Headsphones.expert

At the end of last week, I reviewed Prime +, a gaming mouse from Steelseries and now it’s time to check out the headset that has been developed for the Prime family. Arctis Prime are wired gaming headphones that are specially developed for E-sports but which in my opinion lack an important component. More on that soon.

When I pick the headphones out of the box, I am, as usual, impressed by the fine quality. The headphones look good in color and have a delicious, matte finish. They feel light and when I put them on my head they are really comfortable. If you, like me, have a very large head, the headphones are easy to adapt with a flexible Velcro solution. This gives a completely stepless fit, which is a plus.

I start by testing with some music and plug them into the phone. My favorite test song is Heart upon my Sleeve with Avicii as that song contains everything you could want. It has calm parts, hard parts and even text. In the quiet parts (at the beginning of the song) it is immediately heard that the headphones exude quality; the sound is crystal clear and clean. Then we come in a bit more and the base kicks in. Here I had actually seen that the base could be a bit more powerful, because in a couple of lures in this size, it can hardly be difficult to mount a larger (and more lively?) Base element.

The next step is to call a friend. I pull out the mic. which sits snugly in the left cover and checks that it is on. Now it is not visible anywhere when you have the headphones on, but it is easy to feel if the on / off button is pressed or not. My voice is heard clearly and well at the other end and when the mic can be turned and controlled exactly as you want, it is always possible to get good sound from your voice. Very practical.

The next test is to run some online games and this is what Arctis Prime is developed for. You have a volume button that is easy to reach on the back of the headphones, where you can raise and lower the game sound but there is no control for chat mixer. This feels extremely strange as these lures are made and launched just for and with E-sport profile? I think this is a pity for a pair of otherwise so skillfully constructed headphones.

Steelseries software is as always on-point and amazing and you can set everything to get your gaming experience as good as possible. Arctis Prime works directly for PC, Mac, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo and for your phone (Android and iOS), without any problems.

In summary, Arctis Prime from Steelseries will definitely be worth a warm recommendation and in their price range and design, they really are a bargain. There are only a few small things that reduce the grade from a must.

True Wireless headphones have really come to a halt. Small, flexible, battery-powered headphones that are easy to pick up and plug in your ears and start using. Cordless. There are many choices and brands today and some are good at one and others are good at the other. What I have experienced as a common “problem” is that the TWS headphones I tested before had a rather small base. Which is not strange, since it is not easy to get a good bass in such small headphones, with small membranes. Today’s test is of ATH-ANC300TW from Audio-Technica and here are actually a couple of TWS headphones that deliver what I was missing; solid base (something we should also admit Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 and B&W PI 7 also offers, but at a higher price).

When I open the box for ATH-ANC300TW from Japanese Audio-Technica, I realize two things. One: the charging box is much larger than those of the other headphones we tested; it is even in the largest team – I think – with its 5.5 x 5.5 cm x 3cm. Two: The manufacturer really does not save on the powder to send with different rubber plugs so that you can find the perfect fit. There are even two pieces in memory foam for extra fit.

I immediately put the box on charge. When the headphones are fully charged, they last 4.5 hours and the box has an additional 13.5 hours of charging. I feel that it is spontaneously a bit on the low side, especially since the box and headphones are larger than other TWS headphones. Once they are charged, I take them out and follow the Quick guide that comes with it. The phone finds the headphones immediately and they are quickly connected. There is a handy app to download to your phone (for both iOS and Android) where you can control the settings of your headphones in detail and update software.

There is a button on each headphone and in the default mode you control the sensitivity of the noise reduction (ANC), on and off with the button on the left headphone and you control the pause and skip song and the assistant with the right headphone. Even though it is a flexible solution, I still preferred to use the app. The buttons are sensibly placed and are easy to find.

I start – true to my habit – to test with some music and the choice falls (as usual) on Heart Upon my Sleeve by Avicii. The sound is crystal clear, clean and when the bass kicks in I get really surprised: there is really deep and powerful bass in these little lures! I then try calling a friend who describes the sound as hot and tight. The noise reduction (ANC) is also really impressive and I could easily listen to my podcast while working in an extremely noisy environment. The headphones support aptX, as well as Apple’s AAC and the mandatory SBC.

