Microlab add another great value Bluetooth headset to their stable, the T2. It is light, compact and available in three different fun colours, will this meet your requirements?
Product on Review: Microlab T2
Manufacturer & Sponsor: Microlab
Street Price: £30-£40
A little while ago we took a look at Microlabs T1 Bluetooth headset, and now to complement that, Microlab have released the T2. Priced a little lower than the T1, the T2 is a lightweight and compact Bluetooth headset packed with 40mm drivers and is available in Citrus, Orange and Sky Blue colours against a rubberised black finish. Unlike the T1, it does away with various flashy features, such as being able to fold and various included accessories, making the T2 a ‘no fuss’ Bluetooth headset solution. However, it does away with the versatility too, meaning it can only be used via Bluetooth.
Overview by Microlab
The ear pads are made of durable rubbery material for prolong use and comfortable wear, and the headband is of good flexibility to fit most head crowns. With its built-in sensitive microphone, the set makes it easy for you to depress to talk. There are control buttons on it for you to adjust the volume or control the playback.
Designed with beautiful finishes and built-in battery capable of 14 hours of playback, this headset system is ideal for your personal entertainment.
Technical Specifications
Support profile: A2DP1.2/AVRCP1.4/HSP1.2/HFP1.6
Wireless Range: 10m (open space)
Speakers
Speaker rated power: 20mW
Frequency response: 80 Hz – 20 kHz
Signal/Noise ratio: >90dB
Speaker diameter: 40 mm
Speaker impedance: 32 ohm
Microphone
Built-in Microphone: Yes
Microphone Sensitivity: -42 dBBattery
Battery type: Li-ion polymer battery 195mAH
Battery lifetime: Remain 80% capacity after 300 cycles
Music playback time: 14 hours
Talking time: 14 hours
Standby time: 20 days
Charging time: 2.5 hours
Charge port: Micro USB Type B
Dimensions
Product dimension (L*W*H): 165.7*161.5*50 mm
Product net weight:130g
Gift box dimension (L*W*H): 186*60*184 mm
Carton dimension (L*W*H): 435*363*414 mm
Packaging & Bundle
This version is the ‘Citrus’ colour which is a vivid yellow a few shades down from that highlighter lime/yellow. The packaging is simple yet elegant which allows full view of the product inside.
At the back we get some detailed specifications of the product and a short overview.
Though light on the accessories in comparison to the T1, the included cable should be all that is needed. Charging will be done by the now common micro USB mobile charger. It is worth noting that this headset only functions via compatible Bluetooth devices.
Closer Look
The T2 is a slim and compact design with slight, but soft padding on the headband which contrasts against the rubberised black plastic finish. In regards to input output, there is a micro USB port for charging, and a built in microphone.
The T2 is an on ear design (supra-aural) and the faux leather covering the drivers perforated to allow sound to escape and is soft with thin cushioning underneath.
The centre button is the on/off/ pairing and answer calls multi function, while the surrounding buttons allow for volume and skip track controls.
The adjustable strap is reinforced with metal, improving integrity and strength. You can also see a small LED indicator, which will display when charging, or pairing for Bluetooth.
Performance Testing
Setup, Design & Observations
Charging via the micro USB port was simple and then to pair with a mobile device, press the multi-function button. It took a little while to connect properly with my smartphone but once it was connected there was no major lag or issues experienced. The headset had a fairly moderate clamp strength but seemed to be aggrevated by the thin padding on the earpads. The earcups have a fair amount of swivel movement and it can take a little while to adjust into the right position to find the comfort zone, once found the comfort wasn’t really a major issue, this could be alleviated or exacerabated by someone who is or is not used to Supra-aural headsets. Overall the lightweight headset seemed strong and flexible with a good quality finish. For some, the major drawback for this headset would be that it can only be used via Bluetooth. This means it relied soully on battery power which could diminish over time without the option to replace it. The official specifications state that the included battery has a life of up to 14 hours, or 20 days standby which retains 80% maximum charge after 300 cycles, so after 300 charge and use cycles it should still manage up to 10 hours of usage.
Multimedia
Listening through my music playlist on SoundCloud via the SoundCloud app on my mobile, the T2 managed to deliver some pretty punchy and impressive bass while delivering decent mids and highs. Though this headset is certainly more bass orientated, tonally, the sound seemed natural and palatable. The high-mids seemed to be slightly diminished though remained present, so overall the T2 gave a highly enjoyable listening experience. At max volume, things can sound slightly ‘harsh’, though it would be unlikely anyone would want to use it at this level for long periods for sake of saving their hearing.
Watching through various videos on Youtube displayed barely any lag, voices and background music had decent seperation giving crisp audio without sounding cluttered. Adi Shankar’s Dirty Laundry video certainly had an immersive atmosphere, adding to the brutality of the video.
Microphone
Answering a call by pressing the large multi function button was simple, though it took a while for the audio to connect through, this could have been due to my aging phone struggling to cope with various things at once, though once connected the phone call was smooth and adequate. Voice quality of the microphone was said to sound ‘fine’ and ‘clear’, summarised as ‘good for a phone call’.
Conclusion
The Microlab T2 headset comes in as a surprise, considering it’s a relatively low cost wireless device that can give a good, solid audio performance. The finish of the product is decent and the overall aesthetic is fun and stylish. If you need a single accessory for your mobile or Bluetooth enabled device, the T2 can take care of your needs.
The T2 comes in as a smaller sibling to the T1 rather than a refresh, which is a shame as there is a lot to like about the T1. The T2 does away with a few things, such as versatility, as it can only be used via Bluetooth. This could have been remedied by adding a 4pole jack. This also has repercussions towards the T2s integrity and longevity, specifically referring to battery life span. Finally, the cushioning on the earpads could have been a little thicker or simply, the clamp strength could be slightly lighter to help increase comfort a little. Though, the comfort aspect is more of an oversight because it is supra-aural (on-ear) by design, if you aren’t used to this type of headset it can take a little longer to get used to adjusting it in that ‘perfect’ position.
Available between £30-40 in the UK, the T2 represents good value for a wireless headset. It has a warm bassy sound that is full and precise, making it a joy to use with your mobile device.
The Microlab T2 headset provides a powerful wireless performance in a sylish compact frame.
+ Wireless
+ Light and compact
+ Attractive aesthetic – available in 3 colours
+ Good bassy audio
+ Long battery life
+ Price
Cons.
– Poor versatility (Can only be used via Bluetooth)
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net.
