Tag Archives: Sound

Creative Sound Blaster EVO Wireless Review – A multi-functional Bluetooth headset

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Pros: Build quality, multi-functional design, PC & mobile compatiblity, price
Cons: Static noise whilst recording, overall V-shaped sound signature, sub-bass

Build quality: 8.5/10
Comfort: 8/10
Overall sound quality for a headset: 7/10
Isolation: 7/10
Microphone quality: 8.5/10
Value: 8.5/10 (at £55 price tag)
Overall rating: 8/10

Review date: April 2016
Review price: £55

Creative EVO Wireless - Design

First of all I would like to thank ESL Gaming for sending me their headset for review. ESL are massive event organisers and after having reviewed quite a few headsets I was offered to review the EVO Wireless, which is made by Creative – a brand I’m familiar with.

The headset can be found directly on Creative’s website for £90 (where you’ll also find its full specs) and can also be bought on AmazonUK for around £55 and on AmazonUSA for around $95. As I’m a UK based reviewer, my review will be based on UK prices.

Here’s my video review (recording quality tests will be of interest to you):

Now let’s get into the written review!

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Creative Sound BlasterX H5 Headset Review – Fantastic sound, but with poor recording quality

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Pros: Sound quality for a headset, build quality, comfort, looks and design
Cons: Recording quality, software

Build quality: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10
Overall sound quality for a headset: 9.5/10
Isolation: 8/10
Microphone quality: 6/10
Software: 6/10
Value: 8/10 (at £100 price tag)
Overall rating: 8/10

Review date: March 2016
Review price: £100

First of all I would like to thank Creative for sending me their headset for review. After having reviewed a variety of headsets, I was curious to see how the H5 would compare to its competitors.

Creative Sound BlasterX H5 Headset Review - Mic

 

The headset can be found directly on Creative’s website for £100 (where you’ll also find its full specs) and can also be bought on AmazonUK for around £100 and on AmazonUSA for around $100. As I’m a UK based reviewer, my review will be based on UK prices.

Here’s my video review (recording quality tests will be of interest to you):

Now let’s get into the written review!

Continue reading →

Sound BlasterX G5 Review – A decent sound card with problematic hardware and software problems

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Pros: TPA6120A2 headphone amplifier driving capability (low and high gain modes), headphone and mic outputs, DAC functionalities, 24-bit/192kHz capability, SBX & Scout modes
Cons: Not portable (despite claims), requires USB power, software problems (incl drivers), hardware malfunction rate, price

Packaging & Accessories: 8/10
Build Quality: 7.5/10
Sound Quality: 7.5/10
Software: 7/10
Value: 7/10
My final Rating: 7/10

Review Date: March 2016
Review Price: £130

Sound BlasterX G5 - Wheel Illuminated

First of all I would like to thank Creative for sending me the Sound BlasterX G5 for review. It can be found for £130 directly on Creative’s website, and can be found on AmazonUK for around £140 and AmazonUSA for around $150.

The G5 is a slight variation over the E5, which over the G5 is aimed at those wanting a portable solution with its in-built lithium battery. Unfortunately, the G5 doesn’t have an in-built battery and has to be used with a power source, essentially limiting it to desktop-use only.

I actually received two G5’s as after about two weeks of use my first review sample completely stopped working. Essentially it started having some sort of problems with sound reproduction, with extremely loud high-pitched sounds coming out of the headphone jack. Later, I came back to it and noticed it was extremely overheating – at which point when I tried playing music through it, nothing played.

As the second one arrived, it worked flawlessly on my work PC, but then when I tried to use it with my home PC, wouldn’t recognise the new G5 – no matter if I did a full driver-sweep and a re-install. I’ll get into both points in their respective sections within my review.

Here’s my video review on the G5:

Let’s get into this written review!

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Review of the UBSOUND Dreamer Headphones – A disappointingly made and sounding headphone

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Pros: Packaging and presentation, lows, isolation for an on-ear headphone
Cons: Overall sound quality, design and looks, build quality

Packaging & Accessories: 8/10
Build Quality: 5/10
Design & Look: 7/10
Isolation: 7/10
Comfort: 6.5/10
Sound Quality: 6.5/10
Value: 6.5/10
My final Rating: 6.5/10

Review Date: October 2015
Review Price: £80

UBSOUND Dreamer - Looks

First of all I would like to thank Clara from UBSOUND for sending me the Dreamer headphones for review.

The headphones can be found on AmazonUK for around £80 and on AmazonUSA for around $100. There’s a small difference in price between the UK and US versions. As I live and review from the UK – the price tag I will be reviewing this at is the £80 price tag.
More information about the headphones can be found on UBSOUND’s website.

Here’s my video review on the headphones:

Let’s get to this written review!

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Review of the SoundMAGIC ES19S Earphones – A fantastic budget earphone!

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Pros: Price, overall sound quality in relation to price, looks, comfort, lightweight design
Cons: Straight 3.5mm jack, cable cinch

Packaging & Accessories: 4/10
Build Quality: 8/10
Design & Look: 8/10
Microphonics (higher ratings means lower cable noise): 8.5/10
Isolation: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10
Sound Quality: 7/10
Value: 10/10
My final Rating: 9.5/10

Review Date: September 2015
Review Price: £20

SoundMAGIC ES19S - Design

First of all I would like to thank Mark from KS Distribution for sending me out the SoundMAGIC ES19S for review.
After the having reviewed both the SoundMAGIC E80 and SoundMAGIC E10, I was intrigued to see how the cheapest in-line SoundMAGIC earphone would compare, and more so if it would be able to provide good value for money, like the E10 did.

The ES19S can be bought on AmazonUK for around £20.
I was unable to find US pricing or availability of it, but if I do come across it in the future, I’ll add a link and price.

More information on the SoundMAGIC ES19S can be found on their website.

Here’s my video review of the earphones:

Let’s get on with the written review!

Continue reading →