As lockdown rolls on – even ‘enjoying’ a fresh tightening of the screws in some locations – we’re all spending a lot more time on the couch than perhaps we used to.

Gaming has had a huge popularity boost across all ages as a result of all these extra hours at home, so good-quality peripherals – those little extras that can make the difference between winning and losing – have crept up the tech agenda.

We recently tested a cheap and cheerful, entry-level headset from GXT. Now, we’ve upped our online gaming experience with not one but two headsets from Eksa: we were already testing the stock E900 set when the company announced a Pro version just a couple of weeks later. What’s the difference between the two and is it worth the extra money to go Pro?

In a word: probably. It’s not going to make a huge difference to your gaming which one of these you choose, as both headsets are of good quality. We were already appreciating the uprated comfort and sonic and spatial improvements of the E900 over our existing, more generic, headset even before the E900 Pro version arrived.

There’s immediately an aesthetic difference, with the Pro headset having subtler colour accents, being more black overall with hints of red, whereas the regular E900s go bigger on colour, with very obvious red metal arms for each earcup offsetting the black. The logo on the Pros is also illuminated, not just painted red. Small detail, nice touch.

That’s not to say that the Pros are just fancy show-pony headphones, though: they definitely lead the product line for Eksa. The two headsets differ in key detail.

The E900 Pros have what Eksa calls a ‘Dual Audio’ offering, with either 7.1 360° virtual stereo surround sound or regular stereo. The E900s will just do you a nice line in stereo sound.

Both headsets sound good: the stereo effect is basically the same in either one. The virtual surround is that bit better, though, especially for more precise spatial awareness in games: who’s trying to creep up behind you; where your teammates are; what’s coming over the hill; that sort of thing. This was a big step-up from our generic headset when testing both Eksa models.

The audio controls are on the headset for the Pros, making them more like a pair of Bluetooth audio headphones, while the regulars have an inline on-cable control, which is a bit chonky. The Pros are nicer.

Both headsets feature the same detachable, omnidirectional noise-cancelling mic (which works really well for issuing strong and clear commands, as well as salty put-downs of your opposition), so nothing is hardwired here. Both headsets also feature the company’s own 50mm neodymium speakers, so an excellent reproduction of game noise and effects is delivered right across the spectrum, from the rumbling bass of an explosion to the high-pitched battle cries (and hysterical laughter) of friends and foes.

The Pros have replaceable, “premium” protein leather, memory foam earpads, while the regular headset has “artificial leather” earpads. Obviously both leathers are artificial, but we have to say the Pros are definitely nicer. They’re much more comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions and the memory foam makes for a better fit and seal around the ear. The Pros ear pads are also replaceable. That said, we weren’t exactly unhappy with the regular E900 fit until the Pros turned up. Oh, the luxury of choice.

Both headsets have a sturdy but lightweight metal frame. Both headsets offer good headband padding. In the delivery list for each headset, the Pros edge it with a slightly nicer leatherette storage bag (although the E900s also come with a storage bag of their own) and a couple of extra audio cables, so you can immediately set up the 7.1 surround business.

Cross-platform compatibility is a given with both headsets, so either one will work with any console, computer or handheld device you game on – or just listen to music on. While not intended as purely audio headsets for music consumption, they sound decent enough for e.g. flipping to YouTube or Spotify while you take a break from gaming.

Both headsets also come with a two-year warranty, which is great; Eksa clearly prepared to stand by the quality of its products. Having been developing and manufacturing OEM headphones for major brands for over 10 years, the Chinese company has clearly learned a thing or two about how to produce gaming peripherals and the E900 series represent the first headsets of its own.

Eksa claims that it uses only premium materials throughout manufacturing to avoid any quality control issues and to ensure the headset has a longer lifespan than those of its competitors. Both headsets do look and feel like good quality products.

With a price difference of around £10 between the two sets (£30 vs. £42, if buying direct from the Eksa website), it really comes down to how seriously you take your gaming. Both headsets do a great job, delivering clear and precise audio, but the Pro version is that bit better on every level.

www.eksa.net

As lockdown rolls on – even ‘enjoying’ a fresh tightening of the screws in some locations – we’re all spending a lot more time on the couch than perhaps we used to.

