Gamdias Hephaestus Review

[section_title title=Closer Look]Closer Look

The Gamdias Hephaestus comes in packaging similar to the XT+ giving us a half view at the headset through the window and essentially the other half visible on the printed side. Even from this slight reveal, you get the sense Gamdias haven’t stuck to the OEM script here.

The specifications on the rear of the packaging mirror those from the Introduction.

Along the spine of the packaging we’re given a feature rundown including surround sound emulation, ‘blast source identifier’ and perhaps most left-field; ‘Cooler system’.

The opposite feature list has more substance with brief descriptions and functionality labelled out.

Remove the Hephaestus from the overflow of plastic packaging and we finally get a feel for the headset itself. The aluminium heatsinks are on full display and could easily have been removed from a low end GPU and inserted into the Hephaestus’ ‘pods’.

If there’s anyway to sum up initial impressions from the headset, the Hephaestus looks like a cross between The Last Starfighter and a Williams F1 car, for better or worse.

Although the earcups rotate inside like the picture below there is no way to condense the headset further inwards towards the headband for portability purposes.

The Hephaestus has a liberal amount of extension to fit pilots of all sizes if we stick with the aforementioned description.

Gamdias haven’t skimped on the earcup padding which is plentiful and firm.

The headband itself is well protected and should ensure a comfy fit for all even after prolonged use.

The Gamdias name adorns the top of the headband. It’s a shame it doesn’t stand out more, though.

The volume rocker is one of the better ones I’ve used personally. The mute mic button has a good click to it it and doesn’t feel tacky, same with the volume up and down. The vibration switch has three settings (off, on, max) and uses a more standard design for its rocker.

Gamdias have their own take on the USB plug leaving it finished in a mythological like shape.

Accessories include two stickers and your installation card.

The Gamdias Hephaestus is certainly pleasing to pore over if not for the aesthetics but for the fact it’s refreshing to cover something a bit out there compared to headsets that all appear to follow the same OEM script. The white finish may not be to everyone’s taste, like wise the undeniable bulk of the headset, but these are only real negatives if the performance doesn’t live up to the sacrifices so to speak.

Hardware covered then, let’s see how the software suite of the Hephaestus stacks up and does the performance match the apparent ambition of Gamdias for the Hephaestus.