Final, the Japanese high-end audio specialist, has just released the VR500 wired Gaming Earphones. The aim? To deliver an extraordinary gaming audio experience without breaking the bank.
Final VR500
Precision-tuned Dynamic Drivers
The VR500 specialises in “sound image localization” in order to accurately reproduce the direction of sound. This in turn provides gamers with a three-dimensional soundstage for a heightened sense of realism and immersion. Whether you’re in the midst of a battle or exploring a virtual world, Final’s expertise in high-end audio is evident when using the VR500. The VR500 incorporate Final’s newly developed precision-tuned dynamic drivers that deliver exceptional audio clarity at a fraction of the cost of other gaming earphones and headphones. From subtle in-game cues to explosive sound effects, the VR500 ensures an immersive gaming experience without the premium price tag.
Designed for extended gaming sessions, the VR500 prioritises comfort without compromising affordability and comes with a wide selection of Final’s own superior quality silicone eartips. Ensuring a secure and comfortable fit. The compact, ergonomic design and lightweight build allow you to enjoy extended playtime without discomfort.
Pinpoint Accuracy
The Final VR500 offer a unique design that allows for a more detailed rendering of each sound object’s position within a 3D binaural sound field, a feat that traditional earphones and headphones struggled with. For gamers, this means that sound effects and dialogue are positioned exactly as intended by the creators, ensuring clear audibility even in situations where sounds overlap. This capability allows for easy identification of individual sounds, enhancing immersion into the gaming world and giving your an edge when you need it online.
Not only is the VR500 ideal for gaming. For when it comes to music, the position of vocals and instruments becomes clearer and sounds can be heard separately without being muddied by other frequencies. Allowing you to also enjoy your favourite music with new insight and clarity.
Final VR500
Finally Immerse Yourself VR500 Style
The VR500 represents a significant leap forward in gaming audio technology. Final believe that exceptional gaming audio should be accessible to all gamers, regardless of budget constraints. The VR500 is a testament to their commitment to delivering premium sound at an unbeatable price, ensuring that every gamer can experience the joy of high-quality audio. The E500 is not just a pair of earphones; they are a gateway to a new dimension of gaming audio.
Key Features
Specialized acoustic design for precise sound imaging
Newly developed high-precision drivers
Compatible with all gaming genres (FPS, fighting, open-world, adventure)
Final, the Japanese high-end audio specialist, has announced their latest venture into the world of gaming and VR with the new VR2000 earphones.
Final VR2000 on Playstation 5
With the VR2000 Final has turned its attention to gamers, VR users and the captivating world of ASMR and immersive audio. Using newly designed ‘f-Core DU’ custom-made dynamic 6mm drivers developed in-house, final has been able to tune the VR2000 to extract every detail from your digital surroundings.
hear every note played as though you were there
Whether playing a first-person shooter, exploring virtual worlds, relaxing to mediative ASMR or listening to a live jazz recording – the VR2000 will transport you into the heart of the action and deliver an experience like never before with no sound going unheard.
Hear distant footsteps and gunfire as though you were in battle yourself. Feel every reaction from a stadium full of thousands of spectators. Transport yourself to a 1970’s jazz club and hear every note played as though you were there.
Final VR2000
A Wealth of Applications
Primarily designed for gaming and VR, the VR2000 can also be utilised to get the most out of live recordings, intricate electronic music, ASMR and the latest advancements in Dolby Atmos technology. Unlike typical earphones, the VR2000 has been designed to provide a spatial listening experience with a naturally vast soundstage and the ability to hear each and every sound individually separated with absolute clarity.
The VR2000 is able to separate each sound and simultaneously deliver them accurately
This attention to detail and separation lends itself most effectively to gamers – especially those involved within a competitive domain. The ability to react in-game is heavily reliant on the quality of the audio, and the speed at which users notice sound effects that have been produced for this very reason. The VR2000 is able to separate each sound and simultaneously deliver them accurately, and naturally, within its expansive soundstage.
Final VR2000
‘f-Core DU’ Custom-Made Dynamic Driver
With the ‘f-Core DU’ driver, Final has managed to achieve a quality of sound that is unheard of in this price range. Completely redesigning driver parts such as diaphragms, voice coils, magnets, magnetic circuits, and adhesives, as well as production equipment. The material of the driver front housing is brass, which is less affected by magnetic force and has a higher specific gravity than general aluminium. In order to improve the time response performance of the diaphragm, the voice coil uses 30? ultra-fine CCAW and is assembled with a minimum amount of adhesive to thoroughly reduce the weight of the moving parts.
Further developments in housing design have resulted in a uniquely attractive appearance and comfortable fit for the VR2000. Shells made from ABS plastic provides durability, and the OFC cable is covered in a tough and flexible coating with an in-line 3 button control with a high-quality built-in microphone – ideal for online gaming, streaming and taking calls.
The VR2000 comes supplied with a number of accessories including a selection of final Type E silicon eartips, earhooks for added support, and a carry pouch for safe storage.
The Audeze Maxwell is quite literally a masterpiece. After years of relentless innovation building first class gaming headsets, Audeze has finally released the successor to the Penrose, The Maxwell. This is a serious piece of kit for serious gamers (and us casuals too!). An upgrade to the Penrose in every conceivable way, the Maxwells sound quality, wireless performance & battery life have all been pushed to the limits of possibility. So welcome to our Audeze Maxwell Review! Do they stand up to the hype? Are they the best gaming headset of 2023? In a word and three: Yes, yes they are.
