Gioteck EX-01 Design and Styling
As I have noted with the entire range Gioteck gaming accessories that we were fortunate enough to test; the products are designed with performance as the primary focal point, the finishes are stylish and the products are manufactured from seemingly quality materials.
The Gioteck EX-01’s design is very ‘business-like’, straight to the point, while still having substance to it. The finish is a matt and piano black plastic one with black rubberised ear-hooks and mic.
The buttons are simple and allow for easy access. There is the volume buttons on either side of the larger, central mute button. The ear-hook is made from sturdy rubber so I did not need to keep adjusting is to comfort and ships with a left and a right ear-hook. My favourite feature of the Gioteck EX-01 is the speaker – it is an external speaker – so if you are like me who prefers nothing in your ear, then you should prefer this headset over the Gioteck EX-03.
Gioteck EX-03 Design and Styling
The Gioteck EX-03 ‘next-gen’ Bluetooth wireless PS3 headset is a little more flash looking than the Gioteck EX-01, with the grey and black military cammo finish. I suspect the headset is ‘next-generation’ due to the overall design is a little more advantageous or impressive than the Gioteck EX-01.
Take for instance the ‘inline ergonomic controls’ which are positioned close to the controller for quick access, with notched volume control, and a push/pull mute function. This is more impressive that the more recognised or standard design [like the EX-01] and it does allow for quicker or easier volume control.
The rest is very similar to the Gioteck EX-01, with the sturdy ear-hook and the mic arm which requires minimal adjustment and holds its form. The only major difference is that the Gioteck EX-03 has an inner-ear speaker which does makes the headset seem louder. The inner-ear speaker is coated in flexible rubber which is fairly comfortable and grips well. So if you don’t mind inner-ear components you will enjoy the slightly higher volume.
Performance
The Gioteck EX-01 and EX-03 are PS3 gaming [only] headsets, designed with performing on the gaming front [only]. The sturdy ear-hook does not need to constantly be adjusted – I have found with the standard ps3 headset and lesser products that I needed to adjust the ear-hook often as it would feel as it were sliding off. I have also found with lesser products that I would frequently need to push the ear-piece further into my ear as the volume was decreasing as it moved from the optimum position. This was not the case with the EX range and the adjustment needed was minimal. I suspect this is thanks to the fact that it was designed with gaming needs in mind. The flexible bits still needed to be sturdy as you would not be constantly taking it off and back on your ear as you would with a headset intended for the use in cars.
The sound quality of the Gioteck EX-01 is more than apt, but it doesn’t seem quite as loud as the inner-ear speakers. The volume is nicely acute to adjustment and doesn’t just jump from high to low at the first touch of the volume button. The sound quality does seem a little louder with the Gioteck EX-03, no doubt because of the inner-ear speaker and I do prefer the more ‘performance’ orientated volume controls of the Gioteck EX-03.
Price
Gioteck EX-01 @ R 199.00 excl.VAT [launch price]
Gioteck EX-03 @ R 299.00 excl.VAT [launch price]
Verdict
I personally prefer the non-intrusive speaker of the Gioteck EX-01 and the padded sponge made those long gaming sessions a little more comfortable. I am not a fan of the intrusive inner-ear speaker as I cannot handle something inside my ear for long periods of time. The Gioteck EX-01 is the most comfortable inline headset I have tried yet.
If you don’t mind the inner-speaker then you will enjoy the added performance that comes with the Gioteck EX-03. And if I am honest, it was probably the most comfortable inner-ear headset I have tried thanks to the ease of adjustment of the entire headset which allowed for optimum positioning.
For more see www.gioteck.com or www.apexinteractive.co.za
