Not going to lie, was pretty skeptical when my wife first wanted these. I've had some pretty crappy bluetooth audio products in the past, so I didn't have high expectations for them.

After her using them for a while, one day I wanted to listen to some music on my tablet, so she let me try her headphones. To my shock, these were amazing! Sound wasn't as bad as I was thinking it was going to be either.

Sadly, our toddler got a hold of them. Thanks to her, one twist and now I'm in for 2! (Don't need 3 of something?! GASP!)

I had to flip them upside down for a better fit on my melon. They work great although it did take a solid week of wearing in order to break them in.

I own these, paid about $80 at "worst buy" a couple years ago, as I wanted a bluetooth headset, but not the bulky looking ones at the time. They have worked great for me so far. Long battery life, sound "ok" for what they are used for, and great range, as previously noted.

I'd read a lot of negative reviews of headsets, and didn't bother to read about these until I bought them. These also have mixed reviews, as evidenced by many in this thread. However, my personal experience has been positive except for two small things: the rubber ear pieces seem to fall off easily, and just recently the rubber strips on the sides are starting to come unstuck. Bought new ear pieces (which come in different sizes for different ear holes), and not too worried about the rubber strips.

I'm not sure what the big deal is with a "refurb" as the rubber ear pieces are replaceable. I have to figure the company changes these out...and presto, sanitary again, good as new.

Woot's changed over the past couple years, and the diamonds are harder to find, but from my experience with these, at that price, they are in that category...I'm in for a couple...

To those who have had a pair of these, how is the external noise? I'm considering them for work, but don't want my neighbors having to hear my music.

i would opt out for the simple fact that bluetooth is a battery drain and having to turn it off and on for something as simple as listening to music seems like a chore as opposed to just having a wire onto your desk/pocket/etc

beachhead wrote:I own these, paid about $80 at "worst buy" a couple years ago, as I wanted a bluetooth headset, but not the bulky looking ones at the time. They have worked great for me so far. Long battery life, sound "ok" for what they are used for, and great range, as previously noted.

I'd read a lot of negative reviews of headsets, and didn't bother to read about these until I bought them. These also have mixed reviews, as evidenced by many in this thread. However, my personal experience has been positive except for two small things: the rubber ear pieces seem to fall off easily, and just recently the rubber strips on the sides are starting to come unstuck. Bought new ear pieces (which come in different sizes for different ear holes), and not too worried about the rubber strips.

I'm not sure what the big deal is with a "refurb" as the rubber ear pieces are replaceable. I have to figure the company changes these out...and presto, sanitary again, good as new.

Woot's changed over the past couple years, and the diamonds are harder to find, but from my experience with these, at that price, they are in that category...I'm in for a couple...

I had the same gripes with the ear buds; where did you find replacements and for what price, if you please? We still have our original sets but the missus has lost every bud except for one, not one set mind you, one! She'll be happy with these updated ones. I like that these have the micro-usb that our cellphones have. That'll be one less headache with the charging valet we have.

crystalrowan wrote:To those who have had a pair of these, how is the external noise? I'm considering them for work, but don't want my neighbors having to hear my music.

If they're maxed out, you'll hear some noise but not for long as you will lose most of the hearing ability you were born with. At regular volumes there is virtually no leak.

just bought 3 of them for the same price I paid for 1 a year ago...
I love music -- hate wires so when I got a cell phone with an mp3 player I went out and bought a pair of these... sounds great, I use them walking, feeding chickens, chopping wood, chainsawing wood and splitting wood...
My first pair did go back and get replaced but no problem with motorola fixing them... get four hours or so with constant use...
Note: periodically, they would stop and the player would still be working, and a regular blue tooth would work -- but all I had to do is pull the battery in and out of the phone, no idea whether it's the phone or the headset that gets reset...
Even better with this deal I can get a blue tooth adapter for the ipod and have a lot more music than the cell phone can handle...
I guess lucky for me I don't have a fat head.

malignifier wrote:i would opt out for the simple fact that bluetooth is a battery drain and having to turn it off and on for something as simple as listening to music seems like a chore as opposed to just having a wire onto your desk/pocket/etc

I was going to leave a snarky comment about laziness until the memory of how hard it was to access the bluetooth menu on my last cellphone floated through the brain. It can be a severe pain in the neck!

