X-1 Momentum Headset Review
First Impressions
X-1 got its start back in 2001 as H20 Audio. And after more than a decade delivering waterproof workout gear, the company rechristened itself and began rolling out a number of new waterproof headphones for both men and women under the X-1 name. We were excited to test an athletic headset that didn’t require a wrap-around-the-ear or hitch-to-the-head positioning, I could hardly wait to blast my favorite tunes on the open trail. Like a round peg into a corresponding hole, they slid right in. They were immediately comfortable with great sound quality. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if they could withstand the pounding of an aggressive workout and stay in place.
Features
The X-1 Headsets are lightweight and fit snugly. A variety of silicone ear tips are provided including a memory foam pair. Once situated with the right fit, the ear tips were comfortable and endured numerous workouts and rinses. On a recent outing with temperatures hovering in the low 90s, it was time to put the headset to the sweat test. Despite heavy perspiration, the fit and sound quality never changed. This was also true in wind, rain, and getting unexpectedly blasted with sprinklers.
Specs
Speaker diameter: 6 mm
Frequency range: 20 to 20,000 Hz
Cable length: 43 in
After working out, they were put to the rinse test. With some drying time, sound and fit were unaffected and a hygienic freshness greeted every use. Consistently living up to its intended purpose, the tangle free cord was a plus. On those night time runs having the reflective cord was reassuring and provided illumination even in low light. Also, the sliding cord clip consistently kept the cord secure to my body. Still, I found the overall cord length a tad longer than I would have preferred. Never interrupted, steady amplified bass beats hit me clean and pure on all types of conditions and on all types of terrain. Furthermore, the snug fit isolated ambient noise, so I could fully enjoy my favorite tunes. The overall sound quality was excellent. The inline microphone and remote worked as expected.
Fit
The X-1 Momentum Headset is comfortable and lightweight. A variety of ear tip sizes allowed me to customize my fit. The memory foam ear tips worked best for me. The installed elastomer tips worked nearly as well on jarring terrains. On the downside, at peak heart rate, I could feel the pulsating beats vibrating on the ear tips wedged in my ear canals. I mostly habituated to the in-ear sensation.
Final Verdict
Given the reasonable $49.99 MSRP, the X-1 Momentum Headset is a great way to enjoy your favorite tunes while working out aggressively in a variety of weather conditions. No wraparound-the-ear or hitch-to-the-head encumbrances, the X-1 Momentum Headset offers excellent sound and a lightweight, secure design for pounding workouts. If the pulsating beats of an in-ear headset is music to your ears, then X-1 Momentum is for you.
