Gamdias Hephaestus Review
Category : Headsets
Published by Luca Rocchi on 25.02.14
Hephaestus from Gamdias is a gaming headset that packs interesting and uncommon features. At a first glance, build quality appears to be good and hopefully the sound is also going to convice. Other than that the Hephaestus, uses a 7.1 virtual surround and a new system called "Vibration Recognizer of Blast Source" to support very low bass. Overall we're rather curious to see if Gamidas is able to convince us or not.



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In the next couple of following pages we will show you the strengths and weaknesses of the Gamdias Hephaestus Headset.

Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Wearing comfort/ergonomics
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Acoustics
Page 3 - Specifications Page 7 - Software
Page 4 - Test conditions Page 8 - Conclusion


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Preview

   


   


   


Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Wearing comfort/ergonomics
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Acoustics
Page 3 - Specifications Page 7 - Software
Page 4 - Test conditions Page 8 - Conclusion


Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]

Specifications

Headphones

Model number: GHS2000
Frequency: 20 - 20'000 Hz
Impendance: 32 Ohm
Cable length: 2.5 m
Driver size: 40 mm
Plug: USB2.0

Microphone

Frequency: 100 - 10'000 Hz
Characteristics: noise cancelling

Remote control

Volume control: On button
Microphone control: On button

 





Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Wearing comfort/ergonomics
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Acoustics
Page 3 - Specifications Page 7 - Software
Page 4 - Test conditions Page 8 - Conclusion


Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]

Test conditions

Regarding our headset respectively microphone tests we subjectively describe acoustics, microphone quality as well as ergonomics. The endresult therefore relies also on the tester himself. We're doing our best to ensure comparable results if different reviewers were testing different products. We think these review can be seen as a help if you like to buy a specific product and can therefore be seen as subjective consumer advice.

Music


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Games



Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Wearing comfort/ergonomics
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Acoustics
Page 3 - Specifications Page 7 - Software
Page 4 - Test conditions Page 8 - Conclusion


Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]

Wearing confort and ergonomics

   


After a few days of use, we can say that the headphones are comfortable although they are not very light. The weight of the Hephaestus is well distributed, therefore they are balanced and the earpads are adjustable. If you use glasses or 3D goggle, you could have some problem of incompatibility. The materials used for the ear cushions and for the headband is very good, rather soft and pleasant to the touch. The overall quality as well as the sound insulating are on good level.
The headphones are made mainly of plastic, have no crunches or imperfections. The sample is solid and heavy. Unlike other producers, the headband is made of plastic material and can be extended for 35 mm for part (total 70 mm) by 6 levels. What surely notice of Hephaestus concerning the exclusive design of the pavilions, rather out of the ordinary. The cable is not removable and is braided with high quality tissue.


Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Wearing comfort/ergonomics
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Acoustics
Page 3 - Specifications Page 7 - Software
Page 4 - Test conditions Page 8 - Conclusion


Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]

Acoustics

Headphone

Gamdias chose to equip their gaming headset with two 40 millimeter drivers. These are capable of offering a decent audio experience. Unfortunately by default this headset comes with an unbalanced preset. In our opinion, the bass is too present on the Hephaestus by default and the mids and heights are too silent. Some people might appreciate this picture but if you prefer more linear audio, then you definitely have to turn down the bass. Once adjusted, using a software equalizer the headphones sound pretty good. On the ears pieces as well as on the remote control there are LEDs, which all get it's power from the USB 2.0 plug. The virtual surround 7.1 performs very well and the sound completely wraps. The Hephaestus are characterized by the presence of a system called "Recognizer of Blast Vibration Source" that will make your headphones vibrating to assist in the identification of the signal.


   

Microphone

The microphone is the average of the products tested so far, the noise cancellation works well and has memory effect. The headphones come with a handy remote control, with which you can adjust the sound volume and the activation of the microphone. On the remote control are engraved with the logos of the manufacturer and there is a LED backlight.

   


Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Wearing comfort/ergonomics
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Acoustics
Page 3 - Specifications Page 7 - Software
Page 4 - Test conditions Page 8 - Conclusion


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Software

Unlike the other Gamdias's software so far tested, the one included in the bundle of Hephaestus presents no graphical customization. The software is only necessary if you want to use the headphones via USB, otherwise in stereo mode with the 3.5mm jack will work without the any tool. The software includes an equalizer, the ability to select the channels (2/4/6/8), various effects and karaoke mode. The software is quite simple and intuitive, we hope for a GUI customization from Gamdias in future.

   


   


Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Wearing comfort/ergonomics
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Acoustics
Page 3 - Specifications Page 7 - Software
Page 4 - Test conditions Page 8 - Conclusion


Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]

Conclusion

The Hephaestus is a good product. The build quality as well as the materials used is really good and they fully comply with Gamdias's standard. The design is unique and the headset packs unusual features. The soft cushions as well as the headband fit perfectly and you will never experience pressure points.
Perception of audio is certainly a subjective matter. In our opinion bass is way too present compared to mids and heights. We can say that the Hephaestus offers good sound quality, once the overpronounced bass got adjusted by an equalizer. The default setting only makes sense if you solely play games or watch movies. The surround system works good but the vibration system could be improved because it is hard to understand. The earpads that surround the 40 millimeter drivers are comfortable if you don't wear glasses or 3D goggles.

Since the Hephaestus features a 7.1 virtual surround system, on the official website you can download the software. Unfortunately the software doesn't have a custom GUI but it's still practical and intuitive to use. We hope for a future update from the manufacturer, where they rework the GUI.

Checking prices on geizhals.at we found the Hephaestus to be listed at 84 Euro. The build level is definitely on a good level, but since there are quite a few things that could be improved we award this headset with 3 out of 5 stars.



Page 1 - Introduction Page 5 - Wearing comfort/ergonomics
Page 2 - Preview Page 6 - Acoustics
Page 3 - Specifications Page 7 - Software
Page 4 - Test conditions Page 8 - Conclusion


Discuss this article in the forums