ZOWIE Hammer Gaming Headset

Middle of the road

The mid-range frequencies are important in the roles that they play when reproducing drums and other percussion instruments and also the human voice largely.

Listening to the mid-range frequencies reproduced by ZOWIE headset is an enjoyable experience overall.

I found that while the timbre of the sound was a little ordinary, (meaning, does it actually sound like a drum kit is being played or more like a recording of one), the rest of things fell into place to some degree with good integration between those all important mid-range frequencies and the ones above and below them.

Having said that, when making a direct comparison to what I remember of the Razor's and the Sharkoon's and even the cheaper Steelseries, I found this headset to be the least enjoyable to listen to during music testing.

The only headset that I preferred this to was the ASUS wireless headphones. But it's not really a fair comparison because they had other criteria to meet besides just sounding good. And I also recall they felt more solid.

Low End

Now this is one area where a gaming headset must really cut its teeth, because if it's not able to deliver a punch when things heat up, then it's not served its due purpose and shell be destined for the peripherals walk of shame.

The Sharkoon's earlier this year provided some of the best bass I've ever heard from a headset. However, I wish I could say this was the case with the ZOWIE Hammer.

If a good low end is equal to a nice unrestricted LAN connection in gamer language, then the low end of the ZOWIE's is akin to a 33.3k dial up modem; truly unspectacular in every way, with bass frequencies not being deep and present in any describable manor.

Further to this, they don't deliver anything of note in 'all the easy spots' of the frequency range, where even the poorest audio products can sink a couple of free throws.

My theory is simply this; a poor selection of cheap and nasty 40mm drivers. The Razor's managed to use the same sized driver with comparatively fantastic results.

I would happily recommend a set of Logitech 2.1 speakers for half the price which are going to bring the average gamer so much more pleasure and bass for their bucks.