Design, power, versatility. Three apparently simple concepts that are tremendously difficult to find in a single product in the field of consumer electronics. Whether due to the limits imposed by the recommended price, or to the precise desire to enter a specific market segment, choosing a single device that can satisfy all our needs can become a real nightmare, especially given the multitude of products of different brands, models and manufacturers crowding the shelves of shops these days.
This discourse, in particular, can be applied to the world of gaming which has recently become a real battlefield in which the main exponents of the industry compete for the interest of the general public with more and more futuristic accessories and devices. performers.
On the other hand, given the growing popularity of the videogame medium on both PC and console, it is easy to understand why all the major hardware manufacturers are trying in every way to grab a slice of this appetizing sector.
Emblematic, in this sense, is the descent into the field of EPOS, a branch of the Danish giant Demant Group which, since 1904, has been dealing with innovative solutions in the hearing health sector, operating in over 30 countries in the field of hearing aids. , audiometric equipment and personal communication. EPOS is the Demant brand dedicated to the search for pioneering audio experiences, with an evident focus on gaming and the world of eSports.
Among the most interesting proposals of the company there is certainly H3 Hybrid which, as the name suggests, is a gaming headset that succeeds in the arduous intent of combining the performance of a high-end peripheral with the versatility guaranteed by a triple connection system. The H3 Hybrid, in fact, can be used for our favorite terminals via USB in the case of PC or PlayStation consoles; via 3.5mm jack for Xbox, Nintendo Switch and any other device equipped with this port but also via Bluetooth thanks to the 5.2 module included. The most important factor is that the headset is able to manage the different types of connections even simultaneously on different devices, ensuring a truly comfortable use experience without having to manually connect each individual device.
As if that were not enough, EPOS has managed to package a product with phenomenal performance both in listening to music and, in particular, for gaming with crystal clear reproduction of low and medium sounds and convincing treble processing (historically one of the main Achilles heels of the vast majority of products of this type).
Too good to be true? No, the H3 Hybrid does exactly what one would expect from high-end headphones and does it in the best possible way. But all this excellence, of course, comes at a price. The suggested selling price, in fact, is around € 180: not really an economic price tag but justified in part by the extreme quality of the Danish company’s proposal, both in terms of performance and build quality.
Right from the packaging, elegant but made of a solid and resistant cardboard with gray / silver colors, it is easy to notice the care infused by EPOS in the creation of this peripheral. On the front we find an illustration of the headphones that sport a refined design and harmonious lines, a clear breaking point compared to the average of gaming products, usually characterized by much more aggressive shapes, often adorned with LEDs, bright colors and angular logos . H3 Hybrid, on the other hand, boasts a chassis with soft curves, embellished with a pearly color that makes them easily distinguishable from the crowd.
Once the box is opened, we immediately find the headset, included in a foam rubber housing that guarantees further protection during transport, as well as a small black package that contains the manuals and cables essential for the use of the H3 Hybrid. There is a USB-C cable useful for connecting the headphones to the PC but also for charging them for wireless use; a 3.5mm jack / jack cable and also a very popular magnetic cap essential to cover the connection hole of the microphone shaft. In the event that we want to use the headphones as a normal over-ear headset for smartphones, in fact, we can simply remove the microphone and apply the magnetic cap to prevent any infiltration of dust or water that could compromise normal use of the product. Really a great touch.
The equipment is minimal but complete even if, unfortunately, we must point out that there is no Bluetooth receiver in the package to connect the H3 Hybrid with a desktop PC without a special connection module. Let’s be clear: it is not an insurmountable problem given the easy availability of these peripherals but, since the new EPOS proposal is a premium range device, it would have been a pleasant solution.
The construction materials, for their part, are of the highest quality. The external part of the two ear cups is made of excellent plastic which gives a remarkable sensation of robustness while, the internal one, is made up of a memory foam pad covered with a suede imitation leather fabric in the part in direct contact with the head. It is an elegant and pleasant solution to the touch which, however, could cause some problems on the hottest days of the year. Finally, the upper headband is a shaped metal core lined with a material similar to that used for the ear piece.
If we were to find a defect, from the hardware point of view, we could indicate a too small size of the two pavilions which, although they guarantee a total covering of the ears, may not adapt to the best of users with particular conformations of the skull. Given the small size and a weight that is around 300g (about thirty less if you remove the microphone), however, the H3 Hybrid remain comfortable even after rather prolonged use.
On the left pavilion, in addition to the power button and a small operating LED, we find the aforementioned headset microphone positioned on a rigid rod that can be deactivated by means of a convenient click system (by folding the microphone upwards the audio is changed while bringing it towards the mouth returns to work regularly) and also a small hole that hides another integrated microphone to be used, ideally, on the move.
If the first can offer an almost perfect reproduction of your voice even in situations of particular environmental noise, however, the same cannot be said of the integrated one which, although a valuable addition for a certain type of user, for obvious reasons can guarantee the same quality as the main one.
Remaining on the left pavilion, moreover, we also find the 3.5mm jack port and the USB-C port for recharging the peripheral which can guarantee over 35 hours of continuous use with only one complete cycle. During our tests we stressed the headphones for days without ever having to recharge them in the middle of a gaming session: a significant plus for a headset of this type.
Finally, on the right pavilion, there is the pairing button for Bluetooth devices and a wheel for adjusting the volume, perfectly camouflaged in a black plastic disc that does not in any way spoil the perfect balance of the design.
It remains to deal with the inevitable accompanying software which, in this case, takes the name of EPOS Gaming Suite. The latter is a light, intuitive and easy-to-use application that hides a series of tasty options that will delight the most hardened audiophiles.
Once the headphones are connected to the PC, in fact, we will be able to fully customize the experience of use through a complete equalizer that will allow us to select one of the predefined presets (such as Cinema, Music, Video games etc.) or to operate independently to create a sound profile suited to our needs. There is also the option to switch from 2.0 mode to virtual 7.1 surround by changing the reverb levels and volumes.
Ultimately, EPOS’s H3 Hybrids are among the best gaming headsets we’ve ever had the chance to try. An elegant design, excellent sound reproduction and the absolute comfort guaranteed by the three different connection methods make the new proposal from the Danish team a very attractive choice for those looking for an over-ear headset adaptable to all situations. The downside is, of course, the price that reflects the premium nature of the product, positioning itself in a market segment that is not suitable for all budgets.
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