I have been an Amazon shopper for decades, but this is the first time I'm writing a review on a product because I had completely enjoyed this pair of earbuds (notice the past tense) so much that I am compelled to write a review. Bass is very deep for on-ear earbuds, volume is loud, tweeter is clear without any shrills, and mid range warm-toned. I fell in love with this pair of earbuds, especially because I hate the over-the-head bulk of a typical headset and the vacuum suction of the in-ear earbuds. Also, because this pair of earbuds rests just outside of the ear canals without completely blocking them, the sound from the drivers naturally produce a surround sound effect, which effectively expands the audio space to about 5 feet all around you as opposed to resonating it only within your skull from a typical in-ear-canal earbuds.
Pros: fantastic audio performance with its 14mm drivers, delivering deep base and crystal clear mid range and upper scale notes. Very comfortable on the ears with 3 selectable sizes of silicone tips to fit varying ear sizes. The flat cords prevents tangling. The case is a nice bonus with its compact size for portability or storage.
I used it for an average of 5 hours a day consistently for a year while playing Diablo III on my laptop, and I rarely used it for any other purpose, so obviously there was no abuse or rough handling of this pair of earbuds.
Cons: So, why the title of Dr Jekyll and My Hyde? Well, as much as I absolutely loved this pair of earbuds, nearly a year after use, the cords became brittle at the seams and began to crack. The point where the red cord meets the 3.5mm jack and the ear pieces cracked little by little, and within a month the inner wires also became frayed. Eventually, the right side audio died. I tried to salvage it by using a duct tape, but it was an exercise in futility.
Had I known that HyperX earbuds have a 2 year warranty (something that I overlooked entirely) I would have contacted the manufacturer for a warranteed replacement, but at the time I wasn't aware of it and just trashed it to get it could get it out of my sight. It was a fantastic pair of earbuds that I absolutely enjoyed for a solid year, but after a year of use, the red cable cracked at the seams and fell apart. I am very, very disheartened because there is no other set of earbuds like it. It is so comfortable to wear for many hours at a sitting that I hardly noticed it in my ears.
I should give this product a 1 star review for its dismal material failure, but due to the phenomenal audio performance, comfort, convenient use on my laptop that I am still giving it a 5 star review. However, buyer beware, if you purchase it, it will give you full satisfaction for a year, and then it will break apart at precisely where the cable joins the earpieces and the 3.5mm jack.
On the off chance that HyperX should decide to make this exact pair of earbuds with a braided cord, I'd buy another pair in a heartbeat.
| Special Feature | Microphone Included |
|---|---|
| Included Components | in-ear headset, carrying case, ear tips (3) |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Specific Uses For Product | Gaming |
| Headphones Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| Noise Control | None |
| Ear Placement | In Ear |
| Compatible Devices | Gaming Consoles, Tablets, Telephones, Smart Speaker |
| Theme | Video Game |
| Control Type | Volume Control |
| Cable Feature | Tangle Free |
| Item Weight | 19 Grams |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Style | Earbuds Only |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Cable Length | 3 Feet |
| Manufacturer | HP Inc. |
| Item model number | HX-HSCEB-RD |
| Hardware Platform | Gaming Console |
| Item Weight | 0.67 ounces |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.76 x 1.4 x 6.5 inches |
| Language | English, English, English, English, English |
| ASIN | B07GW283KL |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | September 17, 2018 |
