Even in 2019 I think there is still a bit of a stigma around gaming headsets. I know even in my friend circle there are people who think they’re an expensive luxury item that only the most hardcore gamers invest in. With the TX-50, Gioteck is aiming to put an end to that notion, and I think they had succeeded in a spectacular way.
The first thing I noticed when taking the headset out of the box was the level of build quality. With a beautiful rubber matte finish and a smattering of orange trim, it has a really nice chunky design, yet it’s lighter than my existing Turtle Beach unit. The use of alacantra padding on the ear cushions made this hands down the most comfortable gaming headset I have ever used.
Comfort and design are one thing, but all that hard work can be for naught if the audio quality is lacking. I am happy to report though, that this is another area where the Gioteck TX-50 shines. My first experience was booting up Night School Studios new game Afterparty. The level of bass from the music on the intro screen alone let me know I was in for a treat.
Throughout testing, in games like Modern Warfare 2019, FIFA 20 and even Lonely Mountains: Downhill, my experience was enhanced by the TX-50. Everyone knows a good gaming headset can give you an advantage in multiplayer matches like COD and that was definitely the case, but I was equally as impressed with how much more immersed I was in the latter two games. In FIFA the roar of the crowd put you right in the thick of the action, while the ambient sounds in Lonely Mountain only enhanced the tranquil feel.
Mic quality is also on point and to tie back in to the design I was also happy with how innocuous it was. The actual mic itself is only marginally thicker than the bendable cord used to place it at whatever distance you prefer. That same cord also allows it to be stored almost flush along the top of the headset so that it never gets in the way when not needed.
The control point for the headset is located on the cable around 16 inches from the device itself. While this is encased in a noticeably cheaper plastic than found anywhere else, it does feel robust and comes with both a volume control and an instant mute slider.
As stated above this is a wired headset which in previous generations may have been seen as a negative, but with the PS4 and Xbox One controllers now all coming with a 3.5mm jack connection as standard this allows the TX-50 to be plug and play with no setup time required. Another advantage to being wired is that you never need to charge the device, meaning it is always ready to go when you are!
I have said a lot of great things about the TX-50, but the thing that ties all of that together and earns it my utmost recommendation is the price. Coming in at a staggering £29.99 this is currently from my vantage point the best gaming headset on the market. There are models with a higher quality of sound, but you will literally pay 3-5x the price for it. When you couple together the great audio, crisp voice output, ultra comfortable design and incredible price, the TX-50 is the best choice for gamers this holiday season.