The sound from these headphones for gaming is beyond phenomenal
Sound Quality: 12/10
Sound is subjective, but the sound from these headphones for gaming is nothing short of phenomenal. The detail is outrageous. The soundstage and direction are astonishing, simply beyond description. They work so well with spatial audio programs (such as Tempest) to deliver an immersive sound that you can now not live without. With the Audeze HQ app, you can create custom presets (coming soon!) and create sound profiles for specific games. The pre-installed presets offer a great variety of tuning and are easy to change with a few clicks and swishes on the volume wheel. This is the best sound from a gaming headset that I have ever heard. I am not sure if it can be topped.
Design: 10/10
The Audeze Maxwell gaming headset design is an upgrade to the Penrose in every conceivable way. It has a perfect balance of a simple, sleek looking headset with an air of quality that is captivating, but not ostentatious in the slightest. The smokey grey / black colour palette provides a subtlety that this is stylish and the small Audeze logo above the ear cups reminds you just how lucky you are that Audeze make gaming headsets. Finally, the earpads look almost fluffy and robust at the same time, you just want to squeeze them.
The longest I have used them in a one-er was 8 hours and I could have really worn them for 8 more.
Comfort: 9.5/10
Another subjective topic but these headphones fit great. Despite the weight (450-500 grams) they are extremely comfortable. The new headband design really spreads the weight out and they do not feel as heavy as they objectively are. After adjusting the strap by one notch, they sit on my head in between tight/ loose, Maybe I got lucky but I felt like Goldilocks when I put them back on my head.
The earpads are extremely comfortable and they fit my big ears fine. I could really wear them all day. They lose half a point because sometimes my ears can get a bit too heated (I am not sure if this is really a result of the earpads getting a bit stuffy or a result of the total immersion making me sweat more). A bit more testing is required here ;). The longest I have used them in a one-er was 8 hours and I could have really worn them for 8 more. They are also very flexible and rest perfect around your neck due to the swivel on the cups.
Wireless Signal: 10/10
People used to complain about the poor range of the wireless signal for the Penrose. Let’s just say the Maxwell has eliminated any lingering issues here. If my eyes were good enough, I am pretty sure I could play my Playstation from my neighbours house and the sound would still be lossless. The connection is 100% stable via dongle or bluetooth. With capabilities for Bluetooth 5.3 as well as LE Audio, LC3plus, LDAC codecs, it all but guarantees these headphones are going to be viable for years to come.
Mic: 10/10
The boom mic is fantastic and the AI noise suppression tech is beyond incredible. People can always hear me clearly and for in-game chat it is perfect. The mic is in fact so good, I have started using the headset to answer calls at work. You can turn the sidetone on or off, as well as having 3 settings for the AI filter system (low, high or off).
Let’s Talk about the Sound
The Soundstage of the Maxwell is absolutely fantastic. Simply put you have to try them out to understand. Playing Apex legends, I can perfectly pin point where the bullets are coming from and work out if the players footsteps are above or below me. With Tempest audio on, you even get a sense of perception of just how far (or near) they are to you. I am pretty sure I can now work out what character I am chasing/ be chased by just from the footsteps! Those sweaty Wraiths now stand no chance against me (Huwah ah ah). It is like having a second controller but not only that, a second controller which brings you directly into the world you are playing.
Away from competitive gaming and into the wonderful world (and surroundings) of Hogwarts, my mind was shattered into pieces. I do not normally play single player games with a headset. But naturally I had to give it a go with the Maxwell. The music from the 4 different vivariums was literally flowing through me. When I turned my character in a different direction in a dungeon and heard something behind me, I had the urge to look behind me IRL. In two words: Absolutely captivating.
The bass is boomy when it needs to be and the sub-bass is colossal. Gunshots, explosions & footsteps are more realistic than ever before. There are actual textural details that can be heard (and felt!) with said impacts, explosions and things such as your character interacting with inanimate objects.
The scurrying of the spiders around the next upcoming corner literally sent shivers up my spine. Flying my Night Dancer Broom under moonlight with the Maxwells on allowed for a sense of immersion I never experienced in my living room before. The wind was blowing my hair, the 360 degree-ness of what you can hear and just how every detail can be heard as well as felt, made a fantasy game about witches and wizards into a quasi hyper-realistic experience.
In not so emotional terms:
The Audeze Maxwell has great width, but its height and depth is where it truly shines. It is really rare for a wireless headphone to have such good imaging as well as such a massive dynamic soundstage. This also means that these headphones are not just for games. They are suitable for listening to music too and I highly recommend it!
Presets and my love of the V shape sound for gaming
I have used the Maxwell nearly exclusively with the “immersive” preset. Which essentially EQ’s it into a “V” shape. For myself and others who are not really Audiophiles, this means the immersive preset for the Audeze Maxwell has an amplified low end, a toned down mid range, and an amplified high end. This tuning works very well for games and with the Audeze Maxwell this essentially means that sound effects are more vivid and memorable. These sound effects get clear detail from the treble boost and a roar of energy from the boosted lows. In-game actions such as swapping guns, reloading, jumping, opening and closing doors, sheathing or unsheathing your sword (or wand!) have a satisfying crispness that I never knew existed. These are the perfect gaming headphones for me, I have peaked.
Other Features at a Glance:
Audeze HQ –10 band graphic EQ, sidetone toggling, saving/editing presets (coming soon!), the place to easily upgrade the firmware. A great app to perfect your desired sound signature and a must for any competitive gamer out there.
Brand new chassis – Built with aluminium and steel.
Award-winning – Audeze 90mm planar magnetic drivers
Wired Connection –Absolutely Top Notch with the AUX cable into a controller or via a USB into the PC.
Volume control – Separate controls for the Volume and the Mic which allows for great control of sound mix.
Pre-installed Presets – Easy to toggle through the EQ presets. the Immersive preset is a must try, phenomenal.
