2024-02-12 19:40:00
At the end of January this year, Edifier launched the Hecate GX05 in Brazil, an in-ear TWS headset aimed at games. It promises to deliver a differentiated design and latency below the segment average.
Is it possible to have a good experience with this accessory? TudoCelular tested a unit of it in recent weeks and tells you all the details in this complete analysis.
Design and construction
The Hecate GX05 arrives with major differences compared to its predecessor, the GX04. Now, the shape of the tips has become more compact and has eliminated the need for a stem. Each has just one LED strip, which lights up from time to time while it is in operation.
And speaking of LEDs, the surroundings of the case have RGB lights that can be customized using the button at the bottom. They are activated as soon as you turn the “cover” to access the buds and the USB-C dongle, in addition to indicating the amount of charge available.
The triangular shape of the charging case stands out for resembling a “diamond”, with its dark gray zinc alloy body. As it is made of metal, it is somewhat heavy. But it does not have a large volume and can be transported easily.
It lacked certification, whether IPxx or xATM, to guarantee resistance against dust and water. Without additional protection, it is worth being careful when using it near the shower, swimming pool or in the rain, for example.
Standard silicone tips come in a medium size and are not comfortable. Although the earphone itself has a very soft and discreet fit, the size leaves something to be desired and tends to be quite tight, compared to the M tips of other headphones.
Fortunately, it is possible to exchange them. In the box, you will find two additional pairs, in sizes P and L. The packaging also comes with a vacuum cover to store the case and keep it away from dust; some stickers; a USB-C dongle; a USB-C to USB-A adapter; the charging cable; two silicone plugs to cover the dongle space in the case; and user manuals.
Connectivity
One of the highlights of the Hecate GX05 is the double connection possibility. It can be connected via Bluetooth 5.3, or via the 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle – new for this generation.
The connection via Bluetooth 5.3 showed excellent stability. Simply turn the case to enter pairing mode, which is done directly via your device’s Bluetooth list.
The connection via the USB-C dongle stands out for its low latency. There is only 15 ms of response time, which suits demanding gamers well. We tested this option in mobile games and on PC and had great performance, especially in games that demand great attention and quick response.
A dedicated application for managing the headset was missing here. This model is not compatible with the Edifier Connect app. This means that commands are restricted to touching the earphone sensor.
Speaking of controls, just press the right side for a few seconds to advance the song, or the left side to rewind. Two quick taps pause or resume playback; three switches the mode to Music Mode or Gaming Mode; while four allows you to turn off or turn on the buds’ LEDs.
Sound and microphone quality
We come to the main point: sound quality. Edifier’s gaming headset comes with a 20 nm titanium finish, absorbed into the dome by negative ions. This structure promises to reach a frequency of up to 40 kHz, in order to capture more details during games.
In practice, the Hecate GX05 has great sound quality and will not disappoint in the ambiance of any game. However, the frequencies are more focused on the mids and highs, while the bass is muted compared to the others. And as there is no dedicated equalizer for this accessory, there is no way to reinforce lower sounds.
This device also doesn’t offer a lot of audio power. The maximum volume may not suit you if you want to listen to music with great immersion. In any case, you won’t find any distortion either.
The big change in sound style happens when changing modes. While Music Mode comes with more open audio, with clear vocals and very detailed highs, Gaming Mode makes the sound “warmer”, by making the high frequencies very smooth and giving more prominence to the mid-bass.
Too bad you won’t get extra features on this headset. This means that it does not have active noise cancellation (ANC) or ambient sound. The immersion is only due to the acoustic insulation of the tips, which works efficiently, but to a limited extent.
Edifier placed two microphones, positioned in holes in the upper and lower portions. They provide environmental noise cancellation (ENC) feature, which allows you to reduce external noises during a voice conversation.
Although the voice is not as full when output, you will have clear sound during calls. The person on the other end of the call is able to hear you without difficulty, and the ENC works decently.
Battery
Edifier promises an optimized battery, capable of lasting 4.5 hours on a full charge of just the buds. In total, the total autonomy would reach 16 hours. In other words, the case alone would have just over twice the total charge of the headphones.
And what does it deliver in practice? We tested the connection via Bluetooth, without the LEDs on and with the volume at maximum. You buds were able to last about 4 hours and 15 minutes on. A disappointing time compared to what was promised.
When we move on to charging, the manufacturer promises support for fast charging, with an estimated time of two hours to complete the entire process and return to 100%.
In our experiments, this time the result was positive. We plugged the original cable into the USB-C port on the case and used a 15W plug adapter. With it, we were able to complete the entire process in just 55 minutes. Less than half the wait the company promises.
Economy and market
09 Nov
Releases
05 Abr
Final considerations
The Edifier Hecate GX05 has a very defined objective: to deliver a favorable scenario for use in games. You will find a different design than usual, complete with RGB LEDs; connectivity via USB dongle, which allows for lower latency; and a Gaming Mode to make the sound stand out in demanding games.
But that doesn’t mean it will only be useful during your games. The accessory provides distortion-free sound and satisfactory quality for those who don’t like fuller bass. The microphones work well and don’t disappoint on voice calls.
The battery was below expectations and can be considered the biggest negative point here. The factory time was already below average, and what we saw in our tests made this time even worse. At least the load compensated with less than half the expected range.
The medium ear tips can also cause some discomfort in your ear, but there is another smaller pair in the box to exchange. To top it off, some absences are felt in this headset, from a certification against splashes and sweat, to an ANC that would increase the user’s immersion.
Edifier launched the Hecate GX05 in Brazil for a suggested price of R$599. We recommend this headset for those who want a gamer model, with little latency, but without a format over-ear which makes transportation difficult.
And what competition do we have in the market? You won’t find direct rivals to this device, complete with LEDs and USB dongle. However, the Galaxy Buds FE may please the gamer. The Samsung headset costs practically the same and comes with Game Mode, in addition to providing ANC and Ambient Sound as extra features.
What is your assessment of Edifier’s new gaming headset? Tell us!
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