We recently got our hands on the latest gaming headset from EKSA called the EKSA Star Engine E5000 Pro Gaming Headset. It is a wired headset with an over-the-ear design, Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound and a Detachable Microphone. This is the review of the EKSA E5000 Pro Gaming Headset. We are writing this review after testing the headset for gaming in a PC (laptop), Mobile, Music Playback, ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) and other features. Read on to find out our thoughts and impressions of the same. The last thing in the box is a multi-language user manual. It has detailed pictures for product overview, operation guide (explains about the buttons) and also connectivity guide for various compatible systems. The outside of the earcups have a metal mesh with a plastic cover on top. There is green light with breathing effect on the outside of both earcups (you can turn the lights off, if you don’t want them). There are two exposed green wires from each earcup going to the headband. EKSA should have gone with a flush design but considering the open metal frame of the headband, we understand why they have to do it this way. After this button, we have the main Type-C Port. You can use the Type-C to Type-C cable or Type-C to 3.5mm connector cable with this port. In case your OC/Laptop doesn’t have a Type-C Port, you can use the Type-A to Type-C Female cable and use the headset. Next to the Type-C Port, we have a 3.5mm jack that accepts the detachable microphone. The design of the microphone connector is very good and it sits flush into the earcup. First of all, we have to admit that you will feel the weight of the headset. The cushions on the earcups cover the ears completely and there are no gaps. Both stereo and surround sound modes are very good but we feel that the virtual surround sound effects are particularly good in certain types of games (FPS). ENC means Environmental Noise Cancellation. There is a special AI engine in the headset that accepts two audio signals from the main microphone and also a secondary noise cancellation microphone. The engine then blocks the audio from the noise cancelling microphone and transmits audio only from the main microphone. We tested the performance of the microphone with ENC on and off. You can clearly tell the difference as the engine with ENC on will try to block the surrounding noise to maximum possible level. In the process, it makes the main audio slightly soft. Overall, we liked the virtual surround sound mode while gaming as it can make us more immersive in the game. The stereo mode is decent for listening to music except it lack the punch. An important point here is that after wearing the headset for some time, you will feel slight discomfort around the head and ear regions. Also, the ears become sweaty as they are completely covered by the earcup cushioning. Although with a Mac, we had to manually set the headphones, but was not a big deal. But EKSA gives you additional control of the headset in the form of a driver software. Their support page has Google Drive link to download the software. Note that this software is available only for Windows Machines. After installing, connect the headset if not connected already and the software will automatically detect them. You get three tabs in the software. One for configuring the 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound Mode, one for configuring the stereo sound mode and the last one for enabling or disabling the ENC feature. The highlight feature of the headset is definitely the 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound. We liked this feature especially playing FPS games as the sound effects make the game play much more immersive. You can further tune the sound output using the Driver Software (available only for Windows). If you don’t want to fiddle with all this software stuff, there is a dedicated button on the headset to switch between stereo and surround sound mode. Microphone is detachable and has a secondary noise cancellation microphone. A dedicated AI engine will cancel the surrounding noise. Listening to music gave us mixed results as the bass is not powerful. But you can enjoy these headsets for gaming on PC, Mobile, XBOX, PS4 or PS5. If you are looking for a wired gaming headset with good build quality and stylish design, then the EKSA E5000 Pro Gaming Headset are a decent choice. You also get the benefit of 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound and ENC.
