EPOS H3 Hybrid: the game helmet that transforms to get out of your home!

An excellent gaming headset that doesn't confine you to using it only in front of your console or PC, it's the dream of anyone who wants to at least a two-in-one product. After its very good H3 helmet, EPOS is expanding the range by launching the H3 Hybrid. A model also inspired in terms of audio, offering multiple connections, a detachable boom, to be used at home or outside. All for less than 200 euros.

With its H3 headphones, EPOS had acquired a perfect and powerful model for players looking for a high-end audio experience. But the headset was wired only.

To seduce those who dream of wireless headphones that they can use away from their console or their PC, the former Sennheiser sidekick is launching the H3 Hybrid this Tuesday to enrich its range with a product that relies on the versatility and connectivity, without compromising sound quality.

The H3 Hybrid, as its name suggests, is able to adapt to all situations. It takes up the excellent fundamentals of the H3, its ergonomic design is pleasant to wear, its excellent audio performance. But the H3 Hybrid goes upmarket by adding the Bluetooth connection and many possibilities to be even more versatile and easy to use on a daily basis, whatever your needs.

A design that's still just as effective

This closed acoustic circuit gaming headset has a padded headband that allows you to wear it for a long time without feeling pressure. This is easily adjustable with several notches on the steel strips. The angled oval ear cups are well thought out to fit the majority of ears. But taller ones might find them a bit small and narrow. The memory foam pads, which are interchangeable, are appreciable and seem to "mould" around the ear, further reinforcing impeccable passive insulation, especially when you are in conversation during your game.

The H3 Hybrid looks like a quality product, with excellent finishes in black or white, even if all the headphones and fasteners are the headband are made of plastic, quite robust it must be admitted. We also like the double articulation of the headphones which enhances ergonomics and allows you to adjust the headphones even better to each morphology by being perfectly positioned.

On the right earpiece, there is a rotary wheel for the sound volume. It is easy to access and use. On the edge, a single smart button to pair the headset in Bluetooth and opt for different configured audio profiles.

The H3 Hybrid headset has a volume wheel // Source: The H3 Hybrid headset can be used wired or wirelessly

On the left, the microphone takes place and switches to activate or deactivate when it is raised. But this time, thanks to its magnetic part, it is possible to detach it to then use the H3 Hybrid as a simple headset. This is the same microphone found on the H3, a fairly solid and thin pole, especially at its end. Above all, it is always a good size to put the microphone as close as possible to your mouth without interfering and capturing the sound well. Note that the headset has an additional microphone on the left earphone to also use the headset without the boom.

If you don't want to use your helmet with the pole attached, EPOS has had the good idea of ​​providing a cover that is positioned at the location of the attachment once it has been removed. On the edge of the headset, there is a USB-C port to charge the headphones (the USB-C/USB-A cable is in the box) and the 3.55 mm jack port to connect the cable to your device (Windows PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet, Nintendo Switch, etc.) or on a PlayStation (PS4 or PS5) or Xbox (One and Series X|S) game controller.

The H3 Hybrid helmet // Source: EPOS

That's still all that's on the helmet. EPOS did not choose controls on the ear cups or a button to balance the sound between the game and the chat as it also sometimes exists.

Sounds as good as ever

The H3 Hybrid relies on the in-house DAC and an in-headphone amplifier for easy wireless connection if you want to connect the headset to your Windows PC , Mac, smartphone or any other compatible product. This can be done with the supplied USB cable which promises no lag between game and audio. The headset can also be used with the Gaming Suite EPOS on PC.

The software allows you to achieve the right EPOS 7.1 surround sound (adjust reverb levels) and customize the audio to suit your tastes thanks to its comprehensive 9-band equalizer, with 4 optimized presets and sound profiles. your choice. You can then select them using the function button on the headset. The Gaming Suite also offers many adjustment modes for the microphone to adapt it to the types of voices (strong or weak) and better mix the sound of your voice with the audio of the game.

On console and for games that support multi-channel audio, the H3 Hybrid brings binaural surround sound to your ears via the analog cable. EPOS also announces reliability and reduced latency when you go through the Bluetooth connection, while using the boom microphone and the microphone integrated into the earpiece.

The H3 Hybrid headset plugs into your gamepad // Source: EPOS

The second microphone will also make the audio quality of the headset speak for itself when you take calls with your smartphone for your daily life and you have not magnetized the boom. If both are activated, the audio quality goes upmarket and the headphones will offer optimal sound.

Variable autonomy

The brand announces an autonomy of 37 hours for its Bluetooth headphones which can be fully charged in 1h30, while being plugged into USB to play. If you use the analog cable, the autonomy will be 24 hours, but with better audio quality. By combining the two types of connection, count only 19 hours of audio listening.

Multiple connectivity and multi-possibilities

The strength of this H3 Hybrid indeed lies in its multiple connectivity which allows it to adapt to all your needs, whether it's a helmet for work, for calls, to play, for your music, wired or wireless, and even via USB on a PC. And the Bluetooth connection can remain active even if the headset is plugged into USB or analog. This has an advantage: allowing you to mix the audio of the chat on an application while having the audio of your game via a cable connected to your computer or console.

The headset can therefore meet the wishes of all gamers, at all times, whether for gaming and working at home or as a headset on the street. This is its main difference with the H3 helmet at the pole and which was a helmet reserved for video games. The versatility of the H3 Hybrid is its strength, without compromising on audio quality, worthy fruit of the Sennheiser heritage of yesteryear.

Our first audio tests are rather encouraging and we remain on the same sound proposal as on the H3 which was already very good on this point, in-house know-how obliges. Bluetooth connection to a computer or smartphone is quick and easy, and the audio quality is just as good.

EPOS H3 Hybrid price and availability

Versatility comes at a cost. The gaming headset is already available in black or white at 179 euros on the EPOS site and from certain partner retailers. This is 60 euros more than the H3 at launch.