We have a listen to the latest in-ear headset from Cooler Master. Featuring patented BassFX technology, will the CM Storm Resonar stand out from the crowd?
Product on review: CM Storm Resonar
Manufacturer & Sponsor: Cooler Master
Street Price: £30-35 inc VAT.
Gaming on the go has become very popular and what better way to support this habit than to use a lightweight in-ear headset. Cooler Master pull out the stops with their latest entry, sporting exclusive 8mm drivers housed in all aluminium. Going the extra mile, they also introduce the BassFX technology that, at a turn of a dial, you can can change the audio signature and bolster the bass for your finest fragging hour. The dial is said to literally move the position of the driver by mechanical means thus in theory changing the audio output properties.
Overview by Cooler Master
The Resonar includes exclusive 8mm drivers with patented Bass FX technology that produces crystal clear sound and powerful bass, allowing the Resonar to fulfill gamers’ needs for explosive combat and a wide variety of musical genres. The housing is constructed from high-grade aluminum and is engineered for gamers to offer the finest quality and durability over a long lifespan. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by three different sizes of included rubber ear tips.
The Bass FX technology is achieved by adjusting the magnet position inside each ear bud so no gimmicky software is required to achieve this result. Both modes ensure to provide satisfying audio quality for bass heavy users or for more neutral sound users.
The Bass FX technology is achieved by adjusting the magnet position inside each ear bud so no gimmicky software is required to achieve this result. Both modes ensure to provide satisfying audio quality for bass heavy users or for more neutral sound users.
Specifications & Features
Earphones
Driver: 8mm driver
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
Impedance: 20 Ohm
Connector: 3.5mm headphone jack
Cable Length: 1.3m
Microphone
Pick-up Pattern: Omni-Directional
Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 10KHz
Sensitivity: -44 ± 4dB (0dB = 1V/pa.1KHz)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 58dB or more
Driver: 8mm driver
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
Impedance: 20 Ohm
Connector: 3.5mm headphone jack
Cable Length: 1.3m
Microphone
Pick-up Pattern: Omni-Directional
Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 10KHz
Sensitivity: -44 ± 4dB (0dB = 1V/pa.1KHz)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 58dB or more
Powerful Sound
Resonar includes exclusive 8mm drivers with patented BassFX technology that produce crystal clear sound and powerful bass, making Resonar able to fulfill gamer’s needs for explosive combat and a wide variety of musical genres.
Aluminum Housing
The housing is constructed from high-grade aluminum and is specially engineered for gamers to offer the finest quality and durability over a long lifespan. The included passive noise cancellation rubber caps outperforms some active noise canceling systems in the market.
Audio / Mic Splitter
To ensure compatibility with multiple computer and mobile devices while providing a pure audio experience, an add-on splitter with gold-plated connectors is included.
In-line Mic and Remote
An inline microphone with a precise sensor enables Resonar to record clearer audio while avoiding background noise. Avoid irritating wire tangles with Resonar’s mess-free cable system and switch between gaming and phone calls easily with its included remote.
Packaging & Accessories
Packaging front
The box packaging is attractive and high quality using reflective material for the writing, avoiding that boyish over the top gamer appeal and trading it for a more subtle classy look.
Opened front
The front cover can be opened to view the product inside while revealing information about the BassFX and specifications. The product is laid out in a manner that it shows off the majority of the product at one glance, including the carry case.
Reverse side of packaging
At the back we find a detailed breakdown of all the features.
Included carry case
The firm carry case is good quality and is a welcome addition, certainly will keep things safe on the go!
Included accessories
Other included accessories other than the guidebook and warranty card, you will find the 4pole-3pole splitter, which enables you to use the Resonar on mobile devices as well as with your laptop or PC.
Closer Look
The in-line mic
The in-line remote, is more of a ‘answer call’ button and microphone in one. It is housed in metal, which looks and feels great, though as far as other features such as volume control, you will be without, though this could be a very wise move, in-line remotes can be poor quality, add unnecessary cost and cause a weak point in the design. Not to mention that volume controls for mobiles and even PCs tend to be at their finger tips anyway, adding another branch of command makes little sense.
