Product: BlueAnt z9i Bluetooth Headset
Price: $59.95 @ BuyDig.com

Supplier: BlueAnt
Author: Nick
Date: December 12, 2008

I have had mixed results with Bluetooth headsets. My biggest complaint has always been that the microphones picked up all but the quietest of background noises. The z9i from BlueAnt claims to reduce the amount of background noise that is transmitted. To complete this task, the z9i uses a combination of two microphones and BlueAnt’s Voice Isolation Technology. Sounds good in theory but does the z9i live up to BlueAnt’s claims?

Packaging

Included with the z9i Bluetooth headset is an AC wall adaptor, a USB cable, a small ear bud, a large ear bud, two ear hooks, a user manual, and quick start guide.

Setup

Pairing your phone with the z9i is just like any other Bluetooth headset. The first time the z9i is turned on, it automatically enters pairing mode. The process of pairing a Bluetooth headset varies by phone so your best bet if you are unsure is to consult your phone’s user manual. Like most other headsets, the default pass key is “0000”.

The BlueAnt z9i

After pairing the BlueAnt z9i with my phone, I noticed that the large preinstalled ear bud was too large to comfortably and securely fit in my ear. Thankfully BlueAnt was thoughtful enough to include a smaller ear bud. To change ear buds, you simply twist the old one off and twist on the new ear bud.

Once I switched to the smaller ear bud the z9i was extremely comfortable to wear. At times I even forgot that I was wearing it due to its light weight. The z9i also fit securely into my ear and did not move around or fall out of my ear.

BlueAnt also includes two different ear hooks with the z9i. The preinstalled ear hook is made of rubber and metal while the other ear hook is made out of clear plastic. I don’t really see any benefit to the clear plastic ear hook other than it being less noticeable.

When not in use, the z9i easily clips to your shirt collar or tie with the built in clip. At first I was afraid the headset would fall off my shirt but it never even came close to falling off.

I was able to get between 4 – 5 hours of talk time with the BlueAnt z9i depending on the amount of standby time. This is about average for most of the Bluetooth headsets I have used.

Using the included USB charging cable and software available free of charge from BlueAnt’s web site, the firmware on the z9i can be updated. However, while the process was well documented, I found it to be a bit complicated.

Background Noise Cancellation

BlueAnt’s Voice Isolation technology features two modes; standard and max. Why two separate modes? While standard mode is less effective at filtering out background noise, it allows for a more natural sounding voice. However, everyone I talked to using both modes said they noticed no difference in how my voice sounded. The only difference they noticed was the amount of background noise transmitted.

Below is a list of settings I tested the BlueAnt z9i in:

• Outside in windy weather
• Outside next to a busy roadway
• Outside while raking leaves
• In the car with the vents blowing
• Inside with the TV on
• Inside with a group of 4 people talking
• Inside with no background noise

While the z9i does not completely filter out the background noise, it does significantly reduce the volume of the background noise. I made several calls to several different people in each of the settings. Everyone said that that my voice sounded clear and were able to hear me without any problems. Only one person reported that I sounded a bit grainy while in a quiet setting.

Conclusion

I was pleasantly surprised with the BlueAnt z9i. While the Voice Isolation technology did not completely filter out background noise, it did greatly reduce the amount of background noise transmitted. The z9i is also easy to use, light weight, comfortable to wear, and can be found on the internet for around $60, making it an excellent headset for anyone who uses the phone.

Pros

+ Good background noise canceling
+ Includes two different sized ear buds
+ Comfortable to wear
+ Lightweight
+ Compact
+ Built-in clip for attaching to clothing when not being used
+ Upgradable firmware
+ Well documented upgrade procedure

Cons

- Sounds grainy in silent settings
- Complicated firmware upgrade process
- Firmware upgrade instructions only for Windows XP

Tags: BlueAnt, Bluetooth, handsfree, headset, z9i