Review of Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Foldable wireless headphones. Supplied complete with sealed box

Do you like to listen to musical compositions with maximum comfort and high-quality sound while playing sports? Then just for you we have prepared a review of one of the best – Xiaomi Bluetooth Mini. Its distinctive feature is the possibility of wireless connection, so you will not experience the inconvenience of wires.

Thoughtful equipment

The kit consists of several elements: the gadget itself, a waterproof case, and three pairs of interchangeable ear pads that differ in size.

To replenish the charge, use the USB/microUSB cable, which is also included in the kit.

Cutting-edge design

The manufacturer offers Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Headset Mini in two shades – black and snow-white. The slightly elongated capsules have a decorative metal insert on the front surface. The case itself is made of ABS plastic, which does not collect fingerprints and other contaminants. The model is distinguished by its compactness, because its weight is only 14 grams!

The capsules are connected to each other using a durable rubberized wire on which the remote control is located. It has a control button that allows you to receive a call, play music, and pause it. There is also a microphone nearby.

In the right capsule you will find a button responsible for decreasing/increasing the volume. Inside it is located a rechargeable battery along with an acoustic system. There is also a microUSB port to recharge the device.

Ergonomic performance is excellent

A special feature of wearing Xiaomi Sport Bluetooth Earphone Mini is that they are attached to the auricle using a special mount. It meets modern ergonomic requirements, so it is securely fixed to the ear and eliminates the possibility of capsules falling, even during active sports.

I would also like to note that you can use Xiaomi headphones even in the rain, since their housing is completely sealed and certified to the IPX4 standard.

Another advantage of the modification is its ability to change the length of the cable to ensure comfortable wearing around the neck.

The manufacturer also took into account the fact that owners of Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth Mini wireless headphones may have different auricle shapes. That is why the kit comes with three pairs of replaceable ear pads and the owner can choose the option that best suits him in size and shape.

Studying sound quality

The Bluetooth headset from Xiaomi boasts a pretty good sound, in which mid frequencies and bass are clearly visible. The only drawback will be that high-frequency reproduction is not always high-quality, which sometimes cannot be maintained even with the help of an equalizer.

Inside the speaker system lies a solid filling, represented by a thin innovative membrane and a copper winding made from enameled wire. The speaker power is 5 W, and its sensitivity is an impressive 101 dB. Also, CVC active noise reduction technology is implemented, thanks to which you will hear music clearly even in a noisy place.

Wireless control

In addition to mechanical control using the built-in remote control, the model provides the ability to transmit commands via Bluetooth 4.1. The Qualcomm CSR8645 chip is responsible for wireless control, which provides communication at a distance of up to 10 meters. When connected to a smartphone, the user can select the desired tracks, rewind them, pause them, etc. The good news is that there is no need to configure the gadget to synchronize with the phone, since it connects automatically.

Impressive battery life

In order for the device to work autonomously, Xiaomi brand engineers equipped it with a compact and at the same time quite capacious 80 mAh battery. To replenish its charge, you will have to wait about 2 hours (using a USB/microUSB cable), but then the device will function at high volume for 5 hours, and at low volume for about 7 hours.

Characteristics table

Who are the Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth Mini headphones suitable for?

This is a great option for those who value their own mobility and want to be free from many wires. You won’t need to connect them to your smartphone via a cable; it’s enough to occasionally recharge the gadget, because it synchronizes with your phone via Bluetooth.

With active use, its charge will last for at least 5 hours, during which you can enjoy your favorite music regardless of weather conditions, because the product body is waterproof.

Xiaomi has made a good name for itself in the portable audio market thanks to its line of in-ear headphones, which were positively assessed by both consumers and critics. The Chinese firm's latest entry into the audio market is the Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth headset, which is specifically aimed at sports and fitness consumers and ties in with the ever-growing list of fitness devices sold by the company.

Pros of Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth

The ear hook design prevents the headphones from falling off.
Excellent midrange settings with very lively sound
Good price/quality ratio

Cons of Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth

Comfort and sound insulation are unsatisfactory.
Low battery life
The microphone is not doing its job
Voice prompts in Chinese

Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset price

The cost of these headphones in Russia 1600 - 2000 rubles. Abroad, for example on Amazon, these headphones are sold for $36. Which is even a little more than 2000 rubles. For some centuries, electronics in Russia cost at least a little, but cheaper than abroad.

