u/IgnacioTech

This unit was kindly sent out for review, although this won't change my opinion on the product itself.

Thank you to VARO for this opportunity.

• Contents of the box

1. VARO V1 Superlight.
2. Type-A to type-C cable.
3. 8k Hz dongle.
4. Extra sets of full-size white skates.
5. Carrying bag.
6. Manual.

• Mouse shape and base

The shape of the V1 is very close to the MAYA X, though with some differences.

In terms of height, it maintains a similar side profile but with a flatter rounded back that reaches its highest point at a similar point in the middle to then slope down to medium to low-height clicks with very minor differences on that area.

There's also a difference in length, with the MAYA X being longer in the rear by roughly 1-2 mm. The width is also very similar, having that greatly wide rear that narrows down at the center and maintains a similar width through the rest of the shell though slightly flaring out at the top, the MAYA X does have a longer hump that's also minorly wider in the support points.

My experience with the shape, with my 18x10 hands and aggressive to relaxed, has been great, and I would consider it my favourite universal shape.

Firstly, for my aggressive claw it feels very natural to grip with its great support on my thenar that is helped by the great coating with a smooth finish, making it not too sticky on the palm as to limit mixing it with a fingertip grip to micro-adjust. The sides are somewhat flat to me since the flare-out at the top is very minor, which, combined with them flaring out smoothly from the bottom up, adds to its maneuverability whilst maintaining a more curved profile.

The side flare, although noticeable on my ring finger, doesn't force it to change the contact point. Also, the flatter sides with the lower height clicks make the shape very easy to pinch with any kind of claw grip.

For other grip styles, like palm and fingertip, I wouldn't recommend it for palm grip for anything above my hand size, as my index and middle fingers sit on the very edge of the clicks when palming it. For a fingertip grip, it's a good choice for its low density and narrow back if you prefer full-size mice, but usually for a pure fingertip grip, a smaller mouse would be the best choice.

The base, which has the same design as MCHOSE's bases, is flat but with some ridges around the pre-installed virgin PTFE full-size skates, this being very good skates with rather low static friction, I didn't have to change them for aftermarket options. It features a forward sensor (54%) aligning with the top of M4, an On/Off/BT switch, and a DPI button.

• Build integrity and coating

The build integrity is close to perfect, I can produce minor flex on the base and the sides of the mouse even when death gripping it. The in-hand feeling is rock solid, and I couldn't find any issues when using it, which is very impressive considering the weight.

The coating is some of the best I have tried; it reminds me a lot of EGG's coating but with a smoother finish. It's very matte-like but much more smooth without compromising on the grippiness; with moderately warm hands, it starts being much grippier.

• Primary and side clicks

M1 and M2 are using Omron Opticals, the clicks are very crisp and quite tactile. They feel extremely responsive in-game. The buttons themselves are very well implemented, with a medium tension that has minimal side-to-side wobble and a quick rebound.

They have very little pre- and post-travel when clicking around the scroll wheel area. There's some slight play at the top, but it doesn't make the click feel mushy or unresponsive.

The in-hand feeling is extremely good, they are very spammable clicks at a medium tension while still maintaining a firm feeling and a responsive click. Even when having as much of a gap as the Beast G, this can't really be noticed on the V1 due to how little tolerance the buttons have.

The side buttons have a flat design and don't protrude much, they are the weakest feature on the mouse, I don't think they have a coating, which makes them feel cheap. The implementation is bad considering the price. When clicking normally, they have a little pre- and post-travel with no side-to-side wobble, with a decently crisp and tactile click, but both can be pushed into the shell when applying relatively normal amounts of pressure, and they have tolerances on the top and bottom.

For the time I used them on Fortnite, they felt fine, though I'm not very nitpicky with side buttons. I do have to say that the cheap feeling is rather noticeable but not in-game; it's not something that would throw me off when playing or I would pick up on in the moment.

• Scroll wheel

The scroll has rubberized finish very reminiscent of Scyrox mice, it is using a dust-proof optical encoder from Raesha with very defined steps. The scroll force is medium, and I would say I prefer the implementation compared to Scyrox's.

M3 has a medium to light actuation force, in terms of spammability it is rather medium, and the click is quite crisp and tactile.

• Weight and balance

My unit weighs 45g with the pre-installed skates on, the weight feels incredible in-hand with its low density due to the big shape of the V1 whilst still having perfect QC on my unit. My only nitpick here would be the weight balancing, it's not bad as it aligns with the sensor, but it's slightly back from the middle of the side buttons.

Still, I'm nitpicking here since I got used to the weight distribution after the first week of usage, though I believe it could be improved.

• Software

It has a web software, similar to the one from Lamzu, with one tab divided into the following:

1. Performance: to change the DPI values (50 to 30000) with up to 5 stages, Polling rate (125 Hz to 8k Hz), LOD (0.7 mm, 1mm or 2mm), Debounce time (0 to 4 ms) and the LED mode (Off, Always On or Breathing).
2. Profiles: to change between the 4 available profiles, rebind any of the 5 mouse buttons, change between Variable tracking mode and Fast tracking mode, Standard and Competitive, turn Motion Sync, Angle Snap and Ripple control On or Off, and set both the Angle tuning and Sleep time.
3. Macro.

• Performance

The performance, with a 3950 and a Nordic 54L15, has been flawless. I mainly tested it on Fortnite and Kovaaks on 1k Hz, the battery life was really good in my experience, only having to charge it once in 2 weeks of usage.

On Fortnite, the clicks, as mentioned, are some of the best I have used, and I loved the implementation of the main buttons. The side buttons weren't as good, but I didn't have any issues in terms of responsiveness when using them.

On Kovaak's, the sensor is well implemented, and I got similar scores to my main mouse. Also, compared to any other universal shape I have tried, doing fingertip tracking is more manageable on the V1 due to its lower weight and narrower profile.

• Conclusion

Overall, the V1 Superlight is a mouse that greatly impressed me with incredible main clicks, build quality and coating, being a universal shape which I don't usually gravitate towards but still being one of my favourite mice released recently. Its main downside is the price, being 130€, it's still not available outside of China (at least I couldn't find it), so this may change. In the case it doesn't, I would say there are much better options at a lower price, but it doesn't take away from how good it is.

This unit was sent by Corsair for review, but this will not influence my opinion on it.

Thank you to Corsair for this opportunity.

• Design and Materials

The design of the TC100 Relaxed moves away from the aggressive racing style that usually dominates the gaming chair category. Its "Relaxed" line is based on softer side bolsters and a wider, more welcoming seat profile. The aesthetic is understated, with sober colors and finishes that blend seamlessly into any gaming or workspace without being flashy. In that sense, it's an offering that prioritizes function over looks, which is appreciated when investing in a chair to spend long hours working or gaming. 

Material quality is a key factor when deciding whether to buy it or not. The fabric version is clearly superior to the faux leather one, since the fabric is soft to the touch, breathable, and perforated in key areas to promote ventilation, which is pleasant in both summer and winter. The faux leather version, on the other hand, is difficult to recommend, as the material is of lower quality and degrades with use, particularly when exposed to heat. Therefore, the fabric option is unquestionably the way to go.

The seat's internal structure is made of steel, which provides a solid base. However, the wheelbase and outer frame are made of reinforced nylon; although at first glance this may inspire little confidence regarding durability and structural stability given the material used, it feels sufficiently sturdy in practice. A steel structure would have been appreciated, even if only for the star-shaped wheelbase, since the nylon gives a poor first impression. It weighs approximately 18.3 kg, and assembly is fairly manageable for one person, although Corsair recommends doing it with two.

The overall finish is solid for its price range. The backrest cover, lumbar cushion, and headrest cushion are all removable and washable, a detail that extends the product's lifespan and isn't common, a point in its favor compared to the competition. The wheels have a 65 mm diameter and don't roll when the chair is unloaded, a basic safety requirement. On wood or parquet floors they roll smoothly and without leaving marks. A wheel-locking mechanism would have been the bare minimum to expect at this price range, since some competing brands do include it, meaning you have to pay extra to get locking wheels.

• Ergonomics and Comfort

It's designed for a wide range of users. Official specs indicate compatibility with heights up to 188 cm and weights up to 120 kg. The seat measures 54 cm wide and 50 cm deep, allowing plenty of room even for users with a broader build, though very tall users may find the backrest a bit tight.

Initial comfort is one of its strong points. Thick padding, especially in the seat area, gives a soft feel similar to that of an armchair. However, the padding is also one of its most vulnerable points long-term: the fill density isn't the highest, which can cause it to compress and lose height with continued use. This is a limitation shared by all chairs in this category, though a bit more padding to extend its lifespan would have been welcome. 

The lumbar cushion does its job for most users, though it's basic compared to integrated systems like the one on the TC500 Luxe. Since it's optional and height-adjustable via an elastic strap, and that strap has a limited adjustment range, tall users may not be able to reach the correct lumbar position. For users with back problems or reduced lumbar mobility, it can't be recommended unless an external substitute cushion is used.

The headrest cushion is made of memory foam. It adapts well to the neck and helps prevent neck strain during long sessions, although its position on the backrest can also be problematic for users who are taller or shorter than average. The cushions share an unavoidable drawback: the elastic straps, despite being the best quality I've seen in this category, gradually loosen with continued use. This is worth factoring in when evaluating this chair, though it's a trait shared by all chairs in this price range.

The backrest reclines up to 160°, allowing you to adjust the position to your liking, all the way to a near-horizontal resting position, with good stability at intermediate positions. The structure holds up fine within the specified weight range.

• Adjustments and Ease of Use

Assembly is simple and intuitive. The box includes all the hardware and the Allen key needed, so no additional tools are required. The full process can be completed in under 15-20 minutes. The only downside here is the lack of printed instructions in some units; in that case, the manual is available on Corsair's official website. As for the packaging, it leaves much to be desired for a mid-to-high-end chair from a brand like Corsair.

The available adjustments are typical for a chair in this price range. Seat height adjusts between 45 and 55 cm via a class-4 gas piston (10 cm of travel). The backrest reclines from 90° to 160° with locking at the desired position. The rocking mechanism allows smooth movement of up to 10° when unlocked, which many gamers may not find particularly useful but is appreciated in work settings.

