miniBuds - miniReview

stefpet · 01-13-05, 11:50 AM

There have been some posts about the Boxwave miniBuds and when looking for more info myself prior to ordering them I wasn't able to find any good images besides the ones on the Boxwave website, so I thought it might be useful for someone to post some images and share my thoughts on the miniBuds.

I ordered my miniBuds together with a ClearTouch Crystal (3-Pack) for my X50v via Boxwave's website Sunday, January 2. They shipped Thursday, January 6 and I got them the following Wednesday (January 11). I'm located in Sweden (that's northern Europe) and it was no problem shipping overseas, I got all the stuff in a bubble-wrapped envelope directly home. I ordered the silver white version, but they're also available in black. The plug size fitting my X50v is 3.5mm (1/8 inch) and I assume it is the same for the other X50s as well.

I used the (now expired) discount posted here which made the total of my miniBuds cost $13.15 plus shipping. The dollar is as of now very weak compared to the Euro and my currency (Swedish Kroners) so it made it all a little extra benefitial.

My initial impression was that they looked really convenient when rolled up. The casing containing the cord felt a little bit plastic and the green Boxwave sticker was slighly uncentered giving a somewhat sloppy impression. Not able to stand such a flaw I quickly peeled it off using my penknife and centered it. Despite these minor issues my overall initial immpression was good.

Cords are pulled out.

The main thing with the miniBuds is the retractable cable design. You pull out both ends at the same time and they stayed locked when you release them. Pulling again and they are retracted. Somewhat similar design as many vacuum-cleaners. You may choose how much you want to pull them, so you don't have to pull them out to the maximum if you don't want to which is really good. The only downside I see is that both ends have to be pulled out equally so they have the same length, which might no always be ideal. The retraction-thingy in the middle doesn't seem overly solid, so I guess there is a chance of it breaking sooner or later if you use it somewhat violently.

On the back of the case (or "wire-manager") there is a little lapel clip allowing you to attach it to your clothing.

The casing is not entirely closed, which might be hard to see on the images at the Boxwave website, the sides are open. However, I guess this might be a good thing if the cords do tangle themselves up (which I've had no problems with on the other hand).

The retractable cable design works really well, as long as you are somewhat gentle and don't uncontrollable release it at its maximum length a let it violently snap together. Fully extracted the total length from plug to headphones is about 100 cm (that's about 40 inch according to Google).

I have no experience with the earlier Boxwave headphones and I'm no hifi-geek so you better take my impressions about the sound quality with a grain of salt. Previously I used a pair of very basic and cheap headphones with my Axim and the sound quality was somewhat bad, but most importantly it wasn't loud enough. If riding a bus or taking the underground/subway it was hard to hear even if I put all volumes to 100% using my old headphones.

Using to miniBuds was for me a big (positive) difference compared to my old cheap noname headphones. Now I have no problem with low volume (even if I put the system volume as low as I can) and the sound quality is comparable really good. I'm really happy with the sound quality, but as I said, I'm no über-hifi-geek so I guess my ear may not be as sophisticated as needed to pick up the really fine details of sound quality measurement. ;-)

Conclusion
Overall I'm really happy with my miniBuds, the sound quality, IMHO, is good and most importantly they are neat, small and compact when the cord is retracted. However, now without the discount they go for $22.95 at the Boxwave website, which I think is a little bit too much. I'm not sure I would've bought them at this price point, they're not that good, but for the $13.15 I payed I'm really happy with them.

I hope someone might have found this post useful, if not you've at least seen a couple of more pictures of it.

Namuna · 01-13-05, 01:02 PM

Thanks for the review Stefpet!

I've been thinking about these earbuds and your review was very helpful!

...And I completely agree that $22.95 is too much for these.

floont · 01-13-05, 10:28 PM

Nice review. Thanks for the info.

floont

professor-d · 01-13-05, 11:19 PM

Yes, thanks, stefpet, for the detailed review. The pics are great!

NiwRoC · 02-03-05, 11:49 PM

Nice Review! :)

02-03-05, 11:55 PM

Very nice pics, what kind of camera?

stefpet · 02-04-05, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by jdh1415

Very nice pics, what kind of camera?

It is a Canon Powershot A75.

hackie · 02-04-05, 03:16 PM

The boxwave minibuds should be quite good, i just looked at your pics and the buds themselves look like they've been OEMED from none other then Sennheiser. They're either one of 3 models.

MX300 MX400 or MX500. (I have MX500) and these buds look identical to those save for the silver colording. MX500 are some of the best low cost buds avalible (if not the best). You can compare if you find good quality pics of Senns MX#00 series.

Windgazer · 02-05-05, 12:12 AM

Thanks for the info. I intend to get a good set as soon as I decide which ones.
I had to smile when I read this: "I'm located in Sweden (that's northern Europe)", but then I thought about what passes for an education here in the U.S. today, and I realized you were just being informative. :)

hackie · 02-05-05, 03:17 AM

Lets not overstate bounds however, if you have the cash to blow buy Shure E2C or E3C or E5C, or Eytomotics ER6. Any of those buds will simply blow away the boxwave (or any senns MX series bud) and blow away is probobly an understatement in this case :). They'll probobly blow away 90% of any other headphones on the market. Those headphones are different class, this would be in car terms: Toyota Camry (Boxwave, MXx00) vs a Maclaren F1 (Shure or Eytomotics) .

So if you're more concerned about sound, this is the cheapest you should start with http://www.shure.com/earphones/eseries_e2c.asp. Read reviews and decide what you want. Most people agree Shure E3C or Ety ER6 are best bang per buck in the mid price range.