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Tech Reviews

KiwiEars Ellipse Headphones Review: Affordable Sound

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Disclaimer

Kiwiears sent me a a free pair of the Ellipse headphones to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Belle earbuds and the Serene headphones. I will also be using my Amazon affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Kiwiears Ellipse Headphones
  • Detachable 3.5mm Cable
  • 6.3mm Adapter
  • User Manual

Features

The Kiwiears Ellipse is a powerful budget headset that promises the features and soundscape you want in for your listening needs.

Design

The Ellipse are a stylish headphones with a light and ergonomic design for comfortable listening. The plush vegan-leather pads are not only for elegance, but provide the headphone’s signature comfort. The detachable cable 3.5mm makes it easy to store and gives it a longer lifespan than the typical headphones. This means you can always trade your cable for something that better fits your style.

Performance

The wired design is key for any lossless audio experience, and you don’t have to worry about charging another gadget. The headphones themselves are tuned to take advantage of their premium 50mm dynamic drivers to deliver a finely tuned soundstage. The KiwiEars Ellipse promise to deliver the beautifully balanced high fidelity at a very affordable price.

Review

You aren’t doing much better at this price point than the KiwiEars Ellipse. These headphones not only look cool, but they deliver an impressive sound that is worth buying into. Whether you need some everyday beaters or an upgrade to your existing setup, I would argue that the Ellipse headphones are a decent place to start. That’s if you aren’t willing the little extra it costs to pick up the Altruva.

Quality

KiwiEars makes fantastic headphones, and the Ellipse are no exception. Out of the box, I was impressed by the cleanly manufactured high quality headphones. They are made with sturdy material that offer a good amount of flex that I have confidence that they will survive some hard traveling. The vegan-leather accents don’t look cheap, and the cushion is underneath is soft and bouncy. They may be on the cheaper end of headphones, but they definitely don’t have that look or feel.

Comfort

The Ellipse headphones are incredibly comfortable. They offer a strong enough hold to stay in place, but they don’t squeeze my giant head. I wouldn’t go running with them, but they will survive a daily commute. I like how the cushion snuggles at my head and ear, but the cushion does get a little hot. It is winter here so the added warmth is welcomed, but I am not sure how these will be in the summer. Either way, I dare you to find a more comfortable set of headphones at this price range.

Performance

The sound is fine. You aren’t getting studio quality hi-fi sound, but most people aren’t going to notice. The soundstage is full enough to get you through the day. Music sounds good without the overcompensating bass you get in cheap headphones, voices come clear for those who want something for podcasts or YouTube, and they offer a solid ASMR experience. You get a better sound with the Altruvas for a little more money, but the Ellipse is still a very strong contender at this price point.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an affordable pair of headphones that deliver a good sound, check out the KiwiEars Ellipse. They look cool and sound great at a very good price point. While they are overshadowed by the Altruvas, most people won’t notice the difference. you’re getting a solid pair of headphones either way.

You can pick up the KiwiEars Ellipse headphones on the official KiwiEars website, or through my Amazon Affiliate link if you want to help me out.

Tech Reviews, Uncategorized

Epomaker TH99: A Stylish and Functional Mechanical Keyboard

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the TH99 mechanical keyboard to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my latest reviews for the Cypher96 and the Hack59.

What’s in the box?

  • Epomaker TH99
  • Braided USB-C to USB-A Cord
  • 2.4 GHz Wireless Dongle
  • Keycap/Switch Puller
  • User guide

Features

The Epomaker TH99 is a full-sized mechanical keyboard with the innovative 1800 design for a more compact yet functional experience. This means the keyboard includes a numb pad, a function bar, and few other useful buttons in its 102-key layout. The keyboard comes in a classic black, and a very pretty blue and white aesthetic. I got the blue, and it is ideal for the coziest of setups. The south-facing RGB is subtle, but gives the keyboard a perfect amount of accent, but it can be toggled off at any time.

As far as performance goes, users can enjoy respectable sessions of use with its 4000mAh battery and fast wireless connections. The high quality braided cable included with the cable will make sure users don’t miss a second of gaming, and the low latency is always a solid plus. The TH99 comes with the choice of Creamy Jade Switches, which come pre-lubed and promise a fantastic typing sound.

