EPOS H3PRO Hybrid review: A premium gaming headset that ticks all the boxes

Price When Reviewed

279

Best Prices Today: EPOS H3PRO Hybrid

$279.00

$279.99

The EPOS H3PRO Hybrid proves its premium standing from the second you unbox it. Beyond its fashionable exterior and distinctive audio efficiency, it comes with a smorgasbord of extras like energetic noise cancellation, glorious 7.1 encompass sound, and extremely handy multi-device connectivity—options that each one work very nicely.

Although it might not have steel earcups like some headsets within the premium class, the H3PRO is light-weight and very snug, and its suede-like ear coverings maintain you snug on sizzling days when your recreation is simply too engrossing to need to take it off.

Note: This overview is a part of our ongoing roundup of best wireless gaming headsets. Go there to study extra about competing merchandise, what to search for in a wi-fi gaming headset, and product suggestions.

H3PRO Hybrid: Design and construct

The EPOS H3PRO is available in white, black, and inexperienced colours. The black and white function one colour all through, however the inexperienced possibility actually stands out within the bunch, sporting darkish inexperienced cups embellished with gold across the microphone and headband. It appears fairly beautiful, and after making an attempt out each white and inexperienced models, inexperienced remained my favourite.

Color choices apart, the H3PRO’s total design could be very acquainted—if you happen to’ve used any of EPOS’s different gaming headsets, such because the H3 and H3 Hybrid, you’ll immediately acknowledge options like its oval formed earcups and enormous, spherical quantity wheel that’s set into the correct earcup.

Overall, it appears fashionable and simply as compact as these predecessors. However, contemplating the H3PRO is a premium headset within the firm’s line-up, and having not too long ago reviewed headsets with extra steel of their designs, it was arduous to not suppose EPOS may have upped the ante on the supplies. The plastic cups are the principle offender, pricing the look down barely compared to rivals just like the Arctis Nova Pro, whose gun-metal earcup covers give it a much more polished look.

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Still, the light-weight plastic retains the H3PRO’s weight in test—the entire set weighing simply 308 grams (10.69 ounces). The outer sides of the earcups additionally really feel very robust and durable and the gold element in my inexperienced overview unit compensated considerably for the dearth of any shiny steel alloy. Also, EPOS isn’t alone in choosing totally plastic earcups for its premium headset this yr; Razer’s Barracuda Pro is plastic all through and is just barely cheaper than the $279 H3PRO Hybrid at $250 USD.

The cups join as much as a metal headband, which can also be extraordinarily robust and versatile—in actual fact, my overview unit had no drawback bending fully horizontally after I stretched it out, so that you’re unlikely to interrupt it simply in your bag or satchel.

The extendable headband will get additional credit score for that includes 10 numbered grooves which makes discovering your best match a lot simpler. Taking notice of your required groove lets you rapidly readjust again to the place the headscarf was earlier than you packed it away, so recalibrating the H3PRO to suit your head dimension repeatedly is a cinch.

EPOS

This isn’t the one comfort-inducing function within the H3PRO, nonetheless, which is total a delight to put on. Gamers on the lookout for extra snugness shall be nicely served by the mushy reminiscence foam ear padding, movable junction factors that stop horizonal and vertical stress, and the big, puffy headband that gives a beneficiant quantity of cushioning for the highest of the top.

For the all-important earcup coverings, EPOS went with three separate supplies: Inside is a mesh over the headset’s inside parts, whereas a leatherette materials surrounds the cups’ outer edges.

Additionally, the components of the cups that press towards your ears are composed of a suede-like materials that doesn’t really feel as plush as what’s used within the Barracuda Pro or the Arctis Nova Pro, however it’s far more absorbent and can maintain your ears slightly dryer on sizzling days.

H3PRO Hybrid: Compatibility and connectivity

The ‘Hybrid’ within the H3PRO Hybrid’s title references the headset’s twin connectivity functionality—it sports activities each wired and wi-fi choices, which suggests you’re by no means wanting a method to join even to essentially the most finicky gadgets.

