When a company often ventures into a new product line or business, its usually related to its existing offerings to keep things relevant and to some degree have a bit of experience with the new product you’ll be offering. Sometimes it just catches us by surprise with something totally new. That’s exactly our reaction when it was announced that BitFenix will be releasing headphones in the market. BitFenix, makers of quality cases like this, this and this have also gotten their hands dirty in the competitive headphone industry with the their BitFenix Flo and that’s what we’re going to be checking out today. Read on to find out more about the company’s first outing in audio gear as we dive into the BitFenix Flo.
Specifications
Materials | Steel, Plastic, SofTouchâ„¢ Surface Treatment, SoftFeelâ„¢ Earcups |
Colors | Midnight Black, Arctic White, Fire Red, Cobalt Blue |
Acoustic Design | Dynamic, Closed-back |
Driver | 16µ, Neodymium magnet, Φ40mm |
Sensitivity | 96db /1mW |
Frequency Response | 20hz-20khz |
Rated Impedance | 68 Ω |
Earpads | SoftFeelâ„¢ |
Headband Pressure | Approximately 5N |
Cables | 1m Straight Cable With Remote, 1m Straight Mobile Audio Cable, 2m Straight Cable With Headphone / Microphone Plugs |
Connector | Gold-plated Φ3.5mm stereo mini-plug with aluminum sheath |
Net Weight | 200g |
Closer Look – Packaging & Contents
BitFenix packages the Flo in a black, colored cardboard box. The box when held doesn’t weigh much which should suggest the light weight of headphones. The sides of the box showcase the varying colors available for the Flo which are, sans the fashionable names, Red, Blue, White and our sample today which is black.
Inside the package we have the Flo headphones, the detachable mic, and a wad of cables which we’ll look at in just a bit.
Closer Look – BitFenix Flo Cables
First off we have the stereo cable if you want to use the Flo for pure audio. Basically for just listening to music from a player or other sources.
One of the longer cables that’s included is the Y-splitter type cable for use on PC and other separate jacks for output and mics.
The primary cable includes a unified jack for both mic and output and plugs directly to smartphones and tablets. There is an inline controller for volume.
Closer Look -Â BitFenix Flo Headphones
The BitFenix Flo headphone feature a rather slim design with very minimal depth to its slim frame. This makes it light and compact but its frame is surprisingly rigid and the metal frame that hold both cups together do a good job giving that structural integrity to the Flo.
40mm drivers are housed in each earcup and like most BitFenix chassis. the Flo is also coated a soft-touch matte coating to give it a premium finish. The BitFenix logo in metal adorn both cups.
Each earcup is lined with a leatherette pad and are very soft and comfortable. They do tend to heat up but doesn’t end up irritating you like some we’ve tried before.
The Flo has two over-arching bands on the top of the frame. The one is the frame itself and the support headband is lined with air pocket cushions for comfort.
The BitFenix Flo doesn’t offer much freedom in terms of cup rotation and extension. While those with larger heads will find this a bit disturbing, the Flo does have enough length to it to support just about anyone’s noggin. Don’t try pulling on the headband though, it’s gonna be a futile attempt.
The cups can rotate a full 180* though…
Noted by embossed symbols, the audio ports are located on the left earcup and has plugs for the mic and the cables.
The BitFenix Flo has a rubber mic boom that flexes to certain degree in most directions. It can twist from the port a bit but the flexible boom itself does a good job at this already.
User Experience & Conclusion
We’ve had initial reservations when it came to the Flo. I confess, for its lack of size we initially felt it would be performing in the lower segment of our spectrum but we’re glad to admit we were wrong for thinking so as the BitFenix Flo is surprisingly well-performing.
Overall sound quality is good, with a good balance of clean and smooth mids and lows with enough kick to satisfy those who want some oomph in their bass. The high-end is alright, a bit lacking for my taste but nothing that ruins the overall experience. Vocals and mids are clean and present and has a warm feel to it.
Comfort and fit is a mixed bag but mostly borders to the positive as the Flo is very light and you can easily forgot you’re wearing it ‘cept for the fact that you have the cups on your ears. The ear cups with their leatherette pads tend to heat up a bit and do cause sweating after some long-term usage but they are very comfortable. We do wish BitFenix has went with thicker pads to accommodate folks with larger ears as mine tend to rub up against the inner pads already.
Overall, the BitFenix Flo is a well-performing pair of cans for its price. We checked out some e-tailers to find some for as long as $60 and with the holiday promos in full swing, you might be able to snag one for even less. Going back though, the BitFenix Flo sits in the sub-70$ price range where it shares a huge market with plenty of competition. That said, the Flo still has some creds to rock with and its got the sound quality to back itself up. Fans of BitFenix may have a soft-spot for the Flo but for audiophiles and streetwear afficionados, it should be a coin-toss on how they perceive the Flo in terms of style.
The BitFenix Flo maybe BitFenix first outing into a new market but does set the tone just right for and if ever they pursue more products in this space. With its rich accessory bundle, good build quality and of course excellent sounds, the BitFenix Flo is a highly recommended headphone if you’re in the market for a sub-70$ product that give you a sweet bang for your buck.
BitFenix backs the Flo headphones with a 1-year warranty. We give it our B2G Value Award and B2G Recommended Seal.Â
14 Comments
ung colored na prodigy m nila ..puro wala pag naghahanap
Sa feb pa ata dating dito bro pero better hit up BitFenix Philippines for sure stocks
oks po thanks ..gustong gusto na ng kuya ko nung color blue e haha wala kami mahanap
tiis lang siguro or else mag-paint kayo bro ng own set nyo 🙂
naku wala kaming gamit pang paint na pulido.. spray paint lang meron kami haha
nice choice of contractor to manufacture their head sets 😀
who was it actually? never did check but yes i do know this shares design with some other brands
superlux
design’s based off the HD661 and partly HD681 (yung pangsalo sa ulo) dropped mine several times, survived ‘acidic’ test* (other headphone’s faux leather disintegrated after several months of being drenched by my sweat), replaceable cables, good sound for its price!
Thanks sa info. Yeah that was the one I saw, the Superlux HD661… the pink one to be exact just the other day. I’ve had this thing for like an entire quarter na and so far so good in terms of quality. No fading and the leather isn’t cracking yet.
have mine for more than a year (beat that skullcandy, senn, microsoft)
Lol i was a skullcandy fan back in the day… now they’re all snapped and cracked XD can’t believe I bit all that hype
pwwde panglaro audiophile grade pa sq. sulit nito.
cd-r king FTW :v