ASUS is a well-known name in computing since 1989. They are based in Taiwan and have created many amazing products.
Since its inception in 1989, ASUS has been an iconic name in computing. They are based in Taiwan and have created countless amazing products, including motherboards, GPUs peripherals routers, routers, routers, as well as laptops.
TUF H5 Gaming headset offers a wide range of amazing features, including virtual surround sound powered via a tiny USB dongle. It also has a sturdy and long-lasting build. An excellent feature is the in-line microphone for mobile usage. The Mic volume and Mic mutes switches are nice additions.
You can take out the Mic boom, which is great for those who want a stylish pair of headphones that can still be easily worn while on the go.
ASUS clearly spent a lot time thinking about the features and tech in this headset. The headset's closed-back design and Airtight chamber greatly improve sound isolation. One of my favorite speakers in a while. This idea is also supported by the ASUS Essence drivers, which offer great sound reproduction and an excellent 7.1 surround option.
This headset isn't perfect. There are some things that limit the potential of the headphone. We'll discuss these in our review.
Closer Look
It is simple and clear to see the outer box. The packaging isn't overly graphic. Images of the product against a plain slate gray background.
On the back of the headset, you will find a list listing all the amazing features. Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound is available, which can be toggled with a single button. More details will follow. Large drivers are also included to deliver rich and deep bass.
The headset is the first thing you see when you open the box. The headset is well-arranged and shows the audio controls as well as an inline mic. The top lid features a stylish and classy Holographic "TUF GAMING" logo. The headset came with a protective foam layer on the top. This adds an extra premium touch to the package.
The headset's aesthetic appeal was immediately apparent before I even opened the package. It was a sleek and elegant satin grey headset with a shiny TUF logo. The slight yellow accents at the ear cups were also a great touch.
The headset was removed from its packaging while it was still sealed. A small black box contained the accessories.
- Detachable microphone boom
- USB 2.0 7.1 Virtual Surround Dongle 3.5mm
- 3.5mm extension cable
- Guide for Quick Start
Design and Comfort
These thick faux leather earcups are perfect for covering the ears. On-ear headphones are not something I like as my glasses make it very uncomfortable. These headphones fit comfortably in my ears, and are soft enough to not press my glasses against my head.
It is made of the same material that the earcups, with a metallic core. This means it does not push into my skull but gives me a snug, comfortable fit. You can adjust the length of your headband to suit you, just like with headphones and headsets.
As I have mentioned, the subtle yellow accent is an excellent addition to the elegant and sleek satin effect black plastic headphones. It matches perfectly with the TUF line. The same yellow accents can be found on their motherboards TUF.
It is great to have a USB dongle that supports the surround sound feature of 7.1. The USB dongle is easy and simple to use. You can activate the surround sound feature with a simple push of a button. It can be used in any other way. You can unify your audio experience with the device.
It's a great feature for those who are always on the go. The microphone worked well with both my mobile phones and my PS4 controllers. Although the boom mic can be attached to a console, it looks odd and unnatural when making a call. It is not great for gaming or PC use, but it's still a good option. It is great for calling and using on the go.
It is nice to also see that the cables of the headset have been braided. They aren't of the highest quality that I've seen in similar products. If not taken care of properly, they can quickly fray and may become damaged very fast.
ASUS didn't lie when they put this information on their box. You won't find better headphones for the price than the Stainless Steel Headband or the 'TUF (excuse me the pun) Plastic Earcups.
The main drivers are covered by a grey mesh fabric that covers the earcups. They can also tilt and pan to ensure that they fit snugly over your ears, without straining.
Performance
This headset was tested by me on PC. I tried out several different games, as I felt that this platform is the best to test it.
The sound signatures of objects passing by make for a truly immersive experience in an FPS-style game. These headphones could be great for Virtual Reality.
The lows on this headset are grumbly, and they can be fierce. This is what you'd expect from such an adaptable piece of equipment. It really comes alive when you use the surround sound. Again, it's an amazing feature.
These headphones are extremely cross-platform compatible. These headphones were so easy to use that I carried them around for a full day. Mobile phone, PC with or without the surround dongle and mobile phone. Also on my PS4, Nintendo Switch. And just about any other device that can hear sound through a standard 3.5mm connector.
It isn't anything extraordinary. It's not perfect, by any stretch. Although it sounds cheap and unfinished, this will still work for communicating with your friends in-game. If you plan to stream or make videos with it, I wouldn't recommend it. A decent USB microphone is essential for a professional setup. Blue, the market leader, makes a great choice. An audio interface that has an XLR microphone connected to it would also be a good option for streaming and gaming.
The headset can provide a fantastic gaming experience with the virtual surround or not. It also offers a very good listening experience. Its versatility and compatibility across platforms allows it to be used in many different apps, including watching TV or listening to music.
Gaming
The crisp highs are ideal for gaming because they allow accurate reproduction of sound as developers intended. AAA games with complicated audio, such as music and vocals, can sometimes be too much for drivers, especially when they are at high volumes.
This is easily overcome by having the 7.1 surround option enabled. It allows audio to reach your ears in different directions without making it difficult. The opposite end of the spectrum is LoL and CSGO, where the 7.1 surround can ruin your experience. This is especially true if you are trying to coerce your team members via VOIP, Discord or other apps. Surround sound is not able to correctly place your voice and can sometimes sound distant or slightly distorted.
Movies & Music
The majority of people don't use headphones for gaming. Let's compare the H5 to music. The surround sound feature is great, but it can ruin any music listening experience. The reverb effect makes the lead vocals sound like they are drowned out by the music. The drums and bass are too far back, allowing for excessive high and middle ends. This problem was somewhat fixed by some tweaking of the ROG Armoury program, but it still doesn't make for an enjoyable listening experience.
The TUF H5 shines without the surround sound system. The device's sound signature shines with crisp highs and a lovely low-end grumble. It makes for great music listening. In terms of movies, it was a split decision.
It is truly impressive to have 7.1 surround sound. This surround sound feature adds an extra dimension to movies and games. This is the ultimate in surround sound technology. It fits perfectly into a tiny form factor, which is a great feat of engineering. This is only true when you are watching action movies or something similar. It's a truly immersive experience to hear different sounds from various places.
Some movies, such as dramas or comedies, don't respond well to the surround sound, which is similar to music. This feature isn't meant for viewing. The 7.1 was just as enjoyable to watch with the headphones turned off, and it worked well in music. The headphones have great sound quality and the large earcups make it easy to watch a movie, or just a few episodes of TV without any strain.
Software
Armoury II software offers more controls than a simple UI. This allows you to tune your TUF Gaming HD5 in a way that suits your needs.
You can easily control your audio, including equalization (EQ), 7.1 speaker-level balancencing and the creation and application of audio profiles for various game types, such as racing games and first-person shooters.
The interface is easy to learn and simple enough to allow audiophiles to have fun with fine tuning their sound settings.
Conclusion
It is amazing how immersive the built-in surround sound system is. This surround adds a new dimension to your favourite games. You can feel the objects move past you, as we have already described. You can feel bullets, helicopters, and magic spells moving past you in an FPS or battle arena game. You should definitely give it a try.
The surround sound function only works with a PC that has the dongle included. I'd like it to be fully internalized so it can work with any other device. The H5 headset is a great gaming headset. It can also do most other things at an affordable price. It's a great thing, as many gaming headsets don't do well with music or other things. You shouldn't expect to have an audiophile level experience with music. Anyone who is interested in PC gaming or wants a headset capable of doing almost everything can recommend the H5.
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