Verdict
The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid are an ideal pair of compact gaming earbuds that work throughout a number of gaming platforms and provide excellent audio high quality. However, the microphone solely works with a Bluetooth connection and a steep worth will delay those that gained’t discover worth in cross-platform assist.
Pros
Compact, comfortable and trendyAudio high quality is impressively wealthy15-20 hour battery life makes them reliableSupport a large of number of completely different units
Cons
Companion software program is completely direCharging case scratches very easilyVery expensiveLack of microphone with dongle connection
Availability
UKRRP: £179.00
USARRP: $199.00
EuropeRRP: €250
CanadaRRP: CA$249
AustraliaRRP: AU$305
Key Features
Compatability:Works with Mobile, PC, PS5, PS4 and Nintendo Switch
Battery life: 15-20 hour battery
Waterproof: IPX 5 water resistance protects from sweat and lightweight rain
Introduction
Gamers have spent current console generations lumped with cumbersome over the ear choices, regardless of the broader public adopting wi-fi earbuds since 2016. Now, EPOS is seeking to change that.
The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid headphones boasts a low latency connection, a glossy aesthetic and an enviable battery life. Like the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless earlier than them, EPOS’ newest goals to tug gaming headsets kicking and screaming into the fashionable world.
The query is, do these gaming earbuds do sufficient to justify the worth tag? And can these earbuds compete with the perfect gaming headsets?
Price and availability
The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid have an official retail worth of £179/$199/€250, and can be found through a number of retailers.
However, you may as well get the EPOS GTW 270 (non Hybrid) for £149/$169/€169, that are the very same headphones and charging case however with out the USB-C adaptor that permits for reference to the PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
Design
Sleek, gentle and refreshingly adult-lookingPleasingly simplistic one-button format Surprisingly snug as soon as you discover the proper dimension earbuds
Unlike a lot of its nerdy friends, the premium price ticket right here actually exhibits in its packaging. Rejecting garish colors, pokey plastic and edgy fonts, proper off the bat, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid’s glossy black field and aspirational renders current a refreshingly grownup really feel.
Of course, it’s only a field, however as Apple and an extended line of YouTubers have proved, that preliminary unboxing expertise is a vital a part of the brand new tech ritual. Thankfully for these selecting to splash out nearly £200 on these wi-fi gaming buds then, the precise product inside is simply as premium.
If there are two descriptors you in all probability don’t affiliate with gaming headsets it’s ‘sleek’ and ‘attractive. Yet with the matte grey and black GTW 270 Hybrid, that’s precisely what EPOS has achieved. From its premium-looking steel charging chassis to the eye-catchingly emblazoned brand on every bud, and the satisfying, paw-print-esque form of the gold charging connectors, the GTW presents what most gaming headsets lack – model.
Still, for these about to embark on a mammoth gaming sess, consolation is much more essential. Over my week and a little bit of heavy testing, I discovered the GTW 270s to be extremely straightforward on the ear – becoming snugly into my massive ear canals. After a decade plus of multiplayer periods with a heavy piece of plastic lumbered atop my dome, it felt refreshing to have the ability to sport with out the same old scorching flashes that come from preserving a headset clamped round your noggin.
Speaking of a comfortable match, it’s undoubtedly value taking the time to check all of the completely different included buds right here. As earbud aficionados will know, the distinction in sound high quality varies fairly drastically relying on how effectively every sleeve suits your ear. Case in level, the medium silicon bud it got here with instantly disillusioned providing with a limp, tinny sound. Thankfully, as soon as I sized up, that feeble flurry of audio was changed by a wave of wealthy bass tones flooding my grateful eardrums.
The buttons you’ll be urgent on the GTW 270 are simply as minimal as the remainder of their design, with one singular button adorning the left headphone and one other ‘sync’ button on the charging case. The in-built mic is housed inside the proper headphone, which additionally appears to be the dominant connector. This implies that for those who take away your left earpiece, you possibly can nonetheless proceed to talk and luxuriate in audio to your coronary heart’s content material. If, nonetheless, you decide to take away simply the proper headphone, all audio instantly ceases.
The GTW 270 Hybrid join through two completely different strategies – dongle and conventional Bluetooth. Coming with a useful USB-C adapter, the dongle permits for impressively low latency connections to sport consoles, yielding nice outcomes with each my PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Both of which, it’s value noting, can join on to the dongle – which means that you simply’ll solely want the prolonged USB connector if the Switch is in docked mode otherwise you want to join it to a PC with no USB-C port.