Sound Test

Review

The Epomaker TH99 has some fantastic presentation. The box is very good looking, even though it was beat during transit, and it was very safely neatly packed. The keyboard itself is very good locking. The layout is clean, and the color color scheme (I got it in white and blue) is so pretty. The included braided cable looks like it very high quality. The included key puller is a little flimsy, but it will get the job done.

As far as design goes, the keyboard is made with the high standards I’ve come to expect from Epomaker. The manufacturing is clean, the layout makes sense, and there is even a cubby for the wireless dongle which is always appreciated. The keyboard has slight inclined, with stands to adjust the height for a more ideal typing angle. The keyboard is very light weight, with a little flex, but it does not feel cheap.

The performance is as I would expect from an Epomaker keyboard. The 4000 mAh battery gave me about 10 hours of continuous use with the RGB on, but the backlight can be toggled off for an even longer session. I did not notice any latency with any of the connections for my casual gaming and non-professional competitive play. My only complaint is that the keys do feel a little heavier to press. While the creamy jade switches provide a very smooth and satisfying sound, they make my hands hurt after prolonged use. Now this issue is unique to me. I need specific ergonomics to combat my the repetitive stress injury in my hands and won’t affect the average user. If you are struggling with hand pain looking for a more ergonomic solution, Epomaker has better options available. If you prefer a heavier creamier key and need a full sized keyboard, the Epomaker TH99 is a fantastic option.

You can pick up the Epomaker TH99 mechanical keyboard on the offical website for $82.99.

Tech Reviews

Epomaker Cypher96: A Stylish and Functional Keyboard

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the Cypher96 mechanical keyboard for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Hack59 if you’re looking for something more minimalistic.

What’s in the box?

  • Cypher96 Mechanical Keyboard
  • 3 Additional Switches
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Charging Cable
  • User Guide
  • 2.4 GHz Wireless Dongle

Features

‘The Cypher 96 mechanical keyboard is a full-sized keyboard with 96 keys. The keyboard comes with Epomaker Wisteria and Flamingo switches. I got mines with the Wisteria switches. The keyboard is a very pretty blue/purple/white scheme that will fit any cozy aesthetic, The south facing RGB is soft, and the perfect accent to the already pretty keyboard. The slight incline and built in tents make it easy for users to find the most comfortable position.

Functionally, the Cypher 96 supports high-powered, low latency wireless connections through its Bluetooth 6 support or 2.4GHz dongle, but users can enjoy an even faster connection with the included, high-quality braided charging cable. The two 4000 mAh batteries mean you won’t be reaching for the wire unless you really want to.

What makes the Cypher 96 a unique keyboard is the onboard screen above the number pad. This screen displays important information like the time, battery, and connection information. It also doubles as a calculator, which can easily be toggled at any time.

Sound Test

Review

The Cypher96 comes expertly packed, and although my box looked like it was thrown around by the mailman, came in excellent condition. The keyboard looks amazing out of the box. Every piece is finely manufactured and high quality, there is little flex, and it has a very pretty color scheme. The screen does throw off the aesthetic, but it is very handy to have. I use the number pad regularly, and being able to switch to a calculator was a feature I didn’t know I needed. I particularly love the connection switch placement. I regularly switch between the different connections during my testing, and having a switch in the corner is very convenient.

Functionally, the Cypher96 is a great keyboard. The keys are soft, responsive, and don’t make too much noise. The design is ergonomic enough to allow for prolonged use, and the high adjustments only add to the comfort. All the connections felt responsive. I had no issue with latency, but I don’t play at a high enough competitive level for it to matter. The battery life was incredible. I was getting 10-12 hours of continuous use, and I don’t think I ever charged it to 100%. Best of all, it is GMK compatible, making it a customizable beast for gaming or other work flows.

If you’re looking for a good full sized keyboard with a pretty color scheme, the Epomaker Cypher96 is a great place to start. The issue will be the onboard screen, but it is an issue that goes away if you get a lot of use out of it. This thing looks great, feels great, and works great. Pick yours up on the official Epomaker store for only $99.99.

Tech Reviews

The EasySMX X15: The Prettiest Budget Controller on the Market

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I was sent a free EasySMX X15 controller to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Whats in the box?