80hr+ Battery Life – With Fast Charge for All Day Play in 20 min
Bluetooth 5.3 – Also supports LE Audio, LC3plus, LDAC
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See more reviews and news about Audeze products here!
One of the most anticipated collaborations of 2023 in the audio scene is officially on sale in the UK. Final have teamed up with Dragon Ball Z and have launched 3 products inspired by the iconic characters Goku, Vegeta and Frieza. With original and unique designs, they also incorporate that Final magic we love. The result is a product that encompases the essence of everyones favourite animation from the late 80’s- to 90’s. Naturally, they sound fantastic too.
Goku and Vegeta squaring up
The packaging for the Goku and Vegeta models is inspired by the scene before their first battle (episode 30), with Goku and Vegeta glaring at each other in the Gizard Wasteland. By arranging the packages of the Goku and Vegeta models together, you can reproduce the entire scene. (as seen above).
As you can see, the Goku version is based on his iconic outfit and Vegeta likewise with his very traditional Saiyan battle armour.
Original Voiceover Announcements
Announcements such as power ON / OFF are made by the voices of Goku (Masako Nozawa) and Vegeta (Ryo Horikawa). Familiar lines such as “Kamehameha” and “Final Flash” are also assigned to the guide voice.
“Dragon Ball fans can fully immerse themselves in the world of Dragon Ball Z”
Frieza COTSUBU Model
Frieza’s model is co-branded with ag. The Dragon Ball Z x ag COTSUBU uses Frieza’s purple and white body for the case and earphones, making a particular use of Frieza’s fourth form. Furthermore, the box design combines Frieza’s evil atmosphere at the time of his first appearance against the backdrop of Frieza’s spaceship arriving on Namek.
Freiza’s Purple and White inspired colour combination for the earphones
This earphone is tuned more towards ASMR content. But it is also suitable for animation, watching videos, movies, listening to audiobooks, podcasts and of course music too. The system voice prompts also feature the original voice of Frieza (Ryuusei Nakao), again allowing the user to immerse into the Dragon Ball Z universe.
Fantastic news for all you Gamers out there. The Audeze Maxwell is now available for pre-order with Hifiheadphones.
AUDEZE MAXWELL
Pre-Order the AUDEZE Maxwell Now!
After years of relentless innovation building the world’s best wireless gaming headset, Audeze presents Maxwell, designed from the ground up for serious gamers. Sound quality, wireless performance, and battery life are all pushed to new extremes, along with the latest spatial audio features and multi-platform compatibility.
Audeze HQ
Award-winning Audeze 90mm planar magnetic drivers
A real plus on the forthcoming Maxwell are Audeze 90mm planar magnetic drivers. These have already received a number of awards and, because of their size, will provide a fantastic sound for gaming, delivering powerful bass and pinpoint precision. It must be noted that many other popular gaming headsets only use 40 mm drivers here. The drivers are supplemented by other extra tech in the equipment list such as: Uniforce voice coils, fluxor magnets and Fazor waveguides.
In layman’s terms, the integrated technology will provide high-resolution sound with bit rates of up to 96 kHz / 24 bit. This applies to the connection of the headset via USB as well as with Bluetooth 5.3. When using Bluetooth, there will be many advantages compared to current 2.4 GHz technology. The range will go three times as far before disconnecting and the latency will be significantly lower than competitor models.
New design, upgraded chassis & more!
As you might expect here Audeze have given their new gaming headset a complete overhaul. The Maxwell has a chassis made of aluminum and steel (longevity +++). The integrated battery will also last up to 80 hours and if you forget to charge your headset, a 20 minute charge will get the headset to work for a full day (Battery +++! In addition to this, a new noise filter has been integrated (FILTER™ is Audeze tech). Dolby Atmos is also supported, but this only applies to the Xbox version or for use on the PC. The microphone is also detachable. It is a boom microphone with hypercardioid characteristics (think broadcasting microphones) that has 5 beamforming mics integrated too. So yes, when it gets sweaty on the battlefield, you will still sound clear as day.
Key Features:
80hr+ Battery Life with Fast Charge for All Day Play in 20 min
Ultra-Low Latency Wireless with 3X Range of Traditional 2.4Ghz
First-in-Class Bluetooth 5.3 supports LE Audio, LC3plus, LDAC
Class-Leading High-Resolution Audio up to 24-bit/96kHz
Embedded Dolby Atmos® License (Xbox version only)
All-New Reinforced Chassis Built with Aluminum and Steel
FILTER™ Noise Reduction Technology for Clear Communications
Christmas will be here soon, so what better time to release a guide of our favourite picks from the past year. Whether you are buying for yourself or a loved one, we’re sure there will be something for every headphone aficionado in this gift guide. We have True Wireless earphones, Gaming headphones, DACS, AMPs, Speakers, even the perfect Running earphones & more! Check our Christmas 2022 Gift Guide out below:
Cleer Enduro ANC Headphones– £149 Currently £119
If earphones aren’t your thing, then the Cleer Enduro ANC wireless headphones with active noise cancelling would be the ideal gift for the music lovers out there. The features include 60 hours of playback with ANC enabled and sound quality that easily challenges the pricier options out there from Sony, Bose and Sennheiser.
Audeze Penrose / Penrose X – £298.99 Currently £249.00
With the advent of the PS5 and Xbox X consoles, gamers will want some headphones to maximise their experience. The Audeze Penrose and Penrose X have been designed with these consoles in mind, using their low latency wireless technology for accurate listening, a built in microphone designed by the one and only Shure, and planer magnetic drivers for award winning sound quality makes these a must have – Full Review
the Lypertek PurePlay Z5 is the ideal gift for those that want the best sound quality from their true wireless earphones. Having gained multiple awards for not just their impressive sound – the PurePlay Z5 is jam packed with features for a very favourable price.
