Summary
Affordable headphones are becominga must-have accessory in today’s world, so numerous options are available. Many of the companies producing headphones are either new to the game or operating under a new name that’s specific to their audio equipment, so it can be tough to determine who is a legitimate retailer and who is just trying to make a quick buck.
MIXX is far from a household name, buttheir current array of wirelessheadphones and earbuds offer users another budget option for listening to music on the go. With their products being so new, MIXX sent Game Rant a free set of their StreamQ C4 headphones to test and review. After weeks of listening to a variety of music and games, arethese wireless headphonesthe ideal budget add-on for mobile users?
What’s in the Box?
The MIXX StreamQ C4 headphones arrive in a box with packaging that’s less than ideal for the device, having two pieces of slit cardboard wrapped around each earcup. It’s very difficult to carefully remove the packaging and seems as though it may damage the headset in some cases. Other box contents include:
Design & Features
The marketing from MIXX makes the StreamQ C4 seem like the ideal headset for use during physical activities,such as exercising and running. With hands-on experience, it’s clear that this is true. The headset features very breathable, cushioned earcups that are comfortable to wear and don’t put much pressure on the sides of your head. In some cases, that type of design is too loose for users, but in this case, it helps the headphones move with you, rather than pull at you while you move.
Part of the reason the headphones don’t just slip off is because of the sturdy, if a bit stiff, headband. This part of the headphones is also cushioned, though much less so, and with a rubber finish, helping to grip your head while you move. With fine hair, there was no issue with the headband getting caught, despite the rubber, which was a bit surprising and would likely be the same for textured hair.
Another reason these headphones are great for outdoor use is the easy-to-navigate controls on one of the earcups. Each button is shaped differently, so you can immediately tell which one your finger is on. Using concave, convex, textured, and non-textured buttons, the StreamQ C4 makes activating the different functionalities of the headphones a cinch.
There aren’t too many functions on these budget headphones, but the most vital features are available. The volume controls are straightforward, while the textured Bluetooth button is close by and clearly indicates to users when it has been activated and when it has connected. The ANC and transparent mode button is adjacent to the main set of buttons, yet it has no texture and it’s shaped differently, as an extra way to avoid any confusion.
These functions, as well as the low battery indication, which is announced a single time, once the battery has less than two minutes of usage left, come with a vocal notification. When connecting to a new device or switching modes, users will hear a fairly dulcet, soft voice announcing the current status of the headphones. While this may seem like a minor thing to comment on, too many people have been surprised by overpowered “LOW BATTERY” cries to write off this feature completely.
In general, the features included with the StreamQ C4 headphones aren’t the most impressive, but they are highly functional and clearly designed with real-world experience in mind.
Comfort & Adjustability
MIXX’s Bluetooth headphones have a fairly simple design, but that doesn’t prevent them from being comfortable to wear, even while doing some light activity. As mentioned above, the bulbous rubber on the headband does a great job of keeping the headphones in place while also offering some extra cushioning through a thin layer of foam. Likewise, the earcups have a ring of soft foam that admittedly doesn’t offer much cushioning but is exceptionally breathable. Overall, it’s a comfy fit.
It should be noted that when the StreamQ C4 headphones first arrived, they had a very distinct smell to them: they smelled like a discount shoe store from 20 years ago. Apparently, the faux leather used for these headphones is very similar to that of tennis shoes, because the smell is incredibly nostalgic – and strong. Those who are sensitive to smells or never shopped at Payless will want to let these headphones air out for at least two days. In this case, the smell had greatly reduced in strength by the second day, but it took three days total to completely rid them of the scent. At the same time, this smell was a far cry from the usual factory smell that can come with certain materials and was actually quite pleasant while it lasted.
In terms of adjustability, the StreamQ C4 isn’t the best. The maximum size is likely to be too small for big and tall users, or those with large heads in general. The rotating earcups are somewhat helpful for improving comfort, but the joint seems fragile, and the headband needs to be fully extended for the headphones to collapse.