Waker1 wrote:I had the same gripes with the ear buds; where did you find replacements and for what price, if you please? We still have our original sets but the missus has lost every bud except for one, not one set mind you, one! She'll be happy with these updated ones. I like that these have the micro-usb that our cellphones have. That'll be one less headache with the charging valet we have.

I was thinking about putting some electric tape over where the little covers (white or red) come off, because I lost them on my first set and could see the wires inside and that is when the set had to go back and be replaced...

alanbard wrote:just bought 3 of them for the same price I paid for 1 a year ago...
I love music -- hate wires so when I got a cell phone with an mp3 player I went out and bought a pair of these... sounds great, I use them walking, feeding chickens, chopping wood, chainsawing wood and splitting wood...
My first pair did go back and get replaced but no problem with motorola fixing them... get four hours or so with constant use...
Note: periodically, they would stop and the player would still be working, and a regular blue tooth would work -- but all I had to do is pull the battery in and out of the phone, no idea whether it's the phone or the headset that gets reset...
Even better with this deal I can get a blue tooth adapter for the ipod and have a lot more music than the cell phone can handle...
I guess lucky for me I don't have a fat head.

I don't understand the fat head comments. My head is 7 3/4 and it (the headset) rests on my neck upside down for the best fit. It took a solid week of wearing them where I prefer but then it was all cake after that. Some items need a break-in period folks. My wife's head is average for a girl and she loves hers. So, big and small don't matter as much as adjustment bending them to your will!

glazedfaith wrote:Please do not wear these while driving. I'm pretty sure it's illegal in some places to have something in BOTH ears while driving, and regardless of where you are, it's ALWAYS a bad idea, even if it isn't legal. With something that goes IN your ear canal, it doesn't take much sound at all to block out almost all external sound, including the horn of that Semi that is about to slam into your car.

* In every state deaf people can get a driver's license just fine.
* Best in-class motorcycle helmets have noise reduction ratings up to 40DB - this is a feature!
* luxury cars boast 20-30 DB noise reduction (similar to ear plugs or safety ear muffs)
* it is very rare that horns are actually used to avoid a collision. Most people don't think that fast and react instinctively with actions that have much stronger muscle memory such as steering or braking the car.
* loud music that from car speakers can mask sounds every bit as well as headphones.

mmegan33 wrote:Is there any way to use these with a computer? I do a lot of transcription at work, it'd be nice not to be on a headphone tether!

yes! a simple cheap usb bluetooth adapter for your PC will send the audio to the headphones. I bought one for $9 and it works with no problems. just make sure you get one that supports the stereo BT profile.

I owned a pair of these and they didn't last a year. They are not sweat proof even though they are advertised as such.

If you plan to use these for running or working out, don't be surprised when buttons mysteriously stop working and the volume is so low you can't hear anything. Seems to be a well known problem when I started searching for help with mine. Motorola support offered me 10% off on the purchase of a replacement. Buyer beware.

mdwyerfoo wrote:Note that these, like most other bloooootooth headsets, aren't supported by Windows.

i disagree, i use mine w/a Sony Vaio laptop running windows vista -- NO issues at all.

Every review I have read on these says that basically if you have a "man sized head" not to bother with them because they will hurt your ears. Also read several reviews saying that the volume was very low as well.

I own a pair. They are painful to use if you wear glasses. Not only that, they move your glasses around every time you move your head in the slightest. DO NOT purchase if you wear glasses, or even plan on wearing a hat.

I have a pair of these I wear when I throw pottery. They frequently get wet clay and water on them when I need to press the buttons with dirty fingers. They clean up easy and are still going strong! At this price, I'll gladly grab a back-up!

