Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat for Intended Purpose, Not So Much for the Gym
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2015
I bought these when they were on sale for $13 with free shipping through Prime. I had hoped to make them my new gym headphones, as the long term effects of using ear buds cranked to the max is much worse than that of on-ear headphones. Yes, I was aware that they are not designed for gym use. I figured if that didn't work out, at that price it couldn't hurt having an extra pair of headphones.
I'll start with a general headphone overview. Comments on their performance in the gym will follow.
Comfort- These headphones are very comfortable. The mesh-covered ear cushions are soft, and the headphones as a whole do not sit too tight on my head. This due to a frame that is sturdy, yet appropriately flexible considering these headphones were designed for travel.
Sound Quality- My default casual listening headphones are the Audio Technica ATH-M50s. For those who do not know, they are professional grade studio monitor headphones, so I am no stranger to good sound. While the SteelSeries Flux are not near as great as the M50s with regard to sound, they are still great headphones, especially for the price. The highs and mids get the job done, and clarity remains consistent when turned all the way up. The bass is not overwhelming like you would find in a pair of Beats, but as these were designed for gaming use, I did not expect it to be. Overall I was very satisfied when listening to various rap, rock, and pop tracks.
Portability- One of the greatest strengths of the SteelSeries Flux is their portability and versatility. The flexibility of the frame coupled with the folding design make me feel comfortable throwing the headphones into a cluttered bag where they may get tossed around a little bit. Additionally, the removable cable furthers my comfort, as removal of the cord when traveling eliminates putting stress on the connection to the headphone as the headphones move around in transit. SteelSeries designed these with portability in mind, and it is greatly appreciated.
Features- For such small and relatively inexpensive headphones, some pretty cool features are included. Most valuable to me is the removable audio cord. Not only does this aid in travel protection as mentioned above, but it also allows the user to swap out the standard aux cord for the included PC cable that allows your headphones to plug into both the microphone and headphone outlets on a PC. Both included cables have an in-line mic. Additionally, should either cord break, both are easily replaced. Whether you are gaming on your phone or gaming PC, these headphones get the job done with a quick and easy swapping of cords. Somehow, their versatility does not stop there. Both ear cups have auxiliary ports, so the user is free to decide which side the cord will dangle from based on preference and situation. The remaining free port can then be used to daisy chain to another listening source, such as another pair of headphones. This makes sharing audio with others quick and convenient.
Gym Use- The first trip to the gym was a disaster. The sweat quickly made the mesh on the ear cups slick, causing the headphones to shift during various exercises. Due to their size and design, I did not expect to use them with an movement intensive activity like a treadmill, but had hoped they would get the job done during simple weight training exercises. While lying on a bench, the slick ear cups and gravity caused the headphones to slip from my ears. It was both distracting and uncomfortable. I quickly realized that these would not work as I had wished. DO NOT USE THESE IN THE GYM.
Conclusions- Great inexpensive headphones for casual listening/gaming/media consumption. Features, sound quality, versatility and portability at a price below $30 make these a great purchase for any gamer, or person who simply wants more from their travel headphones. While they do not excel in the gym, they were not designed for it. These are now my default backpack and travel headphones.