Dials for the BassFX
The dials take up the whole back end of the ear pieces and seem fairly simple to use, though there is no clear marks stating which way does what. To my understanding, if you are looking at both dials, rotating them to the left activates the BassFX feature.
full aluminium housing
The aluminium housings are very sleek, in a deep gunmetal grey colour, accented by the red and blue the aesthetic is very pleasing and there is little doubt over how robust the chambers will be.
The CM Storm Resonar
All together, the CM Storm Resonar looks great, though consideration is needed when selecting a product like this as the cable length is only 1.3m long, clearly placing its target use with mobile devices.
Performance Testing
Setup, Design & Observations
To get things going, you can either plug it straight into a mobile device or use the included splitter with your laptop or PC. Twisting the dials for the BassFX was fairly stiff at first and there is no real tactile feedback to tell you that you have got it in place, other than no longer being able to twist the dial. The flat non-tangle cable works great, throw it in a pile, scrunch it up and give it a quick shake, all is good! Sound isolation is ok, at lower volumes you will still pick up some external sounds, and at high volumes there will be a bit of sound leakage, however, at this price, using the rubber earpiece solution, this will be fairly standard.
Multimedia
Listening through a playlist of music through the PC showed that the Resonar was surprisingly crisp and clear with the bass well accounted for in a pleasant, but a tad underpowered manner, though this tends to be normal with in-ear phones, lacking in that impact. Activating the BassFX resulted in a slightly more prominent bass that didn’t compromise the clear mids and highs, which is a big win! Though critically, the bass did lack definition in music. Moving over to games, DOTA 2 (Congrats Newbee), and Battlefield 4, things became a lot more interesting. Sound effects were well defined and was surprisingly good, benefiting from the BassFX. At maximum volume there was minimal distortion and at 20 Ohm, could reach a fairly uncomfortable loudness, so protect your hearing.
Microphone
In phone calls, the microphone worked well, no better or worse than standard phone quality. Entering a conversation in Skype proved the microphone to be fairly poor, although you could still communicate ok. This tends to be fairly standard with this kind of product so is an oversight.
Conclusion
There are some that live by the in-ear, and if you are one of those, the CM Storm Resonar comes in hard hitting. Priced fairly competitively, looks great, feels great and delivered well as a complete package. For music listening, there are some crystal highs and mids to be had with a pleasant bass thrown into the mix. Enabling the BassFX adds a more prominent, albeit, slightly muddier bass that adds depth to gaming.
At this price, the quality and performance of the Resonar is very competitive and there is very little to dislike. Though the vivid blue and red colours may clash with the aesthetic likes of fruit lovers, that little splash of colour does well for the understated mobile gamer. Other things to pick up on, are that the sound isolation, while, good, is not ‘great’, meaning others around you will certainly hear what you are listening to at high volumes, and you may pick up external sounds at lower volumes. Finally, The BassFX feature could be clearer, as there is no noticeable markings that details which position does what, or a tactile feedback to let you know that it is ‘in position’. All things considered, the Resonar comes as a good surprise with little else to ask for, so we present our Vortez Gold.
If you are searching for a lightweight in-ear headset, then CM Storm Resonar is a powerful, agile weapon that shouldn’t be ignored.
Pros.
+ Nice balanced audio
+ BassFX works wonders for games
+ Durable build quality w/ aluminium
+ Carry case
+ Non-tangle cable
+ Light and portable
Cons.
– Stiff BassFX dials/ no positional indicator
+ Nice balanced audio
+ BassFX works wonders for games
+ Durable build quality w/ aluminium
+ Carry case
+ Non-tangle cable
+ Light and portable
Cons.
– Stiff BassFX dials/ no positional indicator
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net. Thanks to Cooler Master for providing today’s review sample.
