Review: Zivio Boom

Maintaining the balance between small size and superior sound quality is the biggest challenge for manufacturers of Bluetooth headsets. The Zivio Boom takes a new approach to the challenge with the inclusion of a retractable boom mic that can be used in areas where background noise might otherwise prove intrusive.

The Boom is well designed and beautifully made, only a couple of inches long and less than a quarter of an inch thick. It is lightweight and fits comfortably – it comes with a selection of adapters that enable it to fit your ear snugly, a definite improvement on the less comfortable but more common one-size-fits-all variety.

You can also attach an ear loop for added security, albeit with mixed results.

The headset is easy to use thanks to a multifunction button that allows you to make and receive calls as well as voice dial your contacts. With an LED display it also shows how much battery life is left in the unit.

But how does it perform? For regular use you can use it without the Boom mic wherein it delivers reasonable sound quality. The extended mic fits at the corner of your mouth, thin and unobtrusive, and enables the caller on the other end of the call to hear you loud and clear.

Fully extended it stretches to 137mm in length. We did find the sound to be touch mechanical, and connection wasn’t always flawless, while extending the boom mid-call while on the move is a little fiddly and not wholly practical.

USB charging cables are included, and the unit promises 10 hours of talk on a single charge. The Zivio Boom is not a budget headset and although the design is very clever we do have greater expectations on performance at this price.

Price (as reviewed): $129.95
Web: www.myzivio.com

Verdict: 6

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