Here we are! Wired headphones are no longer a surprise: although the world is moving towards Bluetooth, good old cables are still in play. However, a gaming headset with a non-removable USB-A cable is something out of the ordinary. On the one hand, such a solution lacks flexibility, but on the other hand, its own DAC allows you to do anything with the sound, up to and including emulating the 7.1 acoustic format. Plus, it has a microphone on a flexible leg, a remote control on a wire and an interesting appearance. And minus only $35 out of your pocket. This is all about Haylou HexStorm G1. Let's listen, play, and draw conclusions.
4 reasons to buy Haylou HexStorm G1:
- large 50 mm drivers with expressive sound;
- virtual 7.1 sound for gaming;
- comfortable fit even with prolonged use;
- easy connection without settings (plus there is additional software for Windows).
3 reasons not to buy Haylou HexStorm G1:
- only wired connection via a non-removable cable with a USB-A connector;
- the sound is more gaming than musical;
- non-folding design.
What's in the box?
The package is as simple as possible: a headset and a paper manual. The cable, as we already know, is not detachable, nor is the microphone. It would be appropriate to add a USB-C adapter to the package, because some modern laptops do not have an A-connector at all. Well, maybe a storage bag of some kind. In general, the equipment and packaging make a rather budgetary impression.
The Haylou HexStorm G1 package. Illustration: gagadget.com
What does it look like?
The headset itself looks interesting and expensive. On the one hand, restraint reigns here: no aggressive shapes and, characteristically, no RGB backlighting. On the other hand, it is a style, and not a trivial one.
The absolutely glossy surface of the cups, although completely plastic, looks like expensive lacquered wood or ceramics.
The Haylou HexStorm G1. Illustration: gagadget.com
I don't know how practical it is (dust, fingerprints, scratches), but it's definitely beautiful. The letter "H" and the metal details of the headband look spectacular with red accents. In addition to black, as in our review, there is also a white version.
Гарнітура Haylou HexStorm G1. Ілюстрація: gagadget.com
The ear cushions are combined: a combination of eco-leather on the outside and fabric on the inside is used to reduce overheating of the ears during prolonged use (and it really feels like it, especially with the spring warming).
Амбушури Haylou HexStorm G1. Ілюстрація: gagadget.com
The design of the headband is worth mentioning separately: it has a soft lining and evenly distributes the weight, so the headset does not press down even after several hours of play. However, the quality of such a coating can be assessed only after several months of active use.
Haylou HexStorm G1 headband. Illustration: gagadget.com
The cable is long - 180 centimetres, with a fabric braid that reduces wear and tangling, but if the length is too long, the built-in Velcro will come in handy. This length of cable reminds us once again that this headset is well suited for use with desktop computers, where the connection jacks may be further away than on a laptop.
Cable Haylou HexStorm G1. Ілюстрація: gagadget.com
How do I connect Haylou HexStorm G1?
The connection is via USB 2.0, so we have full plug and play in the literal sense. Once connected, the headphones play, and we can play too.
The headset is compatible with PCs, laptops and consoles (PS4/PS5), it also works with smartphones, but don't forget about the USB-A connector, which may require an adapter. From a technical point of view, headphones are recognised by the system as a separate audio interface (USB sound card), and in the standard settings, you can select them as an audio output, microphone input, or both.
Haylou HexStorm G1. Illustration: gagadget.com
What about the controls and settings?
There is a fixed control panel with a microphone switch and analogue volume control on the headphone cord. The remote control is convenient, the controls work clearly, the volume control moves smoothly, does not creak. Perhaps, I would like to see a clearer indication of the microphone switching on, so that you could see the current mode even from the corner of your eye. Maybe even a separate LED for this would not hurt.
The Haylou HexStorm G1 remote control. Illustration: gagadget.com
What can the proprietary software do?