The armrests are 2D: they offer height adjustment of roughly 10 cm of travel and slight lateral adjustment when bolted on, though it would have been nice to have at least 3 positions for lateral and frontal adjustment, this could be a drawback for users who work long hours with a mouse or who need specific postures. They don't offer forward/backward movement or rotation, which clearly sets them apart from the 4D armrests found on higher-end models. The armrest pads are made of a material similar to soft rubber, comfortable to the touch, though somewhat firm and resistant.

• Conclusion

The Corsair TC100 Relaxed in its fabric version is a solid, honest option for anyone looking for a chair in the €200-250 range. Its greatest strength is the combination of immediate comfort, breathable materials, generous dimensions, and quality details that aren't common at this price point: washable covers, a memory foam headrest cushion, and an internal steel frame.

Its limitations are equally clear. The 2D armrests are the most obvious shortfall compared to higher-end models, and the padding doesn't guarantee the same durability as chairs in higher tiers. It's not the most ergonomic or the most adjustable chair on the market, but for what it offers and at its price, it delivers well for users who spend many hours a day gaming or working.

For users with specific ergonomic needs, it's worth considering higher-end models within Corsair's own lineup. The faux leather model is difficult to recommend since it's priced the same as the fabric version, it could only be worth considering if there were a sale with a significant price gap versus the fabric model. Overall, for the average user looking for a chair in this price range, the fabric TC100 Relaxed is a safe choice that's unlikely to disappoint.

This unit was kindly sent out for review, although this won't change my opinion on the product itself.

Thank you to MACHENIKE for this opportunity.

• Contents of the box

1. MACHENIKE L9 X1.
2. Type-A to type-C cable.
3. 1K Hz Dongle.
4. Grip tape.
5. Manual.

• Mouse shape and base.

The shape of the L9 X1 is pretty unique and isn't really a clone of anything on the market, the closest may be the MAYA, but the width is very different.

It has a pretty small rear width compared to its front, not as small as the Viper Mini, but the overall size makes it seem smaller. Also, the lack of a coating makes it provide much less support even with its longer and wider back.

The sides narrow down towards the middle like most hourglass shapes, but in this case the sides flare out towards the top much more aggressively, making a huge difference in the in-hand feeling.

When it comes to the height, it has a more rounded side profile with a higher back and a similar low click height, though not as low as the Viper Mini; also, the clicks have very notable finger grooves, which feel great in-hand. With a back that slopes up reaching its highest point at 40% to then slope down very slowly, it reminds me of the rear hump on the GPX.

It's a shape that doesn't fit many grip styles comfortably, the flare out at the top is so aggressive it pushes your fingers back constantly, so any palm or relaxed claw isn't really comfortable for me. When using an aggressive claw, I do find it much more usable, and pinching the top part isn't as uncomfortable, though it's something to note for those more sensitive with the top width.

Another comfortable grip style for the shape would be a 1-3-1 aggressive claw grip, even then, the sensor placement is not that good, and you would be better off with most other hourglass shapes, as the side flare isn't that aggressive, making them more malleable to your preferred grip style.

The base features a 2.4G/Off/BT switch, a DPI button, the 1k Hz dongle with its compartment, and a set of full-size PTFE skates pre-installed. They are of rather low quality and what you would expect at this price range; still, they are usable.

The sensor sits at 46%; it's extremely low, especially considering the grip points the shape leads you to use. This is the biggest flaw on this mouse for me.

• Build integrity and coating

The build integrity is decent for the price, it has some side flex when pressing with both hands, and at the top the sides are less rigid with slightly more flex. Also, it sometimes pops when pressing in with a normal amount of pressure; the base does also have some flex when pressing with one hand, but nothing out of the ordinary.

None of this is really noticeable in-game, unless you are dead gripping it.

It has no coating, so it's smooth plastic with a slightly rough texture and has a slippery feeling in hand, though it didn't affect my grip points as much due to the curvature on the sides that makes it easier to pinch, but it does make the hump less supportive.

• Primary and side clicks

The main clicks are using Huano Transparent Blue shell pink dots, they are very crisp and tactile. They are very well implemented with rigid clicks that have minimal side-to-side wobble and minimal pre- and post-travel except when clicking at the top, which has a little more post-travel.

The clicks have a medium to high tension, they are very spammable and feel very responsive in-game. My only complaint would be the play at the top; it does have a weaker and more cheap-feeling pre-travel at the top, and also the rebound isn't as fast as I would have liked.

The side buttons, with a more forward position and a glossy finish, are not as well implemented, they present a little bit of side-to-side wobble. When clicking normally, the pre- and post-travel are minimal, but when applying more pressure, they have a lot of post-travel, and both can be sunk into the shell.

The side clicks are quite crisp and tactile and somewhat spammable, but the weaker implementation gives them a cheaper feeling, and the glossy finish can feel slippery for some people.

• Scroll wheel

The scroll has a rubberized finish with decently defined steps, it is using a mechanical F-switch encoder. It has a light scroll force but feels great to use and is very silent. I actually prefer it over WLmouse's implementation. There's minimal wobble on the scroll, with an M3 that is somewhat spammable with a very tactile click.

• Weight and balance

My unit weighs 54g with the pre-installed skates on, the density is balanced and feels similar to the Viper Mini in terms of weight, though the L9 X1's weight can be easily reduced by doing a battery swap since it has a 700mAh battery; changing it to a 200mAh or 150mAh and changing the skates for dot skates would probably take it to 45g more or less.

Besides that, the weight is not bad, but the pre-installed skates do hold it back a bit, as well as the sensor being placed further back. Also, the balance point aligns with the narrowest points on the sides, but having the side buttons slightly further up makes it feel back heavy at times.

• Software

It has a web software with 4 tabs:

1. Mouse keys: to bind any of the 5 mouse buttons to functions, keyboard binds, or macros.
2. Performance: to set the DPI (50 to 26000), the Polling rate (125 Hz to 1k Hz), change the sleep time (1 - 30 min), the click debounce (1ms to 20ms), LOD (1mm or 2mm), and to turn on or off Angle Snap, Motion Sync, and Ripple control.
3. Macros.
4. Mouse info: to update it or factory reset it.

• Performance

The performance, with a 3395, has been decent. I do feel the sensor is somewhat less responsive or more floaty than other implementations, but I could perform well on it, and at a similar price, I have only reviewed the Mchose G3, which had a similar feeling.

I mainly tested it on Fortnite and KovaaK's. The clicks were very spammable, though, as mentioned, they feel weak at times due to the tolerance at the top. For the price, I do think they are very good, the side buttons felt decent to use, and the glossy finish didn't bother me, but they could be improved. The lack of a coating was a problem I came across a lot, and with more relaxed grip styles, it can often lead to disconnections on the palm.

• Conclusion

Overall, the L9 X1 (1k version) at 30€ is a decent option on the market with great clicks and an easily moddable weight but with a major flaw, which is the low sensor position that doesn't align with the side walls or the middle of the side buttons, making it feel back heavy at times. Also, the lack of a coating, although normal at this price range, is still a big issue.

This unit was kindly sent out for review, although this won't change my opinion on the product itself.

Thank you to EPOMAKER for this opportunity.

• Contents of the box

1. EPOMAKER Carbonis
2. Type A to type C cable.
3. 8k Hz dongle.
4. Extra sets of full-size black skates.
5. Manual.

• Mouse shape and base.

The shape of the Carbonis is the same as the Superlight Dex but sized down around 2% and at a lower weight.

Its side curvature is focused on giving a lot of support to the thenar with a very pronounced left-side rear that narrows down towards the middle with a very narrow width on the left side to then flare out slightly at the top.

On the right, the rear, similar to other ergos, is slightly flatter but with that same pronounced profile for a bigger support on the hypothenar; it doesn't narrow down as much and maintains a rather medium width with no flaring out.

When it comes to the height, the side profile is the expected one for an ergo, though more rounded and higher in the rear but basically a very round profile that starts with a lower back that slopes up slowly, reaching its highest point in the middle to then slope down to the high main buttons.

For my hand size and grip style, with 18x10 hands and mostly aggressive claw, this is a shape that doesn't suit me at all. It feels uncomfortable as I have to constantly adjust my grip since the left side pushes too much into my palm, while the higher profile on the front and very wide rear limit side-to-side movement. This is not a flaw, just a shape that is not made for my hand and especially my grip style.

Do note that for any ergo, people with the similar hand size can have very different experiences with it, as the grip style and the contact points matter a lot.

For the Carbonis, a palm grip is much better suited, I would argue a relaxed claw is also suitable, though it depends on the size and tension of the thenar. At least for me, any grip style that can produce flex on the thenar will result in the mouse pushing too much into the palm, thus feeling forced in an uncomfortable position; that is the main reason I have to adjust my grip so much with it.

In the case of a palm grip, anything below my hand size should suit the shape fine, as for me, my fingers sit at the very edge of the clicks when palming it. It's a great shape for a palm grip, but the texture on the shell and the protuberances on the left may bother some people.

Besides, due to the lower size compared to most ergo mice and its narrowness, it provides good side-to-side mobility for palm grip, the lower clicks can also be better to some, but that is up to preference.

There are 6 protuberances on the left side that don't really provide any benefit really, maybe extra grip for a more relaxed grip centered on the thenar support, but that is something that could have been done with a proper coating.

Another addition that didn't make much sense to me was the LCD screen placed in the click separator, right below the scroll wheel; it doesn't serve much purpose really other than showing the DPI setting and battery life when you turn on the mouse. Although somewhat useful for checking the battery, it does add weight and could have been done on the dongle.

Regarding the base, it has a transparent design, featuring a forward sensor (56%) that aligns with the side buttons and the thumb placement when using a palm grip. The pre-installed full-size skates are the same black PTFE skates seen on the Carbon X, which feel extremely muddy, and I would highly recommend changing them for aftermarket skates.

• Build integrity and coating

The build integrity is really impressive, it's rock solid. I cannot make it flex on the sides even when pushing with both hands. However, the base does flex easily, but it can't be noticed in-game.

