EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds review

EPOS’ inaugural set of wireless earbuds is aimed at gamers seeking a lag-free connection. While the GTW 270s deliver on that pledge, owners will be forced to face a few sacrifices.

There’s a wealth of wireless earbuds on the market, each catering to different preferences. If frugality is your thing, Soundcore has a line of earphones that are habitually priced at under a hundred dollars. For commuters seeking active noise cancellation so they can travel in peace, the Bose QC Earbuds can provide a sonic sanctuary (at a lofty price). But for gamers, most Bluetooth-based audio devices tend to disappoint.

Here’s the reason: audio latency in Bluetooth devices is generally around 100 to 500 milliseconds, which is well above the 40-80 ms threshold for perception. When sound conspicuously lags behind visuals, the inconsistency can be distracting. For games that signal danger with audio cues, even a slight delay can ruin the experience. But there are some solutions. The Xround Aero Earbuds effectively lessen latency, but the substandard plastic used in their construction will likely disappoint.

All-Around Sonic Star

Alternatively, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds exhibit a much better build quality. Housed in an anodized aluminum case and a composition that blends top-tier plastic with a trace of metal, the earphones justify their USD $150 retail price. Pleasingly, they’re both comfortable and ergonomically functional. While they ship with three different sizes of rubber tips, the default ones fit in my irregular ear canals quite naturally. And while I frequently worry about any kind of earbud hopping out of my head while exercising, they stayed put compliantly.

When it comes to sound quality, they’re quite capable. Sure, it’s a step down from EPOS’ over-the-ear headphones, with the wired H6Pro Headset still my default choice for gaming. But they perform admirably across the sonic spectrum, with the 6mm drivers delivering crisp highs and bass that eschews overemphasis. When listening to Perfume’s Plasma, the punchy synth-work and angelic vocals congealed quite well. Expectedly, Zoom calls were handled suitably, with the GTW 270’s microphone delivering speech without any abnormalities. Having a multitude of different devices, I really appreciated how well the earbud’s juggled multiple Bluetooth devices. A three-second button press on the front of the case initiated a new pairing and I never felt like the 270s were stubbornly connected to some device somewhere else in the house.

One Tiny Button

The metallic plate on the exterior of each earbud might seem to offer touch control, but it’s merely cosmetic. Instead, all functionality is confined to a small, physical button on the left bud. Used for pausing, taking calls, and switching music tracks, you’ll have to hold, double- and triple-tap for each operation. After a week and a half of use, the interface sank into memory. But there were quite a few fumbles before familiarity set in. On the upside, earbuds with touch control can be notoriously finicky, with a slight in-ear adjustment issuing unwanted commands.

But it’s not until you start gaming that the earbuds demonstrate their capabilities. Plug in the bundled USB-C dongle and you’ll never notice any audio lag. Testing on the Switch, performance was immaculate, with vibrant audio and none of the disruptive dropouts that can mar Bluetooth connections. Here, Yars Recharged explosions sounded suitable punchy, while Megan McDuffee’s electronic soundtrack simmered in the backdrop.

Some Provisos for Players

Given how corporations lock down their hardware, there are a few stipulations, of course. If you own a PlayStation 5 or Xbox One, you’re better off with a headset with a mic. The USB-C ports on Sony and Microsoft’s controllers are limited to charging and won’t work with the dongle. But if you use a PC, Switch, PlayStation 4, or Android device, there shouldn’t be any issues. Since your desktop or laptop might not have a USB-C built-in, EPOS includes an adapter for standard USB-A ports.

One downside accompanies the dongle that’s required for a lag-free connection. While it comes with a tiny, form-fitting rubber sleeve and a fabric loop to fasten it to a device like an old cell phone charm, it looks really easy to misplace. Doing so will set you back $40 plus shipping, so be sure to store it securely. On the upside, a recent firmware update fixed a deal killer for competitive players. Previously, when players used the lag-free dongle, there’s weren’t able to chat. But we do have one additional suggestion for EPOS, since the metal case scratches easily. Including a cloth housing for users who keep multiple items in their pocket or bag.

A Competent Capacity

Despite these shortcomings, the GTW 270s don’t have many other faults. Charging times via the USB-C port is quick, with 90 minutes able to rejuvenate nearly discharged earbuds back to capacity. EPOS’ claim of five hours of use didn’t fall far from our testing. Across three battery tests, the earbuds lasted for between 4.5 to just over 5 hours. Like most contemporary earbuds, the case acts like a recharger, permitting up to 4 full charges. In real-world use, we got really close to the 20-hour power pledge.

Owners of Microsoft latest consoles should obviously skip the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds since they won’t work with the hardware. But if you’re a Switch, PC, Android, or PlayStation owner looking for a set of earphones that can double-duty, EPOS latest hardware just might fit your needs.

Tech-Specs
Dimensions (L x W x H): 23.8 x 23.2 x 23.7 mm / 0.94 x 0.91 x 0.93 in
Connectivity: Low-latency and Bluetooth
Connector plugs: USB-C
Dongle Compatibility: Nintendo Switch, Android devices, PC, PS4,
Bluetooth version: 4.2
Earbud frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz
Microphone frequency response: 100-7,500 Hz
Water resistance: IPX 5
Weight: Left, 6.1g, Right, 6.6g

Changelog
10/2/22: This review was edited to reflect performance changes from the latest firmware update.