It’s important to remember that the StreamQ C4 is meant as a budget pair of wireless headphones, so while the adjustability isn’t ideal, the rest of the headset does offer plenty of comfort for long sessions at work or the gym.
Performance
Getting decent audio from headsets and headphones is somewhat easy, and the StreamQ C4 stands as proof of this, offering users 40mm dynamic drivers despite its affordability. Along with the mid-range drivers, the headset can deliver active noise cancellation and transparent listening. Being built for on-the-go usage, the battery life lasts up to 40 hours, allowing you to keep it with your bag or purse for use throughout the week.
Upon arrival, the headset does need to be charged before it can be used, but this isn’t as inconvenient as it sounds. The battery can gain 8 hours of charge in just 15 minutes, and after an initial half-hour charge, the battery was actually 70% full. The battery does an excellent job of sustaining usage too, with half an hour of listening to music with ANC dropping the battery by only 1%.
The ANC battery usage is impressive, but unfortunately, the feature itself is less so. While the ANC does a great job of isolating and enhancing audio, it’s far from effective at blocking outside noise. It definitely reduces outside noise, but most of the ANC’s efficacy is based on the improved audio being produced, not the audio being blocked. It would help if the earcups were a bit larger and could create a better seal against the ears, but that would likely cause the headset to be more expensive.
The other audio feature worth mentioning is the transparent mode. This function works very well and is one of the better transparent audio systems available. Vitally important to runners and people who frequently go to busy gyms, the transparent mode with the C4 headphones perfectly melds background noise with whatever audio you’re listening to. The background noise is effectively lowered in volume, yet comes through with crystal clarity. Those who want to hear their own voice while wearing the headphones will be especially impressed, as it’s very easy to monitor your standalone mic input while wearing these, making them ideal for meetings or even non-gaming streams.
Both of these features work in tandem with the 40mm drivers. The audio quality can vary based on what you’re listening to, though it quickly becomes apparent that the headset excels at delivering bass tones and high volumes. Higher-pitched sounds tended to get tinny, and audio peaks were frequent in both music and TV shows. However, these issues most often occur when the volume is set above 60%. It should also be noted that at around 50% volume, it’s very easy to hear whatever is being played through the headphones in the surrounding area. So, it’s probably a good idea to use a different headset to listen to your next steamy audiobook, and it may not be a good idea to blast music through StreamQ headphones while studying in a library.
However, those who aren’t in a quiet space and who don’t care about someone else hearing their music by accident will find the StreamQ C4 headphones to be perfectly adequate for their audio needs.
Overall Impression
$50 isn’t exactly the cheapest way to listen to music, but as far as noise-cancelling headphones go, the StreamQ C4 is one of the most affordable options available. The ANC isn’t great, but the transparent mode is perfectly executed.
Additionally, these headphones are very comfortable and can rest on your head with stability, even while exercising. It’d be tough to find a pair of wireless headphones with active noise cancellation of any quality at a price as low as MIXX’s offering. For budget shoppers who don’t like to exercise with earbuds and would preferover-the-ear headphonestowrap-around or bone-conduction ones, the StreamQ C4 is the ideal choice.
MIXX StreamQ C4 Wireless Headphones
They offer users ANC and transparent audio modes, allowing for excellent audio quality even during commutes or workout sessions. The comfortable padding along the sides and top is soft and breathable, while the rubber finish along the top helps keep the headphones in place during movement. This affordable pair of headphones is compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices, including PCs and smartphones.
Similar Products
These other headphones may be better suited to your needs if something about the StreamQ C4 doesn’t appeal to you:
$40
$75
$350
FAQ
Q: Are MIXX headphones good?
MIXX headphones are a decent entry-level option thanks to their capable, if somewhat simple, designs and fairly affordable prices.
Q: How do you use MIXX wireless headphones?
MIXX wireless headphones connect using Bluetooth and do not require software or additional drivers, making them easy to use with any Bluetooth-enabled device.
