BitFenix FLO Gaming Headset Review
**The Beat Fenix Flow: A Travel Headphone with Surprising Features**
I was excited to try out the Beat Fenix Flow, a travel headphone that promised a lot given its compact design and affordable price. One of the first things I noticed was the interchangeable and removable cables, which included standard 1 M cable, another 1 M cable with volume adjustment and mic mute, a 2 m extension with 3 and 1/2 mm headphone and microphone jacks, and slightly thinner frames that allowed compatibility with mobile devices with thicker cases. This feature alone showed that Beat Fenix had put thought into the design of their headphones.
However, my enthusiasm was quickly tempered by some disappointing flaws in the construction of the headset. The plastic headband, which was meant to be lightweight and comfortable, felt cheap and poorly constructed. The airpads were not as padded as I expected, and I could feel the driver touching my ears, although this was somewhat mitigated by the low pressure clamping force. Additionally, the frame design made it impossible for me to wear the headphones with glasses, which is a critical feature for anyone who wants to use them in their daily commute.
Despite these flaws, I was pleased to find that the audio quality of the Flow was better than I expected. The 40 mm drivers had an impedance of 68 ohms, which is relatively high-end for travel headphones, and this showed up in the soundstage and clarity. The sonic signature was very bright and revealing, with a strong emphasis on mid-range clarity. This meant that instruments and vocals moved front and center, and I could hear every background detail in the music. However, the treble was also quite harsh, which may be a problem for some listeners.
The Soundstage of the Flow was another surprise, as it was able to create an open and expansive soundfield without feeling congested or overwhelming. This made it ideal for listening to music with a lot of depth and complexity, such as jazz or classical. However, the Flow struggled to detect background instruments in music that had a lot of low-end frequencies, which meant that they were often overpowered by everything else.
As a gaming headset, the Flow performed well in this regard. The sound engine was designed to create an immersive experience, with tight bass and clear directionality. I was impressed by how well the headphones translated the audio environment in games like CS:GO and Battlefield 4, creating an almost open-style feel that put me right in the middle of the action.
However, there were still some structural flaws that prevented the Flow from feeling like a high-quality headphone. The side-to-side articulation on the air cups was lacking, which made it difficult to move around without the headphones shifting or slipping off my ears. Additionally, the height-adjusting system was non-existent, making it impossible for me to find a comfortable listening position.
In conclusion, while the Beat Fenix Flow is not without its flaws, I was impressed by its audio quality and surprising features. The removable cables, lightweight design, and excellent gaming performance are all definite positives. However, with some more attention paid to frame design and construction, this headphone could have truly been a standout in its class.
**Specifications**
* Driver size: 40 mm
* Impedance: 68 ohms
* Audio signature: Bright and revealing, with strong emphasis on mid-range clarity
* Soundstage: Open and expansive, with clear directionality
* Frequency response: Not specified
**Pros**
* Interchangeable and removable cables
* Lightweight design
* Excellent gaming performance
* Bright and energetic sound
**Cons**
* Poor construction of the plastic headband
* Lack of side-to-side articulation on air cups
* Non-existent height-adjusting system
* No isolation, making it impossible to wear with glasses
* Harsh treble