregone the use of "touch-sensitive" buttons to control the volume and tracks. I am currently on my eighth set of the S9's and what always tends to happen is the "touch-sensitive" buttons faile, but the middle buttons on each side of the headset continue to work.

I guess we'll have to wait and see? I find it hard to believe that any company in today's market would ignore consume complaints in regards to their product. I'm not fond of the way Motorola has denied any issue with the original S9 headset... I am hoping that some forward-thinking company out there will realize the potential of the "active-lifestyle" user market.

I found this interesting headset, but can't even get a response from the manufacturer as to it's availability. http://www.monstronix.com/glum100-p-487650.html

Neutral

jsweaz @ Sep 25th 2008 1:49PM

Looks like the HD's are available from Motorola. Their website store states that they are "In-Stock":

http://www.store.motorola.com/mot/en/US/adirect/motorola?cmd=catProductDetail&_bcs_=200%0889274N%08%3Cb%3ENEW!%3C%2Fb%3E+MOTOROKR%26trade%3B+S9-HD+Bluetooth+Stereo+Headphones%08%23%23%08%23%23%08false%08&showAddButton=true&productID=89274N&tabName=OverView

No mention in their description of them being "sweat and water resistant". I guess that is going to be their solution to fix that issue!?

MOTOROKR™ S9-HD Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

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 new benchmark of wireless music powered by Bluetooth® wireless technology.
Starting with an Award-Winning Design

All the great features that made the MOTOROKR™ S9 a sensation in 2007 are present in the S9-HD. Weighing barely an ounce, they are lighter than an average pair of sunglasses! 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 earned the MOTOROKR S9 top honors in the Best Headphones category for the Consumer Electronic Association's 2008 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering awards.
High Definition Audio

Immerse yourself in your music with the 3-D surround sound and high-definition acoustics from SRS WOW HD™ technology. Leave the outside world behind as you feel every beat and focus on the space your music creates around you with enhanced bass and noise isolation. The S9-HD wraps you in rich sound quality, not wires, so you're free to control your music and calls while staying active.
Music and Calls

Connect to a compatible Bluetooth-enabled music phone or MP3 player, or use the Motorola D650 (sold separately) to pair with most iPod7reg; players. Never miss a call, music mutes or pauses when a call comes in and resumes when the call is over. Enjoy six hours of play time from a single charge.
Features:

* Lightweight. Barely one ounce
* Stable and secure fit
* Long play time. Up to 6 hours of music play from a single charge
* Control music and calls from the headphones
* Music stops when a call comes in, resumes when the call is over
* Ear buds help isolate outside noise
* Enhanced comfort
* Ported design, helps channel music to your ear canal
* Works with any brand of compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone or music device that supports Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)

what you get:

* MOTOROKR™ S9-HD Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
* D650 iPod® adapter
* Travel charger
* Carry Pouch for MOTOROKR™ S9-HD Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
* User Guide