I had a pair awhile back that were given to me. They worked great for music and were not bad for phone calls. I stopped using mine because the volume rocker stopped working. They would not turn up any longer and I could feel the button not have the same give as it did before. I really did enjoy using them when they worked but was not ready to shell out $80 for them.

I am definitely picking up another pair here.

Do all the functions work on an iPhone 4S? (being that it is Bluetooth 4.0 and all)

stephenjacobhall wrote:Worth getting at this price?

I've got the S9, they're great if you're walking/running but not if you've got a head rest behind you or possibly a helmet (biking). And the S9 used to have Windows 7 drivers but Microsoft or Motorla maybe no longer has them at the Microsoft Update Center so no joy getting them to work with that OS, which sucks if you enjoy synching with a PC. Now the S10 might not have that issue, but check. Great to synch with my HTC/Droid Thunderbolt though. And yes, the price $25, is what I paid for the S9 a few months ago.

They ran out of the black and white ones quickly.

This is a question for anyone that owns these...do the white ones get grimy/dirty looking after normal use? Do they clean up easily?

Anyone know if you can pair two of these to the same device and allow two people to listen at the same time?

DMusicJr wrote:This is a question for anyone that owns these...do the white ones get grimy/dirty looking after normal use? Do they clean up easily?

Guess it doesn't matter because they are out....in for two of the red ones!

I've had these, the Plantronics Backbeat 903, and have the now 903+ and would hands down say these sucked the most of the three. The rigid neck piece makes them very difficult to fit. They fit me Ok, but my wife could not make then fit her to a point she would ever wear them.

I also found the rigid neck piece rubbed funny when I was doing more than sitting there. Probably because that is where the weight is kept on these (battery and electronics)

I have the 903 and now they have the 903+ which are an improvement over the 903's. This is the refurb version for $29.95:
http://www.all4cellular.com/product/plantronics-backbeat-903plus-bluetooth-stereo-headset-refurbished.html

They also have a non refurb version with a 10% off coupon (A4C10) here:
http://www.all4cellular.com/product/plantronics-backbeat-903-plus-bluetooth-headset.html

Battery life on the Motorola ~ 5 hours at the most; The 903+ ~ 8+ hours (a full day at work)

Range on the Motorola ~ 30ft open space ; 903+ ~ 25 (we have a big office suite and I lose the connection further away on the Motorola, but still 20+ feet,,, not bad for either!

Fit on Motorola ~ Ok on me.. terrible on my wife; 903+ Amazing for either. The flexible back is THE way to go.

Volume on Motorola ~ Meh, could never get loud enough for me on calls to hear well.(music was acceptable) But part of that may have been the fit.; 903+ spectacular... loud enough others in the office can hear them when I have them cranked on a good song! (so I like loud music some times. ;-)

BTW, I believe NONE of these are the answer if you work out and actually sweat! I do sweat a lot and have killed both the Motorola and the Backbeat versions before. If you sweat to the point it drips when you exercise, these are not for you while working out... sorry.

I had a previous version of these I used for running. I would not recommend them because:

1. Not super-comfortable (actually hurt my ears during longer wear sessions)

2. Not water-resistant at all. After a few runs, my sweat (and not paritcularly moist compared to others), must have gotten into it somehow and the controls ceased working. Permanently.

If you like this style, I prefer the GoGroove model:

http://www.amazon.com/GOgroove-AudioACTIVE-Hands-Free-Bluetooth-Smartphones/dp/B004DR8PW6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1334919715&sr=8-5

Lightweight and works really well.

sjharris10101 wrote:Anyone know if you can pair two of these to the same device and allow two people to listen at the same time?

Generally, you can't pair two Bluetooth devices to the one device.

However, I have paired one set of headphones to two devices(iPhone and computer at the same time), but was more of a fluke and very hard to replicate. I have never figured out how I do it when it happens.