The PurePlay Z5 are one of the best, if not the best, true wireless models for daily use. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying app and more along with truly suburb sound quality for a low price.
The Final UX3000 ANC is a fantastic product for its price. Final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The UX3000 can be recommend to anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone. Full Review
The combination of eating too much over Christmas and local lockdowns may see a real spike in outdoor activities – the Cleer Arc is the ideal true wireless earphone for this. Their secure fit means they will stay put, and the open sound means you can hear your surroundings while on the move. They also look great too.
For those who want something more neutral to natural. With a nice sub-bass weighting, good vocal presence and a very coherent and articulate treble performance the Khan does a fantastic job. And It looks like a piece of uniquely crafted Art.
This is something for lovers of anime – and especially the popular Evangelion series. Final has collaborated with Evangelion to release three true wireless earphone models based on different robot units from the hit show. With Final behind the build, sound quality is as good as you’d expect – and the design is equally impressive.
If you’re a lifetime rock & roller, either on the stage or in the crowd then we have the perfect gift idea for you! These dynamic, electronic earplugs will keep your ears damage-free without forcing you to give up the natural quality of the music around you.
Burson Audio Conductor 3 Reference- £1,999.00 Currently £1,799.00
For those of you that want to splash out or add a bit of style to their Setup. The Burson amp/DAC combo’s also work so well with all Audeze products. Providing tons of clean power without any sort of harshness. There is an ever so slight hint of smoothness to the Burson amps that just keeps you wanting to listen more.
The Final ZE3000 are designed for ultimate sound quality and in that they succeed, They also look awesome and fit perfectly. What more could you ask for at £119? – Full Review
A Brilliant Budget Earphone that Sounds MAGIC. We have found the E11C to be a grown-up earphone with a keen knack for giving a clear and accurate presentation across the board. It is a true bargain and certainly a very good IEM for everyday use. The mic and controls are an added bonus and making use of the included case as well as regular cleaning ensures that these earphones last well beyond their warranty. Perfection? Not quite. But at £52 you will struggle to find a similar product worthy of your investment. – Full Review
Campfire Audio Holocene- £649.00 Currently £599.00
TheHolocene are almost a scaled down Andromeda, but with a twist of their own of course, they are slightly warmer and less airy in the top end but still have a very enjoyable sound. The Holocene are fairly linear with a slight bass lift that doesn’t bleed into the midrange, allowing that to cut through with clarity and accuracy. The lower treble is dipped slightly, robbing them of some energy but also meaning they don’t sound fatiguing or sibilant, yet the upper treble is well presented with great extension and air. Overall they are a really impressive earphone, and make a superb daily driver. – Full Review
Noble Sultan Black & Grey- £2,899.00 Currently £1,999.00
For those serious audiophiles looking for some of the best earphones on the marke & detail lovers that want a controlled yet also fun sound that isn’t clinical.
GravaStar Venus Bluetooth Speaker- £79.96 Currently £59.99
For those who love Sci-fi. A Bluetooth speaker with all the character of a sci-fi movie and the sound to match. This speaker is as much an art piece as it is a piece of tech, with unmatched build quality, portability, and style. It would look at home in any gamer’s space. You can even pair them together to create surround sound! Full Review
For ultimate value, the best budget true wireless is the Lypertek Z7. If you want exceptional audio quality, phenominal battery life and an abundence of clarity, then look no further. At just under £90, the Lypertek Z7 is easily one of the most impressive options out there. Full Review
The LCD-2 Classic are a well controlled, but ultimately warm sounding headphone. They offer up a fatigue free sound with good width and height. If you listen to electronic centred music, old school rap/hip-hop and smoother more acoustic music they are a joy to listen to.Full Review
Instead of going for the usual neutral-ish sound signature of most high-end models, Final instead decided to make the D8000 enjoyable, with very punchy and dynamic bass and impressive clarity across the board, the D8000 stand out from the crowd.
The Pinnacle of performance. This is a gift for someone who only wants the best of the best. Audeze’s new flagship planar magnetic headphone is a phenomenal piece of kit. It offers a brand new Audeze sound, way more than just a simple evolution from the LCD-4. With a natural yet almost reference style tuning they hit all the right marks. They are also lighter and significantly more comfortable than previous models. Full Review
If you want to give yourself or someone you know a birthday or Christmas present, you can safely consider surprising yourself/them with the Audeze LCD-X. The Audeze LCD-X is a real eye-catching headphone. For a retail price that seems crazy at first glance, the bottom line is that the price-performance ratio of this headphones is absolutely fantastic. Not only due to the impeccable manufacture, but also a robust construction, use of high-quality materials and wonderful, detailed sound Loved by Audiophiles and sound engineers alike. If you do take the plunge, A very, Merry Christmas is all but guaranteed.
A Bluetooth speaker with all the character of a sci-fi movie and the sound to match. This speaker is as much an art piece as it is a piece of tech, with unmatched build quality, portability, and style. It would look at home in any gamer’s space.
The Gravastar Venus is built like a literal sci-fi tank. With a Zinc alloy shell and sturdy rubberized feet, it sits firmly planted on whatever surface you plant it on. It features two rubberized buttons and a total of 6 RGB lights which tie the look of the speaker together.
For such a small speaker, I was surprised at the volume and clarity…
Being such a small unit, weighing in at only 1lb, makes this speaker feel incredibly dense, and this shows in the build quality. There is no creak or moan as you handle the speaker. Even though it offers incredible details, it doesn’t feel fragile.
Remarkable sound quality
For such a small speaker, I am impressed at the volume and clarity of the sound it could produce. Even at higher volumes, it had little to no distortion and could still offer clear vocals whilst also giving the satisfying thump of the bassline.
