Keyboards, USB microphones, gaming mice and more: since the merger of Cherry and XTRFY, the gaming brand has released a whole range of impressive peripherals. However, one thing has been missing from the portfolio until now: a wireless gaming headset. This is now changing with the Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless. Our test reveals whether it’s worth buying.
Technical data
| The product | H3 Wireless |
| Design | over-ear |
| Driver size | 52 mm |
| Frequency range (headphones) | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 16 Ohm @ 1kHz |
| Microphone type | Unidirectional |
| Frequency range (microphone) | 100Hz – 10kHz |
| Connectors | USB type C |
| Connection | 2.4 GHz wireless connection; Bluetooth 51. |
| Battery life | Up to 100 hours |
| Weight up to | 325 g |
| Compatibility | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile |
| The price | € 129.00 * |
Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless review: HyperX, is that you?
The parallels in design are astonishing: the new wireless gaming headset Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless is visually very reminiscent of the products of the HP brand HyperX – just without the red color accents.
The H3 Wireless comes entirely in black. Only the manufacturer’s lettering on the outside of the ear cups is silver. The robust metal headband and the thick, comfortable headband, on the other hand, look familiar.
But that’s not a bad thing, because the design and workmanship of the Cherry XTRFY headset are impressive. Only the controls feel a little cheap and could do with more precise feedback.
The housing is made of plastic, which keeps the weight quite low. However, with a weight of 325 grams (without microphone and cable), the H3 Wireless is anything but a lightweight. Nevertheless, the wearing comfort is impressive, which is mainly due to the large fabric ear pads with imitation leather edging.
At 25 mm, they are pleasantly thick and, at 70 mm x 47 mm (height x width), offer enough space inside for medium-sized ears. However, the pads are comparatively hard and don’t stretch as much as some of the competition – for people with large ears, it could be a little tight.
Features and operation
The features of the Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless are absolutely impressive considering the price. The wireless gaming headset is not only connected via 2.4 GHz radio, but also via Bluetooth 5.1, so that you are equipped for all game consoles, PCs and mobile devices. Even if the modes cannot be used simultaneously, this is absolutely convincing. The same applies to the range: Going to the fridge or the toilet with the headset? No problem.
Unfortunately, high-resolution audio codecs are not supported and the frequency response of the 53 mm drivers ranges from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide a dedicated companion app for making settings. However, the headset does have an equalizer button that allows you to switch between gaming, movie and music settings at the touch of a button.
The controls are located on the left ear cup and are self-explanatory: one button to switch the headset on and off, one to increase or decrease the volume and one to mute the microphone.
All buttons also have a secondary function that you can activate by holding them down for 2 seconds. This allows you to switch between Bluetooth and wireless, as well as pairing and equalizer.
What is noticeable: The volume control on the PC/notebook under Windows is not too precise. Pressing a button raises or lowers the volume sometimes by 6, sometimes by 8 levels. Unfortunately, precise control is not possible at all. Hmpf!
Battery life: A real long runner
One of the highlights of the Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless is undoubtedly the battery life. Up to 100 hours of use are possible, making the wireless gaming headset undoubtedly one of the best models.
However, in the absence of a companion app, you need to keep an eye on the status LED, which is located above the mute button. If it lights up green, the battery is full. If the LED is yellow, you have less than 75% available, light red means less than 50% and dark red means you should start plugging in the charging cable.
But don’t worry: with the USB-C cable connected, you can continue gaming while charging without any problems. Top.
Audio and microphone quality of the Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless
The sound quality of the Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless is based on the Xtrfy H2 (our test) from 2019. The manufacturer has given the headset the same 53 mm drivers, which reproduce the same frequency response. However, with an impedance of 16 ohms, the headphones are noticeably less demanding when it comes to players.
This ensures an excellent maximum volume – even on the PC. 80 percent or less is easily enough for gaming competitive shooters. I have to turn up the volume on almost all headsets in order to hear all the acoustic cues.
According to the manufacturer, the headset was developed together with professional gamers and specially tuned for shooters. Of course, I can’t confirm this, but I can confirm that the Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless delivers really good sound.
Especially in the advertised, competitive shooters, the headset delivers a coherent sound and skillfully brings the important acoustic cues to the fore, while bass and mids take a back seat. The headset really shows its strengths in the game equalizer preset, although the mids sound noticeably lacking in detail and flat. Something that we already noticed with the H2.
You can at least counteract this somewhat by switching to the Music or Movie preset. These boost the mids and bass noticeably – at the expense of the treble. This results in a fun, albeit not very neutral, sound image in which movies, music and immersive single-player games are shown to their best advantage.
There are undoubtedly headsets that sound better. But the H3 Wireless sounds well above its price range if you value good spatiality in shooters and competitive games. The closest competitor in this price range is probably the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless (our test), which I like a little better in terms of sound. However, the Nova 5 quickly becomes a little sharp in the highs – you don’t have that problem with the H3 Wireless. On the other hand, the SteelSeries model scores with a more detailed and spatial sound. However, both headsets are recommended.
Microphone quality
The detachable microphone of the Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless also appears to have been taken directly from the H2 and is the headset’s biggest weakness.
Microphone test recording Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless:
Microphone test recording Razer Kraken V4:
Microphone test recording ASUS ROG Pelta:
Recordings are possible in a maximum of 16 bit with 48,000 Hz, but the maximum volume and quality of the recordings are below average.
Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless Review: Conclusion
The Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless is a really good wireless gaming headset from the manufacturer. I particularly like the sound mix in competitive games. Compared to many other gaming headsets, acoustic cues such as footsteps or similar are reproduced very clearly and in detail and are easy to locate in the room.
On the other hand, the headset is noticeably weak in the mid-range, which is too flat and lacking in detail. This can be counteracted somewhat with the equalizer presets, but unfortunately there is no excellent sound across the board at any time. Nevertheless, there are many headsets, even more expensive ones, that sound much worse.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the microphone quality, which is below average at best. On the other hand, the H3 Wireless impresses with its excellent dual connectivity and excellent battery life at a fair price.
- High wearing comfort
- Dual connectivity
- Excellent battery life
- Weak microphone
- No app
- Low-detail, flat mids
Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless
Workmanship
Wearing comfort
Sound quality
Recording quality
Features
Value For Money
85/100
Competitive gamers in particular will get their money's worth with the sound of the Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless. The battery life is great, the microphone quality less so. The price is absolutely fair and well worth a look.
