Sound Blaster EVO Wireless Headset

Even now, the words “Sound Blaster” often leave a twinkle in the eye of veteran gamers. The Sound Blaster system revolutionized PC audio quality for video game music and sound effects. Now, Creative Technology wants to take you back to those glory days with the release of the Sound Blaster EVO and the Sound Blaster EVO Wireless headsets, or at least that’s what they’re saying. Read the test review to find out if Creative has been able to live up to their own claims with these new headsets.

The Heart of the Matter

Though it took me a bit of effort to get the headset out of its packaging, I was soon impressed by the solid craftsmanship of the device. There aren’t any delicate parts that can get broken off easily – after a desperate search for the microphone, I found it firmly embedded into the right earpiece. You can’t move it directly in front of your face like you can with most other headsets, but it’s surprisingly good at picking up your own voice and suppressing background noise. Even in the heat of battle, I had no problem getting my commands through very clearly to my teammates. 

One thing that’s really important when evaluating a headset is comfort, especially when you’re playing for several hours. The Sound Blaster EVO weighs in at just about 250g (8.8 oz., i.e. a little over half a pound), so it’s hardly lightweight, but it’s not really heavy, either. The headset offers a variety of adjustment options and has well-padded earpieces, so it doesn’t leave any pressure marks or cause any discomfort. Even after hours of gaming, I couldn’t really find anything to complain about here, and the headset is great for prolonged gaming sessions. The EVO Wireless offers even more comfort than its wire-bound brother – while the USB connection to the right earpiece on the regular EVO headset designed to be convenient, it can still cause problems moving around at your desk. 

The aluminium headpiece is intended to provide wearers with stability and comfort. You can also adjust size of the headpiece on either side, allowing the EVO headset to fit any head shape comfortably. Another convenient feature is that the earpieces can be folded in so that the headset won’t take up much space in your bag when you pack for your next gaming party.

One thing that is a bit unusual is how the buttons are placed on the headset. The volume control is located at the rear of the right earpiece. It might have made more sense to put the controls down the wire somewhere, at least on the non-wireless version. However, while the location might take some getting used to, the headset does offer a wide range of volume, and you can set it at whatever level you’re comfortable with. Other buttons, like the power button and the forward/back buttons, are on the side of the earpiece. This is even less convenient, as it’s hard to see the controls unless you’re looking in a mirror.

You only hear what you want to

In terms of sound, there’s not a lot the EVO gets wrong. The bass is clear but doesn’t pound your eardrums too hard, and the noise-cancelling function works well enough so that you remain immersed in whatever game you’re playing, even in quieter moments. The headset’s surround-sound feature allows you to locate enemies clearly and realistically, giving the EVO an obvious advantage on the battlefield. And though it’s admittedly a bit difficult to install, the control panel is extremely useful and allows you to adjust the headset’s audio options entirely according to your own preferences. The set doesn’t come with a CD containing the driver software, so you have to download the application from the company’s website.

One thing I really liked is that there are pre-set options for games, movies, and music, and each one significantly alters the sound profile. If you want to use the headset with your smartphone or tablet, Creative offers an app for that, which also has a variety of setting options. You can also turn the lighting effects (blue for not connected and red for connected) on and off.

The sound is thoroughly well-mixed, with crystal-clear highs being the most remarkable feature. Even when listening to classical music or orchestral game soundtracks, I could make out an incredibly rich and diverse range of sounds. Deeper tones were also pretty impressive, though I found that they weren’t really heavy enough sometimes. Then again, I really only noticed this when listening to music with the pre-set “music” settings activated. If you play around with the settings yourself, you can get the bass just where you want it to be. On the other hand, I couldn’t find anything wrong with the “game” settings, especially when I played Battlefield 4, constantly unloading my MG4. One piece of advice that holds true here is one I’m sure you’ve all heard from your mothers at least a few times – don’t put it so loud or you’ll blow out your eardrums! At certain high volume levels, the sheer loudness combined with strong bass effects really makes it feel like you’re under fire.

A battery life of about six hours is long enough to get through long trips and extended gaming sessions, really rounding out the overall package of the Sound Blaster EVO Wireless.

These are the games I played and music I listened to while testing the headset – listen at your own risk, and only after consulting a hearing aid specialist you trust.

Games

• Battlefield 4 – Clear surround sound allows you to locate enemies more easily. Works really well with Teamspeak or similar programs for precise communication with your teammates.
• Wolfenstein: The New Order – Hits from Neumond Recording Company like “Mein kleiner VW” and “Boom Boom” sound awesome on radios in-game, as do the sounds of the game itself. The voice acting sounds great, too, and is clearly understandable.

Music

• Metallica – Master of Puppets – the headset really makes the puppets dance, so to speak, and truly brings out the mighty sound of this epic metal album.
• Wagner – The Ride of the Valkyries – If you didn’t hear any helicopters in Battlefield, this piece will definitively have you thinking of Apocalypse Now and the “smell of napalm in the morning”. Beautiful highs and excellent mid-range sounds make even classical music a joy to listen to on the headset.
• Rose Tattoo – Nice Boys Don’t Play Rock’n’Roll – The headset knows how to handle older rock pieces right. The bass is good, though it could be a bit heavier here, but combined with the lead guitars here the overall impression is awesome.
• Wu-Tang Clan – Bring Da Ruckus – They’re not kidding about a “ruckus” here, and the headset really helps the song live up to its title. If you’re looking to take a cruise around the block, a subwoofer in the trunk is always your best bet, but Creative doesn’t drop the ball here, either.

Official Promo Video