The Nerd Stuff
As for the numbers, the Gravastar Venus offers a respectable 10 hours of battery life with a full charge achieved in 3 hours. It houses a full-range subwoofer driver which, paired with its vibration chamber allow it to deliver excellent sound clarity. It also utilises Bluetooth 5.0 which gives the speaker a range of around 10 meters.
The shell features 6 RGB lights which cycle to various colours by a button press. These colours dance in rhythm to the music or the setting, adding to the overall robotic feel of the speaker.
The speaker also offers a ‘True wireless stereo’ mode, offering deeper immersion and allowing you to have the edge when playing games. As for connections, the speaker uses USB-C to charge which is a must nowadays. I would have liked to also see a 3.5mm jack, but with the battery life and price point, it’s not a deal breaker.
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Want some true wireless earbuds in the same style check out the Gravastar Sirius is perfect for you!
Interested in all things Gravastar? Check out more News and Reviews here!
Check out our top picks for wireless Earbuds and Headphones here!
The Gravastar Sirius Pro True Wireless earphones impress with impeccable design, build quality and sound quality to match. With dedicated listening modes up to 5.1 virtual surround sound, a very compact form factor and four unique colour options available they siriusly have a lot to offer.
The Gravastar Sirius Pro are small lightweight and extremely well built making them perfect for long gaming sessions without the fatigue that would normally come from a more standard in ear.
they immerse you in whatever content you are viewing …
They feature a zinc alloy case with a “siriusly” satisfying flip top making them ultra durable to throw into a pocket or a bag without fear of damage or scratching.
The earbuds themselves are lightweight but still have a great feeling in the hand weighing in at only 6g per earbud, pair this with the small, medium and large ear tips included you will find a fit that avoids fatigue in long gaming sessions.
“Siriusly” Good Features
The Sirius Pro have a plethora of features to give you the edge in games but also immerse you in whatever content you are viewing. They feature three different modes to tailor the listening to your content.
Gaming Mode – Allowing you to hear directional sound with extreme clarity using 5.1 virtual surround sound.
Movie Mode – Become fully immersed even on the move with HD surround sound allowing you to hear every explosion and whoosh.
Music Mode – With clean natural vocals and bass you can feel music mode makes you feel the music as much as hearing it.
These earbuds aren’t just good for consuming media they are great for communication too, they use environmental noise cancelation to cut out annoying background noise and give strong natural voices giving you great call quality no matter the environment.
The Nerd Stuff
Now the technical stuff, the earbuds use Knowles balance armatures and 7.2mm dynamic drivers. This allows them to perform great in the lower ranges with great bass as well as the mids and highs. Using cutting edge Bluetooth 5.2 Technology means the earbuds pair faster and last longer.
The earbuds have a 4h battery life and a solid 3 more charges with the 400mAh charging case. The case also features a USB Type-C charging case which is a must for all modern gadgets and a 3 hour charge time gets you back in the game as soon as possible.
The Sirius Pro‘s case also uses an incredibly pleasing looking LED bar to indicate the charge status of the case and earbuds which fits perfectly with the sci fi theme.
…even works as a bottle opener!
But wait there is more … no “Siriusly”!
The packaging really fits with the theme of the Sirius Pro with an almost hand painted look this is a box case you will want to display proudly, they also include a chain allowing you to wear your earphones for easy access.
The charging case even works as a bottle opener which is an interesting feature but it does really highlight the sturdy nature of the zinc alloy case.
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Like the style but don’t need all the features? The Gravastar Sirius is perfect for you!
Interested in all things Gravastar? Check out more News and Reviews here!
Check out our top picks for wireless Earbuds and Headphones here!
Should you get a dac for your PC / PS5? You like playing online but you do not want a microphone? How about getting something that will make you stand out as the true pro-gamer you really are? Below is a list of our favourite picks for gear that is suitable for gaming. Some of it is dedicated, other products make perfect sense when you actually try them out. We have TWS earphones, Dedicated Gaming headphones & earphones as well as Amps/DACs, speakers and more! Check our top gaming picks below:
For those that want powerful sound from the future – Gravastar Mars Pro Speaker- from £199.99
If you are after a sci-fi designed speaker with next generation sound tech and arguably one of the Bluetooth speakers on the market, then boy, do we have a surprise for you! The GravaStar Mars Pro is created for audiophiles, who love sci-fi. They can be paired together to give epic, immersive surround sound. They also have built-in, exclusive DSP audio algorithms that give you a deep bass, accurate mids, and crisp highs. Combined with an equal-loudness contour, you get a powerful sound experience. They are very well made, look fantastic, some models are hand painted and they sound amazing. What is not to love ?
For those that want peak performance on a modest budget – Audeze Penrose / Penrose X – £298.99
With the advent of the PS5 and Xbox X consoles, us gamers need headphones to maximise our chances of winning online (as well as a good gaming chair, naturally 😉 ). Using Audeze’s low latency wireless technology for accurate listening, presets and other customization options. As well as a built-in microphone designed by the one and only Shure. Rounding off with planer magnetic drivers for award winning sound quality makes these beauties a must have. Check out our – Full Review
For those that do not want a mic – Final E500 – £19.99
No mic! It has no mic! Perfect for those who want to game in peace and quiet. Whether on a plane or a train, or even jacked into your console contorller. The Gaming performance is one of the highlights of the E500 and was a clear focus for Final when designing them. You will not be prepared for a £19.99 pair of earphones to provide such accurate spatial feedback. In Online Battle Royales, you can hear exactly where bullets are coming from. Footsteps are pinpoint accurate and they give a very honest and detailed sound. Just remember to clean them regularly to keep them tip-top (as they go in your ears after all)
For those that want wireless and to stand out – Final Evangelion 01, 02 & 06 TWS Earphones – £199
This is something for lovers of the anime show, or for people who want to stand out at a LAN party, in their stream or the next Insomnia. Final has collaborated with Evangelion to release these TWS models based on different robot units from the hit show. With Final behind the build, sound quality is as good as you’d expect – and the design is equally impressive. Maybe you also love playing Neon Genesis so much, you just want to go that extra mile!
