BlueAnt Z9i Bluetooth Headset Review
Posted by Steve Laser on 07/13/08 in Headsets, Mobilitysite Reviews, Wifi / Bluetooth
Let me cut to the chase: This is the best headset I ever used. If you want to read on to see why, feel free, or you can stop now and just buy one.
In the Box
The box contains two ear clips, two different sized ear pieces, an AC wall charger, USB cable, user guide and the headset itself. I believe that since BT headsets are primarily used in cars that a car charger should be included. But it is an extra option in this case.
Product Features
The Z9i features:
Design and Fit
To begin with, the BlueAnt is diminutive at 1.61″ x .68″ x .44″ and weighs a mere .38 oz. Once you choose between the two ear buds, a small or large, and adjust the ear hook to your taste, you won’t even know it’s on. The ear bud rests in your ear, similar to in-ear headphones, but don’t go as far in. The ear hook holds it in place nicely. The ear buds screw in and out and are easy to remove. The ear hook is fully adjustable. You can push it in to make it tighter around your ear, and it also swivels so you can adjust the angle the headset rests at.
BlueAnt takes a minimalist approach in it’s design. The top features the dedicated volume up and down buttons. The outside has a multi-function button (MFB) that controls just about anything you want to do. The rear has a proprietary USB connector.
I find that the best products are those that are so well designed that they are easy to use. Don’t confuse BlueAnt’s design as merely simple, however. It’s just very well thought-out and perfectly executed. Everything makes sense.
Technology
The Z9i features BlueAnt’s Digital Signal Processing solution - Voice Isolation Technology, which is supposed to provide outstanding noise suppression, echo cancellation and wind noise reduction. It also offers the Voice Isolation Max feature, which is like putting it into turbo noise isolation mode.
By default the Standard Voice Isolation mode is working. If you find the need to kick it up a bit, you press the MFB button for 1 second while on a call, and you will hear a voice telling you that you have activated Voice Isolation Max.
You can have two phones connected at the same time and if either rings you can answer that call. If the second one rings you can put the first on hold and switch to the second.
Many other features are included such as:
- different ringtones for known and unknown contacts
- innovative tie clip for attaching to shirt when not in use
- firmware upgrade via USB on your PC
- connect to two phones at one time
- rated talk time 5.5 hrs, standby time 8.3 days
Sound Quality
We have discussed it’s features, ease of use, great design and technology. These qualities come together perfectly to give you a wonderful sound experience. The quality was so good that I found it better than using my phone directly. The sound was loud enough, smooth and crystal clear. There is no hint of echo, or “digitized sound.” It feels like everyone is next door. The people I called agreed. On their end the headset sounded great. There was no lag between my talking and their hearing. Sometimes on my old BT headset I have to say something and wait to make sure the other party has heard me. And I find that leads to lots of cross talk where we both talk and subsequently don’t understand each other. The Z9i doesn’t suffer from these issues.
I tried the Max Noise Isolation while in my car. I found a station with static and turned it up loudly. The caller on the other end heard me better, though sound quality may suffer a bit, as it becomes slightly digitized. However, what you give up in sound quality is made up by clearer voice.
Again, this headset has provided the best sound quality of any BT headset I’ve ever tried.
Conclusion
The BlueAnt has been a pleasure to use. Its simple, yet elegant and lightweight design fits great and is a joy to use. Above all, the sound quality is excellent. The only thing I would love to see is the same on/off feature contained in my Motorola H700, which has a foldable boom mike that connects to your phone when you open it, and disconnects when you close it. Most BT headsets, the Z9i included, turn on and off when you press the MFB button for several seconds. That’s fine if you turn it on and keep it on all day, but I don’t. I like to leave it off until a phone call comes in. I then simply open the boom and answer the phone. Other than that, this is simply the best sounding and fitting BT headset I’ve used. I highly recommend it.
The BlueAnt Z9i retails for $119.99, but the streetprice is less. Amazon has it for $71.29, JR has it for $79.99. Visit the BlueAnt website for more.
Pros
- great sound
- great fit
- lightweight and small
- easy to use
Cons
- proprietary USB connector
- No car charger included
- No instant connect
Written by Steve Laser · Filed Under Headsets, Mobilitysite Reviews, Wifi / Bluetooth
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What phone did you pair it with? I have the BlueAnt X3 Micro and some people are saying that I sounded muffled. Like I was talking behind a piece of cloth. I am pairing my X3 with my Verizon Blackberry Curve 8330
Thanks!