There's no coating, it has the pseudo-carbon-fiber texture that other brands are using. It's more or less grippy and sticky, but it's pretty bad compared to a proper coating, at least from my experience. Taking into account the shape is made for a palm, I wouldn't say it's as bad, but the overall texture and the ledges on the rear can still lead to disconnections in your grip.

• Primary and side clicks

The main clicks are not specified, most likely Omron Opticals, the clicks are quite tactile and crisp, and the feel is quite responsive in-game. The buttons themselves have some little side-to-side wobble, but it isn't really noticeable when playing, with some pre-travel and little to no post-travel even on the edge of the click. It does have some play at the top and can feel weak when tapping hard.

All in all, I do like the main clicks, but the tension is medium to low, slightly less than I would have wanted.

The side buttons are decently implemented; they are crisp and tactile and feel great in-game with no problems I came across. They do sink in the shell when pressing hard on M5 and applying normal pressure on M4, they have very little pre-travel and some post-travel. The implementation could be improved, but it is not the worst.

• Scroll wheel

The scroll has a rubberized finish with defined steps, it is using a mechanical encoder with a medium scroll force with a rather cheaper feeling. There's very little wobble on the scroll, although it can't be reproduced when using it normally.

M3 has a high actuation force, with a tactile click that is extremely hard to actuate, the scroll sits relatively close in height compared to the clicks, similar to most ergos.

• Weight and balance

My unit weighs 54g with 5 dot skates installed, considering the rock-solid build quality and density of the mouse, it's a very good weight.

The weight distribution is well done, with the balance point being at the narrowest point on the left side, aligning both with the middle of the side buttons and the sensor.

• Software

It has a web software with 3 tabs:

1. Performace: it let's you select between the 3 available profiles; change settings like Debounce time (0-15 ms), LOD (0.7mm, 1mm or 2mm), Motion sync, Polling rate (125 Hz - 8k Hz), Sleep time (1 min - 30 min), Ripple control, 20k FPS, Angle snap, Sleep wake-up, LCD Sleep mode (Auto sleep or Sleep follow device), and the DPI with up to 5 stages (from 50 to 30k DPI).
2. Keybinding: to remap any of the 5 mouse buttons to keyboard binds, macros, etc.
3. Macro.

• Performance

Performance-wise I had no wireless interferences or issues of any kind, the polling rate is stable, though I mainly used it at 1k Hz. The battery life was decent, probably around 2 weeks at 1k Hz but it's an estimate. Removing the LCD screen or having an option to have it always turned off would contribute to making the battery life better.

I mainly used it on Fortnite, the clicks have a good implementation, and they are quite spammable, but the higher front makes them worse for me to use regularly, and they have a weak rebound when tapping near the edge, making them feel cheap. The side buttons have better tension than the main clicks, but the lack of coating and how little they protrude also makes them feel cheap.

• Conclusion

The Carbonis has a lot of flaws: the lack of a proper coating with its carbon texture that most people don't like, the LCD screen, which adds weight and lowers battery life while being pretty much useless for me; very bad pre-installed skates, and a cheap feeling of both the main and side buttons. It does have a pretty good implementation on the main buttons and a smaller ergo shape at a relatively low weight of 54g, but the cons outweigh the pros by a big margin.

It's very disappointing comparing it to EPOMAKER's last release, the Carbon X, which is a great mouse with very minor flaws and a great budget option in the market.

This unit was kindly sent out for review, although this won't change my opinion on the product itself.

Thank you to WAIZOWL for this opportunity.

• Contents of the box

1. WAIZOWL Triaina
2. Type-A to type-C cable.
3. 8k Hz receiver.
4. Grip tape.
5. Set of Virgin PTFE skates.
6. 10 extra dot skates.
7. Manual.

• Mouse shape and base.

The shape of the Triaina is very similar to the Zowie FK2 as well as the Pulsar eS Fs1, though with noticeable differences.

The Triaina has a shorter body with the sides narrowing down towards the front compared to the more flared-out sides on the FK2, making it easier to use more forward grip points as the sides don't push the fingers back as much due to the noticeable protuberance at the top of the shell.

Also, the Triaina presents slightly lower main clicks and a minorly more rounded back, the latter being not as noticeable, but the lower clicks are a nice addition for an already low-profile shape.

Regarding the width, it presents an extremely wide rear that narrows down at around 40% of the shell, with it flaring out towards the top very slowly.

When it comes to the height, it has a more centered hump-side profile with its lower rear and medium height center leading to low-height main clicks with extremely subtle finger grooves.

My experience with the shape, with my 18x10 and aggressive to relaxed claw, has been great.

The in-hand feeling of the Triaina really reminded me of the Op1 which is my favourite shape, not because of the overall dimensions, as the shapes are very different, but rather the maneuverability they both provide.

Surprisingly, the Triaina with its very bulbous back didn't really limit my finger mobility; this is due to the hump being flatter on the sides, where the thenar and hypothenar would support on, similar to what you would see on the Op1 but at a lower height. It does limit the range of motion due to the length compared to the FK2; the rear hump does provide good enough support for my grip style with no disconnections in my grip during my time using it.

The low profile shape is extremely comfortable giving a sense of freedom and side to side mobility that not many shapes can provide, in my eyes it's a great option for those that like the narrowness of the Op1 but would prefer a slightly wider/bigger shape since they present many similarities in terms of the benefits and grip styles they are made towards.

Now, talking about the cut-outs and engravings, the cut-outs on the shell are present mostly on the back with diamond-shaped holes that weren't really noticeable for me when using it, though it may be a problem for some, as they have had a tendency to attract more dirt on the right side, which is something I never experienced with mice with a similar shell design, though it's easily cleaned with just a toothpick.

Also, the engravings are placed on both sides, and although they seemed annoying to me at first, when using the mouse, it's not really something I noticed or that throws me off like I experienced in the past with the side cut-outs on the Akitsu or the Beast X; they didn't attract as much dirt, nor did they provide extra grip.

The base features an open design made of plastic with decent structural integrity, with an On/Off switch and a more forward sensor (56%). There are some ridges on the base which limit the choice on full-size skates, the ones included are 100% virgin PTFE and great quality.

• Build integrity and coating

The build integrity, with the shell made of fiberglass-carbon composite, was one of the main concerns and problems with the Triaina when it first released. I believe these problems (side flex with side buttons actuating and flex on the rear hump) have been fixed, as my unit is basically perfect.

It has minor side flex with no actuation of the side buttons; the hump has no flex. My only issues are some flex on the widest point on the right side and some flex on the base, which is normal considering it's an open design made of plastic. All in all, I couldn't notice any flex when using it and felt very solid.

The coating is very good, with a smooth finish for drier hands and a grippier, more chalk-like feeling for warmer hands. It also contributes to making the holes and engravings less noticeable when playing, it is not too grippy to the point it can stick to your hand and get in the way when mixing grip styles, though I do think it's good enough.

• Primary and side clicks

The main clicks are using TTC Opticals V2, they are pretty crisp and quite tactile. They feel responsive in-game, though the initial pre-travel can be noticeable at times, the post-travel is close to none when clicking around the scroll wheel and a little more on the very edge but not to the point of making it feel mushy.

The buttons themselves are well implemented, aside from the initial pre-travel, it somewhat makes up for it with very firm feeling clicks with minimal play at the top, no side-to-side wobble and medium to high tension on the clicks, they are not the most spammable clicks but very solid.

I did come across an issue in my unit, sometimes when clicking it makes it sound as if the click was rubbing against the click separator. I didn't notice it with my headphones, but it's something to note.

The side buttons are placed slightly back compared to the sensor, their position is still centered, they protrude a normal amount and have a flat shape, mostly comfortable to use for me.

The implementation is good, they have very slight pre- and post-travel, and they feel quite responsive, with a crisp click that is not that tactile, they are firm with no wobble and are not that spammable, though it wasn't a problem.

• Scroll wheel

The scroll wheel has a rubberized finish with defined steps; the scroll force is rather medium. It has a very slight side-to-side wobble, but it can't be caused when using it normally, it is using a TTC Gold encoder.

M3 has a medium-to-high actuation force, with a click that isn't very crisp and not that tactile, it feels heavy for me to actuate at first, not as hard as EGG's implementation, but due to the higher height on the scroll it isn't that comfortable.

• Weight and balance

My unit weighs 50g with the fullsize skates installed, it feels light in hand and my only real gripe would be the placement of the battery as it's at the very back of the mouse, the higher density on the rear wasn't really noticeable for my grip style though it can feel slugish for a more back grip, especially a fingertip grip.

All in all, I think most people downplay the weight when it's at what I would consider a balanced value in terms of both weight and density; the weight distribution is good but not the best due to the battery placement, with the balance point being in the middle slightly back to the side buttons.

• Software

It has a web software with 8 tabs:

1. Status: to show your current DPI, polling rate, LOD and battery life, as well as the firmware version.
2. Button functions: to bind any of the 5 mouse buttons to different shortcuts, keys, etc.
3. DPI: to change the DPI values on 5 different profiles, a different DPI on the X and Y axis can also be enabled. I have one issue with this tab: my mouse changes the DPI randomly when playing. You can fix this by changing the number of profiles to one by aiming at the circle next to "DPI Adjustments".
4. Polling rate: to change both polling rate (125Hz to 8k Hz) and LOD (2mm or 1mm), the polling rate has the same problem as the DPI, where it just randomly changes. This one happens less often but is even worse since there is no workaround. Regarding the LOD, in the beginning there was a bug with the LOD that made it so the values didn't match, and the 2mm option made it 1mm, and the 1mm made it 0.7mm. Since there is still no 0.7mm value, I assume they haven't fixed it.
5. Receiver light: 3 different modes for the light effect and availability to change the speed and brightness. The light in the dongle does stay on when the mouse is not detected or off.
6. Macros.
7. Performance settings: settings like Motion Sync, Ripple Control, Sleep time, Line correction, Scroll direction, Left mouse button lock, High-Speed, and Speed mode as well as changing the sensor angle.
8. Firmware: to update the firmware for both the dongle and mouse.

