Page 4 - Conclusion
As we come to the conclusion today for our evaluation on the Adesso Xtream H2, I can say this is better than my cheap earbuds, but that is not saying much. On the good side, the overall implementation of the Bluetooth headset is not bad at all. All the functions work, with the exception of a few bugs. Honestly, the best part was just being able to adjust volume and changing songs without having to pull out my device. Of course, I should also mention that the calling functions on the Xtream H2 work quite flawlessly. The included traveling case is quite well built, and seems like it is durable for the daily commutes. The overall design is decent, but can be construed as a bit tacky with its garish green colors.
On the other hand, there are elements of the Adesso Xtream H2 with room for improvement. Starting with the build quality, the durability of the Xtream H2 is questionable at best with creaky plastic parts holding the entire device together. The foam earpieces are thin and do not feel like they would last very long. Wearing it is quite uncomfortable, as the earpieces offer little resistance to the constant pressure exerted on the head by the Adesso Xtream H2. Moving to the sound production, it leaves quite a bit to be desired -- but we have to keep in mind that the Adesso Xtream H2 is a Bluetooth headset in a low-price bracket. Yet, bass and treble are both lacking in presence, with midrange boosted too much in comparison. Soundstaging and sound isolation are both a bogey on the course, and both of these areas need improvements to hit a birdie for the sound production. Lastly, there are a few minor hiccups in the implementation of some of the functions, and these can be panned out quite easily.
To sum up my experiences with the Adesso Xtream H2, the whole headset is very plastic, both literally and figuratively. The device is not only frail physically, but the sound is artificial, and lacks depth and character. At the end of the day, the question to ask yourself is, for its $39 pricetag, how much can you reasonably expect for a Bluetooth headset? The Adesso Xtream H2 is decent, but this is not good enough to use as a daily item if you are even slightly discerning with regards to sound quality. The bottom line: If you are looking for something that is wireless and cheap, then these are compromises you will have to make.
Adesso provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH Review Focus Summary:
6/10 means A product with its advantages, but drawbacks should not be ignored before purchasing.
5/10 means An average product with no real advantages; drawbacks and advantages just seems to cancel each other out.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 5.4/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
The Adesso Xtream H2s are a fully capable pair of Bluetooth headphones, but the $39 price tag means you will have to make compromises in both its feel and sound quality.
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Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware
3. Subjective Audio Analysis, Usage
4. Conclusion