In addition to your PC, this headset connects wirelessly to your PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch consoles in addition to your smartphone, so you’ll be able to skip having to purchase a number of headsets and save a bundle of cash within the course of. Its wired connectivity is simply as intensive—you’ll be able to plug in to the consoles named above, in addition to to an Xbox One or Xbox X/S or Apple Mac.

For a wired connection, the H3PRO comes provided with a 3.5mm cable in addition to a 2-meter USB-C to USB-A cable and a 1.25-meter USB-A extension cable. Or, if you happen to desire to go untethered, you could have the choice of a low-latency connection through the headset’s USB-A dongle, or to pair up through Bluetooth 5.2.

The headset will be charged by merely plugging within the USB-C to USB-A cable, and it takes roughly two hours to achieve full capability. EPOS claims a full cost offers you roughly 30 hours of gaming on the USB dongle or 19 hours with ANC. The Bluetooth estimate is slightly longer—as much as 38 hours, or 22 hours with ANC switched on.

Testing out the sign vary of the low-latency USB dongle confirmed it may attain to about 20 meters earlier than the sign cuts out, which is a reasonably respectable distance, and in most homes sufficient for you to have the ability to wander into your kitchen and make a snack, or go to the lavatory with out dropping any audio.

One of the H3PRO’s strongest fits is its simultaneous multi-device connectivity. This permits you to connect with a couple of gadget on the identical time utilizing the Bluetooth and both the USB dongle or wired connection.

The usefulness of this function can’t be overstated, because it meant I may maintain gaming with none distractions, while I chatted to buddies or obtained notifications from my cellphone with out having to take my headset off. I primarily used it to take calls, however because you get separate quantity management over every of your audio streams, I’d often use it to play music whereas concurrently listening to my recreation audio—one thing I can’t do with most of my gaming headsets.

H3PRO Hybrid: Audio efficiency

Testing out the H3PRO headset revealed a transparent and refined sound. It got here by means of with out the coarseness I typically hear in some units, which suggests the H3PRO’s transducer is of a really top quality. Apart from simply sounding very easy, there was a definite absence of any uncomfortable popping noises or variations in amplitude, which will be very nerve-wracking when motion heats up in video games.

To take a look at out the headset’s efficiency, I gave it a run within the first-person shooter Metro Exodus, listening rigorously for any audio distortion. I didn’t hear any—quite, the H3PRO rewarded me with clear and pure sounds.

In truth, sounds just like the clang of my character’s boots on a steel stairway, the strained voices of the NPCs shouting warnings, and the rattle of gunfire sounded so crisp and outlined that I rapidly turned immersed within the recreation and virtually neglect concerning the testing activity at hand.

My music take a look at confirmed up equally spectacular audio, proving the flexibility of the headset as a high-end headphone in addition to a gaming headset. For this take a look at, I performed Earth, Wind, and Fire’s “September,” a tune that drops various tones, and features a good assortment of devices. In this observe, the H3PRO hit respectable highs and mid tones, bringing to life the vocals and brass devices with readability.

Although equally clear in tone, the bass appeared slightly softer than in some headsets. That’s to not say it didn’t sound spectacular—in actual fact, the bass guitar was heat and balanced, which finally meant I may pay attention for longer with out that uncomfortable bass fatigue (itchy interior ear) feeling I can typically get.

Background noise within the H3PRO is successfully diminished with assistance from each energetic noise cancellation (ANC) and passive noise cancellation, the latter of which is supplied by the H3PRO’s closed acoustic design. EPOS says these two applied sciences work collectively to dam sound at low frequencies in addition to excessive frequencies, and this appeared pretty correct.

The energetic a part of this pairing will be turned on and off just by switching a conveniently positioned slider positioned on the correct earcup, quite than having to undergo the EPOS Gaming Suite companion app. I stored it within the “on” place at first and was pleasantly stunned by how nicely it blocked out low-amplitude sounds just like the consistently blowing air conditioner behind me, and the rumblings of a dialog occurring to my righthand aspect.

