MOTOROKR S9, wireless – sounds OK, looks dorky
This post was published 2 years 5 months 20 days ago which may make its actuality or expire date not be valid anymore. This site is not responsible for any misunderstanding.Motorola is trying their best to make a niche for themselves in the mobile entertainment arena with the ROKR
Sprint / Motorola sent me Motorola’s latest, the MOTOROKR S9
Supports A2DP? Well that is just swell
The MOTOROKR S9’s performed as expected with the Samsung Upstage. Not surprising considering the handset supports the Stereo Bluetooth Profile A2DP. Sadly, audio quality was flat and distant. This would have be "acceptable" had the headphones been of the standard Bluetooth wireless hands-free headset variant, but they weren’t. They are supposed to play two roles: 1) Bluetooth stereo headphones and 2) wireless hands-free headset.
Audio quality aside, controlling phone calls or audio playback is done with controls conveniently placed on the headphones above both ears. Phone controls – answer / end & volume – above the left ear, audio controls – play / pause & skip-forward / back – above the right ear. Answering / ending a call, or playing / pausing audio is done so by buttons with a resounding click. Increasing / decreasing volume, or skipping forward / back is much subtler with touch sensitive controls.
Functional handsfree headset for non-A2DP supported devices
Excited with the prospect of being able to enjoy wire-free stereo sound with my iPhone (as I did with the Samsung Upstage), I was sadly disappointed and reminded of the fact that Apple neglected to support the A2DP Bluetooth profile. Why Apple why? Was it to conserve battery life? Is it a "feature" for a future iPhone release?
A2DP stereo Bluetooth sound or not, the MOTOROKR S9’s functioned like any other basic Bluetooth headset. Strangely, the S9’s – when paired as a standard handsfree headset – only output sound through one ear bud. Whether or not this is normal for Bluetooth headphones during normal voice calls is beyond me (drop your comments below of your A2DP stereo headphones output sound through both ear buds during a voice call).
During voice calls, audio quality for anyone on the opposite end of the call reported somewhat muffled sound and complained of excessive background noise. Not at all surprising considering the microphone is integrated into the left ear bud.
Similar feedback was reported while using the S9’s for VOIP calling via iChat audio / video & Skype. For anyone interested in getting the Stereo Bluetooth profile A2DP to work with Mac OS X Tiger, check out this helpful article by David C.
Likes
- USB charger – charge the headphones from your computers USB port(s).
- Fairly lightweight and unobtrusive if your head fits.
- Convenient phone and stereo function (controls) separation – communication on the left-side, stereo on the right-side.
- Increase / decrease volume & fast foward / skip controls are nearly touch sensitive.
Dis-likes
- Uncomfortable. I found the MOTOROKR S9’s too narrow, larger heads will definitely feel the squeeze. On top of the firm plastic frame, the included earbuds are also uncomfortable and difficult to position for thorough sound output.
- Unattractive. This probably goes for any wireless behind-the-head headphones. My co-worker asked if I was from the future immediately after putting them on.
- Terrible pairing / setup process. As cool and "convenient" as it may seem to be to limit functions to a single button, it doesn’t hurt to have a single pin-hole button dedicated to pairing.
On a related note, Apple iPhone users should check out Ultimate Buds. The third-party service mates the popular Etymotic ER6i
Want these MOTOROKR S9’s?
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I need them because I *am* from the future, but I had to leave mine behind because, as you may know from The Terminator, the only way to travel back in time is butt naked.
I could so use them for work. I had some Sony ear buds that just started to go out on me and I was looking into getting a set of bluetooth headphones because it is so uncomfortable having the wires and that is what I think is going out on all my headphones. Plus all the other bluetooth ones look way too bulky.
I could use them because i do not have any bluetooth headsets and ive been wanting some for a while and i really like that black and red conbination :)and my birthday is this thursday and id be a pretty cool uneasy gift :P
I could use them, for I am the one and only Tony Robins ( I wish… ). Plus I am a poor student and am in need of a good set of headphones, since my ipod ones broke I have been forced to use a crappy pair of old motorola headphones/headset that came with my V3i and they don’t even fit my ears. This makes me sad, but receiving these would definitely help my dilemma!
I’d use the headphones with my iPhone. I felt really burned after my purchase, and it appears as if now, my default buds are breaking! I’ve been trying to find a good solution to remedy the poor speakerphone, and it seems like these buds are the perfect solution. I could use them while I run, or just while walking around. The headphones are also really cool looking and would go great with the iPhone. Now all I need is a phone that supports A2DP! I have a pair of Logitech bluetooth headphones but they are bulkier than anything I’ve ever seen and I bought them on Woot! several years ago. These would be a much needed upgrade for school, play, and more! Thanks for the opportunity Uneasy!
Does it convince you that I’m a real Motorola Boy?
I’ve never owned a phone by another manufacturer. My first cell phone was the “legendary” Motorola CD930 … and I have a Razr now and will have either a Razr 2 or the new slider … Z8!
So you would so make my day … and the days thereafter … with this Motorola head-phone … you won’t believe it how much!
Though I don’t believe begging would help … I’d agree to barf like a dog and do everything else … like fetch a stick, or roll around, play dead … to complete my Motorola fan outfit with a pair of those ;)
I put a comment up awhile ago but it didnt show up :(
I could use them, for I am the one and only Tony Robins (I wish…). Plus I am a poor student and am in need of a good set of headphones, since my ipod ones broke I have been forced to use a sh***y pair of old motorola headphones/headset that came with my V3i and they don’t even fit my ears. This makes me sad, but receiving these would definitely help my dilemma!
thats what i said before but it wouldn’t show up for some reason :(
I’d be a good fit for them because I recently purchased these in-ear headphones ($30) which absolutely suck and never stay in my ear, and I can’t even return them. I’d like to have something nice and without wires, but as a college student, my budget is very limited.
Having these headphones would be great for me because my Cingular 8525 requires a dongle, which I lost, to attach earphones. Would it kill phone companies to add a 3.5 mm plug for standard earphones?
I’m pretty sure these are compatible with a Samsung Blackjack. I’m in the end stages of training for a marathon and generally run with an Nano and the Blackjack (the former for tunes, the later for emergency). Trimming down one device would be nice.
I’d write up a nice review of how well they stood up to the rigors of a 20+ mile training runs (think lots of sweat) for you to post up. I’d offer a race test, but most race organizers won’t let you wear headphones on the course.
You probably won’t want them back, but your offer implies who ever gets them gets to keep them.