Packaging and accessories

Xiaomi is not a company that greatly deprives its products of accessories. And the Mi Sports Bluetooth headphones are also generally well equipped with accessories (considering their price): the headphones come with ear pads in five different sizes, a clothes clip and a manual (in Chinese) in the box. There is no case or carrying bag like the Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro. The headset, like any other Xiaomi device, is packaged in a branded white minimalist package with the Mi logo and a plastic window on the front and back with information about the device. The packaging is normal, there is nothing to complain about, everything is packed well. So what's in the box? In the box you will find:

the headset itself
manual in Chinese
for a comfortable fit in the ears - 4 pairs of additional ear pads

It’s a pity that there is no bag or case for storing and carrying the headset. But for such a price this is basically expected.

Design and convenience

Xiaomi has extensive experience in making fitness accessories, and its Mi Band fitness trackers are among the best on the market. The Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth headset has a design in the same style as the fitness bracelets of this manufacturer, which have the same plastic body with an aluminum insert on top. To help the headphones stay securely in place, each speaker has a semi-rigid ear hook. However, contrary to what I thought and seemingly obvious, I found that the most comfortable position on my ears is to have the headphones tilted slightly forward. Although this may not be true for everyone since the shape and size of each person's ears is different.

On the right side of the cable there is a remote control with a microphone and one button. The remaining buttons are on the right earpiece, which houses the volume buttons and micro-USB connector. The position of the buttons is very convenient, although it will take a little getting used to - I did not succeed right away. Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset leaves much to be desired in terms of sound insulation: their special “sports” shape does not allow me to wear them as tightly as possible and, therefore, I can forget about good insulation. However, this cannot be called an absolute disadvantage, since it allows the listener to continue to hear what is happening around them (this may indeed be a really important feature that is not an unambiguous disadvantage).

In any case, comfort and sound insulation greatly depend on the shape of the headphones and earbuds. While the design of the headphones as a whole cannot be changed, the ear tips themselves can be fixed. I ended up just putting on a pair of Comply Isolation ear pads and it made a world of difference in sound and comfort. While they still don't fit perfectly, they isolate sound much better than the included plugs. The latter are inconvenient and completely stupid in providing even the basic isolation necessary for normal audibility of low frequencies. Still, let me remind you once again that your ears may differ from mine! Since sweat is a common occurrence when playing sports, water resistance is a must for these types of headphones. Xiaomi ships the Mi Sports Bluetooth headset with IPX4 certification, which means it will resist moisture such as sweat or heavy rain.

Additional features and battery life

The volume level does not depend on the phone volume. Since volume is just a setting when using Bluetooth, the headphones simply ignore the settings they receive from the phone and apply their own. In my case, this has positive consequences, since the volume adjustment of the Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth headset is more subtle than on my phone. Headphones are supposed to help their users with voice prompts, but they are in Chinese :). Agree, a very useful function? However, it is worth admitting that somehow they still cope with their task, and in the end they turn into a kind of sound indication. Over time, you simply begin to understand by the sound what is happening there. There's no word on aptX support, so I'm guessing it's not supported. And this is obvious, the headphones are not in that price range. However, there is an SBC codec that provides just decent sound quality. Although the battery has good capacity (100mAh), it cannot power the headphones for more than 4~6 hours. It's not bad at all, but it's not exactly amazing, and in fact is a little disappointing considering the size of the case (which is much larger than the Creative Outlier Sports). The microphone performs poorly and cannot be fully used in areas where there is noise. Its placement on the cable has something to do with this, as it's not ideal at all. I cannot recommend these headphones for talking through them during phone calls.

Sound

To test the sound, I used tracks in FLAC format and 2 sources - a Lenovo Vibe Shot smartphone and my desktop computer.

Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset technical specifications

