HP OMEN Blast Gaming Headset review – Loyal Console and PC Companion

OMEN is a brand not usually associated with budget gaming gear. The brand usually focuses on giving gamers something a little special with a price to match. HP OMEN Blast is a surprisingly affordable headset that still comes with plenty of promises. Despite a possible unfamiliarity with producing the goods in this price-range, HP have delivered at around €99/$99/£79.

Large but Cosy Set

The design doesn’t hold back. HP OMEN Blast is unashamedly bulky and doesn’t pretend you can bring it on the bus. Instead of attempting to miniaturise, HP seemingly kept the money for a premium feel. The brushed metal headband is lush and despite the lightness of the large cans, they feel solid. The retractable mic is reassuringly tight and doesn’t budge unless you want it to. For a package offering as much as it does at this price, build quality is superb.

The cans themselves are massive – like those you would find in a visual gag referencing 1970s audiophile headphones. For such a large housing, however, there isn’t much room inside. My medium ears that are flush to my head like those of a seal seemed to fill the recesses. Those who don’t like pressure on your pinnae should try these on for a moment just to see if they will be a problem.

OMEN Blast are still comfortable, should they fit. The two-part headband keeps the set from hanging on the ears while the gentle lateral squeeze keeps them securely in place.

Highly Usable

Thanks to some simple, smart design HP OMEN Blast performs well across a broad range of tasks. The retractable mic keeps it out of the way without having to worry about losing it like with a removable mic. The mic itself benefits from surprisingly effective noise-reduction – if gaming in a noisy environment, you will still come through clear and clean.

The mic’s audio is of good enough quality to live-stream or podcast with but obviously, isn’t going to touch those offered by more expensive sets or standalone mics. In a pinch, it could be used for voiceovers.

The cable was doled out with console and PCs in mind with around 2.2 metres of cable altogether with a split around 120cm (4ft.) audio cable from the left cup. This cable ends with a 3.5mm plug so you can plug it into a controller and not be left with excess cable. Around 20cm (8in.) along the cable from headphone resides the control box. Here you’ll find a volume wheel and mic mute button. The inline control box is large enough to allow you to manipulate it blind as quickly as possible during game-play. It’s light but not flimsy. The USB DAC provides the remaining metre for extra room at a PC.

The set are closed-back by design but the sound isn’t overly intimate or boxed-in. Subsequently, they aren’t tiring to listen to. This and the aforementioned comfort makes it easy to wear HP OMEN Blast for hours at a time.

Not a Blaster

In spite of a game-friendly pun in their title, Blast doesn’t have an aggressive sound. It doesn’t blast. The voice is almost flat, a small boost to low and high-end give it a musical sound. The low end is broad and smooth but lacks a bit of punch. If you choose to crank up the bass the low-end Blast tends to lose definition while remaining pleasant to listen to.

The 53mm drivers do a good job with middle and high frequencies. For music, movies and TV, the sometimes vague bass doesn’t wash out the soundstage. While gaming, it preserves spatial resolution amidst the bullets and bombs.

The 24-bit USB DAC is a nice touch for a fuller interface with PC. The 24-bitness might seem wasted on a cheap-ish pair of headphones but the control offered is definitely welcome. As are some of its added features – HP OMEN offer support for virtual 7.1 surround through HP OMEN’s own Audio Lab.

However, Blast has the aural alacrity to bluff surround sound with console-based 3D audio systems. Dolby Atmos for Xbox, for example. In games with advanced spatial sound design through stereo headsets, they have the definition in the required frequencies to immerse a player.

Specifications

Not known for attempting to offer value for money, OMEN have produced an excellent low-end option. Blast are an amazing pair of gaming headphones for the price. Offering versatility and a balanced sound suitable for a range of tasks, HP OMEN Blast do it all.

The design is uncompromising. Aiming for long-session comfort with its essential functionality at hand, Blast hits the mark.