The Cronos GO is a lightweight, portable on-ear headset that is versatile enough to game with you anywhere. It features compact 38mm neodymium drivers tuned for a powerful bass response and a retractable microphone.
Product on Review: Tt eSPORTS Cronos GO
Manufacturer and Sponsor: Tt eSPORTs
Street Price: UK – £44.99, US – $49.99
Some gamers may find themselves gaming on the move more regularly than others. Whether it be at LAN events, or using mobile devices or simply migrating from platform to platform, one thing is for sure, not everyone appreciates a huge headset that could get wrecked when you are moving around. Acknowledging this, Tt eSPORTS have created a lightweight supra-aural (on-ear) headset precisely for this purpose.
In our last outing with the Cronos AD, we found that Tt eSPORTS had developed a well-rounded, comfortable headset. Being part of the Cronos series, the GO features a similar design ethic to other Cronos headsets, including the Tt eSPORTS Battle Dragon with RED LEDs, as the retractable microphone as seen on the AD. To cut the weight down, the Cronos GO features a slim foldable headset frame, and is packed with carefully tuned 38mm drivers.
Overview by Tt eSPORTS
CRONOS GO – Gaming Headset – Highly functional stereo headset consist awesome ear cups that can both swivel-inward and fold flat for convenient transport! The CRONOS GO gaming headset offers the ultimate lightweight and convenience in portability, allowing you to focus on gaming anywhere!
Technical Specifications
Weight(g): 256
Color: DIAMOND BLACK
Connector: 3.5MM PLUG X2 & USB PLUG X1
Driver Unit (mm): 38MM NEODYMIUM MAGNET
Channel: STEREO
Frequency Response: 20HZ-22KHZ
Impedance: 32 Ohm
SENSITIVITY: 97 +-3 DB
MAX INPUT: 100 MW
Cable Length: 2.0 METERS
Plug&Play Microphone: YES
External In-Line Controller: YES
Color: DIAMOND BLACK
Connector: 3.5MM PLUG X2 & USB PLUG X1
Driver Unit (mm): 38MM NEODYMIUM MAGNET
Channel: STEREO
Frequency Response: 20HZ-22KHZ
Impedance: 32 Ohm
SENSITIVITY: 97 +-3 DB
MAX INPUT: 100 MW
Cable Length: 2.0 METERS
Plug&Play Microphone: YES
External In-Line Controller: YES
Packaging & First Look
The Tt eSPORTS packaging is distinctive using the red top on black with clear product branding. There is a side window cut out to give a good view of the product inside. Though we get a double dose of gaming orientated slogans that aren’t entirely needed.
At the back we get a reminder that victory is the primary aim of this headset… What? Anyway, There is also a large diagram labeling all the primary features of the Cronos GO.
Included in the packaging are two detachable cables, one includes an in-line remote control for volume and microphone mute and separate 3.5mm jacks for headphone and microphone. The other cable ends in a more versatile 3.5mm 4 pole jack that enables multi-platform and mobile use.
We see here that the Cronos GO has a very slim-line frame, with soft rubber cushioning at the top, and it features similar fabric coating on the earcups as the other Cronos series headsets.
Closer Look
Looking down on the headband you can get a more accurate sense of how narrow it is as just 2.5mm wide. As you would expect it features the Tt eSPORTS branding here also.
The headband is soft and squishy, providing adequate support for the head, while the small earcups feature a decent layer of thick padding.
Here we see that the adjustable head-strap has been reinforced with metal for extra strength and flexibility.
The headset itself is a little unorthodox in that the cable connects to the right-side earcup rather than coming from the left, and it does so via a propriety UC-E6 connector.
As the Cronos is targeting an audience looking for a compact, lightweight headset it is natural that the Cronos GO is also foldable for easy storage and transportation.
Overall the Cronos GO looks sleek, compact and is well designed. The retractable microphone is flexible and completes the aesthetic with a red LED light.
Performance Testing
Setup, Design & Observations
Even though the Cronos GO features a USB connector, it is just for powering the LED lighting purely for aesthetic purposes and so it is an analogue headset and isn’t supported by any software. This means that it is compatible with all current generation games consoles via the 4 pole plug and the absolute performance may depend on the hardware it is powered by. The cables are modular, and feature a proprietary connector with a catchment mechanism to ensure it is secure in place.
The frame itself weighs a reasonable 256g which is light, though seems a little dense for its dimensions. It is flexible, and the earcups both fold flat and into itself. The confusing thing here is that considering the pricing and product type, one would have thought that Tt eSPORTS would have included a carry bag or case for the Cronos GO, but unfortunately one is not supplied.
As the Cronos GO is supra-aural, the earpads sit on your ears, and once you put this headset on, it may take a little getting used to and may take a little positioning to find a comfortable spot. Though the clamp force seems light, I found that it was too strong for an on-ear headset or that it was the foam that was not soft enough to provide sufficient comfort with the longest period of use I could bare coming in at around 20-30 minutes.
Performance
Listening though some familiar audio tracks ranging from rock, pop and electronic music, the Cronos GO surprised us with a rich, well-rounded bass impact and a good balance to the overall tone and separation and so was a joy to listen to music with. On closer scrutiny, it does lack some definition and so isn’t as precise as some audio enthusiasts would like. The Cronos GO can be rather loud too, so be wary before cranking these up.
In our gaming tests we found the sound quality from the Cronos GO is clear, providing an ample amount of details from footsteps in CS:GO, to that off-screen salve being used just out of screenshot in DOTA2. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided felt a little flat regarding presence and immersion, so its soundstage is fairly narrow and may not be suited for those wanting a completely indulgent audio experience.
Microphone
The retractable microphone is flexible and easy to position. It features a rather narrow field of pickup so it does need to be positioned correctly for the best performance but because of this, it achieves a decently level of background noise cancelling. Voice sounds a little soft, but is clearly audible, having no problems in Skype, or Discord.
Conclusion
There is often a debate surrounding headsets and people will invariably have a different take on a product. The Cronos GO is something that will suit the gamers looking for a lightweight, portable headset that can be thrown around with minimal effort knowing you always have a decent gaming headset there ready for action regardless of the platform of situation. The presentation is attractive and the overall audio performance is impressive considering its cut down scale.
There are some key points now to be raised and its a slight shame actually. It would be fair to argue the point that on-ear headphones may be a subjective preference. Though the combination of having a relatively tight squeeze and not so forgiving padding on the earcups resulted in something that was fairly uncomfortable after a single round on CS:GO and struggled to make it through a single match on DOTA 2 without requiring repositioning or a break. If this is something that could be fixed, the Cronos GO would otherwise be a fantastic, lightweight headset that is perfect for carrying around… if only a carry bag was included too.
Considering its pricing, it is forced into the corner by some fantastic headsets, notably the HyperX Cloud Stinger, though arguably it is not so portable. If you are one that prefers on-ear, lightweight headphones or headsets, the Cronos GO may present the value and performance you seek, but there are likely other options out there that are more comfortable.
The Cronos GO is small, stylish and impressively powerful. Its foldable frame and versatility make it suitable for gaming anywhere anytime.
Pros.
+ Lightweight
+ Portable, foldable
+ Attractive design
+ Retractable microphone
+ Decent gaming audio
Cons.
– Can be uncomfortable
– No carry case/bag included
+ Lightweight
+ Portable, foldable
+ Attractive design
+ Retractable microphone
+ Decent gaming audio
Cons.
– Can be uncomfortable
– No carry case/bag included
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