The controller comes with:

  • 1 USB-C to USB-A braided charging cable
  • 1 2.4G Wireless dongle
  • 1 instructions manel

Features

The X15 is a stylish budget controller for the gamer who wants to upgrade their aesthetic but doesn’t want to go broke. Its beautiful RGB accents help it stand out against other controllers in the market, but they can also be toggled off for those who prefer a more subtle aesthetic. The controller comes in Mecha (black) or StarfieldI chose the Starfield version because I preferred the design, but it was not an easy choice.

The X15 supports wired, wireless, and Bluetooth connections, boasting up to 20 hours of gaming on a single charge. That said, the included braided cable is long enough to keep you gaming while charging your controller.

Most impotanlty, the EasySMX X15 features:

  • Hall effect joy stick to eliminate the risk of stick drift
  • Hall Triggers for smother inputs
  • Tactile face buttons
  • 2 additional programmable triggers on the bottom
  • Textured grip

For only $39.99, the x15 is sounding like a very good deal.

Review

The EasySMX X15 is a beautiful controller, but one that will initially feel cheap. I was not a fan of how light this controller is compared to what I am used to. The face buttons also make a cheap plastic click when pressed which made me uneasy about the build quality. The more I used the controller, the less these issues became a problem.

The controller feels wonderful in my hands. The textured face buttons give the controller a hint of elegance, but it makes the buttons feel good to press. The controller is textured exactly where it needs to be, and the design fits comfortably in my hands. Most controllers, especially budget ones, tend to destroy my hands and leave me unable to play after only a few minutes. While the controller is not explicitly ergonomic, it is ergonomic enough to allow me to enjoy gaming with a controller.

As far as function, it works better than most budget controllers in its price range. The Hall effect triggers and joysticks don’t feel any better than a 1st party Xbox controller, but it feels a lot better than a cheap controller. Inputs seemed fine for the most part, but I did notice some games needed additional remapping. The additional triggers are easy to program and fantastic. They are in a good spot, easy to press, and responsive enough to make an impact. I can’t speak on how good the controller is for competitive play, but it was good enough for my Destiny 2 grind on PC, and some casual Genshin Impact on my iPad. Switching between devices is a pain, so you will probably want to keep this tied to one device.

I was pleasantly surprised by the controller’s battery life. I got pretty close to the boasted 20 hours of gaming with the RGB on. I didn’t test the life without the RGB because it looks so pretty, but I can only assume you get more.  

As far as budget controllers go, the EasySMX X15 should be at the top of the list. Even with its flaws, you aren’t getting anything better at this price range.

You can pick up the EasySMX X15 for only $39.99 on the official website, or Amazon through my affiliate links.

Tech Reviews

The Uhuru WM-09 is the Perfect Budget Gaming Mouse

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I was sent the Uhuru WM-09 gaming mouse for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

What’s in the box?

Inside you get:

  • The Uhuru WM-09 Gaming Mouse
  • Instruction Booklet
  • Grip tape for sides and button
  • USB-C to USB-A Charging Cable
  • USB-C Wireless Dongle

Features

The Uhuru WM-09 is a lightweight mouse that supports up to 70 hours of wireless gaming, but a wired connection won’t slow you down. With 26000 DPI, a 2.4G wireless connection, and a 100-500 hz scroll, the WM-09 is ready to take you on your most epic of quests. Its sleek and simple design is for gamers who prefer a cleaner aesthetic, but 11 preprogrammed RGB modes make it ready for any mood. I particularly like that the RGB and logo are simple, clean, and unimposing. Plus you can toggle off the RGB with a switch is a major plus. Best of all, the buttons are programable with third-party software so you can always have a loadout that works best for your playstyle.

Review

At first, the Uhuru WM-09 is going to feel and sound like a cheap plastic mouse, but that feeling will go away after some use. I was instantly blown away by how reactive this mouse is without any tinkering. The weight and DPI make reflexive games feel better. It took some getting used to because I preferred a heavier mouse before the WM-09, but my aim felt like it got better once I did.

The WM-09 has a beautiful glide that works on any surface. I still recommend using a mouse pad, especially in the dark, but you don’t really need one. The mouse felt just as responsive on my desk as it did on a mousepad.