ATH-ANC300TW from Audio-Technica could have become a clear must – if it were not for three things. One: The charging box is really big and not super flexible to carry in a trouser pocket. Two: The headphones clog properly and it feels a bit like wearing a pair of earplugs. There may be some out there who like it, but I think it became uncomfortable. Three: In my opinion, the battery life is a bit on the low side, especially considering the price. But, regardless of these three relatively small flaws, the ATH-ANC300TW is a pair of really awesome TWS headphones, with insanely good sound and a real noise reduction. So they are definitely worth a warm recommendation!

A few months ago we tested the G733 wireless headphones from Logitech and now we have brought home little brother, G335, who we will find out how it stands. The first thing that strikes me when I open the box and pick them out is that they feel a little more plastic than big brother. Once they sit on the skull, they feel comfortable and light. The earmuffs are nice and well made, but the body itself feels a bit weak, almost bent. The microphone can be turned up or down. Upstairs it is switched off and downstairs it is switched on, just as usual. The difference here is that this one also feels very soft and almost fragile. Both once and twice I took in a little too hard and bent it. It folds back immediately – but how long does it last?

These headphones, unlike the G733, are completely wired and there is an adapter in the box to be able to connect them to a PC with one input for audio in and one for audio out. I begin my faithful habit of testing them with music. Run Heart upon my sleeve by Avicii and the sound sounds clear and nice in the quiet section, at the beginning of the song. When the base then kicks in, the price difference is quite clear. There is nothing really wrong with the base, except that it is very restrained and not so strong. For me, the base really becomes a big part of the experience and in a pair of full-size lures like these, it should be more powerful even though the price tag is low.

The next test is to call them. They can be connected to your phone using an adapter (not included) and there is good sound reproduction on my voice to the person I am talking to. They heard me well even in a slightly noisier environment. There is no activity button on the headset cord, so you can not control the phone other than using the phone screen.

So to the most important thing: that I test them for games. The choice falls on Outriders and the wired sound is reproduced accurately and without lag. There is a flexible volume button on the headphones that is easy to find even in stressful situations. However, there is no possibility to mix between game sounds and fellow players’ voices (chat).

G335 is part of Logitech’s popular color collection and this time I got to test the white headphones, which in my opinion is one of the nicest versions. They are insanely light with their 240 grams and thus sit comfortably during long gaming sessions.

In summary, the G335 is clearly an affordable alternative to the wireless G733 and since the sound is clear and nice – albeit with a slightly weaker bass – they are definitely worth a recommendation.

Headphones for some are like shoes for others – you can not have “too many pairs”. There is a handset for every occasion or context: true wireless for discreet listening in the city, wired over-ear for enjoyable free time at the hi-fi system and good-sounding and comfortable gaming handsets for long gaming sessions. Like much else, the range of price ranges on headphones ranges from very cheap to billionaire-expensive (yes, there are headphones for half a million). Creative Labs Sound Blaster JAM V2 belongs to the first category – they may be plastic and quite inconspicuous at first glance, but they are packed with features that are quite impressive for the price level and the right area of use.

The Look – Sound Blaster JAM V2

Sound Blaster is Creative’s classic sound card brand and that you use the branding here suggests a bit of game or computer connotation. In terms of appearance, the JAM V2 is very simple: über-light plastic constructions with attachable and removable cushions (an extra pair is included!) That are reminiscent of the headphones you once got on an airplane when you were on a charter trip, then with a wire connection. So no lookers, but here it is the inside that counts.

Technology and functions

What the Sound Blaster JAM V2 may lack in foldability and luxurious finish is taken seriously in technical features and functions – here is most of what you can wish for: Bluetooth 5.0 for stable connection with long range, aptX HD and new aptX LL for both high resolution sound and low latency (congratulations to all except iPhone owners) and the ability to connect to two sources at the same time to easily switch between these (multipoint connection). Of course, there is also aptX and SBC, which all devices support.

The headphones themselves have 32mm neodymium elements and the sound quality is impressive, not only for the very low price. Sound Blaster JAM V2 sounds really good overall, both with high-resolution sources such as Tidal (where you might iofs drive a little more premium tricks) as well as games and movie watching on, for example, a touchpad. The battery life is sickly impressive; it is officially set at 22 hours, but we have used them much longer than that (dare we say 30?) at a reasonable volume. USB-C connection is available and they also charge quickly.