There is a subtle audible noise that can be heard in the background. It's most noticeable during quiet moments, but its level is low enough to be noticeable when music is playing. The sound overall is quite open and spacious, which is quite unexpected for this type of headphone. The sound separation of instruments is more than expected for this price range of Bluetooth sports headphones; There is a clear separation between the bass, mids and highs, with almost no smearing. When using the included ear pads, I noticed that the sound became weak and lacked richness. This is present in both the bass and midrange. As I said, this may be a personal issue of mine caused by my particular ear size or shape, but I think it's worth mentioning anyway. The Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset has a (more or less) neutral sound, contrary to the bass-boosting trend this market has, which also results in a lack of bass if the isolation is not perfect. Due to sound insulation issues, the bass does not have much depth, even with thicker ear pads. Despite the fact that they will not be able to seriously compete with high-level products from more famous (in the audio world) manufacturers, they distance themselves from the mass of similar Chinese headphones. The bass is fairly balanced and, despite being relatively weak, has good impact and is noticeable enough to keep the beat. I admit that it is during sports that I expect a little more dynamics and bass from headphones. However, when it comes to delivering more accurate audio, the Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth Headsets are definitely worth more than the price they sell for. The mids have a special emphasis and are very energetic. As a result, the voices and guitars have a very clear presentation that highlights them and makes them the center of the composition around which everything moves. This makes pop and rock sound decent and enjoyable. But there are also problems: in the upper frequencies there is a section in which hiss occurs, which is difficult to ignore. The sound overall is rich in detail, and the tone is natural and slightly warm. High frequencies blend perfectly with the mids and highlight them. The combination of the two produces a bright sound that leans more toward the higher end of the spectrum. Of course, this sound is by no means perfect and you won't hear all the "details", but it is more than good for sports headphones. All things considered, I don't recommend these headphones if you're looking for strong bass. However, if you listen to pop, rock and other "mid-range" genres, the Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset will be a great option for you. The Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset has much weaker bass than the Creative Outlier Sports, but its sound is more detailed and refined. From an audiophile's point of view, Xiaomi is better due to their balance and details. True, it’s hard to believe that audiophiles will buy such cheap headphones. However, looking at typical use (I'm thinking about sports/crossfit/fitness), perhaps the Outlier Sports can better meet most people's requirements with their emphasized bass. The Jabra Sport Pace headphones have a more V-shaped sound, hence their bass and treble are more pronounced. The overall sound quality is comparable as the detail, instrument separation and sound quality are similar. So it all comes down to your personal preferences.

Test while playing sports

Of course, I tested the Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth headphones during one of my workouts. The fun begins immediately when I turn on the headphones, a friendly female voice tells me in Chinese that they are connected, and I begin my workout. The headphones support Bluetooth 4.1 and have a working range of up to 10 meters. Which gave me enough space without losing signal. The headphones fit well and are quite comfortable. They stayed in place during strength training, running and cycling. The sound was as expected, with minimal leakage to the environment, despite the high volume, I listened to the headphones next to other people who were not disturbed by my music at all. The headphones worked at 50-60% volume and after a 2-hour workout at the end they maintained a charge of 50%. It will take about 2 hours to fully charge the battery, giving you 5 hours of listening time. Overall, training with the Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset was quite an enjoyable experience for me.

Conclusion

If I were to judge the Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth headset purely on sound quality, I would give them a solid 8.5/10. They have a balanced, attractive and lively sound that tries to convey tracks as naturally as possible. But headphones are about more than just sound. The battery life is a bit disappointing, the comfort could be greatly improved, there is no microphone and voice prompts are only in Chinese. They have a good and moderately reliable design, and the design distinguishes them from many competitors. But is this enough to make them attractive to consumers? The short answer is yes. Their $36 price tag puts them in competition with headphones that are less attractive - be it build quality, sound quality, or a combination of the two. It makes sense to compare these headphones with products from more well-known brands that are one and a half, or even three times more expensive! I can safely recommend these headphones if you are willing to spend no more than $50, but I also remind you of the disadvantages that I pointed out and that you should consider them when making your final headphone selection.

A new product in the Xiaomi line is a Bluetooth headset. Artem brought it with his own hands from the company store and offered to test it. I took it and tested it! And this is what came out of it...

Design, construction

I had the opportunity to get acquainted with one of these things. This is Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Headset, a wireless headset. A segment that is now half-forgotten, where nothing will surprise anyone, and manufacturers are now competing more on price than on functionality - the new products of 2015 are very similar to the new products of 2010. Yes, now you can listen to stereo in one ear, the operating time has increased slightly, but otherwise the products have not changed. There is no such significant difference as, say, a Samsung phone from 2010 and a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. Only five years, but the difference in opportunities is colossal. I’m saying all this to mean that Xiaomi could have safely not made such a product as a headset at all – but they did. They did it because they could. Let's see what happened.

The packaging is good, the box is made of white plastic, the headset is snow-white, matte, fingerprints are invisible. On the front there is a microUSB connector, on the back there is a single button, it is responsible for accepting and rejecting calls, and dialing the last number. When you turn it on for the first time, the device automatically goes into pairing mode, and for once you have to see hieroglyphs in the iPhone settings. There were no problems with the connection. There is a miniature indicator light on the front of the headset, it would be better to move it to the back.

