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Functions
With one multifunction button that does pretty much anything that you would want, and two volume buttons to take care of the rest, the device functions flawlessly.
I would put function under the design column, which to me makes it even more understandable why this device won two awards for design.
The multifunction button engages voice dial, cancels voice dialing, answers a call, ends a call, turns the device on and off, voice dials through a second and third paired phone, and amazingly turns off the LED indicator light. This last feature is another award-winning attribute for the X3 micro in my book. Nothing is more annoying than being spooked by a flashing LED light in a dark room. Being able to turn that light off is fantastic.
The volume buttons increase or decrease volume, or mute a call when pressed together. The plus volume button is also used to engage pairing mode a second time.
The minus button pressed in conjunction with the multifunction button ends the Bluetooth connection between phone and device and also transfers audio from the headset to your phone.
Pressing all three buttons together deletes all stored paring information.
Sound Quality
The X3 micro's fatal flaw is its sound quality. Even when I sat still on my bed with the door closed and absolutely no distracting sound in the background the sound quality was less than clear. In these instances, my friends on the other end of the phone said they "had to concentrate" to hear what I was saying. Only when I was in such a quiet environment were my friends' voices clear to me.
Add any background activity to your telephone conversation and the sound quality degrades immeasurably for both the X3 micro user and his or her poor friend on the other end of the phone. Using the X3 micro in the car is simply impossible. I couldn't hear the person on the other end of the phone and they couldn't hear me. The sound quality was simply awful in that environment.
As far as I'm concerned, Bluetooth devices should simply sound good in vehicles, it's kind of their purpose. In fact, transmitting sound and voice is generally their purpose, design aside. This device failed to serve this simple purpose. I'd recommend a noise-cancellation microphone as a first step when BlueAnt takes the X3 micro back to the audio drawing board.
Range
BlueAnt advertises a 30 foot (10 meter) range for the X3 micro and the device performed with pretty much the same sound quality throughout that range.
When I stepped a bit too far away from my mobile phone while using the X3 micro, it let off a light beeping sound to let me know I was straying outside its range. This feature is fantastic; another excellent aspect of the X3 micro's design.
Conclusion
BlueAnt has mastered design, and especially the functionality subcategory of design, with its X3 micro Bluetooth Headset. The company needs to work on its ear tip comfort for the next version, but much more importantly, it needs to completely overhaul the technology behind its audio quality. Unfortunately, the headset's sound quality -- particularly when used in vehicles -- is poor enough that the device is almost not worth using. I stopped using it after I had enough information to write this review, simply because I could not hear the people I was talking with, and they could not hear me. In general, X3 micro is a good first draft, but it must go back to the lab. I can't recommend a device that doesn't sound good.
Pros
- Small size
- Ease of use
- Design and functionality in all ways, except audio quality
- Look and feel
- Three charging methods
- Flexible USB Charger Cord
- Car charger included
- Range
Pros
- Awful sound quality, especially while driving
- Not as comfortable as it could be
Posted December 18, 2006 by BlueTomorrow.com Editorial Staff
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