With a surround sound capability and RGB lighting effect, can this gaming headset a sure winner for gamers?

Gaming headsets have evolved to meet the satisfaction of gamers from both casual and competitive types. From better foams for the ears to noise cancelling mics and even optimized audio drivers for more oomph sounds. Then of course there are some new additions to add more gimmicks from lighting effects to replaceable ear cups and stylish designs, adding that taste of modern lifestyle vibe to the peripherals. Now Gamdias released one of their gaming headset line that aims to provide premium quality. The Hebe M1 features 7.1 surround audio effect with RGB lighting, can the Hebe M1 be your ultimate gaming headset?

Before we proceed with the review, here is the specs of the Gamdias Hebe M1:

• Sensitivity: 119±3dB
• Impedance: 32 Ohm + / – 15%
• Driver diameter: 50mm
• Driver magnets: NdFeB
• Microphone size: Φ6*5mm
• Microphone sensitivity: -40db±3db
• Microphone Pick up Pattern: Unidirectional
• Vibration Unit Size: 30mm
• Cable length: 2m
• Plug type: Gold-plated USB plug
• Dimension (LxWxH): 188 × 104 × 230 mm
• Application UI: Yes

Straight out of the box, the Hebe M1 does not have any additional accessories, all you get is the headset itself and a couple of documentation papers and that’s it. Having nifty freebies doesn’t affect your overall experience with the gaming headset though gamers who are into nifty trinkets might feel a bit short on their expectations for a gaming peripheral.

Now for the design, the looks in the headset may seemed to make it appear heavy due to the large ear cups, but it’s actually light when worn thanks to the plastic build, the all black color scheme with a metallic silver for the headband makes the headset look neat for its appearance but still provides enough style when the RGB lighting kicks in. However in terms of plastic quality, the plastic build may seem to look cheap which is similar to some of its other peripheral lineups.

Sporting a large pair of ear cups makes it cover your entire ear to isolate from the external noise, the leatherette along with the soft cushion on the ear cups makes it feel great to wear as it does not make your ears hurt when wearing it for longer periods. The drawback is that the ear cups will become uncomfortable for prolong usage as it gets hot quicker from the leatherette, unfortunately there is no option to swap the ear cups with velour ear cushions. The headband of the Hebe M1 is flexible, which you can find from other headsets like the Steelseries Siberia V2, this allows it to fit and adjusts itself into any head without any discomforts, it snugs right into your head almost perfectly regardless of your head size.

It also includes an in-line controller that allows you to adjust the volume or mute the microphone within reach, it also has the button to activate the RGB lighting effect on the headphone and the vibration drivers, the cool thing then toggling the vibration is there is an audio queue in a form of a thud sound to notify you that the feature has been activated. Just keep an eye on the in-line controller as there is no clip to let you attach the controller to your shirt to keep it secure.

The Hebe M1 features a 7.1 virtual surround sound system that provides a full 3D audio experience when playing games or watching movies. The 50mm HD drivers help produce crystal clear audio. The retractable and flexible microphone is just within reach and can be pulled out from the headset when in need. The cable is braided and encased in transparent plastic for added protection from wear and tear.

Its other main highlight was the RGB effects, the lighting effect produces a cycle of colors that illuminates at the outer portion of the headset. Though the gimmick adds some novelty to the headset, its practicality is rather pointless as the user won’t be able to see the RGB lighting and there are no options to customize the lighting effect to the user’s preference, but it looks great when turned on and displayed on a stand when not in use.In terms of performance, the audio quality is impressive, the bass is very noticeable and deeper, audio clarity is clear as you can hear voiced dialogues well. It is highly recommended to use the Hebe M1 when playing games, especially when the vibration feature is activated, though there are instances that the vibrations are barely noticeable, it help adds more depth to the bass which give it some sense of realism to the experience. However using the headset for listening music can be more of a mixed bag, as the treble tends to sound flat, so it is best to configure the audio equalizer or driver to optimize the audio quality for your games, music and video. We tested the headset on some games like Overwatch and Tree of Savior and we were impressed on how good the virtual surround works. We then tried watching YouTube videos and movies though there are good bass on the headset, there are some moments where it feels flat. The microphone is not that impressive but can still produce good audio output and can still pick up your voice, but the quality is just enough for your voice to be audible to other players in multiplayer. The length of the microphone is just enough to be adjusted near your mouth when fully extended and flexible enough to adjust it to your liking.

The Hebe M1 is compatible with Gamdias’ Hera software that allows you to customize the settings on the audio quality. You can change the settings on the equalizer to suit your preferred audio, you can also select from the available presets to match on the music that you are hearing. There are no optional settings to adjust the lighting effect for the RGB effect on the Hebe M1.

Overall, the Gamdias Hebe M1 is great looking gaming headset with an exceptional audio quality, a presentable look that is also lightweight and a specially designed headband that fits to any head sizes. The RGB lighting and vibration driver effect may has its pros and cons, but it still provides some unique features to make it standout from your usual gaming headsets. Priced at almost PhP 4,000, the Hebe M1 is a great choice for a gaming headset if you are looking to replace your old headset.

The Good

• Fits well on your head
• Feels lightweight
• Braided cable with clear plastic coating
• Great bass sound
• Vibrating feedback is a nifty feature

The Bad

• Plastic feels cheap
• No RGB customization
• No replaceable ear cups