Edifier Hecate GX Gaming Headset Review

A gaming headset is essential for PC gaming. A solid pair of headphones for video gaming allows for increased awareness of in-game elements such as enemy footsteps which can lead to improvements in gameplay. The Edifier Hecate GX is a high-fidelity gaming headset. Outfitted with RGB LEDs, a microphone, and hi-res audio decoding, the GX is a good set of gaming cans. But should you use them? Find out in our hands-on Edifier GX gaming headset review!

What is the Edifier GX – Edifier Hecate GX Hi-Res Gaming Headset

The Hecate GX is a hi-res gaming headset. Sporting a trio of connectors including USB Type-C, USB 3.0 Type-A, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, the Edifier works with a variety of different devices including gaming laptops and desktops, game consoles including the PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch, plus mobile devices like phones and tablets.

A pair of 50mm titanium diaphragm drivers provide crisp, clean audio. 96kHz/24-bit decoding allows for natural-sounding audio. Both ear cups are emblazoned with RGB LEDs for a fun gamer flair. The headband and ear cups include ultra-soft leatherette padding which remains comfortable even during long gaming sessions. There’s a built-in microphone with dual mics and a noise-canceling chip for sound isolation.

Edifier Hecate GX Gaming Headset Specs

• Dual 50mm titanium diaphragm drivers
• 96kHz/24-bit decoding
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Sensitivity: 97 dB ± 3dB
• Built-in RGB LEDs
• Onboard retractable dual-mic with noise cancellation for filtering out background ambient noises
• Connectivity: USB-C, USB 3.0 Type-A, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Leatherette padding on the headband and ear cups

Edifier GX Gaming Headphones – Design, Build Quality, and Comfort

The Hecate GX gaming headset is a well-built set of PC gaming cans. It’s comprised of high-quality bits of plastic. Premium-feeling leatherette padding covers the ear cups and headband. Both ear cups sport RGB LED rings that resemble the Arc Reactor from “Iron Man,” with an LED “H” for Hecate in the center. On the left ear cup, you’ll find a retractable microphone, USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and onboard controls for the mic, volume, as well as LEDs.

Made up of mostly matte plastic with a few shiny pieces, the Edifier GX looks beautiful. Build quality is good. While it’s lightweight, the Hecate GX feels sturdy. Thanks to its well-padded ear cups and headband, the GX stays comfortable during lengthy gaming sessions. During a few hour-long bout of Titan Quest, the Hecate GX never felt heavy or tight on my head. Its RGB LEDs are vivid, although not distractingly bright. Instead, the LEDs foster a gamer chic aesthetic.

Edifier Hecate GX Headset Gaming Performance

Video games sound great on the Hecate GX. Once I plugged the GX gaming headphones into my desktop using the included USB-C to USB Type-A cable, the Hecate headset was recognized instantly. I fired up some Hitman (2016) and was incredibly impressed.

For gaming, the Edifier Hecate delivers crisp, clean sound. I enjoyed the mids and highs. Sound effects such as whizzing bullets, footsteps, and voices rang crystal clear. On the low-end bass-filled explosions rattled convincingly without overpowering the mids and highs. Although there’s no surround sound support, I could make out distinct audio pans from different directions well enough.

Edifier GX Gaming Cans – Entertainment Testing

Although the Edifier GX is marketed as a gaming headset, it’s a solid choice for general entertainment purposes. “Spider-Man: Far From Home” sounded spectacular. The Staten Island Ferry battle was magnificent with orchestral strings from the score, the splat of web-slinging, and woosh of Peter Parker swinging around all given equal weight.

Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” played perfectly, with good delineation of its layered guitars. “X” by Kendrick Lamar featuring ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, and Saudi from the Black Panther soundtrack thumped with its bass-filled backing track without washing out the hi hats and vocals. “One Bourobon, One Scotch, One Beer,” by John Lee Hooker played marvelously. Hooker’s warbling vocals sounded crystal clear with evident bass string plucks, piano key hits, drum taps, and guitar strums. In my testing, the Edifier Hecate GX is a fantastic budget headset for listening to music and watching movies.

Microphone Performance

Particularly for online multiplayer games, a decent microphone is a must-have. The Edifier GX’s mic is about on par with a cheap microphone. Sound quality leaves a bit to be desired. Whereas sound delivered through its 50mm drivers is robust, audio picked up by the retractable mic is a bit tinny and lacks warmth. It’s certainly good enough for casual online matches or even video conferencing for work on Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Skype. However, the built-in mic does leave a bit to be desired. But for the price, the Hecate GX is nevertheless an exceptional vaule.

Edifier Hecate GX Gaming Headset Review Verdict – Should You Buy the Hecate GX?

Overall, the Edifier GX is a stellar-sounding gaming headset. The onboard LEDs lend a gamer vibe, a trio of connection options let you hook up a variety of PCs, mobile devices, and game consoles, plus it’s comfortable as well as lightweight.

I enjoyed the audio quality which punches well above its weight class. There’s a balanced soundstage with noticeable crispness. On the low-end bass performance is far from anemic yet without overpowering the mids and hights. Outside of gaming, movies and music sounded fantastic. An array of onboard controls let you adjust the volume, must the mic, toggle on different EQ modes, and change the LED color.

Unfortunately, microphone quality is a bit below average. While it’s fine for causal use, hardcore gamers will want a better gaming mic for added fidelity. Wireless enthusiasts may balk at its tethered-only hook up options, but I enjoyed the ability to connect just as easily to my Samsung Galaxy S9+ as my Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop. In spite of its lackluster microphone quality or absent wireless support, its stupendous audio quality, outstanding connectivity, and extreme comfort make the Edifier Hecate GX gaming headset a compelling option for gaming on a budget.

The Competition – Edifier GX Headphone Alternatives

For gamers on a budget seeking a no compromise set of gaming cans, the Edifier Hecate GX is a magnificent choice that provides lush audio quality. On a shoestring budget, the Edifier G2II is an amazing USB wired gaming headset with virtual 7.1 surround sound.

Logitech’s G Pro X sports a pair of 50mm drivers, 7.1 surround sound, and a detachable pro-grade microphone for around the same cost as the GX.

The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition features THX support and 7.1 virtual surround sound along with a noise cancelling mic and a USB DAC (digital to analog concerter).

If you want to go the wireless route, the Logitech G733 Lightspeed is a wireless gaming headset complete with RGB LEDs.

Stepping up to the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro affords spatial surround sound, THX compatibility, 50mm drivers, a detachable mic, and wireless connectivity.

Edifier GX Hi-res Gaming Headset Review – Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for a reasonably priced pair of cans for gaming, the Edifier Hecate GX is a great pick. It’s comfortable, has good build quality, and can connect to virtually any devices you own. The ear cup mounted RGB LEDs look fantastic. And audio quality fromn its 50mm drivers is leagues above the retail price. While the microphone quality isn’t mind-blowing, the GX looks and sounds fantastic, and should satisfy most casual gamers.