The Haylou HexStorm G1 does not require any additional software and works right out of the box. However, a driver and a special control panel are offered for Windows and can be downloaded for free from the manufacturer's official website. The panel allows you to do several basic things with the sound:
- adjust the headphone and microphone volume levels;
- select one of the ready-made equaliser presets or manually create your own;
- turn on 7.1 spatial sound and edit it very flexibly if necessary (you can manually select the position of each of the virtual speakers);
- apply spatial effects to the sound;
- switch on one of four voice modifiers (two low, "male" and "monster" and two high, "female" and "child").
In general, it's not something outer-space (there are a lot of other apps for sound processing), but the spatial sound is implemented in a really interesting way, it works very effectively.
How does it sound?
Haylou HexStorm G1 uses 50 mm aluminium-titanium drivers, and this immediately sets the character of the sound: large volume, pronounced bass and a sufficient volume margin. The declared frequency range is 20 Hz-20 kHz, sensitivity is 108 dB and impedance is 32 Ohms.
Low frequencies are dense and well suited for games where the transmission of explosions or effects is important, but when listening to music, they can sometimes look a little dominant. The mids are quite clear, which is important for voice chat (and the headset does a good job here), although for music, the detail remains at a basic level. High frequencies are present, and without excessive harshness, which helps to avoid fatigue during long sessions.
The virtual 7.1 sound is worth mentioning once again: it really adds a sense of space and allows you to better navigate the game by determining the direction of sounds (especially in shooters), although it is software processing, not full-fledged multichannel sound. And, just in case, let me remind you that the 7.1 setup includes seven speakers (the central speaker and three stereo pairs in front, on the sides and behind the listener) plus a separate subwoofer. By inertia (reviewer objectivity!) I wanted to say that it's a pity that it only works under Windows. But this is a gaming headset, so Windows PC is their native environment (console players, please respond in the comments). I also note that even without fine-tuning the driver, the headphones can cope with the spatial positioning of the sound quite well, here it is a question of the sound source itself.
What about the microphone?
The microphone is fixed, attached to the left cup, on a flexible leg. It is omnidirectional, with a sensitivity of -42 dB. The design allows you to conveniently select its position, while the leg does not bend spontaneously, remaining in the desired shape. There is no foam wind protection in the package.
Haylou HexStorm G1 microphone. Illustration: gagadget.com
The sensitivity is sufficient for team play: the voice is transmitted clearly, without noticeable distortion, although there is no background noise reduction as such, so in a noisy environment, the interlocutors can hear unnecessary sounds.
How convenient is it to use?
HexStorm G1 is a rather massive headset, according to my measurements it weighs 338 grams, but this is normal for full-size headphones. Moreover, G1 subjectively feels lighter than 287-gram Bluetooth headphones.
Overall, comfort is one of the strengths of this model. The headset is well suited for long-term use thanks to its weight balance, soft headband, and comfortable ear cushions. The design does not create pressure even when used with glasses. We can consider that the main goal has been achieved: the headset can be worn for several hours in a row without any discomfort.
However, this design also has a downside: the cups cannot be folded inwards for compact transport. Well, there are other solutions for maximum portability, and here we are talking primarily about comfort at a stationary gaming station.
Haylou HexStorm G1. Illustration: gagadget.com
The bottom line.
The Haylou HexStorm G1 is an affordable gaming headset with a focus on comfort and spatial sound, offering a basic but sufficient set of features for everyday gaming. It's a solid working gaming tool, with a sense of taste and without being too flashy. It sounds just right, has a high-quality microphone, and a unique feature with surround sound. Personally, I prefer universal modular solutions, in which the fixed cables do not fit into the picture, so one could make complaints. But the price! While writing these lines, I checked the current price of the model on AliExpress and saw 1300 hryvnias (about $31), and for that kind of money, this is a very high-quality "consumable". I have a three and a half times more expensive HyperX Cloud Alpha at hand for comparison, it has different materials and equipment, a detachable cable and microphone, and all that, but in the middle of a skating session you will forget about all that. Therefore, in its category, the HexStorm G1 performs all the functions perfectly, you can take it.
Specialist in the field of IT and media. Knows technologies from the inside and writes about them (sometimes ironically) since 2006. Usually has at least 22 gadgets on his desktop.