For those that want a clean and full output for their headphones (PS4/5) – JDS Labs Element III – £499.00
Sony is notorious for making it difficult for anyone with decent equipment to get good sound out of the PS5. Luckily JDS Labs is so customer focused that they jumped on this early and have a solution. Just make sure to buy the UAC1 fallback cable and the inbuilt software does the rest. This is a great bit of kit that can also be used with your PC. (If you want a cheaper set up or just want a DAC or an Amp, take a look at JDS Labs Atom+ Stack) – Element III Full Review
For those that want superb TWS earphones with a bottle opener – Gravastar Sirius Pro– £109
Back to sci-fi but this time with an extra twist! In fact, no twist caps needed as these earphones have an integrated bottle opener on the earphone case itself. And guess what? It works! With a dedicated Gaming mode you are easily able to pinpoint the direction of your enemy’s footsteps by harnessing the buds 5.1 virtual surround sound. They have a dedicated Movie and Music mode too, adjusting the EQ accordingly to get the most out of what you use them for. These are eye catching earbuds sent from the future and well worth a further look into.
For those that want earphones & the full experience on a budget – SoundMAGIC E11C Silver – £52.99
A Brilliant Budget Earphone that Sounds MAGIC. The E11C gives a clear and accurate presentation across the board making them not just great for gaming for everyday listening to tunes as well. The mic and controls are an added bonus that make these great for online teamplay. Just do not forget to make use of the included case as well as regular cleaning. As this ensures that these earphones last well beyond their warranty. Perfection? Not quite. But at £52 you will struggle to find a similar product worthy of your investment.
For those who want to silence the outside world & immerse themselves fully into their game – Final UX3000 – £119.00
These are a fantastic pair of headphones for the price. The inclusion of a 3.5mm audio cable allows you to use the UX3000 with your favourite games console (no ANC via this method). But via the cable, games sound atmospheric and you can easily pick out distinctive noises like footsteps and distant enemies. Thanks to the built-in microphone you can also communicate clearly with your teammates and the quality of the mic is simply superb. The Final UX3000 also supports aptX LL, a low-latency codec, meaning gaming on a smartphone or tablet or wirelessly on your PC is also an enjoyable experience. Whack on ANC mode and you can fully immerse yourself into the game you’re playing. No loud Fan noises, no screaming kids, just you and the game on the screen in front. Not only that, they are also a brilliant device for listening to music. The UX3000 really can be recommended to anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone. check out our Full Review.
For those that simply want the best (and to game like a streamer) – Audeze LCD-GX – £899.00
The LCD-GX looks like it was made for the professional gamer. It is wired, analog, and stereo only. But it offers probably the most accurate, detailed listening experience you can get for a gaming headset. The LCD-GX has advanced the gaming category beyond the stratosphere. The finest sound quality paired with a clear voice chat means this headphones is for the serious audiophile gamer.
For the listening experience and the immersion it provides, you simply won’t find a better gaming headset and certainly not one that looks and feels as exquisite as the LCD-GX.
Final have entered the gaming market with a budget earphone model aimed at VR enthusiasts. With excellent spatial accuracy across the soundstage along with an inline microphone, the VR3000 are sure to be a hit.
The VR3000 have a lightweight yet solid feeling plastic housing similar in shape to their B series models. It has aesthetically pleasing angles on the faceplate whilst the inner surfaces are smooth and rounded which provides a comfortable fit. In addition to this, the angled nozzle and cable behind the ear make the VR3000 very comfortable for long listening and/or gaming sessions. Finally, the included tips from final work excellently in getting a good seal and confortable fit for those long listening / gaming sessions they were made for.
Compatibility
The VR3000 have a sensitivity rating of 101dB/mW and an impedance of 18 Ohms which results with them being easily driven from portable devices. Including mobile phones as well as games console controllers. Furthermore, the inline mic is essential for communicating with your squad*, whilst the inline volume controls work well whilst out and about.
Sound for Music & Gaming:
The VR3000 are aimed at Gamers and Final put a lot of work into making them sound absolutely stunning for this use. There is enough bass heft for explosions without being overpowering and the drivers are snappy and responsive. This really helps in action packed FPS games. Every shot fired is met with clarity and precision, as well as the sound of footsteps behind and explosions in front.
Simply put, the immersion when using the VR3000 is superb. They really put you in the middle of the action with pinpoint accuracy. Being mainly a BF V player, these really make you feel as if you are in the battlefield. With Planes flying overhead, bullets flying past you and even the ability to hear people sneak up behind you. Not only does this immersion give you a slight edge, it makes gaming all the more worthwhile. For an earphone, the VR3000 offer up an impressive gaming performance, no matter what game / genre you play.
The VR3000 fare well with music playback too, giving a broad frequency response from rumbling sub-bass to delicate highs. This means they are quite even handed overall, even though there is a slight boost in the sub-bass. There is also good clarity and much like their gaming performance, accuracy is key to their sound signature. Vocals sound real, without added body. Cymbals crash with finesse and instruments are easily separated. To conclude, the placement within the soundstage is very well defined and they are just enjoyable to listen to.
