I know Edifier can do speakers and I know it can do headphones. But can Edifier bring its signature sound to the gaming space in the form of the headset?
Read on to find out how I fared with the Edifier G5BT gaming headset and whether this sounds like the headset for you.
Sound Quality
The biggest compliment I have for the Edifier G5BT is its replaced my current set of headphones. The 40mm titanium driver comes with Hi-res certification and you can tell from the moment you first don them.
Edifier’s greatest strength is the ability to give audio the space to breathe, which is surprising given Edifier never settles for comically oversized earcups. Bass offers a warm hum, while mids float spaciously above. Higher sounds, somehow, still have enough room to pop when they need to.
I’m always in awe of how Edifier handles the sound profile of headphones. No matter the set of cans of speakers, the smaller details are never lost. There’s nuance in the G5BT you won’t find elsewhere.
Did you notice the use of the term “headphones” rather than “headset”? That’s because the two sound profiles available in the Edifier G5BT offer two completely different listening experiences. In music mode, the G5BT becomes a fully-fledged set of headphones that could rival the likes of Sony or Apple. Switch them over to gaming mode, and the difference in the sound profile is instantly noticeable.
The G5BT really is the first case I’ve come across where the sound profiles legit change the device from a set of headphones into a gaming headset. It really is the best of both worlds.
So, let’s talk about the gaming mode setting. I’ve said this before but it bears repeating now: Gaming headsets should not have the same profile as a set of headphones. Headsets need to relay positioning more accurately and smaller sounds need to be boosted.
Think of it like this: If you’re reloading a weapon in a house, an enemy above you creaking the floorboards needs to take precedence over what’s happening outside. Headsets are more complex than headphones in that regard.
The gaming mode of the G5BT instantly flattens the profile. For music, this would be really bad, but for gaming, you need flatter sound so you can easily pick out smaller details.
It’s a smart design choice by Edifier and it really helps to separate the G5BT from the myriad options out there. What’s also interesting is when I’ve reviewed Edifier in the past, the different profile options are something I’ve always found a fault with. My criticism is that there’s very little difference between the different modes. To come to the G5BT and be able to easily pick out what changes when I switch modes, it’s good to see Edifier is listening to feedback and adjusting its plans.
Design and Build Quality
Edifier has gone the Edifier route of designing a set of luscious cans then repurposing them to be a headset. If you’re after something super gamery, like the HyperX Cloud Alpha, you won’t find that here.
Instead, what you’re getting is an almost cyberpunk design with some killer RGB lighting.
The earcup buttons won’t be for everyone, that’s a given. Rather than a dial, Edifier went with a soft plastic you poke at to change the volume, switch modes, or turn the G5BT on and off. Look, I know people are going to either love this setup or hate it. I’m a fan, though. The rounded knobs are easy to run your finger down to the button you need. It’s intuitive, but it’s also different, so I’ll let you decide.
For the mic, it sits inside the left earcup, with a small metal notch to extend it. The quality of said mic is fine. It’s not the clearest mic on the market, but it does the job. And let’s face it, we all care about sound quality. Mic clarity is someone else’s problem.
Battery Life
RGB lights are great, but they’re going to drain the battery faster. Edifier knows this, so to keep things transparent there are two battery readings the company goes with. With the lighting on, the G5BT will last 17 hours. Turn the lights off and it’s 40 hours.
I average 15 hours with the lighting on and 38 with them off, so I’d say that claim is accurate.
I’m actually a bit shocked as well. I normally turn all RGB lighting off on everything I own to save battery life, but the G5BT looks so classy with the lighting on. It’s hard to want to turn them off despite the massive battery gain.
Verdict
The Edifier G5BT excels as both a set of Hi-res headphones and as a gaming headset. It’s sleek, ultra-stylish, and is something that doesn’t come with that tacky gamer-esq design.
The audio quality is superb, and easily rivals the more well-known brands. At around $119.99/£129.99 the G5BT isn’t quite in the budget range, but it does offer up the same high-end premium quality you’d find in the $200-$250 price bracket. Battery life is also solid at 40 hours without the lighting turned on.
Not everyone will be into the cyberpunk-style design, but that’s down to personal preference. If all you care about is audio quality, though, the Edifier G5BT comes very easy to recommend.
All photos captured by Wesley Copeland. | Review unit sent by Edifier.