• Performance

The performance on my unit has been flawless, it's using a 3950, so DPI deviation will be present if you use a very high DPI. The battery life is very long-lasting, although I used it mainly on 1k Hz, for which I had no polling instability with High-Speed mode off.

I mainly tested it on Fortnite and Kovaaks.

On Fortnite, the clicks were great with the feeling they provide, as they are very firm and responsive, though they are not the most spammable, and clicking at the top can make the pre-travel more apparent. I do really like the implementation. The side buttons I had no problem with, the implementation of the clicks is very good, as they can't be pressed into the shell and the post-travel is rather minimal.

On KovaaKs, I performed as expected with it, similar to more narrow shapes, it's great at mixing grip styles, though I think it's one of the weakest when doing fingertip tracking with more back grip points due to the width on the rear.

• Conclusion

Overall, the Triaina with the FK2 shape and at 50g is an incredible mouse for medium-sized hands, though I did have some issues like the rubbing on the clicks and the change in DPI and polling rate at random times as well as the lack of a 0.7 mm LOD setting, both of which could be fixed with a firmware update. I do really like the mouse and I see myself coming back to it quite often for the shape, but I hope they fix all the firmware issues it has.

This unit was kindly sent for review, though this will not affect my opinion of the product.

Thanks to Sennheiser for the opportunity.

• Contents

1. Sennheiser HD 599 headphones.
2. 3 m cable with straight 6.3 mm connector (professional jack).
3. 1.2 m cable with straight 3.5 mm connector (portable use / console).
4. 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter.
5. Manual / documentation.

The box contents are simple but functional. Sennheiser opts for two cables of different lengths that perfectly cover the two main use scenarios: desktop or studio listening (3 m / 6.3 mm) and connection to portable devices or consoles (1.2 m / 3.5 mm). There is no carrying case, which clearly reflects that the intended use is indoors. Even so, a case or storage pouch would have been a welcome touch for more comfortable transport when
traveling.

• Design and Construction

The HD 599 features the characteristic and recognizable design of Sennheiser's HD. 500 series, with matte metallic details on the cups and headband that convey a premium feel. It is a classic, serious, and comfortable audiophile design, no RGB, no aggressive plastics, no exaggerated curves.

The build quality, however, is a debatable point. The entire chassis, including the headband, the cups and the yokes are made of plastic. The tolerance levels and finish are correct for the price range in which they compete, with acceptable rigidity and joints that do not creak, but the feel to the touch is admittedly something that today feels lower quality than some of its competitors. One clear positive regarding the chassis is its weight: 250 g is an excellent figure for a full-size circumaural headphone of this size, and it contributes directly to comfort during long sessions.

The headband features a stitched leather band, and the adjustment mechanism slides smoothly. The cups offer a limited range of swivel, sufficient to accommodate different head shapes but falling short of what are considered current minimums of 85–90°. A notable point is the ease of pad replacement: they detach and snap back on with a simple clip in a matter of seconds, making replacement a trivial process that significantly extends the product's useful life.

• Controls and Connections

The HD 599 are purely passive and analog headphones. They incorporate no active electronics whatsoever, which completely eliminates the need for batteries, Bluetooth pairing or firmware updates. The only physical interface consists of the cable connectors:

1. Proprietary locking connector on the left cup (quarter-turn bayonet system).
2. Two included cables with different output connectors (6.3 mm and 3.5 mm).
3. 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter for extended compatibility.

The cable connection system deserves special mention: the proprietary cup connector locks in place with a simple 90° twist, securing firmly with no risk of accidental disconnection. At the same time, removal is immediate and intuitive. It is a refined design detail that contrasts positively with the full-thread connectors or standard mini-jacks typically used at this price range.

These are pure listening headphones, with no concessions to productivity or calls. For users seeking a versatile headset, Sennheiser offers the HD 500 BAM (Boom Arm Microphone) accessory, designed specifically for this series, which allows the addition of an articulated boom microphone to turn the HD 599 into a full headset for calls and communication without sacrificing the audio quality of the base headphone.

• Connectivity and Compatibility

- Connection options

1. 3.5 mm jack (standard connection for smartphones, laptops, portable consoles, console controllers).
2. 6.3 mm jack (standard connection for amplifiers, audio interfaces, Hi-Fi receivers).

- Compatible platforms

1. PC (motherboard audio output or dedicated sound card).
2. PlayStation / Xbox / Nintendo Switch (via controller or USB adapter).
3. Mobile (with USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter or direct jack output).
4. Hi-Fi amplifiers and audio receivers.
5. Audio interfaces and studio equipment.

Thanks to their 50 Ω impedance and 106 dB SPL sensitivity, the HD 599 are compatible with virtually any audio source without the need for external amplification. A modern smartphone, a laptop, or a console controller can drive them perfectly well, although the headphone's full potential is unlocked when connected to a low output impedance source or a quality DAC/amplifier. In this latter scenario, the improvement in sonic body and image control is notable and clearly rewards the additional investment.

A technical caveat applicable to any low-impedance headphone: bass response can be affected if the output impedance of the source is high, as the interaction between both impedances alters the frequency curve. This is not a particularity of the HD 599, but a general consideration in audio electronics. A reasonably good source is sufficient to fully enjoy the headphones; those wishing to extract maximum performance can opt for a DAC/amplifier with low output impedance.

• Sound and Experience

This is the core of the product and, at the same time, its greatest strength. The HD 599 uses 38 mm dynamic transducers with Sennheiser's Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (E.A.R.) technology, which channels the audio signal from the driver towards the ear at a calculated angle to maximize the naturalness of the soundstage. The result is a warm signature, with a slight emphasis in the bass-midrange region, present mids and refined treble without aggressiveness.

- Bass

The most debated aspect of the sound signature. The HD 599 displays a slight boost of up to 5 dB in the upper bass compared to a neutral reference curve, which adds warmth and body, but can be perceived as a certain opacity or veil in comparison to more analytical headphones. The sub-bass extends in a surprisingly solid manner for an open-back at this price, clearly surpassing predecessors such as the HD 558 or HD 598, and in suitable tracks it can be felt physically more than heard. The bass is controlled, fast, and without excessive reverb, although in genres where spectral balance matters greatly (high-definition jazz, uncolored classical music), the extra warmth can feel somewhat dark to more analytical ears.

- Midrange

The point of greatest positive consensus. The mids are clean, present, and slightly forward of neutral, which benefits the human voice, both female and male, as well as string and wind instruments. Electric guitars in particular sound with a slightly more pronounced attack than neutral, a deliberate coloration that will be pleasing across many rock genres. The tonal accuracy in the midrange is exceptionally realistic: trained-ear musicians agree that the vocal and instrumental reproduction sounds organic, without the artificiality of many competing drivers in its price range.

- Treble

The most modest aspect of the package, though by no means deficient. The HD 599 has a measured peak between 8–10 kHz of around 3–5 dB, which adds a brightness or shimmer characteristic of the Sennheiser house sound. This boost gives cymbals and strings a pleasing presence but can cause listening fatigue in very long sessions or at high volumes. At moderate volume, the high frequencies are airy and detailed, with no obvious sibilance. On the negative side, at very high volumes, the response at the upper end depends considerably on the source being used; with a clean and well-controlled source, the behaviour improves noticeably, although in any case an equalizer can help smooth the peak.

- Soundstage and Imaging

The most spectacular and distinctive aspect of the HD 599, and arguably its strongest argument against the competition in its price range. The soundstage is wide, generous, and three-dimensional in a way that is genuinely surprising for the price. Positional imaging is precise: it is possible to identify the exact location of each instrument within an orchestration, distinguish individual choral voices within a choir, and perceive surround sound effects in video games or films with a clarity that surpasses far more expensive closed-back headphones. A comparison with the HD 800 can be ventured; they do not reach that level, but the difference relative to the price gap is remarkable.

The HD 599 can be recommended without hesitation for gaming purposes: the spatial separation and positional imaging make them exceptionally effective at locating footsteps, gunshots, or environmental elements in competitive or immersive adventure titles.

- Instrumental Separation

Directly derived from the wide soundstage, instrumental separation is another class reference point. In dense recordings with multiple instruments, the HD 599 is capable of untangling the mix and presenting each element with its own space, without frequencies overlapping or masking one another. This characteristic makes them particularly interesting for musical analysis, and they are highly recommended as an entry-level option for amateur production.

- Source Versatility

A frequently highlighted aspect is their versatility with different source types. Connected to a warm-sounding DAC, the sonic body is noticeably enriched, and the bass gains presence. With an analytical DAC, the headphone adopts a more clinical profile that allows the HD 599 to be used as a critical listening tool. This adaptability to the signal chain makes them a valid headphone both for the music lover who wants to enjoy, and for the enthusiast who wants to analyze.

- Limitation at Extreme Volumes

One of the few negatives of the HD 599 is that at exaggeratedly high volumes, easily perceptible distortion can appear. At normal or even high listening levels, there is no issue whatsoever, but those in the habit of listening at absolute maximum volume should bear this in mind. It should be noted that behaviour under these conditions does not depend exclusively on the headphone: a quality source with low inherent distortion can considerably improve performance in this regard.

• Comfort

One of the undisputed strong points. They offer exceptional comfort for their price range. The 250 g weight, the low clamping force, the velour ear pads with generous memory foam, and the circumaural cups with a generous diameter make these ideal headphones for long sessions.

The velour pads are a differentiating element compared to the leatherette or faux leather materials common in the competition, allowing better breathability, generating no noticeable heat in temperate environments, and are soft to the touch. For people with larger ears, it is advisable to check the dimensions before purchasing, as if the fit is too tight, it can create pressure on the cartilage after hours of use.

The padded headband with anti-vibration rubber minimizes structural noise when moving the head, and the adjustment mechanism is smooth and stable. I would consider them among the most comfortable headphones I have used during long sessions, with an almost imperceptible clamping force, this can be a very significant differentiator for those who experience discomfort from headphone pressure after hours of use.

