Ready to replace that big, bulky gaming headset? We test out the latest wireless gaming earbuds from EPOS – the GTW 270 Hybrids.
Product on Review: GTW 270 Hybrid
Manufacturer: EPOS
Street Price: GBP £199 | USD $199 | AUS $349
There is no getting away from the fact that gaming headsets are bulky and cumbersome items. Of the various attributes which headset developers hone in on is the desire to provide a lightweight solution that is able to reside on the head for long periods of time. Although there have been some impressive, lightweight focussed headsets in for review over the years, even the lightest of audio solutions can spoil a long gaming session.
Today, we’re set to take a look at some new wireless gaming earbuds – the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrids. These earbuds come with 6mm drivers, dual omnidirectional microphones and offer up to 5-hours of usage per session. For connectivity Bluetooth 5.1 is available as well as a handy USB-C dongle which uses aptX low-latency.
Will these earbuds banish the headache experienced from your current gaming headset and can they perform just as good?
EPOS on their GTW 270 Hybrid
Leave the world behind with no compromise audio delivered by GTW 270 Hybrid wireless earbuds. Its unique shape ensures a secure and comfortable fit for hours of high-end audio playback. As an EPOS Hybrid product, the GTW 270 Hybrid delivers multiple connection options; Bluetooth® or aptX™ Low Latency connection with the USB-C dongle. Escape to new worlds while on the go.
Closer Look
The GTW 270s arrive in a well-designed box which showcases a depiction of the earbuds on the front and on the reverse we have the technical specifications. As far as unboxing experiences go, this a pleasant one which certainly reinforces that we’re dealing with a high-quality product.
Opening the box, inside, we have a medley of items which include the earbuds, USB-C dongle, charging case, and documentation – user guide, quick start guide and warranty info.
The earbuds adopt a monochrome theme which looks sleek and aesthetically pleasing. The only splash of colour arrives in the form of the gold contact points and LED indicators (signifying connection/battery status). The design of the GTW 270 is ergonomic but will sit slightly outside of the ear when in situ. The soft material used alongside the gel plug allow the buds to comfortable slot into the recess of the ear with ease.
There is just the one button on the left piece which allows basic playback like play, pause, skip. As well as providing support for Google Assist or Apple Siri to be initialised. Unfortunately, there is no volume dial – something which we feel should be included in some way.
Another thing to be aware of is the microphone. If you’re wanting to use GTW 270s for voice chat you will need to use Bluetooth – the dual microphones do not work using the USB-C route.
The earbuds feature a battery life which will hover around the 5 hour mark but can be dropped into the supplied case for charging. This case provides 15 hours of total charge time, allowing for 3 sessions of charging.
Like other earbuds the case manages connectivity to a device as well and it features a USB-C port which can be used for updating the firmware of the earbuds, USB-C dongle and the charging case itself. If Bluetooth is the desired connection type, the button on the front of the case needs to be depressed for 5s until the LEDs flash red – allowing you to pair with the device in question.
As with the earbuds, there are no compromises on build quality here, it has been expertly crafted.
EPOS provide the GTW 270 with a USB-C dongle which can be connected to a compatible device – the dongle acts as a receiver, allowing the earbuds to synchronise.
Performance
SOLID ALL-ROUND PERFORMANCE
It would be easy to assume that the size of the GTW 270s would automatically place them as inferior compared to a full-sized gaming headset. One of the main factors being the sheer size of the drivers. While they may not be all the way there in terms of audio comparison, they are certainly very close.Regardless of the chosen task – music, movies or gaming, the GTW 270s perform exceeding well, providing a noticeable punch in the bass. We found the audio warm, extremely clear and very well balanced. In fact, we were completely blown away by the performance from such a small device(s).
We experienced no lag issues using Bluetooth with the receiver within metres of distance, but USB-C does benefit from aptX low latency which will resolve any such weaknesses that Bluetooth can introduce.
BATTERY LIFE – BALANCED?
Against their fully fledged wireless gaming headset counterparts, the GTW 270 earbuds have just 5 hours of battery life. While this would typically cover the usual gaming session, they will need to be dropped into the charging case following usage. The charging case can provide up to 15 hours of charge (3 sessions) which is pretty decent!BLUETOOTH – THE PART THAT’S HYBRID
What makes the GTW 270 especially versatile is their “hybrid” attribute which comes in the form of Bluetooth connectivity. For those without a USB-C port (or who prefer to use Bluetooth in general) the GTW 270s can be connected to a device, such as an Apple iPhone (which currently only use lightning ports). Synchronising the earbuds to a device using Bluetooth is easy – just enable Bluetooth on said device, hold the button on the front of the earbud case for longer than 5s and this will allow the GTW 270s to pair up.Having two methods to utilise is a huge selling point and it is great to see!
Conclusion
We’ve reviewed countless headsets here at Vortez but this is the first time we’ve had the pleasure of delving into the world of earbuds, (and gaming earbuds at that) and we’ve been blown away by what EPOS has to offer in the GTW 270 Hybrids.
From the packaging, all the way to the end product it’s clear we’re dealing with a expertly crafted piece of kit. EPOS aren’t known for cutting corners or making compromises when it comes to the build quality on their products and the same can be said for this new release.
But, it isn’t just about the build quality – audio performance is a top priority for any product within this arena and we’re pleased to report that the GTW 270s excel in this domain too. Throughout our testing we experienced solid performance regardless of the given situation. This is made even more enjoyable by the fact that we’re able to use USB-C or Bluetooth for connectivity and getting set up takes a matter of seconds. Those with a learning towards a ‘closed’ headset will appreciate the noise isolation from what EPOS presents in the GTW 270s.
Having two different options for connectivity makes these earbuds versatile – paving the way for usage on PC, mobile phone and even console. GTW 270s are compatible with the latest PS5 but sadly not the Xbox X Series, and it isn’t EPOS who are to blame. The Xbox X Series has neither a USB-C port or Bluetooth!
Comfort is always an area of concern for product which cover the ears and we encountered no issues here, the only thing which may stop you in your tracks is the 5-hour battery life (which is hardly anything to complain about). The supplied earbuds case will provide up to 15 hours (3x charge)
While the asking price of GBP £199 | USD $199 | AUS $349 is a lot to ask – there are few options in the gaming sector for wireless earbuds and especially something which matches the technical specifications of the GTW 270s.
On the hunt for a lightweight wireless gaming headset? The GTW 270s are definitely worth considering!
Pros
+ Can be used with USB-C or Bluetooth devices
+ Aesthetically pleasing
+ Comfortable for extended periods of time
+ Excellent overall performance
+ Closed design blocks out external noise
+ IPX 5 water resistance
Cons
– Microphone only available with Bluetooth
– No physical volume dial
+ Can be used with USB-C or Bluetooth devices
+ Aesthetically pleasing
+ Comfortable for extended periods of time
+ Excellent overall performance
+ Closed design blocks out external noise
+ IPX 5 water resistance
Cons
– Microphone only available with Bluetooth
– No physical volume dial
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