As you’d anticipate from wi-fi earbuds, the EPOS GTW 270 are extremely compact, making dropping them whereas working for a bus a heart-stopping-ly plausibly affair. Thankfully, you’ll be capable to simply whack them within the sleek-looking steel charging case, which is sufficiently small to suit comfortably in a jacket pocket however massive sufficient that you simply’ll discover for those who drop it. The solely draw back to mentioned case is that the horny all-metal chassis is extremely straightforward to scratch. Keep these keys in a separate pocket.
Supporting Bluetooth 5.1, the headphones are appropriate with all the things from smartphones to consoles, making them a extra versatile selection than a lot of their friends. If you’re not utilizing the included dongle, pairing these bud boys is pretty merely. Once they’re safely nestled of their cosy charging case, merely press and maintain the button – and also you’re good to go. Because of this, you’ll actually need to take the case in your travels for those who’re out and about.
While EPOS’ first wi-fi buds provide a middling five-hour use time in a single sitting, popping them into the absolutely juiced charging case will present them with an additional 15 hours. For you budding mathematicians on the market, that brings the 270’s complete battery life to a really respectable 20 hours. Equally impressively, the compact charging case works its magic rapidly. If you’re unfortunate sufficient to have your buds die on the go, simply 15 minutes within the case will squeeze out an additional hour of use.
Audio and Mic
Audio is persistently sensible, be it for music, gaming or moviesThe mic delivers crisp and clear voice for callsThe Companion App isn’t the very best
Despite their tiny stature, these unassuming little buds pack a hefty audio punch. Whether it’s serving to me drown out the world round me as I groove alongside to the hypnotic bassline of Citizen’s ‘Fight Beat’ on the bus, or brilliantly simulating the snarling horrors of PS5 roguelike, Returnal, EPOS’ small however mighty buds by no means fail to impress.
There’s no noise cancelling tech right here, however the safe match of the buds in my ears assist to silence the background hum of avenue noise. It’s a feat EPOS’ newest persistently supervisor to realize – even at half quantity.
Once I pop in these buds and decide up my Nintendo Switch, the audible distractions of the world round me soften away, changed by the cutesy cries of New Pokémon Snap‘s jungle-dwelling inhabitants.
The one space the place the 270s aren’t so stellar, nonetheless, is of their infuriating companion software program. After spending actually hours messing round with EPOS’ disappointingly shoddy software program( uninstalling drivers, reinstalling drivers, connecting, reconnecting) I managed to put in an replace for the 270s which lets you take Bluetooth calls even when the adapter is related to a different machine.
As fiddly as putting in the firmware was, it’s undoubtedly definitely worth the time. The second my telephone name ended, the cutesy guffaws of untamed Pokémon returned to my eardrums, preserving an impressively low latency connection to my Nintendo swap.
The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid function an on-board microphones, however they solely work through Bluetooth. That means if you wish to interact in a voice chat on the PS5, you’re all out of luck.
However, the microphone high quality is stable when related to a smartphone or PC through Bluetooth. I walked across the room whereas chatting, and the audio persistently got here out clear and loud. So they’re good for telephone chats, however not very best for multiplayer gaming periods on console.
This might understandably be a deal breaker for a lot of avid gamers, however for those who’re pleased to stay to single-player video games, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid are implausible versatile buds that supply stellar audio throughout a number of platforms.
Best Offers
Should you purchase it?
You want want versatile gaming earphones with glorious audioThe EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid work throughout PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, cell and extra. This means they’re an ideal possibility for those who personal a number of platforms.
You need gaming headphones for multiplayer video gamesThe EPOS GTW 270’s microphone sadly solely works with the Bluetooth connection. This means you wont be capable to use them along with your PS5 or PS4 for speaking to buddies in multiplayer sport events.
Verdict
The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid are an ideal pair of compact gaming earbuds that work throughout a number of gaming platforms and provide excellent audio high quality. However, the microphone solely works with a Bluetooth connection and a steep worth will delay those that gained’t discover worth in cross-platform assist.
FAQs
Does it function noise cancelling expertise? No, however the closed-back design does an excellent job of making a seal to dam out exterior noise. Does it assist Xbox? No, the EPOS GTW 270 sadly don’t work with Xbox consoles
Full specification title
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UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
IP ranking
Battery Hours
Wireless charging
Size (Dimensions)
ASIN
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Connectivity
Colours
Frequency Range
Headphone Type
Sensitivity
EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid
£179.00
$199.00
€250
CA$249
AU$305
EPOS
IPX5
20
Yes
23 x 24 x 24 MM
B08QJQS8Y8
February 2021
14/05/2021
Bluetooth and a couple of.4GHz wi-fi
Black, Silver, Grey
20 20000 – Hz
In-ear
-20 dB
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