When a trusted and valued PR lad offered Eksa E900 to me for review, he informed me that the headset had already built up a strong reputation. As stated before, this reviewer loves reviewing inexpensive products so this item was right up my street. As it happens, E900 lives up to the hype with smart design choices and a clear focus on competitive gamers.
Safe Look, Safe Feel
Eksa E900 doesn’t feature an outrageous or eye-catching design. Like Gioteck TX50, E900 relies on macro-detailing and a mixture of textures to make its visual statement. Mostly black with significant blood red patches spread judiciously about, the headset isn’t loud nor is it boring.
The headset is light but doesn’t feel flimsy. The exposed metal earcup-holders seem to run through the headband and E900 feels sturdier for it.
Covering Bases
Designed for any device with a 3.5mm socket, Eksa E900 is a versatile device. The plug is a three-bander but there is a splitter in the box for older PCs.
E900’s audio cable is a little bit longer than most. At two metres it can be useful for those moving around their PC but is mostly slightly unwieldy.
The inline remote is large so it’s easy to grab in the heat of battle but not so large as to feel it flapping around. It feels a bit light though and a volume wheel and a mute switch for the mic are your lot here.
Eksa E900 come with a carrying pouch that, coupled with the rugged feel of the headset, inspire confidence when travelling. The removable mic also helps with transport or mobile use.
Competitive Focus
This stereo set isn’t trying to be an all-rounder. Eksa E900 will do the job and no better for music, movies and TV – the default voice is a cold and mid-heavy. Even with a seemingly semi-openback design, E900 doesn’t have a wide soundstage and there isn’t much room for music to breathe.
But those same qualities makes for superb multiplayer gaming. Much like a music producer uses reference headphones to hear the audio ‘as is’, a straight audio curve gives a player exactly what developers painstakingly aim for.
Games designed with defined directional and other audio cues (i.e. all of the sweatiest shooters) sing in harmony with E900’s intimate soundstage. Similarly, the clear mid-range that takes precedence over meaty-but-ultimately-superfluous explosions exposes footsteps and approaching gunfire.
Major Wins, Minor Losses
Some may prefer a more musical set and there are plenty of those at this price. Others might like something that does everything fairly well and there are plenty of those too. But for those after something to slay with in a sweaty shooter, Eksa E900 are worth serious consideration.
The set also feature a host of little design considerations and extras that budget devices don’t usually come with. Living up to its cult following, I have to recommend Eksa E900 to those competing on a budget.
