Epomaker GX1 Review: The Keyboard Specialist’s First Gaming Headset with Open-Back Sound

Epomaker is best known in this country for its mechanical keyboards and keycaps. With the Epomaker GX1, unveiled in mid-August, the manufacturer is now venturing into the gaming headset market for the first time. And it’s doing so with an unconventional approach: Instead of relying on a closed-back design like most budget headsets, Epomaker has equipped the GX1 with an open-back design, combined with 50-mm drivers, virtual 7.1 surround sound, triple-mode connectivity via a 2.4-GHz dongle, Bluetooth, and USB-C, as well as a battery life of up to 70 hours—remarkable for this price range. We tested the GX1 for several weeks while gaming, on Discord calls, and during everyday office use, and we’ll tell you whether the unusual open-back approach is worth it for a gaming headset and where Epomaker, as a newcomer to this segment, still needs to improve.

Technical Specifications of the Epomaker GX1

Product	GX1
Design	Over-ear gaming headset, open-back
Driver	50 mm, dynamic
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Surround Sound	Virtual 7.1 surround sound
Connectivity	Triple-mode: 2.4 GHz wireless dongle, Bluetooth, USB-C cable
Microphone	Built-in microphone + detachable boom microphone with ENC
RGB Lighting	Yes, honeycomb pattern on the ear cups, controllable via button press or app
Battery	2,000 mAh
Battery life (RGB off)	Up to 70 hours
Battery life (RGB on)	Up to 30 hours
Charging time	Approx. 3 hours 20 minutes
Connection	USB-C
Weight	Approx. 320 grams
Colors	Black, Gray, Pink, White
Compatibility	PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PS4/PS5 (wireless); Xbox Series only via cable
Software	Epomaker app with EQ presets, surround sound controls, and microphone tuning
What’s Included	Headset, detachable ENC microphone, foam microphone cover, USB-C-to-3.5-mm cable, USB-A-to-USB-C cable, 2.4 GHz dongle, multilingual user manual
Price (MSRP)	51.95 euros

Design, Build Quality, and Comfort

At first glance, the GX1 immediately reveals its most unusual feature: the perforated, open earcup covers through which the honeycomb pattern of the RGB lighting shimmers. Instead of an aggressive gaming look with sharp edges and flashy logos, Epomaker opts for a more understated, almost audiophile-style design with a lacquered and partially chrome-plated finish. The model we tested came in white; other color options include gray, pink, and black-red.

In terms of feel, the GX1’s price range is evident, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing: The housing is made entirely of plastic, but in our test it felt solidly built throughout, with no creaking or noticeable play in the hinges. The swiveling ear cups sit securely, and we were able to adjust the seven-step headband to a comfortable fit without needing to readjust it over the course of several listening sessions. However, don’t expect premium materials like metal headbands or genuine leather padding, as found on significantly more expensive models, from the GX1.

Its light weight is a definite advantage when it comes to comfort: Weighing in at around 320 grams, the GX1 is among the lighter models in its class, which was particularly noticeable in our test during gaming sessions lasting several hours—we didn’t experience any noticeable pressure on our heads or ears, even after extended sessions. The softly padded ear cushions, covered in breathable synthetic leather, provide a pleasantly moderate amount of pressure that’s firm enough to prevent slipping when turning your head, without feeling constricting. The open design pays off in two ways here: It provides noticeably better air circulation than closed ear cups, so we didn’t notice any heat buildup under the ear cushions even after prolonged use.

Features: Triple-Mode Connectivity and Controls

When it comes to connecting, the GX1 shines with a real strength: triple-mode connectivity. Using the included 2.4 GHz dongle, the headset connects to PCs, Macs, Nintendo Switch, and even the PS4/PS5 with a latency of around 25 milliseconds—which is more than sufficient for competitive gaming. Bluetooth is also available for pairing with a smartphone or tablet—handy if you want to quickly listen to a podcast or playlist on your phone during a break in the game while the headset is charging. A third option is the classic, wired USB-C connection, which allows the headset to continue operating even when the battery is dead. In our test, switching between the three modes using the switch on the right ear cup worked reliably, with no need to reconnect and no delay.

Console gamers should keep one limitation in mind: Xbox Series consoles do not support the GX1’s 2.4 GHz dongle; only a wired connection works here. PlayStation users, on the other hand, are in the clear, as the PS4 and PS5 work both wired and wirelessly via the dongle.

Control is handled entirely via physical buttons on the ear cups: On the left side, the power button, mute button, and RGB switch are positioned close together, complemented by a volume wheel. In our test, this allowed us to adjust the volume with pleasant precision; however, during the first few days, we had to briefly check several times to see which of the closely spaced buttons we’d just pressed—but after a bit of getting used to it, the process became increasingly second nature.

