There is no active noise cancellation. The open-back design prioritizes airflow and natural sound, so it can’t cancel distractions the way closed-back ANC headsets can.
Works on Android over Bluetooth and supports the Swarm II mobile app, but several advanced audio features are PC-centric and mobile options can feel limited.
Software support existed where applicable, but some reviews treated it as an extra step rather than a seamless out-of-box benefit.
Swarm II provides firmware updates plus access to EQ, mic controls, spatial options, and game/chat features. Stability and feature parity vary by platform, and some users report connection or preset issues.
Audio latency is best over the 2.4GHz dongle and 3.5mm wired mode. Bluetooth is fine for casual listening but not ideal when timing is critical.
Bass was commonly described as present and impactful, but tuning varied by review, with some hearing punchy low end and others wanting less boom or more control.
Bass is generally controlled rather than thunderous. Some reviews find it punchy enough for games, but many note weaker sub-bass and less impact for explosions or bass-heavy music.
Battery life was generally considered solid rather than class-leading, with multiple reviews centering around the 20-hour claim.
Battery life is repeatedly praised, usually meeting the advertised ~50 hours and sometimes exceeding it, so most users can go many sessions between charges.
Bluetooth generally works reliably for calls and media, but it’s higher latency than the 2.4GHz dongle and switching between sources can take a couple seconds. True simultaneous game audio (2.4GHz) plus Bluetooth mixing isn’t supported. You can toggle/QuickSwitch between sources instead.
Build quality was the clearest tradeoff: some reviews thought it was decent for the price, but many others called out flimsy or thin plastic construction.
Build is mostly plastic to keep weight low and is generally described as solid and flexible. It doesn’t feel as premium as metal-framed competitors, and the unusual suspension design raises long-term questions for some.
Controls were simple and easy to understand, but the volume dial quality and resistance were not universally liked.
Controls are mostly on one earcup with a prominent volume wheel. Some find them easy to locate, while others dislike similarly shaped buttons or coarse volume steps.
Cable impressions were mixed, with praise for low microphonics and decent handling in some reviews, but complaints about coiling, damage risk, or general cheapness in others.
Pack-in cables are commonly braided, longer than average, and better than typical bundled cables, drawing positive comments across multiple reviews.
The included pouch/bag is useful for scratch protection but isn’t a structured case and offers limited impact protection.
Charging was convenient enough in one review simply because battery life stretched long enough that charging rarely felt urgent.
USB-C charging is convenient, with multiple reviews citing fast charging (often roughly under a couple hours) and the ability to keep using the headset while it charges.
Clamp was consistently described as light or easygoing rather than overly tight.
Clamp is typically gentle and glasses-friendly, but the same light clamp can reduce stability for people who move around a lot.
Long-session comfort was one of the family’s biggest strengths, although a few reviewers still mentioned heat, ear contact, or pressure depending on fit and pad depth.
Comfort is a standout theme: lightweight build, breathable pads, and low clamp keep it easy to wear for hours, especially for glasses wearers.
The wired connection and broad device support gave the headset strong day-to-day connectivity flexibility.
Reviewers usually liked the refreshed look, calling it modern, subtle, or better styled than older Stinger designs.
A restrained, modern look with distinctive open-back grilles and floating cups. It reads more functional than flashy, which some prefer and others find plain.
The wired connection was criticized for being fixed rather than detachable.
The microphone arm was repeatedly criticized for not detaching, even though flip-to-mute helped offset some of that inconvenience.
The detachable boom mic and flip-to-mute are convenient for switching between gaming and casual use. A few mention the boom length or ergonomics as minor annoyances.
The wireless dongle was described as simple to use and quick to connect.
The included 2.4GHz USB-A dongle is the preferred mode for low-latency gaming and tends to be stable, while also enabling the best PC-only audio options.
Pad comfort varied by reviewer: some found the cups breathable and comfortable, while others complained about thin or shallow padding.
Earpads are described as plush, breathable, and comfortable, often using fabric rather than pleather to reduce heat. Many note they’re removable for cleaning or replacement.
Swivel range was praised for adding flexibility and easier off-head positioning.
The earcups don’t swivel flat, which makes it less convenient to rest around the neck or pack neatly compared with headsets that fold or rotate.
One review specifically praised how easy the earpads were to swap.
EQ support was inconsistent in practice: some reviews liked having profiles and controls, while another could not get the equalizer to work properly.
A 10-band EQ with custom presets is a core strength (especially on PC). A few reviewers report EQ-related artifacts or odd behavior with non-default profiles.
Seal reliability was viewed positively in the one review that discussed how firmly the cups closed around the ears without clamping too hard.
The one review that addressed accuracy directly said the tuning was pleasant but not especially accurate.
Tuning is broadly balanced with a mild upper-frequency emphasis that favors detail and competitive cues. Multiple notes point to less sub-bass than many closed-backs and occasional treble unevenness.
Game/chat mix is typically handled in the companion software rather than with a dedicated hardware dial, which is workable on PC but less convenient mid-game.
The numbered adjustment system was seen as practical and easy to dial in for repeatable fit.
Adjustment relies on a suspension/velcro system rather than sliding yokes. It fits many heads well, but it’s less granular and some worry about long-term velcro tension.
One review specifically warned that the hinges looked skinny enough to raise durability concerns.
The floating, band-suspended earcup design avoids traditional hinge stress points and feels robust in early use, but it’s unconventional enough that long-term wear remains an unknown.