Summering – Sound Blaster JAM V2

There is not really much more to say. It’s hard not to love the Sound Blaster JAM V2: for under SEK 400 you get a pair of extremely competent headphones, which are perfect for most things, not least to take with you to the children on the trip. Yes, they are plastic, not terribly beautiful and not the most comfortable on the market for long periods of time, but the inside is crammed with features that are crazy impressive to get for the low price, sound codecs that headphones that are five times more expensive lack. The battery life is also really good and although the headphones are feather light and can feel a bit rickety, we have experienced that they can handle semi-hard use even by smaller consumers (read: small children). The sound is far above the level you can expect for the price and everyone who can use aptX HD and LL has another reason to throw themselves over these before the summer.

The market for true wireless has completely exploded in recent years, much thanks to Apple ‘s trendy, but not very affordable AirPods. Everyone, from low-price brands to über-exclusive players, wants a piece of the pie and the range has never been as good – and wide – as it is today. British Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) is a brand that all sound enthusiasts recognize and they are now releasing two models of true wireless, in-ear headphones: PI5 and PI7. We have hard tested big brother PI7 the last few weeks and found an audiophile gold nugget, with not completely insignificant price tag. Are they worth it?

First impressions

PI7 comes in a beautiful and in our case white case with shells that, like Technic’s top model EAH-AZ70, exude exclusive premium material selection and quality. Several sizes of silicone pads are included and you should usually choose the largest you can wear comfortably (for the best base). The fit is good, but maybe not brilliant. The shells are better and more balanced than Panasonic’s slightly too heavy RZ-S500W, but not as perfect as Creative Labs Outlier Gold (now Air V2). Of course, the fit will be highly individual for your particular ear and its shape.

It was a bit tricky to get the headphones on at first. The app is similar to the competition, with in much the same functions (except for the lack of EQ) and the ability to set features and update firmware, which is recommended that you always do. The main pairing itself, however, went awry and required several patient attempts. Once the headphones were paired with our reference phone, it worked fine going forward.

Sound quality B&W PI7

With high expectations, we started playing through the digital reference list at the highest quality setting. With just over SEK 4,000 in price tag, PI7 are some of the market’s more expensive TWS headphones. However, you do not have to listen very long to understand why: just like in B & W’s speakers (the same team has created the Diamond 800 series), there is a system with several elements. B&W calls it hybrid-drive and this means that the headphones run a treble element separately from the generously sized full-register element of 9.2 mm. This gives a cruel breadth in the sound spectrum and makes the headphones hang on just as well in fast bass as in advanced songs with many instruments in different registers, at once. Listen to Scarlet Pleasure ‘s What a Life (from lovely A Round to) and you will notice what we mean. Acoustic is also excellent, which can be heard, for example, in Susan Wong ‘s cover of Sound of Silence, where the guitar strings sound crystal clear and intimate, just like her friend’s voice. If we run on a bit resilient pop – for example Master KG ‘s dance-meme-current Jerusalem, with pounded bass and clear percussion – we can only confirm what we have already experienced: PI7 is almost a “catch-all” -in-ear- nap that we have heard so far. The closest competitor – Sennheiser Momemtum True Wireless 2 – is not far behind and may be a little clearer in some cases, but the PI7 still wins on overall width and sound with high quality sources.

PI7 has a 24 bit, 48kHz sound processor (Quad-core with DSP) and supports aptX but also the high resolution aptX HD, LL and even the best aptX Adaptive, which is brilliant quality for you who drive other than iPhone (who do not yet want be on the train …).

As usual, the touch controls are a bit of a mixed bag. They generally work well when you have learned them, but the golden balance between how easily they respond and at the same time protect against misprints is always difficult. Some people may raise their eyebrows because you can not adjust the volume on them via pressure; but since we rarely think it works particularly well anyway – and usually results in other, unwanted effects – there is nothing we directly miss here. What the app has that is a bit odd and fun is “soundscapes”, where you can listen to pre-recorded environmental sounds such as forest, waterfalls and rain. Quick relaxation. Why not?