Alright…I’ll see if the local BestBuy has it in stock and give it a try.
Hi there, nice reviews. I’m trying to decide between the BlueAnt z9i, or the Jawbone 2 (I read your review of that as well). The BlueAnt pairs with up to 5 devices, which is slick, as I want to use it with my Mac (Skype/iChat), PS3 (in-game chat), future bluetooth cell phone (don’t actually have one yet), and future Pandora (portable gaming/PDA device).
I’m a little worried about the ‘hidden’ buttons on the Jawbone. I’m pretty savvy, but sometimes buttons should just be buttons. :) And the BlueAnt is a little more affordable, although I’ve no problem paying for quality, but Jawbone you’re paying for style perhaps more than function?
I think I’ll get the z9i.
I own two jawbone 1.0s due to the pairing issues.. i dumbed into the second one, someone lost his, then found it later, after he replaced it.
anyway, is this worth the upgrade from a Jawbone 1.0? or 2.0? also anyone heard of the invisio q7?
are there better products than these four going to be released in the next six months?
lotsa questions, all answers are subjective.
Well i bought the Z9i thinking i was getting state of the art 2.0 bluetooth like it says on the Box!But when i paired it up to my brand new LG Dare it said Blueant Z9i v1.0.Just let me say i was a little upset i emailed them for advice or a reason with no replie.so i called them and the Australian lady on the other end of the phone sounded very anoid when i explained the problem to her.she said there will be an update whatever that means and that it was a misprint what?are you kidding me.well this is the last time i deal with Blueant!
wilson…I’m pretty sure the “V1.0″ refers to the version of the firmware in the z9i, and not the Bluetooth spec. This is one of few headsets that has upgradable firmware. There is supposed to be a firmware update coming in the next few weeks, which is what she was referring to.
Wilson, the “v1.0″ refers to the z9i’s firmware. The Bluetooth version of the z9i is v2.0. I own one, and I confirmed this with my BlackBerry 8330 and my computer.
Next time, please don’t fly off the handle with an immature “last time I deal with BlueAnt” until you’ve actually researched and fully understand the issue you’re having. I’m sure I speak for the rest of my comrades in IT when I beg you to CALM DOWN before assuming you understand something. ;)
Listen Icipher i will never deal with this company blueant again they have continually lied to me over and over they were supposed to email me the so called firmware upgrade on several occasion’s and never have.They were also supposed to return my phone calls and never did they were extremely rude when i did get through to them and it has been weeks and weeks maybe months that this imaginary firmware was supposed to be ready and my brand new phone says bluetooth version 1.0 not 2.0 like they advertise so if it is what you say it is i highly dont what you have said you obviously work for them or something they should have made it to say 2.0 not 1.0 if you by a car with a v8 why would you want a 4cylinder badge im through with this all about the profit company they lie and do not care about there customers in my experiancs.
I forgot to ad that the call quility is not good at all. it is very staticy and it has dropped calles and people on the other end allways keep saying what i didnt hear what did you say.
The hidden buttons may be hidden from view but when you wear the device it’s very easy to know where they are. Don’t worry about that aspect, as the buttons are intuitively where you think they would be.
Wilson,
This website and its writers are not affiliated with BlueAnt. We just review products. But thanks for your 3 informative comments.
George,
I didn’t have the opportunity to review the Jawbone 1, but the Jawbone 2 is quite a bit smaller and supposedly upgraded in several key ways.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback good and bad.
Steve
Just got the z9i and have it paired to my Blackberry 8330 curve from Verizon. On my phone when I have the z9i paired I cannot adjust the volume of the call with the phone’s volume controls. The controls on the z9i work (raising and lowering the volume of the call in my ear) but the buttons on the blackberry don’t work. It’s weird because I own several other bluetooth headsets and on all of them I can adjust the volume while on a call on both the phone and the headset. Anyone out there with similar exp or know of a fix?
well they finally sent me the firmware upgrade v1.1 and it seems to work better now.
I just tryed to adjust the volume with my handset the LG Dare and it didnt work either i can only do it from the blueant headset itself to maybe theres a fix for this but i dont know what it is its easy enough to just use the headset but im still not to impressed with the call quality i think these have a couple more years of advancement yet before there really good.