Monster iSport Bluetooth SuperSlim: Powerful bass, stays put during workouts

The Monster iSport Bluetooth Wireless SuperSlim is a solid pair of sports earphones suitable for most exercise needs.

It stayed firmly in my ear throughout my workouts, and the bass-heavy sound profile was great for the dubstep music I was listening to. However, the emphasis on bass may be overpowering for some people, and vocals sometimes sounded slightly drowned out and thin. This is particularly noticeable if you are using the earphones in a quiet environment like the office, or for quieter acoustic music where vocals are at the fore.

When my music player was turned off but the earphones were still connected via Bluetooth, I also noticed an intermittent static buzzing that lasted for about two to three seconds each time.'

In terms of fit, the SuperSlims were easy to wear with a soft silicone earbud that felt comfortable even at the end of my exercise sessions. It was held in place with a simple but effective interchangeable silicone fin that fits behind the fold of the ear.

I did have to adjust the left earbud quite a few times while running though. This was not because of the fit of the piece itself, but because the rubber-coated wire is a bit long and feels a bit stiff, so it kept bouncing against my shoulders or getting caught in my ponytail which would jostle it around. I would have liked clips to adjust the length of the cable, but they were not included in the package.

Also, while it dubs itself the SuperSlim, the set is not really much smaller than the average wireless sports earphone. Because it is flat, it does lie quite flush to the face, which could be useful for people who want to wear it under hats or helmets.

However, it has a longer, more rectangular shape that makes it feel comparable in size to the Jabra Sport Coach, which also has an elongated profile.

TECH SPECS

PRICE: $289
IN THE BOX: Carrying case, a set of silicone eargels and a set of wings.
WEIGHT: Not stated.
BATTERY: Five hours of playback, with a charging time of about 1.5 hours.
FREQUENCY RANGE: Not stated.

RATING

FEATURES: 3/5
DESIGN: 4/5
PERFORMANCE: 4/5
BATTERY LIFE: 3/5
VALUE FOR MONEY: 3/5

OVERALL: 3/5

This article was first published on October 21, 2015.
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