This article is from cellular-news :

­Initially, the Bluetooth headset was a success story; shipping over 40 million units within the first 4 years of its launch. However, the industry has seen a 20 to 30% decline in the number of headsets shipped in 2009.

The most obvious and detrimental factor which has influenced this trend is of course the economic downturn. However, there have been issues which have meant that the Bluetooth headset market has felt the effects of the economic downturn more significantly than other markets. Those issues, particularly relevant to the Bluetooth headset market, are more concerned with consumers' perceptions and opinions. Incisor TVs recent string of Bite-back events support this view; a high percentage of consumers who attended spoke out against Bluetooth suggesting that wearing a Bluetooth headset was perceived to be very "un-cool".

Headset manufacturers are already attempting to overcome these perceptions and opinions shared by some consumers by offering new, innovative designs, which aim to make their products much trendier to look at and wear. Despite speaking out against Bluetooth headsets, when questioned, the majority of attendees were relatively impressed with features that are available on headsets and the concept of Bluetooth technology. New compelling features and functions, such as voice recognition and solar powered headsets, offer headset manufacturers the opportunity to develop the device in a way which makes it a "cool" product to own.

Another key factor the industry should consider is that there are a large number of low-cost, poor-quality headsets that are available for consumers today. The fact that these devices have poor sound quality and are very difficult to pair for the average consumer, discourages consumers to re-purchase and promotes negative word-of-mouth. However, many consumers might be prepared to spend that bit extra to obtain better sound quality and most understand that the price they pay is equivalent to the quality they will receive. Despite this, the image of the headset industry will not be helped by an increasing share of the market consisting of sub $40 headsets, which offer below average sound quality.

Sennheiser, a high-end headset manufacturers, is already looking at ways to improve the sound quality offered by stereo headsets through their latest headphones - the PX210BT and the PXC310BT. Both devices use codec technologies (in this case, APTX),to offer a high-quality sound solution which aims to help diminish the image of poor sound quality associated with some, low-cost headsets.

Being an accessory and not a necessity has worsened the effects the current economic climate has had on the demand for Bluetooth headsets. Despite the haunting effects the economic downturn has had on the mono headset market, progress made with one particular handset manufacturer helped provide the industry with optimism that there was still some hope for the stereo headset market. These recent developments which saw A2DP, the stereo headset Bluetooth profile, being used in the iPhone and portable media players, helped encourage and seed the market for stereo headsets, counteracting some of the impact of the recession.

Considering all factors discussed above, IMS Research estimates that although the Bluetooth headset market may struggle to recover as quickly as other consumer electronic markets, the total volume of Bluetooth headsets is forecast to be in touching distance of those shipped in 2008 by 2011.

I've had a set of Motorola S9's for ages now. In my own opinion I've not changed my headset in 3 years for 3 reasons:

a) It's not broke.

b) There's really nothing better on the market.

c) The tech now doesn't offer anything more now than it did then.

I know of several others also using S9's that are a couple of years old too. I think the tech peaked a couple of years ago and the enhancements now are so small that it's expensive to upgrade when you won't get much more benefit.  Motorola definitely got it right with the S9's!

I am right there with you Dave. I also have a set of Mot. S805 headphones. They are more conventional looking and have the best sound I have ever heard from headphones.

The only complaint I have about the S9s is that they don't adjust to fit my head. I have been thinking about heating them up on the arms to bend them to fit me better but affraid I might have to replace them.. LOL

 I have the worlds smallest head and my S9's are fine as long as I don't try and run in them. That said, for running I find the weight distribution on the back of the S9's (and a lot of other BT headphones too) doesn't suit so I use wired headphones for running.

Running? That really isn't a problem for me.. HAHAHA

I still use my Invisio G5 all the time.  Nothing has been released since that is smaller, has better battery life, and is as comfortable.  My case/charger is all busted looking and old, but it still works fine.  I actually bought a second one on sale for $30 for when this one really does break.  The Bluespoon 5G is smaller, but it was a pain swapping out batteries on that all the time.

 I think Bluetooth headsets fit more in the category of tool than gadget. There's certainly a gadget aspect but I for one would definitely go for function before form in this case. Maybe that's why I'm a bit more reluctant to part with my hard earned to upgrade.

I agree with everyone....I still use My BlueAnt Z9.....but I have used many others and like some others....only because I try then out before we sell them....

OK, here's another slant on it.  What is your current BT headset, and if you had to buy new today, what would the new one be.

For me:

Motorola S9 - Current.

Motorola S9 HD - New.