• Conclusion

The Sennheiser HD 599 is one of the better products in its price range. Its warm and spacious sonic signature, its comfort, its class-leading soundstage and its precise positional imaging make it a near-unbeatable option for anyone seeking a high-quality home listening headphone at a very accessible price.

It is not perfect. The all-plastic construction sits in contradiction beside the audio quality it delivers, and in that regard there are competitors offering more premium materials. The slight bump in the upper bass may be excessive for audiophiles seeking a completely neutral response. And of course, being an open-back with significant sound leakage, its use in shared spaces or noisy environments is limited: these are headphones to enjoy at home, in the studio, or in any setting where the surroundings allow it, not on public transport or in busy offices.

However, none of these negatives affect the primary sonic performance, which is where the HD 599 shines with an intensity that is difficult to match in its price segment. They are also extraordinarily versatile in terms of source: they work well from a smartphone and scale upwards with every improvement to the signal chain, which makes them an ideal starting point for those wishing to enter the audiophile audio world without locking themselves into a closed ecosystem.

A very safe purchase both for those wanting to enter the higher-end audio range, and for the desktop listener who prioritizes audio quality, comfort, and longevity. Quite possibly the definitive reference open-back under 150 euros.

• Technical Specifications

1. Type: Circumaural open-back (open-back).
2. Driver: 38 mm dynamic – E.A.R. (Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement) technology.
3. Frequency response: 12 Hz – 38,500 Hz.
4. Impedance: 50 Ω.
5. Sound pressure level (SPL): 106 dB (1 kHz / 1 Vrms).
6. THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): < 0.1% (1 kHz, 100 dB SPL).
7. Weight: 250 g (without cable).
8. Included cables: 3 m / 6.3 mm + 1.2 m / 3.5 mm.
9. Cup connector: Proprietary bayonet (quarter-turn lock).
10. Ear pads: Velour with memory foam (replaceable).
11. Headband: Sliding adjustment – leather / faux-leather band.
12. Connectivity: Wired analogue only.
13. Microphone: Not included – compatible with HD 500 BAM accessory (Boom Arm).
14. Microphone, sold separately.
15. Battery: Not applicable (passive).
16. Software: Not applicable.

*DISCLAIMER*: WLMouse has put out an statement about issues on QC on the early batches both for the global and regional release, so take everything I say with a grain of salt as it may change on the upcoming batch. Also this unit was sent out for review, although this won't change my opinion on the product itself.

I received the Beast G Medium yesterday, here are my first impressions:

The shape is the exact as the Beast X Medium, except for the separated side buttons on the Beast G, so I won't touch on that.

The main thing is the material used, the build quality is perfect on my unit, comparing it side to side to the Ying MG I can feel the side walls being less rigid on the Beast G but nothing that will result on any kind of bend or flex, the in hand feeling and coating are similar, but with the magnesium shell being colder and a more premium feel.

Regarding the clicks, they are not as solid, presenting a lot more play and wobble on the top, when clicking around the scroll wheel area they feel fine in terms of pre- and post-travel, but further up the added pre-travel is a lot more noticeable and feels rather cheap.

The buttons are not as light as the Omrons though still have a decently quick rebound, other than that there's minimal side to side wobble except at the top, even with the open design, they are very spammable and quite tactile.

Overall, it's a big downgrade on the clicks compared to their magnesium shell, and it isn't really justified by the price since there are implementations miles better at a similar price.

The scroll wheel feels similar than other WLMouse products with a rather cheap feeling, not as defined steps and light scroll force.

The extra accesories included are very high value, especially for the price, with 20 WL White dot skates (same as the ones on the Ying MG), 1 set of full size skates, 1 set of corner skates, and 2 sets of grip tape.

Lastly, in terms of performance I haven't had any tracking issues as I have seen online, though with the absence of the web software right now those issues may or may not be solved in the near future. I have used it on Kovaaks switching between it and my Op1w 4k and I had more or less similar scores and had no real issues performance wise.

In conclusion, the Beast G is a decent product in terms of value but with very dissapointing clicks, and a scroll wheel that hasn't been improved from their other mice, I think there are way better options on the market at this price, though this may be different on their future batches.

This unit was kindly sent out for review, although this won't change my opinion on the product itself.

Thank you to CRDRAKO for this opportunity.

• Contents of the box

1. CRDRAKO KO-ONE
2. Type-A to type-C cable.
3. 8k Hz receiver.
4. Grip tape.
5. Extra set of Virgin PTFE skates.
6. 10 Westlab Orange dot skates.
7. Westlab full-size skates.
8. Manual.

• Mouse shape, base, and accessories

The shape of the KO-ONE is one that's very unique; when it was announced, most people, myself included, thought it would be a narrow shape very similar in hand to the Op1 as it is shown on Eloshapes, but that is not the case at all.

The differences on both are very major during use; the length on the KO-ONE is very noticeable, and it reminded me of smaller shapes like the Beast X Mini or the X2H. It makes the mouse more focused around the aggressive support on the rear and less of a universal fingertip-to-claw shape like the Op1.

Its back hump is also the other biggest difference; it's wider than the Op1's and it will get in the way when doing vertical adjustments with the fingertips. The rear is more bulbous in the sense that its widest point would connect directly with the thenar, providing a more stable point when using any form of aggressive claw.

Compare this to the Op1, a marginally longer shape with a flatter rear that allows for more freedom when choosing the type of claw grip to use and its contact points, as well as being a much smoother shape to mix with a fingertip grip.

All of this isn't to say the KO-ONE is bad by any means, but to impose how different the two shapes are and how both of them do an excellent job at what they are aimed towards.

Regarding the height, the back slopes up rather slowly, reaching its highest point at around 35%, similar to the X2 Mini, then it slopes down towards the clicks, which slope down slightly at the very edge.

When it comes to the width, it has a very wide rear with respect to its size, which narrows down towards the middle of the side buttons, at around 60%, to then maintain this same width throughout the rest of the shell.

From my experience using it, with my 18x10 hands and aggressive to relaxed claw, it's one of my favorite claw shapes right now.

The rear hump gives natural support on the thenar that's much more aggressive than the one on the Op1. Due to this more outward support and shorter body, it relies more on using an aggressive grip that's locked in place. The hump, as well as the coating, does get in the way when trying to do any kind of fingertip movement, unless you use a pincer claw, as that would free the hypothenar and let you mix the grip more easily.

Even then, it's one of the better aggressive claw shapes for hands up to 19x10, as its narrow front provides more range of motion on the wrist, and micro-adjusting with the fingertips, although not as easy as with the Op1, is still viable.

For fingertip grip, which I don't use outside of aim training, it can be one of the better alternatives within full-size mice, as the hump can be used to support the pinky or thumb depending on your type of fingertip grip.

I do think it's better than the Op1 for fingertip due to its lower weight, but the sides don't reach their narrowest points until 60% of the shell, so it's more beneficial for more forward grip styles.

The base features an open design, similar to the ones on Pulsar mice, with a centered sensor, an On/Off switch, and a set of decently thick and rounded white PTFE skates pre-installed.

The skates are the same 99.5% PTFE that is seen on many other mice on the market; their dynamic friction is decent, and the static is slightly more than what I would recommend. Basically, most aftermarket skates will be better. Though, on the box, they already include a set of virgin PTFE skates, Westlab dot skates, and Westlabfull-size skates; every one of these is very high quality, so you won't need to buy any aftermarket skates.

The dongle, which is something I usually don't cover, is the best in terms of quality of life improvements. It's a small screen with information on the mouse's wireless signal, battery life, DPI level, Polling rate, Motion sync, SPDT and Competitive mode. It also has 3 buttons to change the DPI, Polling rate and turning Competitive mode On or Off.

• Build integrity and coating

The build integrity is great, especially considering the weight; there's minor bending on the side when applying a lot of pressure, but nothing that is noticeable during normal use; there's also no creaking and no popping.

There's some bending on the base, but this is common on most open design bases, though it can't be felt when using it.

All in all, I doubt the rigidity can be improved considering the weight, how solid it feels in hand, and how I had 0 issues when using it. I would say it's pretty much perfect in that sense.

The coating is good; it has a smooth finish that feels quite grippy with warmer hands and does leave very notable fingerprints on my black unit. It makes my hands sweat more easily than most mice, so that smoothness isn't something I even felt in any real use case scenario.

Besides, the coating helps a lot with stability on the rear hump, so I don't think there are many major improvements that can be done here, though this may differ from person to person.

• Primary and side clicks

The primary clicks, aside from the shape, are the main selling point since they have SPDT, which is something that, correct me if I'm wrong, only 5 mice currently have on the market: those would be the Sora V3, Op1, Xm2, Lycan, and KO-ONE.

In terms of implementation, it's very well implemented compared to my Op1w 4k and Xm2w 4k; the KO-ONE actually, from my experience, is the one that I had fewer instances of double clicking. Overall, you can expect a similar feeling to EGG's implementation, but slightly more refined.

M1 and M2 are using a collaboration switch between Huano and CRDRAKO called Crispy Pink. It's a very spammable click that's very crispy and quite tactile. The buttons themselves are also well implemented with minimal side-to-side wobble, no pre- and very minor post-travel. It's one of the better implementations in the market, in my opinion.

The side buttons have a very small size, which would be my only real complaint, though they have a shape that protrudes towards the middle, making them easier to actuate.

Besides, they have a very good implementation with a very tactile and responsive click that feels very firm and has minimal pre- and post-travel, though it can sink into the shell if an unreasonable amount of pressure is applied.

• Scroll wheel

The scroll wheel has a rubberized finish with very defined steps; it uses a TTC Gold encoder, and the scroll force is rather medium.

M3 is on the heavier side; the click is hardly spammable and decently tactile.

For the most part, the finish, scroll feeling, and low position make it feel high quality but also easy to access, though M3 is exceptionally heavy for me.

• Weight and balance

My unit weighs 39g with the pre-installed skates on; with dot skates, it should be around 37g, which, considering the size and in-hand feeling, is extremely impressive. It has a lower density even with its small size, and with decent weight distribution, as its balance point is in the middle of the side buttons, which are slightly forward compared to the sensor.