Interestingly, the multifunction button also starts playing a track and works with any programs on the iPhone - both starts and pauses. The A2DP profile is supported, the sound quality is good, you can easily listen to music or podcasts in one ear. Additional features include connecting two smartphones simultaneously.

The headset uses the CSR 8610 chip, brief characteristics are as follows:

Bluetooth 4.0
HD Voice support (must be supported by operator)
Headset battery status when connected to iPhone
Ability to install voice prompts in different languages (there are no prompts here)

You can see the characteristics of the chip; I must say that this is now a fairly popular solution for entry-level headsets.

The device comes in black and white, and the official website shows what it looks like in the ear.

In general, not very big. Even next to Apple technology, the headset looks quite decent.

The kit comes with attachments of three sizes, there is no temple, so you can’t really run around with the headset. The attachments are of an unusual shape, with a protrusion for better fixation. You can wear the device for a long time without discomfort.

Voice quality

The operating range when paired with the iPhone 6 Plus is about seven meters; in an apartment, the quality of speech transmission practically does not change at a distance from the smartphone. But there are complaints about the quality; the voices of the interlocutors are heard a little unnaturally, a little muffled even at full volume. You can be heard quite well, but it’s as if you are holding the phone a little farther from your mouth. This is all due to the design, the microphone is located far from the lips. In a quiet room you can communicate without raising your voice, but as soon as there is noise, you need to switch to your smartphone.

Nutrition

The stated operating time is 5 hours of talk time; while charging, the device is disconnected from the smartphone.

Conclusions

In terms of our money, the headset costs about 800 rubles, which is not bad. The advantages of the device include good design, A2DP support, miniature size and weight. Voice quality is average. And now you look, there seem to be a lot of competitors, but they are either completely noname, or old Nokias, or there is no A2DP and in general some kind of ancient horror. Therefore (oddly enough) for the money the product is quite good.

Xiaomi is one of the rare manufacturers that successfully asserts itself in almost all areas of electronics. Accessories under this brand have gained no less popularity than smartphones. We have already tested fitness bracelets, external batteries, speakers, and fans. Today the focus is on the inexpensive Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Headset. One of the most inexpensive offers, the difference compared to the youngest Plantronics headset is almost double.

It is available both in Russian stores (around 1,400 rubles) and Chinese (950 rubles). Taking into account the fact that warranty and service maintenance is still not provided, the point of overpaying can only be in the absence of time to wait.

Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth headset review

Equipment

The Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth headset is supplied in a simple and compact box with a transparent lid.

The package includes two replaceable rubber ear pads and a short micro USB cable for charging.

Appearance

The Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth headset case is made in the form of a cylinder of the correct shape. In terms of dimensions, it is comparable to an AAA battery. Light weight.

The speaker is located in a protruding leg with a rubber ear pad. There is a small ring for a stable position in the ear; it can also be used to hang the headset during transport.

There is a small recess in which the microphone and LED indicator are located. Depending on the current state, lights up red or blue.

There is a micro USB connector on one side; it is not covered with a protective cap.

At the top there is a mechanical button with an icon. It is easy to press and can be used to answer an incoming call and turn on the headset.

The Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth headset includes two additional ear pads that differ in size. You can choose the anatomical features to suit your needs; it will not fall out of your ear while moving. Under the ear pad there is a speaker with a metal mesh.

The body is made of plastic. There is a white and black version of this headset. The coating is resistant to fingerprints.

Tests

Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth headset connects using Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP support. You can connect two smartphones to one headset at the same time. This procedure is carried out by serial connection, with switching off after the first successful synchronization. In the future, when you turn on the headset, both phones will be connected.

Weighing 6.5 grams, the headset works in standby mode for a week and about 5 hours of talk time. Charging takes approximately 2 hours.

The controls are easy to understand. A single press of the button answers or ends the call. Double click – call the last caller. Long click – voice assistant.

There are no problems with conversations. The interlocutors hear the voice clearly. There is a noise reduction system. The volume is good. You can also listen to music in the Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth headset, but due to the lack of a pair, there will be no stereo and you will hear everything that is happening around.

During our tests, we were unable to find a way to flash this headset in order to get rid of the Chinese language. The numbers of incoming calls, notifications, and charge level are announced in Chinese. You can't turn it off either. If you know a way, please tell me in the comments.

