Drop + Epos H3X Headset review: Best sub-$100 gaming headset. Period

On-line retailer Drop and Epos, an organization fashioned by the previous gaming division of legendary audio gear maker Sennheiser, have once more come collectively to make a gaming headset. This time, the collaborative duo is concentrating on the price range finish of the market with a sub-$80 mannequin that makes an attempt to do for the low-price market what their unimaginable PC38X headset did for the mid-range market.

Their new entry, the H3X, seems a bit extra like latest EPOS headsets, with that multi-jointed, futuristic aesthetic they have an inclination towards. Extra importantly, it retains a exceptional quantity of the DNA of its costlier cousin, carefully mirroring the way it feels, performs, and sounds. Let’s go in-depth with what I imagine simply turned one of the best headset you should buy for underneath $100.

Construct and match

Due to the ample reward I heaped on the PC38X, and the truth that it may be had for under $50 to $80 greater than this mannequin, it will loom massive over the H3X’s relative efficiency. The primary occasion of that is its construct high quality. The H3X is constructed fairly properly for an $80 headset, however not in addition to its ever-present ancestor.

The unit is usually plastic, however the uncovered steel headband speaks to a structural high quality that may stand as much as all however probably the most dramatic rage quits. It additionally expands to actually huge proportions, simply accommodating nearly anybody (shoutout to my fellow members of the big-head gang).

All pivot factors and joints are assembled properly and work easily, creating a really comfy match total. The earcups are quite small, making it really feel like extra of an on-ear headset than an over-ear headset (at the very least to my in all probability above-average-sized ears). They’re nonetheless extraordinarily comfy, nevertheless, due to the hybrid leatherette-suede pads and included foam, which molded splendidly to my head after only a few seconds.

The cheaper construct high quality exhibits most within the quantity knob, which feels each looser and fewer completely responsive than the PC38X’s, and within the mic arm, which is each thinner and fewer versatile.

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As I mentioned, the development greater than lives as much as its $80 price ticket, simply do not anticipate it to beat it. There’s, nevertheless, one bizarre exception to this: the cables, which we’ll focus on within the subsequent part.

Options and equipment

The H3X is a closed-back headphone mannequin, in contrast to the open-backed PC38X. Apart from this one main distinction, and apparent aesthetic divergences, the duo might be twins.

Just like the PC38X, the H3X features a everlasting increase mic that mutes routinely when raised, it additionally features a quantity knob on the alternative earcup, and a removable port to attach certainly one of its two included cables. That increase mic’s efficiency could be very almost equivalent to its costlier sibling. I used to be impressed with that degree of constancy on a $150-ish headset, so think about how rather more spectacular it was on an $80 mannequin.

Hear the PC38X’s mic: Drop + EPOS PC38X gaming headset mic check and impressions

The gadget consists of two removable cables. One terminates in a discrete headphone and microphone jack for PC use, whereas the opposite features a single TRRS connector for console gaming. Each cables are shockingly good, much better than the PC38X’s, the truth is. This is because of their higher flexibility, barely thicker really feel, and elimination of their predecessor’s tendency to choose up annoying persistent kinks. I hope Drop and Epos contemplate changing the cable that comes with the PC38X with these newer fashions. I totally intend to swap mine out.

Extra: Headphones: A newbie’s information to terminology and know-how

The one pair of pre-installed earcups are a hybrid leatherette/suede structure, with the suede half being what contacts your ears and head. This design dig an excellent job of offering the wonderful sound seal and passive isolation of leather-like supplies, whereas additionally stopping the warmth retention and sweating it might induce by protecting it from truly contacting your pores and skin.

Sound high quality

If you’d like the brief model: The H3X’s sound is about 75% to 80% nearly as good because the PC38X’s. Be mindful, I referred to as that headset one of the best factor for gaming underneath $1,600, so even 75% of that reward remains to be extremely spectacular for a headset that retails for lower than $80.

If you’d like the longer model, or simply aren’t acquainted with the PC38X, one of the simplest ways to explain the H3X’s sound profile is extremely game-focused. It has an distinctive soundstage for the worth, making it straightforward to at all times discern the place that explosion occurred, or which path that enemy’s sneaking towards you from. It additionally performs extraordinarily properly with simulated 7.1 encompass sound, just like the mode offered by Epos’ personal GSX 1000 2nd Versionto additional improve this functionality.

As you’d anticipate, the above priorities for its sound profile imply it emphasizes highs over bass. It may possibly, nevertheless, get fairly bassy underneath the correct circumstances, however that bass is not as detailed as it’s on the PC38X, and it is the part of total frequency protection the place I discovered the H3X to be most missing.

Extra: Finest low cost gaming headsets: Immersive audio on a price range

This is not to say you’ll be able to’t benefit from the full vary of sound results, films, and music with the H3X. Simply anticipate to do a little bit of equalizer tweaking to assist the headset counteract its very minor deficits for music or soundtracks. With a little bit of tinkering, the H3X can present fulfilling sound for absolutely anything. It simply wants that tiny bit of additional assist.

Backside line

I concluded my PC38X overview by saying that “Simply purchase it already” might have been my complete overview. The sentiment applies right here as properly.

For those who can squeeze the PC38X into your price rangeI might nonetheless wholeheartedly suggest that to anybody that may afford it, in addition to to those that can afford far costlier fashions as properly. However, in case you’re extra within the sub-$100 price range vary, the H3X outstrips every other headset I’ve tried. In reality, if the PC38X did not exist, I might be recommending this as one of the best wired mannequin for underneath $150.

As issues stand, it is nonetheless my high suggestion for anybody from younger players getting their first setup to crusty veterans who simply need an excellent, low cost headset that may completely give them a tactical benefit.

Options to contemplate

The headset that is still my high suggestion for actually anybody that may afford its ridiculously low (for the sound it offers) value level. The one headphones that may beat it for recreation sound price 4 figures.

Assessment: This headset’s directional recreation sound is so good you will really feel such as you’re dishonest

For those who want wi-fi headsets to stop unintentionally yanking your PC off the desk whereas operating to reply the door, The Razer BlackShark V2 Professional wi-fi headset is my total choose. It is a few years previous now, however nonetheless represents one of the best combo of consolation, audio high quality, value, and options.

Assessment: Razer Blackshark V2 Professional headset: A potent weapon for the correct gamer

If you’d like the closest factor to the sound this headset can produce, however nonetheless dream of wi-fi, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional headset is your only option. Its hot-swap batteries additionally stay one of the crucial under-used concepts in wi-fi peripheral tech.

Assessment: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional wi-fi headset: A gamer’s delight