The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid is more inclined to focus on low-latency gaming experience, while ignoring sound quality. Especially the poor high-frequency performance makes this earbuds more suitable for users who often play games, and the various connection methods are not limited to use with mobile phones.

• $200 – Check latest price on: Amazon US, Amazon Germany, other Amazon countries

Appearance Design & Accessories

The product list includes charging case, earbuds, instruction manual, 3 pairs of eartips, USB-C adapter (including silicone case), Type-C cable and USB-C to USB-A extension cable.

It is not difficult to see from the accessories that as a true wireless earphones with a main gaming experience, the GTW 270 Hybrid is full of sincerity. In addition to the extension cable provided in the accessories, an adapter is also provided for mobile phones and devices that support aptX low-latency technology. Users can achieve a synchronized experience of high-definition sound quality and low-latency images.

The charging case is a silver-gray rectangular box, anodized aluminum material + fine frosted process design is very comfortable to hold in the hand. Open cover design, the cover is not easy to rebound, and there is no loose feeling when opening. The top of the charging case is the EPOS graphic LOGO, the front is five indicator lights and function buttons, and the back is the Type-C charging port. The total weight of the charging case+earbuds is about 75g.

The earbud is an in-ear design that is ergonomic. There is no pressure on the ear canal when wearing it, and it is not easy to fall off. Users can choose the appropriate eartips according to the size of their ear canal. The size of the cavity part is relatively large, and the outside of the cavity is covered with a cover plate with a metal texture, with the graphic LOGO of EPOS in the middle, which is highly recognizable. Indicator lights and microphone holes are reserved on the upper and lower sides respectively.

A physical button is designed on the side of the cavity to control the interaction of the earbud. The button is relatively small, but has more protrusions, and the daily blind operation is also very easy. Although it requires two-finger operation (two fingers to stabilize the earbud and operate the button), the recognition is more accurate and has its own advantages compared with touch control.

Comfort Fit & Connectivity

EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds are ergonomically designed, and through specialized AI testing and big data analysis, three typical pain points in the ear have been studied. Improves wearing comfort and security by eliminating pressure on hard areas of the ear. When actually wearing it, the inclined in-ear part goes deep into the ear canal, and the inner side of the cavity is in contact with the tragus, which plays a stable supporting role. The weight of a single earbud is only 6g, so wearing it for a long time will not cause pressure on the ear.

In terms of connection, GTW 270 Hybrid supports two connection methods: bluetooth connection and USB-C receiver. The earbuds use the Bluetooth 5.1 protocol, which has good compatibility and is suitable for use with most devices. Mainly used for listening to music, calls and other use scenarios that only listen to the sound. Connecting via a USB-C adapter utilizes the Qualcomm aptX low-latency channel to transmit the signal. The advantage is lower latency with 30-60ms. Currently it can be adapted to PS4/5, Switch, Android devices and PC computers etc.

At the same time, connect the aptX USB-C dongle that supports low-latency technology, just like opening a physical plug-in for yourself. EPOS presents a protective case of the same style, allowing users to take it with them wherever they go.

Of course, users first have to figure out whether the device they are using supports the technology. In order to meet the needs of most devices, the interface of the adapter is designed as a Type-C interface, and users only need to insert it into the device to automatically adapt the connection to achieve ultra-low latency and high-definition sound quality transmission.

The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid also provides a USB-C to USB-A extension cable. Game freedom can also be achieved if the user’s device does not support the Type-C interface.

Charging & Battery Life

In terms of charging, the charging case takes 1.5 hours to charge earbuds, and you can listen to songs for about one hour after charging for 15 minutes. The charging case adopts the Type C interface, which can be used with the data cables of most Android phones. The actual measurement is that it takes 1.75 hours to fully charge the charging case.

In terms of battery life, the headset can last up to 5 hours at a time, and the battery life can reach 20 hours with the charging case. In addition, earbuds support IPX5 waterproof rating.

Sound Effects & Sound Description

In terms of sound effects, the EPOS Danish Acoustic Laboratory created a “head-related impulse response” database, built a mathematical model to adjust the sound and timing, and equipped the GTW 270 Hybrid with the self-developed EPOS SURROUND SOUND dual-headphone rendering technology. Achieve audio immersion similar to virtual 7.1 channels. The earbud has a built-in DAC decoder, which can be connected to the PC through the receiver without an external sound card, and this function can be enabled in the EPOS GAMING SUITE software.

After turning on this function, I tried the “PUBG” game on the computer. The sound of gunfire and footsteps of enemies in the game can be transmitted to the ear synchronously, minimizing the impact of sound delay on player operations. The 7.1 channel can simulate the direction of the sound more accurately, and you can truly feel the direction and distance of the sound propagation in the game.

Users can download the EPOS Gaming Suite software on the computer, which has a 9-segment equalizer, and users can independently set different scenes such as games, music, and movies. You can also add your own personalized profiles, or you can create different settings files for each game. This personalized design can greatly satisfy the rich experience of gamers.

The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds feature a closed dynamic driver. After wearing the earbuds normally, they fit closely with the ears, and can also play a certain physical noise cancellation effect, isolating part of the ambient noise. Listen to Cai Qin’s “渡口” in bluetooth connection mode. The drum part at the beginning of the song has a strong and elastic low-frequency extension. The vocal part is clear, but it seems to be affected by the low frequency and is not particularly transparent. Especially some elongated voices are a little depressing. The performance of the instrumental sound is quite satisfactory, it has a foil effect on the human voice, and the sound field performance is good.

• $200 – Check latest price on: Amazon US, Amazon Germany, other Amazon countries