Sound behind all expectations

After I was not quite satisfied with the Sony Pulse (what listening to music on the PC concerned), I have the Evo ZX brought me from Creative, would in the hope that this would be on the PC offer good sound and settings options, and more convenient use of the smartphone ,

The Evo ZX from Creative is with 40mm driver diameter and 287g of the smaller brother of the Evo ZXR (50mm, 324g). It also has no active noise reduction and not a "talk-through". Noise reduction will affect the sound quality, and if I every time a thing of me wants to, press the TT button or push the earpiece aside, for me is about as awkward. Means: I put no value on it. A little "small" it feels in your hand already on the Evo ZX, and also at the top: While the earcups put on above the ears, but then lie mostly on the ears. It feels sturdy, but apart from the core of the headband is all plastic. Otherwise relatively comfortable to wear, not suppressed, is not too heavy.

First, I have the self-Evo-ZX connected via USB cable to the PC (and loaded). It is immediately detected and the Windows drivers are installed. Then I downloaded the Creative software and the latest firmware installed on the connected and the same Evo ZX, and the Sound Blaster Central app installed on my smartphone. Everything easily.

USB cable out, the headset is detected immediately, my Bluetooth adapter detects immediately apt-X and displays a message. I have> reproducers define the Bluetooth headset as the default (namely as "Bluetooth stereo audio" rather than "hands-free audio device") only under Win7 on speaker.

SOUND:
- The preset sound -without SBX was from the outset rather disappointing, very average to bad. Both Reggae, Metal, Techno or classical. Likewise, in movies or PC games.
- The preset sound -WITH SBX is a little fuller, spatial, still muffled and indistinct, both voices, bass, mid, and treble. Although the bass has a very dominant but he comes over unclear. The SBX-key the SB-Axx1 chip is switched apparently. This is supposed to repair the loss of quality of compressed MP3 files. I used usually anyway the highest compression rates (256 and 320 kbps), but even with 128-er, I can not hear any improvement (compared to analogue).
- This overall impression of Bluetooth remains both via USB cable as well as analog via the supplied 4-pin audio cable: unsatisfactory sound.

Adjustments:
- After installing the Creative software can be a PC (via the Sound Blaster App also on smartphone) Choose from 3 different profiles and this change slightly, music, movie or game. This is connected only when using a USB cable or with your phone!
- Within each profile, so music, movie, or game, you have under the tab "SBX Pro Studio" on sliders 5 possibilities for change, namely for "surround", "Chrystalizer", "Bass", "Smart Volume" and "Dialogue Plus". Under the "Equalizer" can be this 11-fold change for each profile.
- In addition, you can under the menu item Crystal Voice still "Mic Volume", "FX" (Voice morphing) and "Noise Reduction" activate and / or change.
- Under the menu item Headset can test the 7.1 surround, but not govern.
- If I choose an SBX-profile (music, movie, game) will transfer its settings into the chip inside the headset. When I use the headset via Bluetooth, I can not do anything about it, except I put the USB cable back in, or do I control the headset on the Sound Blaster Central app on my smartphone. That's because the Evo ZX can communicate with 2 Bluetooth sources. Of course I have for the current BT-stop source (eg PC), go to the phone, in the self-service app where the settings for the headset change (or other profile), again select the PC as a Bluetooth source, then listen. Not optimal. Why the PC-Bluetooth can not make any changes to the headset and the phone, yes, is beyond me. But could have to do with the operating systems.
- None of the settings can to improve the mediocre sound!

SURROUND:
- Unspectacular, is overshadowed by the basic sound.

BLUETOOTH:
- The range is greater than any other, previously tested headsets, approximately 10-12m through walls and doors. Near the wireless router only short, slight interruptions, no termination of the connection.
- The establishment is easy. But when the Evo-ZX is switched on only when running sound (player or game), it may take a little (30-60 sec) until the headset is found and the sound is transmitted. But this has more to do with Bluetooth as the Evo ZX.
- The Evo ZX can be logged at 2 devices, eg PC and Smartphone, but which at the same time but only each can not drive the headset itself and transmit sound. Thus, when a call comes in you hear a beep, switched on a button to Smarphone, and then continue to look back on the PC to the movie.
- It is also possible to control 2 devices of the same Creative Bluetooth source, ie 2 headsets or sound system or whatever. In theory it should go well with 2 receivers from different manufacturers, so while listening, for example with a Bluetooth headset and a BT headset to the same music.
- What apt-X to bring improvements, I can not hear because the basic sound of the ZX Evo is already not good.

The smartphone:
- Functions smoothly, both calls, listen to music, as well as make the settings on the headset via the self-service app. Since the music quality was generally but not satisfactory, I have not set myself further with microphone, etc. apart.
- The same applies to the battery life (not tested).

In order to assess:
- Although I am not satisfied with the sound of Evo ZX, but it is running and all other features, ie Bluetooth, settings, cable connections, smartphone, work. Therefore, a star it!

CONCLUSION:
- Sound absolutely unsatisfactory, and at all connecting paths and all settings and for each sound source (music, movies, games).
- In addition, the ear cups are too small, I prefer circumaural headphones, but the bigger Evo ZXR currently costs 100 euros more.
- For this price not good enough. Too bad, because I've had good experiences with other creative and I expected a lot more. In comparison, it does not serve up the 50 Euro cheaper Sony Pulse.
- Because to me listening to music is important, I have recently decided to use the Bose AE2w. 45 euros more, although no adjustment tehre, but throughout good and clear sound and decent bass, both via Bluetooth and via analog cable. In music, movies, and games. And this despite Bluetooth!