The headphones support ANC (active noise reduction) and also have an auto mode that will intuitively sense “important” sounds from the surroundings, such as exclamations in speakers. That bit worked well, but when someone on a busy street approaches and wants to talk, you should not expect this to work every time.

Like the EAH-AZ70, the PI7 has six microphones, where four scan the surroundings and try to block out noise and two that pick up your voice. The conversations work well, we heard the other party perfectly and it heard us well, but there is always a challenge with TWS headphones and noisy environments, as the mic sits quite far from the mouth of the person speaking in them. So you have to cook a little according to location.

Full charge gives about four hours of use and that’s completely OK, the case contains capacity for another four rounds so you can manage to calm down for a day (fast charging via USB-C is also supported, of course). A slightly odd thing about the case is that you can physically connect it as a “transmitter” to devices that do not have a bluetooth connection (think old 3.5 “connectors like your old iPod, iPhone or portable game console) and so on” stream “out the sound to the wireless headphones. Fun and rather odd thing, which may be used sparingly, but can be fun to bring to life old devices you may have forgotten, as these often require a cord, which can not be physically connected to TWS -headphones.

Summering Bowers & Wilkins PI7

All you can do is lift the hat on Bowers & Wilkins PI7 – this is an absolutely outstanding product, with a perfectly brilliant sound, in fact among the best and most versatile we’ve heard so far. The price tag of SEK 4,300 is not cheap, but still perfectly reasonable for the level you get at the finish and above all the sound quality. This is premium in the true sense of the word and even if you can enter small minus in the protocol for a slightly shaky app and possibly the comfort over time and the fit (very individual as I said), it can not be ignored that this is probably the best sound you can get today in true wireless. Yes, there are other brands that cost half as much and sound very good for the price, but as usual – if you want the best, you have to put your wallet on a slightly wider end. And in our opinion, the B&W PI7 is well worth it.

Treat yourself to a wonderful gift, just in time for the holidays. These are new favorites and references in high-end TWS on the editorial board!

Some of the best headphones I have tested in wired gaming headphones are the GSP600 from Epos. So when the smaller, cheaper and more flexible model H3 appeared, I became curious about how they would stand up to big brother …

H3 from Epos is available in two different models; a white with the name Ghost Snow and the black version (which we got to test) and which got the name Onyx Black. I open the box and lift out the headphones, which immediately feel smoother and lighter than the GSP600. They have a nice, semi-matte finish and the headphone cuffs and headband are in leather. Once they are in place, they sit very comfortably and comfortably. I start by connecting them to the phone to test some music. First out in the test is Avicii’s Heart upon my Sleeve and the sound is extremely clear and nice in the quiet part of the song, before the bass starts. Here it is actually difficult to separate little brother from big brother. When then the base kicks in, however, it becomes clear that big brother still reigns, when it comes to the best sound. Because even if the base is by no means bad, it is not at all as deep and powerful as I have been spoiled with. The next song on my test list is The Other Side from The Greatest Showman – I use this song precisely because it has a very complex sound structure that easily grows together on worse headphones. There are no such problems in the Epos H3 headphones.

I fold down (activate) the microphone and call a friend. The mic sits at a good distance to the mouth and my friend on the other side of the phone heard me clearly and well. No puffing noises or scratches were perceived and it was no problem at all to have a conversation, even in a noisy environment. A flexible volume knob is located on the right cover, so you can control the volume during speech or play. What is missing is an activity button on the cord so you can answer or use any other functions, without picking up the phone which is a bit of a shame.

Now the H3 from Epos is certainly evolving to be used mainly when playing games. There are two cables included and one of them is has both audio in and out of the same cable and works for both your phone and console. Then there is a cable where audio in and out is divided into two cables that you have for your old PC. The cables are nicely braided and tangle-free. In the aging context, there is no loss at all from the image to what you hear. The quality of the mic is also so good that you can easily use it for streaming, without having to use a separate mic (although it is always recommended).

In summary, the Epos H3 is a pair of really good, wired gaming headphones that are nice and comfortable with awesome sound. So they are definitely worth a warm recommendation.

H3 Closed Acoustic Gaming Headset