Usually once one device has control the other is locked out., However, I have on a VERY few occasions had it pair first to the computer and then also the iPhone a second later. But never the reverse possible as I have tried a Motorola and a Backbeat to the same device and it kicks the first device off to connect to the second.

Consider these 1 to 1 devices.

I have a set of these but the previous model. They are perfect for working out and pretty much any activity. I have read reviews that for some reason this model aren't as great and tend to get damaged easily from working out.

The quality coming out of them is actually really good. It works with my iPhone and works with my andorid tablet so this will more than likely work for anyone looking to use it.

I recommend them for sure at this price. I may get an extra set for myself. Just to have a back up or 2. I bought 1 for $50 on ebay.

Bought a pair on Amazon, exchanged because they failed after a week. Second pair lasted 2 weeks. Hope you don't buy the refurb'd ones I returned. BackBeat by Plantronics rock!

gty wrote:yes! a simple cheap usb bluetooth adapter for your PC will send the audio to the headphones. I bought one for $9 and it works with no problems. just make sure you get one that supports the stereo BT profile.

You'll need a blue tooth program most likely. There are two parts of the BT connection; 1 the PC understands it, 2 the software understands it. Without the software one to understand the commands from the headset you can connect but not get music to play on a normal windows machine.

Toshiba is the best I've used, but rarely comes with the $2 Bluetooth models. Just make sure whatever BT adapter you buy has the software otherwise you may get a connection but get no music to play.

I bought a pair of the S9s in December and mainly use them around the office and I love them. They keep me wireless and the sound quality is amazing. I've found that the call quality is as good as any middle of the road BT headset...although it is weird getting used to talking into thin air since the mic is behind you.

As far as head/ear comfort they are good for me. I think it just really depends on your head/ear shape. For $25 it can't hurt to give it a try.

They do droop if you move a lot so I wouldn't say they are great for running. I do use them when I mow the lawn and it seems I have to lift them up every now and again.

Be warned, if you wear glasses or sunglesses they are no good, they pinch your glasses and push them up...at least the S9s do. Hopefully these are better?

I put my iPhone in the corner of the gym and have no issue streaming the bluetooth all around...at least 25 feet

Bought the S10's on Amazon (on sale!) a month ago for twice this much. Wonderful device! Have used for hours and hours, working out, listening to audio books & music around the house and yard; no problems whatsoever. Fie on those of you who snapped up all the black & white ones. Now I am stuck with three black & red ones. But I understand that the red ones work better, anyway.

[quote postid="4959329" user="snitily"]I had pair of SD-9s. They worked three times and then the power button stopped working to turn them on.
I had the same problem with the vplume control seizing literally after the third use. Very cheap manufacturing.

Can you connect these with your T.V. and use them as a head set to listen.

are these going to work with my ipod shuffle? I think it's 3rd gen? anyone tried them running? will they fall out with every step?

I have the S9-HD and have used them for a couple of years and love them. I use them for running, working out, and even mowing the lawn. I love there is no cord to get in the way and I am very pleased with the audio quality. With the audio and track controls on the unit I can leave my move in my pocket and control everything from the headset. I have used it to receive the occasional phone call while out for a run and the phone audio quality is okay although I would not want to use it as a dedicated phone audio device but in a pinch it works.

andreamcculloch wrote:are these going to work with my ipod shuffle? I think it's 3rd gen? anyone tried them running? will they fall out with every step?

I have used them for running extensively and no, they will not fall out. I think they are great for running since you do not have to worry about the cord getting in the way of your arms.

This is a great price for these headphones. I personally prefer the S9-HDs over these . Unfortunately for me, I have already bought to pairs, one of each, and both died on me due to sweat getting inside and ruining them. I do have to admit that when I work out I look as if I just finished taking a shower with my clothes on; so it probably isn't their fault. I have been using Jaybird's Freedom (JF3) for 6 months now and I could not be happier. Best part of the JF3s is their sweat proof life time warranty.