My favorite feature has to be the included grip tape. I have excessively sweaty hands, especially during intense gaming sessions, but the grip tape made it feel less gross and I was able to maintain my traction.

This wouldn’t be a gaming mouse without RGB, and the preset profiles are just beautiful. The mouse gives off enough light to look good on the desk without turning the room into a rave. I like that it acts as a subtle accent, but I also like that I can turn it off when I don’t need it.

The most impressive feature has to be the mouse’s battery life. I’ve had the mouse for a couple of weeks now and have only needed to charge it twice after regular heavy use with the RGB turned on. Uhuru boasts a 70-hour battery life, and I am inclined to believe it.

The only complaint I have with the mouse is with the ergonomics. If you’re looking for a budget mouse that will save your hands from pain, this isn’t in. While my RSD doesn’t flair up as quickly or as badly as with other cheap mice, it does flair up after an hour or so of use. If you don’t spend the unnatural amount of hours in front of a computer that I do, this isn’t going to be a problem. This will vary between users.

If you’re looking for a solid budget gaming mouse that will take your gaming to the next level, try the Uhuru WM-09. It is a lightweight responsive mouse with a sleek design and amazing battery life.

You can pick up the Uhuru WM-09 Gaming Mouse on Amazon for $27.99 (Currently on sale for $19.59) using my affiliate link.

Tech Reviews

The Epomaker P75 is a Fantastic Mechanical Keyboard!

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Epomaker sent me their most popular keyboard, the P75 with the Wisteria Linear switches, for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. You can find the P75 and Epomaker’s other stylish keyboards on their official website.

What’s in the Box?

The P75 comes beautifully packed. Inside you’ll find:

  • The Epomaker P75 Keyboard
  • Braided USB-A to USB-C chord
  • The space bar, arrow keys, and escape button in white (for those who want that all-white aesthetic
  • Wireless dongle
  • 3 replacement switches
  • Key puller tool
  • Allen wrench

Features

The P75 is a 75% keyboard with wired, wireless, and Bluetooth support. It allows connectivity to several devices from laptops, phones, and even popular gaming consoles. Its south-facing 8-color RGB makes it easy to see the 16 preprogrammed profiles. Coupled with the easily swappable keys and keycaps, the P75 is a perfect fit for any setup. The P75’s 4000mAh gives users a solid wireless session, and the volume dial is a nice touch.

Most importantly, the keyboard comes in three switches for a completely customizable experience. The available switches:

  • Zebra Switch: Linear, 5-pin, Travel: 1.8/3.8mm, Force: 40/45gf   
  • Wisteria Linear Switch: Linear, 5-pin, Travel: 2.0/3.6mm, Force: 45/62gf    
  • Wisteria Tactile Switch: Tactile, 5-pin, Travel: 2.0/3.1mm, Force: 46/62gf

Sound Test

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/epomakersoundcheck.mp3

Review

The Epomaker P75 is a fantastic mechanical keyboard. I love the sleek design of its aluminum finish and the simple yet beautiful color scheme. The Wisteria Tactile Switches emit a beautiful creamy click that I find incredibly satisfying. Be mindful. It is a little loud, and the sound might annoy the people around you.

While the keyboard is easy to setup, I recommend keeping the manual. The keyboard comes preprogrammed with various useful commands for controlling RBG, media, check the battery, and open certain programs. The commands are easy to memorize, especially if you only care about the ones you use most often.

I used to only ever use wired connections, but I am converted. I like the lack of clutter and how easy it is to switch between devices. I have the devices connected to my gaming pc and work laptop, and switching between them is as easy as flipping the switch. The switch is easy to reach and responsive without it being too easily flipped.

I used the keyboard for both work and gaming and was impressed by the battery life. With the RGB turned up, I get a solid eight hours of steady heavy use. I can get a longer session with the RGB turned off, but it looks so pretty that, I didn’t want to test it.

The keys feel very good to the touch, and make typing a delight. Gaming with the P75 is a solid experience. The keys are responsive enough for any style of gaming, and they are soft enough that they don’t require hard presses. I am glad this keyboard doesn’t destroy my hands after an intense gaming session.

