There are plenty of budget Bluetooth intercoms out there. Most of them work pretty similarly. The TOUCH TWO C9 tries to stand out by offering Bluetooth 5.4 (one of the newest revisions at this price), 50mm PEN speakers (most budget models stick to 40mm), and USB-C fast charging. As one of the least expensive 2-rider Bluetooth options in our intercom comparison table, the C9 fits in the lower price tier alongside brands like Fodsports and Diojran.
Communication and connectivity
The C9 is a 2-way Bluetooth intercom good for a range of up to 600 meters between riders. That is very close to a mile in open space and will often hold up there, but in varied terrain with trees, cars, and structures the range will generally fall down to anywhere from 300 to 500 meters. Since the C9 is a 2-way Bluetooth unit designed for a couple of riders, if you plan to ride with three or more people you will want to choose a mesh unit like the FreedConn FX PRO instead.
For phone connections, the C9 uses Bluetooth 5.4. The newer Bluetooth standard offers improved power efficiency, increased range, and reduced loss of connection versus the older 5.0 used in many earlier budget units. In actual use cases, Bluetooth 5.4 means less disconnecting between your phone and the headset when other Bluetooth devices are active nearby, cleaner reconnection to your phone, and fewer audio disruptions during calls. The C9 also supports GPS navigation prompts and music streaming via standard A2DP and HFP profiles.
If you want to ask Siri or Google Assistant questions while wearing the C9, simply press the one-button wake command. You can access turn-by-turn directions, send texts, or change music tracks without removing your hands from the controls. The C9 also includes hands-free auto answer for incoming calls.
Audio quality
The C9 features 50mm PEN diaphragm speakers, which are significantly larger than those found in most budget units that normally feature 40mm drivers. This makes for better bass response and more detailed midrange. Multiple reviewers on Amazon noted that the music quality was far superior to what they expected at this price level. When paired together for music sharing, riders can share audio between the two helmets.
The boom microphone has a foam windshield. Rider-transmitted voice remains clear and easy to understand during city and moderate highway speeds. During sustained highway speed greater than 65 to 70mph on an open or three-quarter helmet, expect increasing amounts of wind to enter the outgoing signal, which is common for any intercom in this price class.
Noise cancellation
The C9 utilizes digital signal processing-based environmental noise cancellation (ENC), which applies a cleaning filter to both incoming and outgoing voice signals. The result is clean voice on both ends of the conversation, with engine and wind rumble suppression in real-world riding. ENC performance is comparable to CVC in this price range, and full-face helmet users commonly report very little interference at typical highway speeds.
Build quality and installation
The C9 carries an IPX6 rating for weather sealing, which allows for exposure to heavy rain and powerful water sprays but is not intended for submersion. For most motorcycle use this is more than sufficient. Just ensure that the USB-C charging port is sealed when not actively charging. The mounting system consists of a thin clamp with adhesive backing, which allows attachment to a variety of helmet types including modular, full-face, three-quarter, and open-face helmets.
Two microphone options ship with the C9. A boom mic is provided for modular and open-face helmets where you want the microphone positioned directly in front of your mouth. A wired clip mic is supplied for tight full-face chin bar openings that cannot accommodate the boom style. Regardless of your helmet type, you have either option available to install as needed. Most installations take around 15 minutes on your first helmet. The Velcro-backed pads that come with each headset attach securely to standard helmet ear pocket spaces and provide a comfortable seal around your ears.
Battery and charging
The C9 employs a 1000mAh lithium-ion battery. According to TOUCH TWO specifications, the unit can provide up to 50 hours of mixed music sharing, calls, and intercom use. The battery delivers up to 70 hours of music playback only, plus 120 hours of standby. Fast charging is provided via USB-C, and recharging from empty takes approximately 1.5 hours. That is one of the fastest recharge times available in the budget category, made possible by the USB-C standard rather than the older microUSB found in many cheap intercoms. Improved battery life relative to other budget units is attributed to the combination of a higher capacity battery and the improved energy efficiency of the Bluetooth 5.4 module.
What reviewers say
The C9 currently has 145 reviews on Amazon with an average score of 4.4 stars. Several common themes appear repeatedly throughout these reviews. First, many reviewers commented that they were surprised by the significantly better music quality produced by the larger 50mm speaker drivers installed in the C9 versus what they expected at this price. More than a few reviewers compared the bass output to mid-range units costing nearly twice as much. Second, a number of reviewers commented that Bluetooth 5.4 maintains a much cleaner connection than previous Bluetooth modules such as Bluetooth 4.x did. Third, reviewers praise the USB-C fast charging capability as a huge quality-of-life improvement over the slower microUSB charging found in many prior budget units.
Smaller negatives exist. Several reviewers stated that the range claim of 600 meters between paired riders is exaggerated in real-world applications, dropping closer to 300 meters in mixed terrain with trees, cars, and other obstructions. Some reviewers state that because of mixed-brand pairing requirements, the process of getting paired riders established can become tedious when using different brands of intercom on each ride.
Who should buy this
The C9 will best serve riding partners who require a low-cost reliable Bluetooth intercom with better-than-expected audio quality. Couples going on tours together, rider-and-passenger combinations, and parent-and-child riding pairs will all find that the C9 meets their basic needs. The larger speakers and Bluetooth 5.4 make it an excellent choice for solo riders who value great audio quality during long rides, whether or not you intend to use the intercom function.
Mesh units are recommended for riders requiring group mesh communication with three or more riders. The FreedConn FX PRO and EJEAS Q8 are good options. Riders looking for a slightly more proven brand with longer warranty support may want to opt for the slightly more expensive Fodsports M1-S Plus instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many riders can the TOUCH TWO C9 connect at once?
The C9 is a 2-way Bluetooth unit designed for paired rider communications. It does not support group mesh networking with three or more riders. If you need more than two riders to communicate, you will need to select a mesh unit instead.
What is the realistic communication range?
According to TOUCH TWO, you can get up to 600 meters in open space between paired riders using the C9. In areas featuring trees, traffic, and buildings, the realistic range will likely decrease to approximately 300 to 500 meters, which matches how most budget 2-way Bluetooth intercoms perform in varying terrain.
Is the C9 waterproof?
The C9 carries an IPX6 rating for water resistance, which protects against heavy rain and strong water jet streams but does not provide complete submersion protection. For typical motorcycle riding including extended periods of rain riding, this should suffice. Just make sure the USB-C charging port cover is closed when not actively charging.
Can the C9 pair with non-TOUCH TWO intercoms?
Yes. Using standard Bluetooth protocols, you can pair the C9 to non-TOUCH TWO units for basic 2-rider calling. As noted in some reviews, you may have to re-pair each ride when using mixed-brand setups, which is a normal scenario given that most cross-brand Bluetooth intercom pairs require user intervention each time after the initial setup.
How long does the battery last?
According to TOUCH TWO, you can expect up to 50 hours of combined music sharing, calling, and intercom use. The battery delivers 70 hours of music playback only and 120 hours of standby. Fast charging over USB-C fills the battery in approximately 1.5 hours from empty.
Does the C9 support voice assistant control?
Yes. A single button press wakes Siri or Google Assistant on the connected phone. This lets you trigger turn-by-turn navigation, send messages, or change music tracks hands-free while riding.