*Update to Mircrophone 2022*
*Since its initial release, the microphone in the VR3000 has been upgraded and silently rolled out by Final. The updated mic is crisp and clear, with an impressively wide range that feels like it represents your voice how it should sound. This is especially noticeable on phonecalls and in online game chats.
The Audeze Penrose gaming headset – designed for PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, Windows and Mac desktops – has blessed people’s gaming experiences for just over one and a half years. With it’s various updates and improvements, in addition to a plethora of new models on the market, there is a question that needs an answer: Is the Audeze Penrose still worth considering in 2022?
Audeze Penrose Review – 1.5 years on: Now more than ever, console gamers are seeing the importance of quality Audio. Lockdowns and Pandemics aside, the rise in online competitive gaming is relentless and we are all seeking that extra edge that will take us to victory. With the onset of “Spatial Audio”, A quality headset that can take full advantage of Sony’s “Tempest” or Microsoft’s “Dolby Atmos” is now an absolute must.
How else am I supposed to hear the footsteps behind me?
Design: 10/10
I would say the Audeze Penrose gaming headset has a perfect balance between an in-your-face over the top gaming design and a not too flashy, sleek looking headset. The all black colour with the blue stripes, provides a bit more subtlety that stops the Logo and decals from popping too much. The honeycomb/ hexagon finish on the ear cups is a nice touch that eschews quality.
Comfort: 9/10
As subjective as comfort is, these headphones fit great. Some people refer to a tight clamping force and a noticeable weight, but I find if you make minor adjustments while they are on your head they are extremely comfortable. They are also very flexible. I find that there is very little to no discomfort for gaming sessions lasting up to 3 hours or so. (I can rarely play more these days but I think even longer would also be fine.)
The sound from these headphones for gaming is phenomenal
Sound Quality: 10/10
Again sound is subjective, but the sound from these headphones for gaming is phenomenal. The detail is impeccable, the soundstage and direction superb. They work extremely well with Spatial Audio Programs to deliver that immersive sound we have always wanted. With the Audeze HQ app, you can adjust the presets and create sound profiles for specific games. They even provide some presets for you that you can try out (Check them out here). This is the best sound from a headset I have used with my PS5. You will never *not* hear a footstep again!
Wireless Signal: 8/10
People complain about the poor range of the wireless signal as a draw but hardly ever have issues and nearly always a stable connection. Okay, if I move into my kitchen or bathroom the signal is weak, but how can I play Apex legends without being in front of my TV? The range is suitable for the requirements.
Mic: 8/10
The boom mic is great, people can always hear me clearly and for game chat it is near enough perfect. I position my mic a bit lower than my chin because I can sometimes hear my breathing on the sidetone. You can turn the sidetone off to eliminate this issue completely should you wish (I only leave it on to make sure I am not shouting!)
What is the Difference Between the Audeze Penrose Gaming Headset & The Penrose X?
It is rather simple really! The Penrose is compatible with PlayStation 4 &PlayStation 5 gaming consoles, as well as Windows and MAC systems. The Penrose X is specifically designed for the Xbox, and is compatible with both the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, as well as Windows systems.
Other Notable Features:
Wired Connection – Absolutely Top Notch
Volume control – Separate controls for the Volume and the Mic which allows for great control of sound mix.
Audeze HQ – 10 band graphic EQ, sidetone toggling, saving/editing presets, the place to upgrade the firmware. A great app to perfect your desired sound signature and a must for any competitive gamer out there.
Voice to Chat Mix – This is for Xbox X users. Sadly I only have a PS5
Battery Life – Another great feature, a full charge lasts 15 hours and it takes 4-5 to charge it fully from Zero. Newer releases from various brands have 30 hours as standard but I find that as long as I charge it after extensive use, it has never gone dead on me when I need it.
Phone connection- You can connect to the PS5 and your phone at the same time which is a big plus.
1.5 years on from its release is undoubtedly still at the top of the table
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You can buy the Penrose (For Playstation or the Penrose X for Xbox here. If you would like to read more About Audeze Products take a look on our blog here
P.S. In case you were wondering about that Sony Playstation 5 design / skin, well let’s just say Etsy is your best friend here. I love the 80’s (obviously)and this graphic has the sunset, it has the neon grids and the palm tress. In fact the only thing it is missing is an 80’s sports car. It gives me that same feeling as when you watched the first episode of Stranger Things season 3. Pure nostalgia, and yes, I absolutely love it!
Audeze Penrose: The Penrose are a very versatile and comfortable headset. They have 2 versions witch are optimised for PC, Xbox & Playstation. Overall the gaming experience with the Penrose is superb, with excellent spatial accuracy and immersion. Match that with good comfort and you have all the key features of a great gaming headset.
p.s (they also do a great job for music listening)
The Penrose is equipped with Audeze’s 100mm planar magnetic drivers, a high-performance microphone, and a 2.4 GHz low-latency lossless dual wireless connection. This means gamers can experience the best in audio quality and wireless functionality at the same time. With the Audeze HQ App, you can fully customize your sound experience. With sound profile selection and presets as well as a a brand new 10-band EQ specifically for Penrose.
Get Your Game On
Make sure you check out the full listing and product breakdown on audeze.co.uk here.
T3 is very enthusiatic about the qualities of the Penrose: “This is a headset that’s really well put together, with no hint of cheapness or flimsiness anywhere. It feels like a piece of hardware that’s going to last a long time. While it’s robust, the Audeze Penrose headset is also comfortable to wear, and you’ll have no problems wearing this for an extended period of time while you’re gaming. The on-board controls are all easily accessible and intuitive to use, too. It’s the audio quality that really sets the Audeze Penrose headset apart though. Even though there’s no surround sound feature, the special planar magnetic drivers that Audeze has developed do a wonderful job. You can use the headset connected to your computer or wirelessly, and if you choose the latter you get about 15 hours of battery life before you’ll have to recharge the device again.”
