Edifier HECATE G5BT review: Chunky headset packs a punch

Finding a good set of headphones, specifically for gaming, isn’t as easy as you would hope. The moment you jump online to find a pair, you will find yourself bombarded by a variety of different buzzwords and products, all you want to know is do they sound good and are they comfortable. After spending a couple of weeks with the Edifier G5BT, the answer to these questions are "yes".

The Edifier G5BT has a perfect blend of simplicity for those who just want to connect and go but still has the quality and depth for audiophiles to tinker with. The headset also has a few features that elevate it above some of the competition, alongside an extremely comfortable design. 

Simple design 

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Where would any pair of gaming headphones be without some flashy lights to let everyone know you’re gaming? Fortunately, the lights here aren’t too egregious, leaning more on the subtle side. The lights are only on the ear cups, so they don’t reach up to the headband at all, and if you want to turn them off you can – dramatically extending the battery life in the process. 

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The ear cups themselves have a glossy design, whilst the headband is matte, with some subtle detailing across the top. The extender also has a glossy finish, overall it builds a clean and classy look, despite being bulky.

One of the biggest standouts on these headphones is the retractable microphone. The design is incredibly convenient, detachable ones can all too easily get lost, while a smaller mic in the cup usually lacks quality. This way the mic remains subtle, easily hidden and also picks up your voice very clearly. Sadly the mic is liable to pick up other things from your surroundings though which needs to be kept in mind. 

Built for comfort 

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When you first lift the Edifier G5BTs out of the box, you may notice they’re a bit heavier than some other headphones, whilst the ear cushions are also very large. Fortunately, when you’re wearing them, the size is not noticeable at all and the large ear cushions add to the comfort. 

Realistically, if you’re going to have a lengthy and extended play session, you want headphones to be as comfortable as possible. Luckily, these are exactly that, and the cushions being so deep allows for comfort even if you wear glasses – something I always like to keep in mind as a specky person myself. 

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They’re also quite soundproof, something that is welcome when there is ambient sound around you, making your experience gaming all the more engrossing. Unfortunately, the material they’re made of does mean they can get slightly sweaty which wouldn't be an issue if you could replace the cups, but sadly you cannot. There is very little you can tweak on the Edifier HECATE G5BT, what you see is what you get, so if you’re someone who likes to tinker and customise your headphones these will not be for you. 

The design is also foldable, so despite being a chunky pair of headphones, you can fold them up into a smaller size if you were to transport them, although I don’t know how functional it would be to take these headphones on the go with you. 

Devil in the details

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These headphones excel regardless of the game you’re playing and are incredibly easy to connect to a device. Taking them out of the box to play is almost seamless and with a battery life that can last just over 40 hours without the lights on (and half that with the lights on), you will be knee-deep in the game before you know it. 

All of the above is great, and the microphone is an amazing feature, but the most important thing is how well they sound. On the right headphone cup, there is a silicon button on the back, that when pressed switches between ‘Game Mode’ and ‘Music Mode’. 

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The music option injects more bass into the sound and makes these headphones genuinely great for listening to music. However, these headphones sing when you’re playing games, they only elevate whatever you’re playing, making the game all the more immersive, regardless of whether it is a single-player title or a multiplayer shooter.

The Verdict

These are certainly a chunky pair of headphones, but the size is justified when taking into account how comfortable they are for extended sessions of play. Where the Edifier G5BT excels is in how quick and easy it is to start playing, while the retractable mic is a great feature and something that should be adopted by more gaming headsets. 

The lack of customisation options will be a deal breaker for some people, but you can’t deny how good they sound when you’re playing.

Buy the Edifier HECATE G5BT here.

Review unit provided by the manufacturer