• Software

It uses a web software with 5 tabs:

1. Basic settings: to change the DPI (with 5 DPI profiles and in intervals of 50), the RGB color, LOD (0.7 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm), Sleep time (1-30 min), Polling rate (125 Hz-8 kHz), or turn Competitive mode On or Off.
2. Advanced Settings: to set the debounce time (0-8 ms), turn SPDT On or Off, as well as settings like Motion Sync, Ripple Control, Angle Snap, and Tournament Scroll (with a Windows time from 100 ms to 1000 ms), as well as changing the sensor angle and binding any of the 5 mouse buttons.
3. Macros.
4. Surface calibration.
5. Home: to update the firmware or pair the dongle.

• Performance

The performance has been great; it's using a PixArt 3950 and a NORDIC54H20, so even for the battery size, it had great battery life with competitive mode off, which I don't recommend turning on unless there's polling instability on your unit.

I tested it mainly on Fortnite and Kovaak's.

As mentioned, I had no polling instability, though I mainly use 1k Hz since above that it's very unstable on Fortnite, but even on 4k polling it's stable with competitive mode on or off.

On Fortnite, the side buttons were my main issue, but I more or less got used to them. The main clicks were extremely good, some of the best in terms of spammability and the overall implementation.

On Kovaak's, I PB'd on some tracking scenarios, but I could match those scores with other mice. Besides that, in fingertip tracking scenarios, it's one of the better mice for me due to the weight and support on the rear.

• Conclusion

Overall, the KO-ONE is one of the best mice to release this year; it's within what I consider a reasonable price range, considering the uniqueness of the shape, low weight, incredible clicks, and great dongle. Even if the side buttons aren't the best due to the size, it wasn't a real problem for me after using it for around 3 weeks.

This unit was kindly sent for review, though this will not affect my opinion of the product.

Thanks to MCHOSE for the opportunity.

• Box contents

1. MCHOSE V9 Turbo+.
2. Wireless magnetic charging dock.
3. USB-C 2.4 GHz dongle.
4. USB-C to USB-A adapter.
5. USB-A to USB-C cable (charging and data).
6. Detachable omnidirectional microphone.
7. Extra breathable fabric ear pads.
8. Manual / documentation.

• Design and build quality

The V9 Turbo+ has a simple, less aggressive aesthetic than most gaming headsets. It keeps a gaming look but tones it down considerably, avoiding visual excess, as it makes them suitable for both gaming and more neutral environments.

The build feels solid. It does not feel like they cut corners on the product with cheap or hollow plastics, but rather a high-quality aluminum construction, which is very impressive at this price point.

At around 320g, it sits on the lighter end for a premium wireless gaming headset. One of its most differential aspects is the clamping force, these are by far the headset where I have felt it the least. If any clamping builds up at all, it is very minor and only after many hours of continuous use, which makes them noticeably better during long sessions.

Another advantage is the inclusion of two sets of ear pads:

1. Protein leather with ice cooling effect: the default pair. Despite being synthetic leather, the finish and quality feel premium, and they are surprisingly cool for this type of material. Sound isolation is good and does its job well.
2. Breathable cotton fabric: included in the box accessories. These breathe better on warmer days, though they do sacrifice some sound isolation compared to the leather pair.

The headband extension mechanism is quite stiff, which could lead to significant wear over time if forced repeatedly.

The cups rotate 90°, allowing them to rest comfortably on your neck or desk. I consider this practically mandatory on any headset regardless of price mark, though there are other premium options out there that still do not offer it.

One notable thing is the absence of battery replaceability, which has become standard on premium headsets.

• Magnetic charging dock

The wireless magnetic charging dock really is a great quality of life improvement, it genuinely changes the daily experience. Finishing a session, setting the headset on the dock, and having it charged and ready for the next one means you rarely have to think about battery at all. After weeks of use I have not had a single battery-related issue. Once you get used to the dock, going back to conventional charging feels like a step backwards.

Pros:

1. Configurable RGB integration.
2. Functions as the 2.4 GHz dongle receiver.
3. Keeps the setup clean and cable-free.
4. Includes status indicator lights for the headset.

Cons:

1. The dock is large and takes up a fair amount of desk space.
2. Its irregular shape means there is only one correct orientation for charging.
3. The status indicator light and the 2.4 GHz dongle light cannot be turned off. A software option to disable them would be very welcome.

Despite these minor complaints, it is one of the best additions I have seen in a gaming headset at this price range recently.

• Controls and connections

All controls are on the left cup:

1. Volume wheel.
2. Power button.
3. Multifunction button.
4. Microphone mute button.
5. USB-C port.
6. Detachable microphone connector.

The layout is functional and reasonably intuitive. Unlike similar designs such as the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, the buttons here are well differentiated by touch, which helps build muscle memory for smooth use, though there are a couple of questionable decisions.

The volume wheel works well, but it cannot be pressed to mute audio, which at this point should be the standard.

The multifunction button allows you to:

1. Play/pause.
2. Switch between connections (e.g phone and PC).
3. Cycle through sound modes.

All without needing to open the software, a clear advantage over brands like Corsair, which do not offer this functionality.

• Connectivity and compatibility

Connection options:

1. 2.4 GHz wireless.
2. Bluetooth 5.3.
3. Wired USB-C.

Compatible platforms:

1. PC.
2. PlayStation 4/5.
3. Nintendo Switch (Gen 1 and 2).
4. Mobile.
5. Steam Deck.

It's not compatible with any Xbox model, which may be a deciding factor for some.

Connectivity is one of its strongest points. The 2.4 GHz mode offers extremely low latency (15 ms), practically indistinguishable from a wired connection during real use.

Bluetooth works well for multimedia and mobile use, though as always, it remains unsuitable for competitive gaming due to its higher latency.

• Sound and experience

The 60 mm drivers promise an immersive sound with deep bass.

They are tuned for competitive gaming, and in that sense it's noticeable with:

1. Excellent positional audio.
2. Very good directional separation.
3. Very low latency.
4. Clear footstep reproduction in FPS games.

The software offers two game modes to choose from depending on your FPS preference, and the virtual 7.1 surround genuinely impressed me, it is one of the better implementations I have heard at this price range.

That said, despite the 60 mm drivers, the bass does not deliver the impact it promises. Out of the box, the V9 Turbo+ prioritizes mids and highs, pushing bass into the background. This tuning clearly targets competitive gamers, which benefits the intended audience but works against those looking for a more multimedia-oriented experience; music, films, series, or single-player games will feel a lack of bass.

Even with EQ adjustments in the software, I find it difficult to get truly impactful bass out of these headphones, so I would not recommend them to audiophiles or those who prioritize a balanced sound signature.

• Software

The MCHOSE HUB software has 6 tabs:

- Audio configurator

• Regular parameters: it has the most important audio and microphone settings in one place:
  1. Base volume adjustment.
  2. Sound notification volume.
  3. Microphone volume.
  4. AI Noise Reduction: reduces ambient interference on the microphone input.
  5. Microphone monitoring: to hear your mic input in real time.
  6. Quick access to Windows sound devices.
  7. Audio brightness: enhances high frequencies for a cleaner, more detailed sound (0-10 intensity).
  8. Dynamic low frequency: adjusts bass frequencies with selectable suppression (100-400 Hz, 0-10 intensity).
  9. Smart volume: automatically balances volume levels, there are two modes: Music (High) and Voice (Low) (0-10 intensity).
  10. Vocal clarity: optimizes the voice frequency range, reducing background noise (0-10 intensity, 0-20 dB suppression).
• Equalizer: full customization from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with a range of -20 to +20.
• Preset options:
  1. Official game profiles (CS2, Valorant, PUBG, Apex, and more) and music genre presets (rap, jazz, rock, classical, vocal, etc.)
  2. Pro player configurations for competitive games.
  3. Cloud profiles downloaded from other users (up to 20 saved profiles; requires WeChat login, a significant limitation for most people)
  4. Fully custom profiles, with no limit.
• Sound mode: toggle between Game Mode 1, Game Mode 2, and Music Mode
• Virtual 7.1 surround: activate surround and choose between Music/Game and Movie modes, with a speaker test to help you decide

- Lighting configurator

Controls the charging dock's RGB: lighting effects, brightness (1–5), and full RGB/Hex colour palette.

- Other settings

1. Power management: auto-off timer (15, 30, 45 min). An unlimited option and a more granular slider would have been appreciated.
2. Independent firmware updater for the dock, headset, and receiver.
3. Factory reset.

One major pro: all settings are saved natively on the headset, so the software does not need to run in the background.

Some cons:

1. Sound notifications are extremely intrusive, this is the worst flaw I found. A voice prompt plays every time you power on/off, change mode, mute the mic, or switch connections, completely interrupting audio. The minimum setting is 1, not 0, meaning it cannot be fully disabled. This alone could be a dealbreaker for some people.
2. The headset may arrive configured in Chinese or Japanese, requiring a firmware update to access other languages.
3. Software is PC-only, console or plug-and-play lose a significant portion of the customization features.
4. There is no independent EQ profile per sound mode, meaning switching modes requires going back into the software to adjust EQ manually. Hopefully it will be addressed in future updates.

• Microphone

The detachable omnidirectional microphone does its job for gaming and calls. Capture quality is good, and the software's AI Noise Reduction, often more marketing than anything, is genuinely well implemented here, effectively eliminating constant ambient noise like fan hum.

That said, it remains a gaming microphone. It is suitable for calls, casual streaming, and in-game communication, but for anything more demanding a dedicated microphone is always recommended.

• Battery life

The 2000 mAh battery is officially rated at 200 hours.

200 hours is only achievable exclusively via Bluetooth 5.3. Realistically, you should expect around 50–80 hours in 2.4 GHz mode, which is the most common use case. Despite the difference, for daily use this is not a real issue thanks to the magnetic dock, as the headset is essentially always charged.

• Conclusion

Overall, the MCHOSE V9 Turbo+ is one of the best headsets to come out recently in the mid-to-premium price range.

It is not aimed at audiophiles and does not offer the most balanced sound signature for multimedia, but it is an extremely solid option for gaming due to its comfort, low latency, and a competitive-focused tuning. The software allows accesss to many of its features, but only on PC, though even on console it remains competitive within its price range.