Included extras were modest but useful, usually centered on items like splitters, pop filters, DTS codes, charging cables, or dongles.
The bundle typically includes the dongle, USB-C cable, 3.5mm cable, detachable mic (often with a windscreen), and a pouch. Braided cables and overall completeness get frequent praise.
When mixes got busy, several reviews still found instruments and layered sounds easy to separate rather than blurred together.
Instrument and layer separation is strong, helping complex mixes and busy game scenes remain distinct rather than blending together.
The attached mic was an integrated, always-present part of the headset design rather than a separate removable piece.
Clarity at high volume is generally strong with little distortion, though a few reports suggest certain EQ modes can introduce artifacts, especially at lower listening levels.
When reviewers judged the mic as a whole rather than only call clarity, they usually found it better than expected for the price.
Background-noise control was mixed: some mics rejected breathing, taps, or room noise well, while others still let through breathing or keyboard noise.
Noise handling is generally good with adjustable noise gates and processing, but some reviewers hear occasional dips or artifacts when noise reduction is too aggressive.
Call quality was usually good enough for chat, school, or Discord, but a few reviews reported muffled capture, low levels, or only serviceable overall quality.
Mic clarity is above average for a gaming headset, especially over the dongle/high-bandwidth modes. Over Bluetooth it can sound more compressed and less full.
Midrange performance came through as serviceable to good overall, though some reviews noted compression or a slightly recessed presentation.
Midrange is typically clear and present, keeping dialogue and key cues intelligible even in busy scenes.
Cross-platform use was a recurring strength, with multiple reviews highlighting support across PCs, consoles, and other 3.5 mm devices.
Connectivity is flexible via 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth, and 3.5mm analog, covering PC, PlayStation, Switch, and phones well. Xbox support is the main caveat because it isn’t wireless.
Passive isolation was usually described as acceptable rather than exceptional, with some reviews praising the seal and others wanting stronger blocking of outside noise.
Passive isolation is minimal by design. Sound leaks out and outside noise comes in, so it’s poorly suited to shared rooms, offices, or commuting.
The swiveling design made the headset easier to rest around the neck between sessions.
Positional performance was one of the most consistently praised gaming traits, with reviewers repeatedly calling out clear footsteps, shots, and directional cues.
The one review that judged preset behavior found a single preset good enough to leave in place.
The default Signature Sound profile is widely considered the most balanced and reliable. Superhuman Hearing and other presets can sound artificial or overly bright, and some profiles behave inconsistently.
Earpad replaceability was inconsistent across models and reviews, with some noting removable cushions and others saying pads could not be individually replaced.
Earpads are removable and replacements/mod options are available or expected, which helps hygiene and long-term maintenance.
Sidetone and mic monitoring worked for some users, but at least one review reported flaky behavior instead of a stable experience.
Mic monitoring/sidetone is adjustable and often described as hiss-free, but several reviewers found it too quiet unless set very high or noted it doesn’t feel especially strong.
Setup was usually easy, but the overall experience ranged from true plug-and-play convenience to limited software flexibility depending on model and platform.
Setup is straightforward when everything behaves, but multiple reviews mention finicky detection, firmware/update hiccups, or settings that don’t persist, making the experience inconsistent.
Most reviews praised the sound for the price, describing it as strong, enjoyable, or better than expected, though a few still framed it as only okay rather than refined.
Overall sound quality is a highlight: detailed, natural-leaning audio with strong positional clarity. The most common caveats are lighter low-end impact and occasional brightness depending on content and EQ.
The headset was credited with a wider, more convincing stage than expected in supported modes, especially once spatial processing was enabled.
Soundstage is notably wide and airy thanks to the open-back cups, creating a speaker-like sense of space that helps immersion and directional awareness in quiet rooms.
Spatial audio support was a real selling point, but reactions to DTS and similar processing varied from genuinely helpful to actively unpleasant.
PC-focused spatial features (often Waves 3D) can add useful directionality, though results vary by game and some listeners prefer it off for the cleanest, most natural presentation.
One review explicitly criticized head stability, saying the headset did not grip securely enough during movement.
Stability is mixed: it can sit comfortably when you’re stationary, but the light clamp and floating cups may shift with head turns or quick movement.
Treble was generally clear and airy, but some reviewers also noted mild boost or unevenness rather than a perfectly smooth top end.
Treble tends to lean bright for detail and cue pickup, but several reviews mention occasional sharpness or sibilance, especially with certain presets or EQ changes.
USB-C support was present on the wireless model, though cable quality and included charging length drew criticism.
Charges over USB-C; reviewers treat the USB-C connection as power/charging rather than a full-featured wired audio link.
Value for money was a major positive overall, especially at the lower price points, though a few reviewers still thought competing options offered safer or better-rounded buys.
Volume output drew mixed feedback: some reviewers found it very loud, while others said the maximum level felt limited.
Overall loudness is adequate for many, but multiple reviewers note an odd volume curve or that it needs higher percentage settings to reach their preferred listening level.
Low weight was repeatedly framed as a comfort advantage and a major reason the headset stayed easy to wear.
Weight is consistently noted as very low for a wireless headset (around 300g), helping it feel almost invisible during long sessions.
Xbox support was straightforward on the wired models thanks to the standard controller jack connection.
Xbox use is described as wired-only through the controller via 3.5mm, with no native Xbox wireless support.