First off the Penrose fit securely on your head, albeit with slightly high clamping force. Luckily you can leave the Penrose stretched out over some books to help loosen the clamp if you find it too much. The earpads are big enough for most ears, and the headband is well padded.
Comfort overall is good with no issues after a couple of hours, due to their closed back design I would still recommend taking a break every couple of hours to let your ears breathe. But overall the Penrose are a very comfortable headset.
Features
There are 2 versions of the Penrose, the Penrose and Penrose X. Both versions work fine with PC, but for console use the Penrose is suitable for the PlayStation 4 and 5, whereas the Penrose X has official Microsoft Certification for use with the xBox One and Series X.
They can be use in wired mode with an aux cable, via Bluetooth or via 2.4GHz wireless in conjunction with the included USB dongle. 2.4GHz will likely be the most used configuration, and you can expect around 14hrs of battery life from the headset. There is a high quality microphone that is detachable, there is a scroll wheel for the microphone volume and on the Penrose X if you press and scroll you can change the game/chat mix. The game/chat mix is currently only functional on the xBox – but future firmware updates should hopefully bring this feature to PC and PlayStation versions.
The firmware can be updated quite easily, but at the moment only via a Windows PC. There is a mute switch on the left earcup, along with a volume wheel and source select button. There is an Audeze HQ app for Windows and Android, with MacOS and iOS versions in the works. In the app you can set various EQ presets and in the future thegame/chat mix should be functional too. You can even have the Penrose connected to the source via 2.4GHz whilst also connected to your phone via bluetooth and change settings that way which is handy. In theory you can also use them as a bluetooth headset whilst connected via 2.4GHz, but bluetooth bandwidth is more restricted and the microphone quality will suffer so you’re better off using the in-game chat or background app chat instead of bluetooth.
Sound
Once set up the Penrose really are an impressive headset – first off, the microphone, whilst not crystal clear (bandwidth issues) does a good job of picking up your voice and your teammates will be able to hear you without issue. Next up is the immersion, on the latest generation of consoles there is some excellent audio processing that give you “surround” like sound from regular 2ch headphones like the Penrose. The same can be said for certain PC games, going in to the audio settings and selecting the correct output really does wonders. This bring us to the hardware side of things where those planar drivers come in to play, giving you excellent bass depth and impact without taking away the clarity overall.
Depending on the game you will get subtle rumbles to full blown explosions, all delivered with excellent control and clarity whilst also packing a punch. These drivers can push some air without ever sounding muddy or overwhelming. In-game dialog comes across clean and clear, speech is well rendered and this greatly helps if you use them as a headset, hearing your teammates is vital. The treble is precise and clear without being emphasised or piercing, these are designed for long sessions and thus have an utterly fatigue free sound.
The closed back nature of the Penrose means they block out a fair amount of outside noise, allowing you to immerse yourself, whatever is happening around you. The in-game effects are incredible though and the Penrose really do a stellar job at pinpointing spatial sounds, from footsteps to gunshots you know exactly where you stand in the game. This could prove to be a handy avantage if used in a VR system, but sadly I don’t have the equipment to test this. For long PC gaming sessions the Penrose have proved themselves a worthy companion, helping me pinpoint enemies with ease.
The Penrose do music playback well too, having quite a well balanced sound that is clean, detailed but with a slightly full bodied nature. They have good depth for a closed back headphone, and great instrument separation. The bass is full yet articulate and well controlled, the midrange manages to be well separated and clean whilst not being pushed forward. The treble is detailed and well extended but never harsh or fatiguing, there are not sharp peaks to create a false sense of air or detail retrieval.
Conclusion
The Penrose are still being improved with firmware updates, so expect them to get even better with time, but as they stand they are still an excellent gaming headset if you value sound quality. They have a clean and crisp sound, that is also full and well extended. They have clearly prioritised sound quality over microphone quality when used in wireless mode, which to me is the right way to do it if bandwidth is limited. Overall the gaming experience is superb though, with excellent spatial accuracy and immersion, match that with good comfort and you have all the key features of a great gaming headset – that also do a great job for music listening.
The HifiHeadphones team is pleased to announce the new Closed Back Gaming Headset from Sennheiser, the G4ME ZERO is now available to be purchased on our website.
High Fidelity sound, reproduced exactly the way the game developers intended the game to sound. With Sennheiser’s “Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement” technology, the G4ME ZERO delivers the ultimate in sonic accuracy and clarity. The updated closed design provided by the custom-made painted steel earcup grids lets you hear even the faintest detail of your game.
The two transducers in the G4ME ZERO have been developed at Sennheiser’s labs in Germany. They are optimised to provide an extremely accurate reproduction of the gaming audio. Every single unit is mechanically and acoustically tested. Sennheiser technology delivers ultimate sonic accuracy and clarity by channelling signals directly into your ears. The closed earcup design blocks out all outside noise allowing you to focus on your game.
G4ME ZERO features a professional noise-cancelling microphone with intuitive mute function. The pro microphone on the G4ME ZERO gaming headset is in a class of its own. It provides high-end noise cancellation, so you can chat to fellow players with crystal clarity.
G4ME ZERO feature an all new earpad design, which have been further developed from Sennheiser’s professional pilot headsets. The earpads are made from thick leatherette and dual-layered memory foam. With a thicker base, the earpads of the G4ME ZERO close all around the ear, preventing sound from escaping or polluting your game.
Highly accurate and clear sound experience
Hi-Fi sound reproduced exactly the way game developers intended
Supreme sonic accuracy and clarity
Thick leatherette and dual-layered memory foam earpads
Professional noise-cancelling microphone with mute function