This unit was kindly sent out for review, although this won't change my opinion on the product itself.

Thank you to Darmoshark for this opportunity.

• Contents of the box

1. Darmoshark M9.
2. Type A to type C cable.
3. 8k Hz receiver (Display with DPI, Polling rate and Battery life).
4. Grip tape.
5. Warranty card.
6. Manual.

• Mouse shape and base

The shape of the M9 is very unique, with it being only similar to the WLmouse Beast X Max and the Darmoshark M3 4K, though with major differences in the overall size and especially the placement of the hump.

Regarding the width, it has an hourglass-like shape with a very wide rear that narrows down around the sensor to then flare out at the top.

Although wider, the side profile is actually similar to that of the Beast X Max but with a more pronounced rear, which is quite rare since this kind of hourglass width usually aims for a more centralized hump.

When it comes to the height, this is the most differential aspect, as its highest point is in the back, which slopes down onto medium- to high-height clicks with finger grooves that aren't as noticeable until the very edge, but they are a good addition.

The shape is aimed at 20x10 hands or bigger with a claw grip or even a palm grip if the rear hump doesn't bother you, with my 18x10 hands it's quite unsuitable for me, but surprisingly it's still usable and decent even for my handsize.

The M9 rear hump is extremely wide and tall, making already big mice like the VV4 or the GPX shape feel like a small size in comparison; the wideness and height lead my fingers to be positioned at only 50% of the main clicks when using an aggressive claw grip.

The thenar feels locked on the rear and due to its size it almost pushes it back, this limits finger mobility drastically, combined with the high clicks, makes micro-adjusting with the fingertips almost negligible. My wrist also has a harder time doing fast flicks; which ends up feeling like playing at a lower sens all around.

Even then, it's great for practicing on aim trainers to focus more on arm and especially wrist tracking due to the limitation on maneuverability; for normal shooters, it was still very usable, and I actually enjoyed using it a lot, both for practicing and playing, mainly because it's exceptional on most aspects that I will cover later on.

Also, the shape being more claw-oriented and with the pronounced side curvature makes it a more interesting shape than universal ones like the GPX, allowing for more suitability for medium hands like mine.

The base features an On/Off/BT switch, a DPI button, and the pre-installed full size skates which are virgin PTFE being very similar to the ones on the Leviathan V4 and the same set as the extra one included in the box, they are somewhat flat, have very good glide on clothpads and glasspads.

• Build integrity and coating

The build integrity is its biggest weakness, as the side walls present a popping sound when pressing on them, especially the right one, this does occur when using it in-game but it didn't really bother me, though it's something to take into account.

Aside from that, the sides present some bending, which makes me think the side popping might be an issue with my unit; the base also has some bending and popping, but really nothing that is noticeable in-game.

The coating is very good, and matte-like, it's feels good with dry hands and extremely grippy with warmer hands, it does leave fingerprints on my black unit though nothing out of the ordinary.

• Primary and side clicks

M1 and M2 are using Omron Opticals, the implementation feels great to play with and very responsive, the only problem is the side to side wobble which is on the minor side, whilst also being enough to make the buttons feel somewhat loose on the very front, since my fingers click at around 50% it wasn't really a problem for me, though it may not be the case for others depending on their contact points.

Besides, the click itself feels very tactile and quite crisp, there's minimal pre and post-travel even when clicking on the very edge, the button tension is medium I would say and it felt very spammable in-game.

The side buttons are huge, the biggest I have tried, they do not have a coating which might make them feel slippery for some, it wasn't really a problem for me due to the bigger side, and also the shape they have that makes them portrude in the middle.

The side clicks have a close to perfect implementation, they have no pre and minimal post-travel, they are very firm though also slightly heavier to actuate, they are very crisp but not as tactile.

• Scroll wheel

The scroll has a rubberized finish with a hexagonal pattern leading to somewhat defined steps, combined with a medium to low scroll force it makes it feel cheaper but functionality wise I had no problems.

It's using an F-Gold mechanical encoder; M3 has a medium-to-high actuation force and is relatively spammable.

The main issue with the scroll wheel would be size, since it's using a similar size to those on medium-sized mice like the VGN F2, for example.

• Weight and balance

My unit weighs 59g with the pre-installed skates on, this is incredibly light in hand due to lower density, when comparing it to an universal shape like the GPX for example both have the same weight while the M9 is 1 to 2 sizes bigger.

Another reason for its feeling in hand is the high quality skates it comes with, and the weight distribution being aligned with the sensor area making it suitable for most grip styles that centralize on using the hump as palm support.

• Software

It uses a software web with 6 pages:

1. Home: to select any of the 5 configurable profiles.
2. Key: to bind any of the 5 mouse buttons as well as "scroll up" or "scroll down" to mouse buttons, shortcuts, macros, or multimedia buttons.
3. Pointer: to change the DPI on any of the 5 DPI profiles and also change the polling rate from 125 Hz to 8000 Hz.
4. Macro.
5. Function: includes most of the necessary settings like LOD (low, medium, or high), Ripple control, Angle snap, Motion sync, Scroll direction, Angle adjustment, Esports mode (On/Off/Gaming Overclocked), Low latency key, Debounce time (0-255), and Sleep time (1-40 min).
6. System: to update the firmware, factory reset the mouse, or lock the left click.

• Performance

The mouse performed great, as expected on most mice over 50$ these days, it does have a harder time at reaching higher polling rates especially when Gaming Overclocked mode is disabled, when it's enabled it can reach around 5kHz on average at 8k Hz, also on 1kHz it reaches around 920Hz with Gaming Overclocked mode disabled, so I recommend always using Gaming Overclocked mode.

I tested it mainly on Fortnite and Kovaak's.

On Fortnite, the main clicks felt very good to use even when clicking at 50% of the button, the side buttons are good but with the size of the shell they felt hard to reach at times.

On Kovaak's, I mainly used it for warm ups and tracking practice, it was great at obligating me to engage more my arm when tracking, but also to highlight weaknesses in my aim.

• Conclusion

Overall, the M9 is a great mouse that even I, with my medium hands, could perform well on, although with some issues that didn't take away from the experience as much but do make it feel less polished, like the side-to-side wobble on the main clicks and the overall build integrity. It also presents very strong aspects like the unique shape, very responsive main and side clicks, and also the really good weight and coating.

This unit was kindly sent out for review, although this won't change my opinion on the product itself.

Thank you to Mchose for this opportunity.

• Contents of the box

1. Mchose A7 V2 Ultra+.
2. Type A to type C cable.
3. 8k Hz receiver (Charging base).
4. 1k Hz Dongle.
5. Grip tape.
6. Warranty card.
7. Manual.

• Mouse shape and base

The shape of the A7 V2 Ultra+ is the same as other iterations of the A7, like the V1 and the A7X, it being a clone of the Superlight 2 with minor differences and also the bigger version of MCHOSE's A5 model.

Regarding the height, it has a very pronounced rear that elongates throughout the shell, reaching its highest point in the middle to then slope down towards medium-height main clicks.

In terms of width, it presents a very wide rear, which minorly narrows down, aligning with the sensor to then taper out towards the front; the side curvature is not as pronounced as the A5 shape, and the in-hand experience is very different.

On the A5 the taper in on the sides is more noticeable, which makes the shape more flexible with the grip points, while on the A7 they are very subtle, leading to a more consistent feeling width from the middle to the front.

My experience with the shape, with my 18x10 and aggressive to relaxed claw, has been similar to other universal shapes.

The wide back supports the thenar in a neutral way, not applying too much pressure, but the rear does greatly fill my palm; it does limit the maneuverability, giving a more locked grip with less freedom. This combined with a higher weight than the A7X and a denser back makes it slightly worse.

The sides are too flat and wide for finger mobility (for my hand size), but not completely limiting it, as the hump doesn't get in the way of micro-adjusting.

Though, my opinion has changed over my time using it, and after two weeks of usage the denser back is not as much of a problem, and it's a mouse I could easily main, even though I'm not a big fan of the GPX shape.

Considering there exist the Ultra and Pro versions without the magnetic charging and the denser back, my only real complaint would be the weight compared to the A7X.

The base features an On/Off/BT switch, a DPI button, a forward sensor (54%) that's well positioned, aligning with the middle of the side buttons, and the same white pre-installed skates as other MCHOSE models. They are rounded on the edges and not as flat as most pre-installed skates. Even though they are on the slower side, they are more than usable on both cloth and glass pads.

• Build integrity and coating

The build integrity is good; I can only produce a minor bend on the sides when pressing extremely hard. I opened the mouse during my first week of usage, and after closing it, it has the same rock-solid feeling in hand. There's also some bending on the base but nothing noticeable in-game.

The coating, I would say, is the same or very close to the one on the A5, exceptionally grippy; even with drier hands, it's very easy for your hands to somewhat glue onto the mouse.

• Primary and side clicks

The primary clicks are the main problem with the mouse, M1 and M2 are using Omron mechanicals. The piece below the click used to shorten the travel distance can cause double clicks or inconsistent actuations at times when tapping (mostly noticeable on Fortnite), which is more frequent and easier to reproduce than on any other mouse I've tried. Even then, the overall implementation is still very good.

There's some very slight pre- and post-travel until around 75% of the click, then on the front it does have more play, but the rebound is decently fast. Besides, the main clicks present minimal side-to-side wobble, and the clicks are very tactile and crisp.

They feel more tense than the A5's main clicks, though I prefer the ones on the A5 as they are much more spammable and are very unlikely to cause double clicks when tapping the click.

The side buttons are also extremely good and very similar to the A5 V3 in terms of implementation; they are very robust with no wobble and minor pre- and post-travel. M4 does present more post-travel, but it is still very minor, and it cannot be sunk into the shell.

The side click is not as tactile and also quieter than those on the A5, though they are still very crisp and with similar spammability.

• Scroll wheel

The scroll wheel has a rubberized finish with not as defined steps; it is using a TTC Gold encoder with a medium actuation force M3 that's well implemented and with a very crisp-feeling click.

