The Drop + EPOS H3X Gaming Headset is a brilliant option for those that want great-sounding gaming gear without spending a fortune. It brings EPOS' extensive expertise in gaming audio into a budget-friendly package that means any gamer can experience top-notch immersion, and better still, is built extremely well considering the price point.
- Battery Life: N/A
- Wireless?: Wired
- Microphones: Integrated boom arm
- Compatible With: 3.5mm
- Brand: Drop + EPOS
- Sensitivity: 111dB SPL @ 1kHz, 0.7V RMS
- Transducer Size: 40mm
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20,000Hz
- Impedance: 20 ohms
- Weight: 290g
- Noise Cancellation: Passive
- Connectivity: 2 x 3.5 mm split TRS cable (2m), 1 x 3.5 mm TRRS connector cable (1.5m)
- Excellent sound for the price
- Comfortable ear cups
- Cable options, extensive compatibility
- Integrated microphone easy to use
- Detachable mic would be bonus
- Clamping force high to begin with (give it time!)
Drop has created an interesting niche for itself in the world of headphones and mechanical keyboards. Pairing with big names to create one-off tech collaborations, sometimes with unique designs, Drop's range of hardware has a strong following.
The Drop + EPOS H3X Gaming Headset is one such collaboration, with Drop taking advantage of EPOS' reputation for excellent headphone design, but pushing out something far below the expected price. Building on the EPOS H3 design, the H3X brings top-quality audio to gamers at an exceptional price, allowing any gamer to experience EPOS' comfortable, award-winning designs without breaking the bank.
Style and Comfort
Anyone familiar with an EPOS headset will instantly recognize these headphones. The Drop + EPOS H3X builds on the successes of the EPOS H3 range, including the H3PRO Hybrid and H3 Wired, which both scored 9/10 in our reviews.
The H3X is a predominantly grey plastic affair (officially named Meteorite) with a very similar design to the original H3. There are some differences between the original and its newer, cheaper cousin, but the overall build quality feels very good. Notably, the H3X still features EPOS' metal headband for extra structural support (it matches the H3 Hybrid), and the headband itself is covered with a similar material.
Furthermore, although I no longer have the H3 Hybrid for direct comparison, it feels like the same material is used for the earcups, a soft memory foam-type material covered with an equally soft leatherette. It's immediately comfortable, and the material is breathable, keeping all but the hottest ears cool while gaming.
Now, back to the headband for a moment. Although the earcups are comfortable, the H3X is a tight fit when you first take them out of the box. I don't have a particularly large head, and they were tight for me, so larger-headed-users beware; the H3X may not feel comfortable immediately. However, that does change with time. After a few gaming sessions, the H3X headband loosens to reduce the clamping feeling, making the Drop + EPOS H3X a comfortable gaming headset.
Passive noise canceling is a bonus to the snug fit and the soft earcup. The H3X doesn't have active noise canceling, but I found the earcups and overall fit around the ear to block a decent chunk of noise while gaming and listening to music. It's not perfect, of course, but it's more than you'll get with other budget gaming headsets, that's for sure.
You'll find that the H3X moves well with your head, too. The vertical and horizontal movements of the hinged earcups mean the headset doesn't place strain on your head or ears when you adjust your position, and while gaming is typically done facing a screen, who doesn't move around a bit when they're gaming?
Features
The Drop + EPOS H3X is a wired gaming headset. It comes with two detachable 3.5mm cables, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, and a splitter cable for PCs with an extra microphone cable. It all arrives in a neat little carry bag, which, while low frills, is handy to keep everything together.
As a plug-and-play gaming headset, there is no additional software support for the H3X. However, that does mean the H3X works out of the box with basically every console (provided the headphone cable reaches).
The integrated microphone slots up and down easily, giving an audible click when it is back in place. Movement is smooth, and it would be nice to remove the microphone (the original EPOS H3 Hybrid had a detachable magnetic microphone), but the boom arm isn't noticeable when tucked away. But overall, the ease of switching the microphone on and off is great for gaming, as you move the mic up and out of the way, and it cuts off your voice.
Handily, an integrated volume control is also on the outside of the right earcup. The dial moves easily enough, loosening up over time like the headband.
Sound Quality
I keep harping on about the original EPOS H3 range, but it is a great set of gaming headsets. Thankfully, the sound quality of the original range is another feature that's made the jump to the Drop + EPOS H3X, with the 40mm drivers delivering the audio goods as desired.
In fairness to EPOS, it isn't a straight-up, like-for-like switch. The H3X comes with a unique audio profile that flattens out the overall EQ, dropping some bass and treble in favor of a flatter sound profile but emphasizing gaming sound profiles. Those changes make the H3X sound quality an overall crisp and accurate experience, with plenty of room for additional volume in its wide soundstage.
The Drop + EPOS H3X has some of the best gaming audio you can get your hands on at this price and sounds better than headsets with another digit in its dollar price.
Its sound is crafted for gaming, mind. The treble is excellent for emphasizing footsteps and explosions but is also handy in racing games where a wide frequency response is useful to capture the full range of a roaring engine. Adding to that, positional audio is another strong suit for the H3X.
The H3X EQ tweaks also work well for music. Unlike some other gaming headsets, you can buy the H3X safe in the knowledge music will sound faithful to its source. The tuned-down bass is good, but it does mean you may lack a little punch in certain tracks. It's far from needing something like a Bass Booster EQ profile, as that would be overkill, but I believe bass is where you'll notice a difference in your favorite tracks.
As for the H3X microphone quality, it's good enough. The integrated microphone on a gaming headset will never compete with a standalone microphone, so it's pointless making comparisons of that nature. But the microphone quality is decent, and I was heard loud and clear while using H3X. And, as stated above, pushing the mic up to cut off audio is a genuinely handy option that stops you from fumbling for a button or switches on your machine.
Should You Buy the Drop + EPOS H3X Gaming Headset?
If you want a great gaming headset under $100, you should buy the Drop + EPOS H3X. Retailing for $80 and frequently on sale for even less, the H3X brings premium features to this budget-friendly gaming headset, and you could spend so much more money for so much worse.
Some will miss the extra flair of other gaming headsets, and I'm sure others will bemoan a lack of RGB and integration with their flashy gaming setup. But others will fully appreciate the understated, trim design of the H3X, and once you put them on, appreciate the H3X audio quality even more.
So, yes, if you want great audio but don't want to break your budget, you should buy the Drop + EPOS H3X Gaming Headset.