Soldato
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BitFenix Flo Gaming Headset Review
Introduction
Currently there are a number of vendors increasing their product lines with the likes of ASUS now offering new Republic of Gamer’s peripherals (look at the ASUS GX1000 here). BitFenix are of course no exception and have entered the peripherals market with the BitFenix Flo Gaming Headsets.
These are aimed squarely at the mid-range market to compete with the likes of the Corsair Vengeance 1400 & the Asus Orion headsets and my first impressions where that are an extremely lightweight and good looking (I have the white set here to match my white case).
Technical Specification
What's in the box
Right let's start by looking at the box it's self as it does contain some detailed information regarding the product.
FRONT
REAR
The box is actually an attractive looking bit of packaging, I do like the brushed aluminum finish to the background.
When you open the box you are confronted with the headset its self which are held in place by cardboard that forms part of the lower tray which contains the cables and the removable microphone, What surprised me was the lack of cables present coming from the headset as it is completely independent.
So here's everything that comes in the box.
The Headset
The headset them when I first saw them looked very small from the ear cup's, headband etc compared to my old SteelSeries Siberia v2's for example with the paddy on the headband also being almost non existent, but they do sit very well when worn with everything lining up in the correct place due in course that the headset is quite flexible.
The padding on the ear cups are lined with BitFenix's Soft-Touch trademark texture gives them a rubber/leather feeling and it really does work. I have worn these for 8 hours doing a monster gaming session completing Tomb Raider start to finish and my ears where not sore in the slightest so that for me is a definite thumbs up as my old SteelSeries would have been aching after that amount of time.
How the adjustment on these is limited as there is not a lot to really speak of as they the have about 1 to 2cm of travel but because of the amount of flex I don't see this being an issue in all honestly, they fit me and my 3 year old son just fine.
Up close with the BitFenix Flo
The headset with the cups at full rotation.
The microphone and stereo jacks
The adjustment
The padding on the headband
The ear padding and drivers covered in BitFenix soft-touch
Side on shot of the headset.
The Microphone
Performance
After having these for just over a week with fairly heavy use (2 weeks off work and monster gaming sessions) I am happy to report that these are solid performers and that after wearing for long periods of time there was no headache or pain around the ears and I think this is partly due to the units very light weight.
The cables are very nice heavy duty cable with excellent metal fittings that click together with a lovely click in a very satisfying way like an expensive Montblanc pen, the only thing that is disappointing is that the BitFenix branding on the cable fittings does come away, rather quickly because its just inked on the fittings and not engraved on to the metal this is annoying but doesn't effect the overall style of the headset as they are stylish anyway and does make a welcome change when on London underground compared to all the Dr Dre Beats headphones you see (as well as hear)...I have been asked a number of times what these are.
Main jack from headset to headphone and microphone jack
Headphone to microphone jack plugged in
There is a downside though but you have to be a complete audiophile to notice, when listing to my music (Jazz) I did notice that there was a lack from the mid to high end range from the saxophone in my opinion (Miles Davis - Kind of Blue - youtube link) but this didn't detract from the overall listening experience as I still found it very enjoyable. The mid range was kinda weak but with the use of Winamp or similar software this could kinda be restored. This is coming from someone that prefers vinyl to CD's and MP3's.
In gaming the lack of the mid to high end range didn't stop me from enjoying an immersed gaming experience and I never noticed it, these have been better then most headsets that I have actually tired before I settled on the Flo.
Conclusion
The BitFenix Flo are an extremely attractive headset that although it has short coming I would definitely recommend. The fact that they are completely independent with the bundled 1m cable to plug into any device with a 3.5mm male to male headphone jack allows for great sound on the go is a massive plus point for me personally.
These are extremely compact and solid feeling and are a really a jack of all trades which is what I was looking for in the first place, if you're a complete audiophile look elsewhere and not at gaming headsets as these will disappoint but for anyone else in this price range I would suggest that you do look at these as you will not notice.
As for the microphone it is second to none as BitFenix do not market this as a noise cancelling mic but even with my son running around like a nutter the person on the other end of the game only heard me.
Pro's
* Stylish
* Go any where with the included male to male 3.5mm jack
* Good if not excellent sound
* Comfort
* Extremely lightweight
Cons
* Audiophiles look elsewhere
Thanks to OcUK/BitFenix.