Battery Life and Charging in the Test

In terms of battery life, the GX1 delivers one of the best results in the test for its price range: With RGB lighting disabled, Epomaker claims up to 70 hours of playtime, which was confirmed in our real-world test over several weeks. With the RGB lighting turned off, we achieved a very similar result and found ourselves plugging the headset into the charger noticeably less often than with other models in this price range. However, when the RGB lighting in the honeycomb pattern is activated, the battery life drops significantly to around 30 hours. This is a compromise that’s easy to accept given the already long base battery life, especially if aesthetics are more important to you than every last hour of use.

Practical for everyday use: The 2,000-mAh battery fully charges via USB-C in about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Epomaker doesn’t explicitly advertise a fast-charging feature for quick top-ups, but in our test, just 15 to 20 minutes plugged in was enough to provide several more hours of playtime.

Software: Epomaker App and Equalizer

The GX1 is customized using the accompanying Epomaker software, which was easy to install and pair with the headset in our test. The range of features is intentionally kept straightforward: In addition to several preconfigured EQ presets, the virtual 7.1 surround sound effect can be turned on or off depending on the game or media content, and there’s also basic fine-tuning for microphone voice clarity and noise cancellation.

The Epomaker app can’t compete with the sophisticated software suites from established headset manufacturers—those expecting a full-featured, multi-band equalizer or detailed profile management will find too few options here. However, for its entry-level price, the app covers exactly what most users actually need in everyday use, and it feels pleasantly uncluttered rather than overloaded.

Sound Quality in the Test: What the Open-Back Design Really Offers

The open-back design is by far the most unusual feature of the GX1—and this is precisely where the biggest difference from classic, closed-back gaming headsets becomes apparent in testing. The 50-mm drivers deliver powerful, noticeably “punchy” bass without sounding intrusive, while voices and effects in the midrange remain clear and easy to make out. In our test, the highs remained mostly controlled, though they can occasionally sound a bit sharp during very bright, loud passages.

The real added value of the open-back design is evident in the soundstage: Instead of the typical “sound right in the middle of your head” feeling of closed-back headsets, the GX1 delivers a noticeably wider, airier soundstage. In shooters like Valorant or CS2, this had a positive effect on our ability to pinpoint footsteps and gunshots during testing. Positional cues felt less compressed and were generally a bit easier to track in hectic situations compared to similar closed-back models. In atmospheric open-world and story-driven games, the added spatial depth also creates a pleasantly immersive, less “confined” listening experience.

The Epomaker GX1 doesn’t quite match the quality of more expensive open-back headsets such as the beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro (our review) or the ASUS ROG Kithara (review), but I still really like the spacious, lively sound signature considering the price.

The catch here is due to the design itself and can’t be ignored: An open design offers virtually no significant sound isolation. If you’re sitting in an open-plan office, gaming in a shared apartment kitchen, or using public transportation, you’ll not only be more aware of your surroundings but will also disturb those around you with the sound of your game. This isn’t a problem in quiet rooms or with your own gaming setup at home, but it’s a clear deal-breaker when you’re on the go or in environments where sounds carry easily.

Microphone Quality Tested

For voice chat and streaming, the GX1 comes equipped with two microphones: a discreet, built-in microphone for occasional calls and a detachable boom microphone with ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) for more intense gaming sessions. In our Discord and Teams test sessions, the noise cancellation reliably filtered out keyboard clatter and quiet background noise, ensuring that our conversation partners could understand us clearly throughout.

However, the microphone isn’t without its drawbacks: Upon closer listening, the voice captured by the boom microphone in our test sounded a touch more bass-heavy and less crystal-clear than what you’d expect from significantly more expensive streaming microphones. The quality is easily sufficient for voice chat in multiplayer games and occasional video calls; for professional streaming or podcasting, however, we’d recommend a dedicated USB microphone instead.

Epomaker GX1 Review: Conclusion

For a debut in a new product category, Epomaker delivers a remarkably well-rounded package with the GX1. The bold decision to go with an open-back design for a gaming headset under 100 euros pays off in terms of sound quality in our test: a more spacious soundstage, a more natural listening experience, and spatial awareness that’s quite useful for shooters—all paired with a lightweight design, long battery life, and pleasantly flexible triple-mode connectivity.

If you can live with the lack of sound isolation and primarily play at home, the GX1 is a headset that offers more in several areas than its price would suggest. On the other hand, if you play on the go, in the office, or in noisy environments—or if you rely on Xbox Series Wireless—you should opt for a closed-back model.