Results on Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth headset

Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth headset will be a good choice if you have a limited purchasing budget. Simple design, a pair of replaceable ear pads, functionality, two colors to choose from, acceptable battery life, noise reduction. Hints in Chinese may not suit you. As an alternative, we recommend paying attention to

For Xiaomi, the production of sports accessories is becoming an increasingly important aspect of its activities. We already know about Xiaomi Mi Sport Shoes Smart Edition sneakers, sportswear and fitness trackers from Xiaomi. Now a Bluetooth headset has appeared on the market, called Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth. We will devote today's review to this new product, and in the end you will be able to decide whether you need Xiaomi Sport headphones.

Design

The appearance and ergonomics of the earphone evoke only enthusiastic exclamations. From a design point of view, these are two capsules, between which there is a rubberized wire for connection. The holder with the company logo makes it easy to remove excess wire. Although the memory effect is present, the wire will not tan or crack in the cold. In general, for a budget device, this gadget is made of excellent materials.

On the right side of the wire there is a one-button remote control on which a microphone is attached. Using it, you can accept and reject calls, as well as control your audio player. The capsules have a metal insert for decorative purposes, very reminiscent of the one used in the first Mi Band. One of these capsules has a similar LED. For Xiaomi Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset, it serves as an indicator that the headset is connected to a mobile device.

Compared to the first Mi Band, each capsule weighs a little more, but it is worth recognizing that the dimensions of the device in this case have increased significantly. On the side of the ear there are thickenings - an audio system. Inside the capsules themselves there is a battery and an electronic smart component.

The right capsule contains volume buttons, as well as a microUSB port. To increase the protection of these elements, a rubber plug is provided.

Xiaomi wireless headphones are supposed to be worn behind the ear. The ear hook is quite rigid; it is made of unbendable plastic. The acoustic chamber allows for the greatest possible contact with the ear. If not for this element, the headphones would simply hang on the ear pads. But this option is also provided by the manufacturer. The ear pads on the Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth White are 2 times longer than the standard ones used on the Hybrid or Piston.

In a word, the Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth White design is comfortable to wear in any format and with any ear size. Due to the fact that the kit comes with three sizes of ear pads, Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth White is suitable for both men and women. An original option is to wear the earphone not completely inserted into the ear canal. This will allow you to hear surrounding sounds while enjoying music or having a conversation on the phone.

Well, if you want to completely ignore the environment, then insert the Xiaomi Mi Sport headphones tightly into your ears - maximum sound insulation is guaranteed. The product feels soft but durable. The structure is pleasant and rough, which at the same time creates a disadvantage in the form of accumulation of dirt on the surface and problems with cleaning.

Sound quality

Even compared to flagships, the sound quality in the Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth headphones seems very good. Of course, we won’t compare them with wired Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth headphones - they’re just different devices. But in terms of the combination of ease of use and sound quality, Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth White has very few competitors. This accessory will be an excellent addition to your outdoor activities, will help with sports, or simply provide distraction during monotonous work or travel on public transport.

One of the main advantages of Xiaomi Mi Sport Bluetooth White is that the volume level is incredibly high. Even if there is a lot of noise around you, headphones will allow you to distract yourself from what is happening without the slightest problem. Communicating on the phone using a headset is also very convenient, since sound transmission is good in both directions, regardless of the scenario in which the device is used.

If we highlight the shortcomings of the sound, then it is worth mentioning the tendency towards bass to the detriment of high frequencies. The equalizer settings help somewhat, but the overall impression is still a little off.

Comparing the gadget with its competitor Meizu EP-51, we note that Xiaomi has better sound quality. And the main advantage is that thanks to the classic seating option, you can feel the music without any problems, fully enjoying it. Let us remind you that the headset from Meizu is made somewhat non-standardly, which is why during listening it creates interference in the ear canal, as if distancing the sound.

Autonomy

According to the manufacturer, the device can work on a single charge for 7 hours straight. But the mode of use of the headset is not indicated. During testing, we were able to obtain the following indicators:

In standby mode, the device holds a charge for 10 hours straight;
At low playback volume, suitable for a quiet room - 7 hours;
At medium volume (in the office, in the gym) - 6 hours;
At high volume in a noisy place - 5 hours.

Telephone conversations using a headset have virtually no effect on preserving battery life.

Compatibility and Connectivity

The gadget works with any device that has Bluetooth. The protocol of the headset itself complies with version 4.1, but due to backward compatibility, optional use with lower versions is ensured. There are also no restrictions on the hardware platform. You can connect the headset to both iOS and Android devices. It is also possible to connect to computers and laptops running Windows.