Gaming has had a huge popularity boost across all ages as a result of all these extra hours at home, so good-quality peripherals – those little extras that can make the difference between winning and losing – have crept up the tech agenda.

We recently tested a cheap and cheerful, entry-level headset from GXT. Now, we’ve upped our online gaming experience with not one but two headsets from Eksa: we were already testing the stock E900 set when the company announced a Pro version just a couple of weeks later. What’s the difference between the two and is it worth the extra money to go Pro?

In a word: probably. It’s not going to make a huge difference to your gaming which one of these you choose, as both headsets are of good quality. We were already appreciating the uprated comfort and sonic and spatial improvements of the E900 over our existing, more generic, headset even before the E900 Pro version arrived.

There’s immediately an aesthetic difference, with the Pro headset having subtler colour accents, being more black overall with hints of red, whereas the regular E900s go bigger on colour, with very obvious red metal arms for each earcup offsetting the black. The logo on the Pros is also illuminated, not just painted red. Small detail, nice touch.

That’s not to say that the Pros are just fancy show-pony headphones, though: they definitely lead the product line for Eksa. The two headsets differ in key detail.

The E900 Pros have what Eksa calls a ‘Dual Audio’ offering, with either 7.1 360° virtual stereo surround sound or regular stereo. The E900s will just do you a nice line in stereo sound.

Both headsets sound good: the stereo effect is basically the same in either one. The virtual surround is that bit better, though, especially for more precise spatial awareness in games: who’s trying to creep up behind you; where your teammates are; what’s coming over the hill; that sort of thing. This was a big step-up from our generic headset when testing both Eksa models.

The audio controls are on the headset for the Pros, making them more like a pair of Bluetooth audio headphones, while the regulars have an inline on-cable control, which is a bit chonky. The Pros are nicer.

Both headsets feature the same detachable, omnidirectional noise-cancelling mic (which works really well for issuing strong and clear commands, as well as salty put-downs of your opposition), so nothing is hardwired here. Both headsets also feature the company’s own 50mm neodymium speakers, so an excellent reproduction of game noise and effects is delivered right across the spectrum, from the rumbling bass of an explosion to the high-pitched battle cries (and hysterical laughter) of friends and foes.

The Pros have replaceable, “premium” protein leather, memory foam earpads, while the regular headset has “artificial leather” earpads. Obviously both leathers are artificial, but we have to say the Pros are definitely nicer. They’re much more comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions and the memory foam makes for a better fit and seal around the ear. The Pros ear pads are also replaceable. That said, we weren’t exactly unhappy with the regular E900 fit until the Pros turned up. Oh, the luxury of choice.

Both headsets have a sturdy but lightweight metal frame. Both headsets offer good headband padding. In the delivery list for each headset, the Pros edge it with a slightly nicer leatherette storage bag (although the E900s also come with a storage bag of their own) and a couple of extra audio cables, so you can immediately set up the 7.1 surround business.

Cross-platform compatibility is a given with both headsets, so either one will work with any console, computer or handheld device you game on – or just listen to music on. While not intended as purely audio headsets for music consumption, they sound decent enough for e.g. flipping to YouTube or Spotify while you take a break from gaming.

Both headsets also come with a two-year warranty, which is great; Eksa clearly prepared to stand by the quality of its products. Having been developing and manufacturing OEM headphones for major brands for over 10 years, the Chinese company has clearly learned a thing or two about how to produce gaming peripherals and the E900 series represent the first headsets of its own.

Eksa claims that it uses only premium materials throughout manufacturing to avoid any quality control issues and to ensure the headset has a longer lifespan than those of its competitors. Both headsets do look and feel like good quality products.

With a price difference of around £10 between the two sets (£30 vs. £42, if buying direct from the Eksa website), it really comes down to how seriously you take your gaming. Both headsets do a great job, delivering clear and precise audio, but the Pro version is that bit better on every level.

www.eksa.net