I’ve reviewed a lot of earbuds at this point. Some with stalks, some that hook onto your ears, some that nestle into your ear and everything else. What I’ve never done is review something quite so cool as the Hecate GX05 earbuds.
The Pro Gaming brand, from Edifier. Hecate is delivering in spades with the GX05 Earbuds.
Initially, just blown away by the packaging, the aesthetic and the premium feel. I’ve since found myself as enamoured with the quality of the build and, of course, the audio itself.
PUBG, Monster Hunter and Two Point Museum, with a total use time of close to 30 hours in testing. I’m comfortable that they’ve been put through their paces, and well. Edifier are doing something special with the Hecate GX05.
Looks and features
Holy shit. You open the hard case that they come in, and there they are. The Hecate GX05 charging station, a metal triangle with a rotating cage to hold everything in place. 3 items in the case, not your standard 2 (generally just the earbuds).
This is where you can see that Hecate is a brand serious about the market they are aiming for. Instantly setting themselves apart by providing a USB-C wireless receiver to plug into any device. Not just Bluetooth, you can opt for either connection.
Think about that for a second. You’re not necessarily going to have on-board Bluetooth on your PC, like I don’t. No dramas! The Hecate GX05 set comes with a receiver. This is a lower-latency option, particularly ideal for online gaming where directional audio and quick in-game feedback are critical.
Then, of course, you think “well, I haven’t got a USB-C port on my PC”. No matter! Hecate provide a classic USB-A adapter, so you can use it on pretty much any computer. All the while, you can plug the receiver into your phone, tablet and many other devices. No longer being stuck with just one connection option.
The buds themselves are an oval shape on the exterior, which is unusual. But this is obviously to house the drivers and to provide some flair in the design. Accompanied by some clean white lighting and the grey finish. The GX05 are stylish, functional and capable.
The charging case for the Hecate GX05 is reassuringly hefty. Cool metal case with some significant weight to it. With the lighting around the edges, reactive to the activity it’s undertaking.
What’s in the box?
This is all mostly covered by now. But let’s just quickly go over the aesthetic and the goodies.
Immediately, you’re presented with a black plastic box (think jewellery box, but bigger) with a clasp on it. Open it up, and there are the earbuds, nestled in the charging station. You’re already miles ahead of the competition. A bit of theatre, a touch of class.
Open the box, you have the metal, reassuringly weighty earbuds/charger. But on the roof of the box is another box. Inside it, you have a carry pouch (keep that GX05 protected!). A USB-A to USB-C dongle, a USB-C cable for charging, a manual, stickers and replacement rubber ends for your ears.
Also! Hecate aren’t leaving you hanging with some dust caps. So you can cover the holes in your charging case whilst you use the earbuds. What a sweet touch!
So you have absolutely everything you need from the moment you unclasp the box.
Stylish, functional and premium. If we just rated earbuds on appearance and feel. The Hecate GX05 would be the best in the market, 10/10.
Audio quality
The GX05 truly shines when connected via the included 2.4GHz USB-C dongle. This connection provides an ultra-low latency of 15ms, making it excellent for gaming where split-second timing is crucial.
The 10mm drivers deliver crystal-clear audio with impressive detail, allowing you to pinpoint in-game sounds like footsteps and gunfire. I’ve definitely noticed a significant improvement in sound quality when using the dongle compared to Bluetooth. Helping me in PUBG to scrape by for another few seconds before an ambush.
When connected via Bluetooth 5.3, the GX05 supports the LHDC 5.0 codec for high-resolution wireless audio, provided your device is compatible. Otherwise, it falls back to the standard SBC codec, which is a bit more average and lacking in depth, particularly for music.
Music and gaming require different audio profiles, and if we focus on the aim of this headset, which is gaming. You see that the Hecate GX05 is perfect for those games that require pinpoint accuracy, or as I’ve found in Monster Hunter Wilds, the relaxing environmental sounds help you wind down as you explore.
Music is slightly different, whilst a capable set of earbuds, I wouldn’t use them as my first choice to listen to my favourite tracks. They’re absolutely serviceable, but without some EQ changes and custom profiles in an app or something. Out of the box, there are better options in the market. But, that’s not what Hecate are aiming for here.
Worth noting, too, that the dual microphones work great for in-game comms or even on a call/meeting. I’ve used them for Discord, Teams, and Zoom. Always solid performance!
Overall thoughts on the Hecate GX05
I love the Hecate GX05 for gaming and casual work calls/music listening.
They’re not for audiophiles when it comes to music, but absolutely capable of sitting on the train and taking a ride on your bike or something.
The real meat of the GX05 is when it comes to gaming, which is what they’re designed for. I’ve chilled in the Scarlet Forest whilst fishing in Monster Hunter. Identified where I’m being shot from in PUBG, and taken in the narrative and ambience of Blue Prince.
Combined with a real premium build and modern design. The Hecate GX05 is a special set, and I can’t wait to see what else Edifier puts out through this brand!
Find more details on these earbuds, including where to buy them, on the official EDIFIER website or the HECATE Gaming website. You can also grab yourself a pair on Amazon, and then check out more of our tech reviews whilst you wait for them to arrive.
