INTRODUCTION

   RGB illumination in computer and console peripherals is very common nowadays so if you happen to go into a computer store you will most likely find yourself in front of a wall or two with numerous keyboards, mice, mousepads and headsets with that particular feature. Still that's both good and bad cause in a market filled with RGB illuminated peripherals it's becoming increasingly harder for consumers to decide which ones offer the best bang for their buck. A good bet is going for a product designed and manufactured by one of the more popular and successful brands but unfortunately we're still talking about a long list of names so that doesn't really narrow things down much either. Through their ThunderX3 gaming division Aerocool has introduced a number of interesting products lately including the AH7 HEX Gaming Headset which has been with us for roughly over one week now.

   ThunderX3 designs and creates gaming peripherals including gaming chairs and is a division of Aerocool Advanced Technologies Corporation based in Taipei. We aim to deliver new products for the gaming community that break new market standards and complement the eSports scene. Quality, design and technological excellence are the pillars sustaining our philosophy. Are you ready for the gaming revolution? Find out more at www.thunderx3.com

   The AH7 HEX Gaming Headset by ThunderX3 is yet another closed stereo model that features two 50mm dynamic drivers (20Hz-22KHz frequency response with 32Ohm impedance and 116+-3dB sensitivity) which in turn can deliver 7.1 virtual surround sound via a built-in USB sound card featuring C-Medias 6533X1 USB 2.0 audio chip (integrated Tri-Colors PWM LED driver and dual-channel ADC/DAC and S/PDIF interface). The AH7 HEX Gaming Headset also features a detachable Omni-directional noise-cancelling microphone (-38+-3dB sensitivity), in-line media controls (play/pause/volume up-down/microphone mute), foldable earcups, suspension design headband, left and right RGB LEDs (external HALOs) with a total of 6 lighting effects (flow/wave/radar/cycle/breathe/solid) and an extra pair of memory foam ear cushions dressed in soft sports mesh fabric.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Our sample arrived inside a black box (beaten up too so don't pay much attention to that detail) that has a product picture at the front right beneath the company logo and above its main features.

Three pictures placed on the left side are used to showcase some of its features.

On the right side of the box ThunderX3 has placed the complete specifications of the product.

All of the features are listed at the rear of the box in 12 different languages and right beneath a product picture.

The front of the box opens up to reveal the AH7 HEX Gaming Headset and a few words about it.

Inside the box you will find the AH7 HEX Gaming Headset with its detachable microphone, two extra ear cushions, two stickers, warranty card and the user manual.

THE AH7 HEX

The 310g heavy AH7 HEX Gaming Headset features a black and cyan color theme and a steel frame.

As you can see from the above picture the AH7 HEX is a medium sized closed headset.

On the exterior of both earcups we find the ThunderX3 logo.

Both earcups can also tilt for optimal comfort.

The 3.5mm port for the detachable microphone is located at the lower front of the left earcup.

Although flexible the Omni-directional noise-cancelling microphone reverts for the most part to its default position.

ThunderX3 has used foldable earcups for the AH7 HEX.

Large left and right markings are placed on the interior of both ear cushions (the default ones are made out of leatherette).

The headpad is very soft and thanks to the suspension system very comfortable.

As usual the company name is engraved on the exterior of the headband as seen above.

The extra ear cushions are dressed with soft mesh fabric which at least for me is much more comfortable compared to the leatherette ones.

To install the cushions just pull the default ones out and press the new ones in.

A small in-line controller allows you to increase/decrease volume, play/pause audio and mute the microphone.

On the end of the 1.8 meter long braided cable we see a gold plated USB plug.

HEX SOFTWARE

You can download the latest version of the HEX control software from the official ThunderX3 website.

This is a unified control software so from here you can control the entire HEX family of products by ThunderX3 (headset/keyboard/mouse).

From within the HEX software you can pick one of the 7 available EQ presets (bass/FPS/MOBA/Movie Theater/Music/Race/RPG) or create your very own (by pressing the add button), choose the desired color speed direction and lighting effect out of the 6 available ones (flow/wave/radar/cycle/breathe/solid) or again create your very own and finally you can access several microphone settings including volume, sampling frequency (44.1/48KHz) and special effects (echo/monster/cartoon/woman/man/7.1 virtual surround).

Here you can how the AH7 HEX looks when plugged in to your computer.

CONCLUSION

   Based on the quality of materials and available features it’s quite evident that when ThunderX3 was working the AH7 HEX they had but a single goal and that was to compete in the mid-price range of the gaming headset market. This of course is not only not a bad thing but it was also expected since this is the market favored mostly by the majority of consumers (gamers included). Now audio quality may not be stellar but the AH7 HEX does offer good clarity and accuracy with an acceptable level of bass generated from a pair of 50mm drivers (we’ve seen both better and worse headsets based on similar drivers in terms of bass). Positioning audio may also not be the best we’ve encountered to date but it’s actually quite immersive for a headset of this category. The microphone is the one thing we didn’t get to test much in online games but the little that we did people reported clear reception on the other end. Comfort I also very high largely thanks to the suspension system and the rather large memory foam padded ear cushions ThunderX3 decided to use with their headset. Unfortunately although the AH7 HEX looks great thanks to its HALO RGB LEDs since it’s a USB based gaming headset (both the sound card and the RGB LEDs require too much power) it can't be used with mobile devices.

   Since the AH7 HEX Gaming Headset by ThunderX3 is a relatively new product it’s not widely available yet so unfortunately to our knowledge noone carries it in the USA. Still you can find it inside the EU for a price tag of 85Euros (Amazon.co.uk) a price tag which as expected places it right in the middle of several similar RGB gaming headsets. In the end the AH7 HEX Gaming Headset by ThunderX3 may not bring anything new and exciting to the table but thanks to its looks (although the black/cyan theme may not be for everyone), comfort and audio quality our Golden Award feels right at home with it.

PROS

- Overall Quality
- Design
- Good Mids, Highs & Bass Levels
- HALO RGB LEDs with 6 Modes
- Comfortable
- Foldable Earcups
- Detachable Microphone
- HEX Unified Software
- Extra Fabric Covered Ear Cushions

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Current Availability
- Black & Cyan Color Combination (For Some)