For today’s review we will be looking at a budget priced in-ear headset from the folks at Genius – the HS-200 Gold. This affordable headset features hands free capability smartphones users; although Genius specifically designed the HS-200 Gold with the iPhone in mind.
It includes an inline remote allows for volume control, playing and pausing music along with answering and disconnecting phone calls. For sound quality the HS-200 Gold’s sports a dynamic driver to improve the bass response.
The HS-200 Gold comes in a red, gold and black cardboard and plastic package. Through the front plastic window we see both ear buds and the 3.5mm jack. On the back is a feature list in several languages.
Opening the package we find the HS-200 Gold headphones, an instruction sheet, two sets of spare silicon ear buds and a suede like material carrying pouch.
The HS-200 Gold is fairly standard in appearance; it is encased with a black rubbery cable covering and has platinum colored housing adjacent to the ear pieces with the Genius logo found on the outside.
Markings for the right and left headset are found on the inner aspect of each earpiece. User replaceable black silicone tips cover these earpieces.
The cord running to each earpiece is asymmetrical with the right one being much longer. Below where the cord divides we see a microphone/controller dongle. This silver rectangular piece has a circular talk button and microphone on the outside with a volume control slider on its side. On the back we see the HS-200 Gold name imprinted.
Below this controller is a black adjustable clip for securing the microphone to the user’s clothing.
At the end of the cable is a gold plated 3.5mm jack. The cord attached to this jack is not reinforced which means if you like to torque on your headphone cord by wrapping it on itself this area will probably be the first to breakdown.
Specifications:
Another issue is the uneven cord distribution. The shorter cord makes the headset feel like it is never in the proper position as one side hangs much lower. I have seen this formation with other headset and have never liked this design.
Even though Genius is nice enough to include a storage pouch, the size of the microphone/controller dongle and the rubbery texture of the cord make getting the HS-200 Gold into the pouch not a simple task. Once inside the pouch, the HS-200 Gold tended to become a knotty mess.
Conclusion:
My experience with Genius audio products in the past has been they make affordable products that sound good and the HS-200 Gold continues this trend. My main issue with this headset is the physical build. The asymmetrical cord and bulky microphone/controller dongle take away from the user experience.
Some may not have issues with the larger microphone/controller dongle making this an appealing option.
For the price of around $20 it is a good value for a budget headset.
Pros:
+Affordable
+Good sound reproduction
+Works with Siri
Cons:
-Large microphone/controller dongle
-Fragile 3.5mm wire-jack connection
-Wires tends to get knotted when placed in carrying bag
| Grades: | |
| Overall |  |
| Design | |
| Performance | |
To learn more about our review policy please visit this page HERE.