Review: X-mini BLU XMI Wireless Headphones

Overview:
Before you turn your head away at the sight of the word “wireless” in the name of these headphones let me come right out to say that quality has not been compromised with the X-Mini BLU. Sure they’re not the most stylish bit of kit on the market, but they’re good. Surprisingly good.

Review:
The X-mini Bluetooth Enabled Stereo Headphones (or BLU for short) is the brainchild of XMI, a Singapore-based company that distributes world-wide. For those of us not in the region, Singapore is considered as the technology hub of the Asia-Pacific region, so these headphones have found a nice little bit of the world to be developed.

When I first pulled out these headphones, I have to admit I was a little bit disappointed with its styling. It doesn’t have that solid feel that you get with your big name Sonys and Panasonics.

It’s almost flimsy style does however give it an amazing level of flexibility which means you can keep these over-the-head headphones tucked away safely in your pocket or handbag. From a practical point of view, this feature alone would make me use the X-mini BLUs more often than your regular chunky bluetooth headphones.

With mobile phones growing in functionality and becoming people’s main MP3 player, there is a definite market for bluetooth headphones that will allow you to stop your music and take a call at the touch of a button. These headphones have the added bonus of being wireless so when your quick reflexes are needed to answer that call, at leas you won’t loose a precious 4 rings as you untangle yourself from your earphone wires.

These headphones come with a wireless built-in microphone so you can simply press one of the buttons on the right earphone (potentially annoying for all lefties out there) and go from listening to Will Young to speaking to your mum. And she will sound great on these headphones!

The sound quality of the X-mini BLU headphones is impressive. They have a good bass which to be honest most headphones on the market do these days. It was the treble that was most surprising, providing rich, clear vocals from my latest Dido CD.

XMI claim that these headphones have been designed for audiophile, and they’ve really reached out to this target audience.

While I fell that these headphones aren’t solidly built enough for my taste there is a benefit to this streamline design; the X-mini BLU is very lightweight. At only 72 grams it weighs even less than Victoria Beckham.

This light weight makes them very easy to wear and they were shaped comfortably around the back of my head. I’ve heard of some people getting headaches from headphones that were on the heavy side (I didn’t mention that it could have something to do with listening to music at 150 decibels) so this feathery touch should be welcome news to those prone to reaching for the paracetamol.

The battery of these headphones is a decent 12 hours of run time and 800 hours on standby, though practically the battery lasted for 3 days before I had to juice it up again. It was also a bit frustrating to not know how much battery life was left with not even a warning light that your next tune is going to get cut off at the good bit.

Wireless headphones do have a bit of a reputation for taking forever to fully charge and these were no exception- I had them plugged in for almost 4 hours before I could play with them properly. You can still use them as they’re charging though- they just won’t be wireless.

These headphones will be available this month at £66.50 which isn’t too badly priced as you do get a X-mini capsule speaker thrown in, which is one of the coolest designed portable speakers out there.

The Gaj-It Verdict:
Design: 7/10
Usability: 9/10
Features: 8/10
Value: 8/10

We Say:
After an unsure first impression, these headphones are pretty user-friendly and great for people into convergent technology (pretty much all of us). With a carry pouch and mini speaker included, this set is a great buy for the sound quality you’ll get.