Genius HS-03U Detailed Features

Some of the detailed features of the Genius HS-03U Headset include the ability to fold for portability, an in-line volume control, and a vibration feature. In this section, we will take a look at these features and see how useful they are, and how well they are implemented.

This is a picture of the way the HS-03U folds for portability. I like that it folds inside of itself, but it seems to leave the microphone boom sticking out there. As you can see in the picture, the microphone can be folded back into the earpieces, but it almost seems like an afterthought. It seems like it may put unnecessary strain on the microphone, and from my experience, the mic is the first thing to go bad on headsets due to a bad cable.

Here is a side shot of the HS-03U Headset folded. Inside these earpieces are the motors that drive the vibration in tune with the bass notes. The vibration is a welcome addition to headsets, as it is one of the major areas of sound that is sacrificed when using a headset over a traditional external speaker setup. I enjoy the all black color with the lime green accents.

Here is a close-up image of the HS-03U earpiece. The earpieces seem a bit small to me. I have small ears, and I found that my ears would not fit comfortably inside the earpiece. After several hours of using this headset, my ears were pretty sore, especially if I was wearing my glasses. This is not to say that they are not wearable. If you take short breaks every now and then, it should not be much of a problem. As you used the headset over time, I am sure you would become accustomed to them, and after adjusting the headband exactly to your head, they may become much more comfortable.

The in-line volume control on the Genius HS-03U is a nice touch. On this volume control, there are volume up/down buttons, a microphone mute toggle, and on the side there is a switch to turn on and off the vibration feature. The USB cable is 1.5m (~5ft) long, and the volume control is at a convenient distance from the headset to allow comfortable use. I found that the cord was a bit short for my liking. I had the HS-03U plugged into the top of my case, which allowed me a fair amount of extra cord, but if I were to use the plugs in the rear of my case, or even if I had USB plugs on the bottom of my case, I would feel like I could not be as "animated" as I typically am during a heated frag fest. Obviously, depending on where you plug this in will vary from user to user, but it is something to consider.

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