Motorola S10-HD

Motorola S10-HD

Audiophiles tend to steer clear of stereo Bluetooth headsets, since they don't offer the same fidelity as a good wired set. Last year, the Motorola S9-HD ($99, 3.5 stars) took us by surprise with its clear, bright, and punchy sound, but it wasn't that comfortable to wear. The Motorola S10-HD costs only $79 and offers a step up in comfort. But it's a false economy, as these headphones sound awful. I'll get to the sound quality issues in a moment. First, let's look at the design upgrades. The S10-HD measures 5 by 5.5 by 2 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.5 ounces, a few tenths of an ounce heavier than before. It's made of a mixture of matte plastic and rubber, with clear, soft rubber ear tips. Motorola bills the S10-HD as sweat proof and water resistant, meaning it's fine for exercising or going for a walk in the rain. The speakers themselves are now recessed in their housings, with new ear cushion interfaces and a newly developed hydrophobic acoustic mesh to keep the speakers sweat proof. The S10-HD's back housing is all new, in an effort to improve outdoor antenna performance. Motorola also revised the button arrangement. A single, small button controls power and pairing duties; it's easier to press than the large, stiff button found on the S9-HD. Each side holds three rubberized buttons down by the ear tip.