It has medium to light scroll force, which, combined with the steps that aren't as noticeable, feels too light at times; still, it wasn't a problem during normal usage.

• Weight and balance

My unit weighs 58g with the pre-installed full-size skates and 56g with 4 dot skates; it's a good weight considering the size, as it's at a rather balanced range when it comes to density.

Though the denser rear did feel bad to play with in the beginning, I got used to it in the end, and it didn't feel as much of an issue. Still, I would only recommend the versions without the magnetic charging.

Even though it's decently balanced at around the very front of M4, it would feel lighter in hand with a less dense back.

• Software

It uses a software web with 4 pages:

1. Key remapping: all 5 mouse buttons can be remapped to keyboard binds and macros.
2. DPI: 6 DPI profiles from 200 to 26000; you can also make separate X/Y DPI settings.
3. Performance: includes settings such as motion sync, waveform control, line correction, sleep time, LOD height (1-2mm), click debounce (0-20ms), polling rate (125-8kHz), mode selection (performance, gaming, and extreme), and rotate (sensor angle adjustment)
4. Other: firmware updates and pairing the receiver.

• Performance

The performance has been great, as expected from MCHOSE, with no hiccups or wireless interferences.

I tested it mainly on Fortnite and KovaaK's at 1k Hz and Extreme Mode (I do recommend using Extreme Mode for gaming, as it can give some polling instability below it, even at 1k Hz, as seen on Pzogel's review on the Ultra version).

On Fortnite, the clicks felt very snappy, though with some inconsistencies due to tapping the click at times, the side buttons were some of the best I've tried and extremely responsive.

On Kovaak's, the sensor performed well, and I had no issues whatsoever.

• Conclusion

Overall, the A7 V2 Ultra+ is a great mouse that I would only recommend in its Ultra and Pro versions due to them solving my issue with the weight distribution, though the + versions are still good.
Besides, I think the A7X brings a better package regarding weight, balance, click implementation, and build quality.

This unit was kindly sent for review, though this will not affect my opinion of the product.

Thanks to Razer for the opportunity.

• Box Contents

1. Razer BlackShark V3 Pro headset.
2. 2.4 GHz HyperSpeed Gen-2 USB dongle.
3. Braided USB-C to USB-A cable (charging and data).
4. 12 mm detachable HyperClear microphone with foam filter.
5. USB-C to 3.5 mm jack adapter.
6. Manual.

• Design and Build

The BlackShark V3 Pro keeps Razer's signature design, featuring a reinforced metal headband with thicker arms, improving one of the weakest points from previous models.

The build integrity feels very solid, with no creaking or bending. There is no RGB on this model, which is the best for a competitive headset, though it may disappoint some people.

Weighing 365-367g, they are slightly heavier than the V2 Pro, but the weight distribution is well executed, notable on longer sessions where I didn't feel significant discomfort. The clamping force is low, which improves the overall comfort.

The ear cups can rotate roughly 15°, helping them adapt better to different head shapes. A 45° rotation like some other brands offer would have been appreciated.

The ear pads use breathable FlowKnit fabric with memory foam, an improvement over leatherette for long sessions. That said, after many hours, especially in warm environments, they can retain some heat.

A notable addition is the magnetic cover system with battery access, allowing for a replacement.

• Controls and Connections

Left side:

1. Power button
2. USB-C port
3. Detachable microphone connector
4. Volume wheel
5. Mute button

Right side:

1. SmartSwitch button (EQ profiles / connection switching)
2. Secondary dial (chat/game mix or sidetone depending on platform)
3. Dedicated ANC button

The controls are well implemented, especially the dual dial, which allows managing key functions without relying on software.

One of its downsides, is that the buttons feel very similar to each other physically, on the left side, with only 2 buttons (power and mute). Differentiating them is straightforward since one is textured and the other is smooth.

However, on the right side, both buttons (ANC and SmartSwitch) are smooth, and even with a slight raised edge, they are very hard to distinguish by touch during use. Having one textured and one smooth on the right side would have made them much easier to tell apart.

• Connectivity and Compatibility

Connection options:

1. 2.4 GHz HyperSpeed Gen-2 wireless
2. Bluetooth 5.3
3. 3.5 mm jack

Compatible platforms:

1. PC
2. PlayStation
3. Xbox
4. Nintendo Switch
5. Mobile
6. Steam Deck

This model presents a dual connection (2.4 GHz + Bluetooth) with independent chipsets, allowing you to change between devices more easily, though the absence of a bluetooth mode could have lowered the latency.

Even with that wireless performance is excellent, with a latency of 10 ms via the 2.4 GHz dongle, one of the best on the market.

On the other hand, Bluetooth still has very high latency for gaming, which is common with this type of connection.

From my experience, I didn't have any problems with wireless interferences nor hiccups and the latency felt consistent throughout my testing.

• Sound and Experience

The 50 mm TriForce Bio-Cellulose drivers offer good frequency separation and a clear FPS-oriented approach. Clarity and positional audio are prioritized over bass impact.

The Synapse software is divided into the following sections:

Up to 9 profiles can be created within the software, stored natively on the headset, allowing switching between them without needing Synapse open.

Sound

Primarily allows audio EQ customization and per-game profiles:

1. Toggle between stereo mode and THX Spatial Audio.
2. Audio equalizer with 5 preset profiles: Default / Game / Movie / Music / E-Sports (not available in THX Spatial Audio mode), plus full manual customization from 31 Hz to 16 kHz (31 Hz-63 Hz-125 Hz-250 Hz-500 Hz-1 kHz-2 kHz-4 kHz-8 kHz-16 kHz), with individual EQ band adjustment from -6 dB to +6 dB.
3. Game profiles: automatically load an EQ profile when a game is in the foreground. Only some games support THX EQ, such as CS2, Valorant, or Red Dead Redemption. It is a shame not all games are compatible, as audio improves noticeably, though most recent releases do support it.
4. Volume: software volume control (0-100 progressive bar), including a game/chat audio balance slider.
5. Quick access to Windows sound properties.

Enhancement

Unique features including:

1. Ultra-low latency: reduces audio latency to around 10 ms, though this significantly reduces battery life.
2. Active Noise Cancellation: offers 4 levels of background noise reduction. Excellently implemented, I have not seen any other headset capable of isolating as well out of the box. There is also an ambient mode, which is a softer noise cancellation (non-adjustable), similar to what other brands offer.
3. In-call audio mix: lets you choose what happens when receiving a mobile call while connected via both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously. It can combine both, lower 2.4 GHz volume, or mute 2.4 GHz volume.
4. Audio enhancement: can be disabled, modifies sound processing through 3 options:

- Sound normalization: amplifies subtle sounds like footsteps or quiet conversations.

- Bass boost: enhances low-frequency sounds, ideal for single-player gamers.

- Voice clarity: improves voice quality, perfect for those who prioritize calls over gaming.

Activation

Dongle and power-saving customization:

1. LED indicator: choose what the dongle LED displays: connection status / battery status / battery warning only.
2. Wireless power saving: set auto-off timer for inactivity: 15 / 30 / 45 / 60 minutes. A gradual slider would have been preferable.

All changes are stored natively on the headset without needing Synapse open or running in the background.

Additionally, Xbox supports native "Windows Sonic on Xbox" audio enhancement, PlayStation supports "3D Tempest Audio on PlayStation," and PC supports "THX Spatial Audio 7.1.4."

The software is extremely comprehensive for both audio and microphone customization. That said, the headset requires Synapse to have access to all the features, and despite audio enhancements for consoles, I cannot fully recommend them for console only, as many features are lost without the software. If you have a PC to configure them, it is a safe recommendation.

• Microphone

The 12 mm detachable HyperClear microphone is a clear improvement, it is larger, and its foam filter is higher quality than its predecessors, resulting in clearer, more natural voice reproduction and up to a 48 kHz sampling rate.

The features available through Synapse:

- Microphone: adjust volume and test microphone settings.

- Microphone Enhancement: process your voice with the following options (can be disabled):

1. Volume normalization: reduces sudden spikes and boosts softer sounds (10-100 progressive bar).
2. Vocal clarity: isolates and enhances the microphone's vocal range (10-100 progressive bar).
3. Microphone noise cancellation: subtle but effective for a cleaner voice (10-100 progressive bar).
4. Noise gate: controls the input sound threshold, lower threshold = less sound captured (Low / Medium / High).

- Microphone Equalizer: detailed EQ adjustment with 4 preset profiles (Default / E-Sports / Broadcast / Flat), plus full customization from 31 Hz to 16 kHz (31 Hz-63 Hz-125 Hz-250 Hz-500 Hz-1 kHz-2 kHz-4 kHz-8 kHz-16 kHz), with individual band adjustment from -6 dB to +6 dB.

- Microphone monitoring (Sidetone): hear your own microphone through the headset without amplification (0-15 progressive bar).

In this area, it's far better than other models in this price range. It is a great microphone for a headset, though it still cannot replace a dedicated microphone for professional content. For streaming, however, it works without issue, something that can't be said for most models on the market.

• Battery Life

The battery is excellent:

- Up to 70 hours on 2.4 GHz (PC)

- 45-50 hours on consoles

This difference is due to Synapse's battery optimization options on PC. It would have been nice to have similar endurance across all platforms, especially consoles, via a power-saving mode that sacrifices some minor features to extend battery life.

Despite this gap, it still offers solid battery life for a gaming headset. It can be used while charging, and fast charging takes around 4 hours on both PC and consoles. A short 15-minute charge provides approximately 6 hours of use depending on the platform.

Unlike many other models, the battery is easily replaceable by simply lifting the front cover of the left ear cup.

Overall, considering the audio and mic implementation it has good battery life, especially if used on PC. Otherwise, you lose a lot on battery life, thus, it may not be the best option for console.

• Conclusion

To summarize, the BlackShark V3 Pro is a great headset in terms of performance, noise isolation, an excellent microphone, and sound for FPS.

Though it's not perfect, with a slightly higher weight, the materials can generate heat, and some features, particularly Synapse and its PC dependency to have all the features, create a clear gap between PC and console.

It is a very solid option if your priority is competitive games and you play PC, but not necessarily the best choice for console only.