Switching off the ANC, the passive noise cancellation nonetheless stored a variety of sounds at bay—together with laughter, and the high-pitched jingle of my smartphone’s ringtone. I used to be impressed by the way it did this with out compromising my consolation ranges—in different phrases, with out the extraordinary clamp pressure that some headsets apply to realize the identical outcomes.

Like most premium gaming headsets, the H3PRO Hybrid helps each Stereo 2.0 sound and spatial audio, and you may toggle between these two modes within the EPOS Gaming Suite. The spatial audio is delivered courtesy of 7.1 encompass sound, which was robotically toggled for my Metro Exodus playtest, and this function labored very well, with out me needing to regulate something within the app.

Playing by means of the Moscow Chapter of Metro Exodus with the encompass sound on proved a deal with that basically upped my total expertise. For instance, the 2 NPCs that had been main my character by means of this a part of the sport had robust voice directionality, in order that it appeared they had been proper there on both aspect of me—which actually added a way of realism.

H3PRO Hybrid: Microphone efficiency

The H3PRO’s growth microphone falls down over the mouth in a extra conventional headset fashion. It’s fashionable trying, and sports activities striated grooves at its finish to permit for max sound penetration. It additionally conveniently folds up into the headset whenever you’re not utilizing it. Although, it doesn’t fully disappear from view as soon as it’s up, so if you happen to plan on utilizing the H3PRO like a pair of headphones, you’ll must detach it altogether from its magnetic clasp.

I examined it out in Teams chats and it relayed my voice clearly and with out distortion. The mic amplified sound exceptionally nicely, choosing up my voice even after I was whispering, so if you happen to’re drained and don’t really feel like shouting, you gained’t must. Plus, it’s simply muted by lifting up the growth, which saves a variety of fiddling round mid-game.

If you should go growth much less, you gained’t lose your microphone audio, since there’s one other mic positioned within the earcup. Admittedly, it doesn’t transmit the identical type of high quality in your voice chats, however it nonetheless does a decent job filtering out background noise.

The EPOS Gaming Suite app additionally supplies a superb quantity of software program assist for these twin microphones, supplying you with choices to alter settings and improve your expertise. You can tweak the Noise Gate, Side Tone, and Gain, and in addition select from Warm or Clear voice enhancers, or alternatively, select an enhancer preset that you simply’ve created your self. All in all, players have loads of scope to personalize the sound of their voice.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

H3PRO Hybrid: Software

I’ve already talked about some helpful choices within the EPOS Gaming Suite, however there’s lots extra to maintain tinkerers busy. For instance, you’ll be able to modify EQ ranges for each the Stereo and Surround Sound modes and in addition improve the audio of particular sorts of media by selecting the tailored Music, Esports, or Movie presets.

I discovered that the presets supplied a noticeable enhance to the standard of their respective media varieties. The Esports preset, for instance, actually emphasised the treble finish of the EQ chart, which added a bit extra readability, definition, and airiness to my gaming audio, thereby permitting me to raised pinpoint the motion and route of different gamers in multiplayer matches.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Additionally, the EPOS Gaming Suite app additionally let me change settings that had been lower than best for my gaming setup. For me, a pet hate is when my headset prompts Auto Sleep whereas I’m ready for matches to start out, however within the H3PRO’s companion app I may simply change off this operate.

Besides that, the EPOS Gaming Suite can also be the place you get firmware upgrades once they turn into accessible, so it pays to have it loaded to get the perfect out of your gadget.

Conclusion

The EPOS H3PRO Hybrid is without doubt one of the most refined gaming headsets accessible, delivering clear, distortion-free gaming audio, spectacular 7.1 encompass sound, and the comfort of multi-device connectivity, all in a beautiful and compact bundle. Although it options all-plastic earcups, it stays robust and versatile sufficient to face up to the trials of on a regular basis gaming life.