I get pretty bad repetitive stress disorder, and the wrong keyboard destroys my hands. I typically use a special keyboard to avoid a painful flair-up, so there was some anxiety when I switched to the P75. While it is by no means a true replacement for my original ergonomic setup, I am having trouble finding a reason to switch back. There is still some faint pain that comes after prolonged use, but it isn’t anything unbearable. I’ve had keyboards that leave my hands useless, but P75 is comfortable. That doesn’t mean I won’t try to get one of their split options for comparison, but I think this will remain my daily driver until my hands say otherwise.

The Epomaker P75 is a fantastic mechanical keyboard for anyone looking. Its size, color scheme, and wireless capabilities make it the perfect candidate for any minimalistic setup. If you’re looking for a quality yet budget mechanical keyboard, I can’t recommend this enough.

You can pick up your Epomaker P75 for $99.99 on the official website.

Tech Reviews

The Fifine A22s are Decent Budget Speakers

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Fifine sent me their A22 Speakers for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you’re interested in any of the other Fifine products, like H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, or the SC3 Gaming Mixer, check out my reviews.

What’s in the box?

The box comes with the instructions, a power cord, 2 usb cables to connect everything together, and an aux cord. You also get the two speakers with the sub woofer snugly packed in its protective foam cutout. I am very impressed by the simple yet effective packaging.

Features

The A22 is a compact speaker system with an easy plug-and-play setup. It supports multiple devices through its easy-to-access ports located on the back of the subwoofer. The A22 includes ports for the two speakers, an aux cord, a USB-C cable, an optical cable, and headphones. It is also Bluetooth-compatible in case you run out of ports.

On top of the subwoofer, you have buttons for power, media and audio control, input selection, equalizer modes, and RGB control. The buttons are made from a soft-feeling rubber and are very responsive.

These wouldn’t be a gaming speaker without any RGB. Located on the front of the speakers is an elegant strip of customizable RGB for that matching aesthetic.

Review

The Fifine A22 speakers are a neat little system with a sleek design and decent sound. You aren’t going to throw any house parties with these, but they are good enough for the day-to-day. The bass is deep enough, the sound is loud enough and full enough. Watching movies and TV with the A22s was an enjoyable experience, and the sound was a lot better than my phone. For gaming, these aren’t going to beat the full immersive sound of a good set of headphones, but they will do the job when you don’t want your ears to get hot and sweaty. Overall, these have a solid sound stage for what you’re paying.

My desk tends to get cluttered very quickly, so I appreciate the size of this system. They are big enough to deliver the sound I need without taking too much desk real estate. I like the simple design. I appreciate that they look like gaming speakers without being overbearing with the gaming aesthetic.

I appreciate the amount of connections featured on this thing. Because of my workflow, it is nice not having to constantly connect and disconnect devices just so I can have audio. Even though it would be extremely easy to do on the A22, it’s nice that I can press a button and switch from my desktop audio to Bluetooth and still have room for my laptop. It would be cool to have a remote way to control the device for those who want to keep the system hidden. But unless you’re constantly switching inputs or RGB settings, this isn’t an issue, and a remote would be unnecessary.

The built-in equalizer feels more like a gimmick. It hardly makes a difference, but I preferred the music setting. It feels like it gives the sound the most depth, but again the differences in quality are negligible.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive sound system for your gaming setup, you can’t go wrong with the A22s. Sure the bass could be deeper, the sound could be fuller, but they are good enough for the price point.

You can pick up the Fifine A22 speakers on Amazon for $72.99 using my affiliate link.

Tech Reviews

The Fifine SC3 is the Best Budget Mixer on the Market

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I was sent the Fifine SC3 Gaming Audio Mixer to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

What’s in the Box?

The mixer comes neatly and safely packaged in a plain box. Inside, you get a copy of the instruction manual, a USB-C to USB-A cable, an aux cord, and the mixer. The instructions are easy to read, but the device is even easier to use with very little guidance. The USB cable and Aux cord are a decent length, but you might want to invest in a better aux cord if you want better sound.

Sound Quality

The SC3 Mixer is going to elevate your setup. You will get better sound than plugging your headphones into the motherboard, but most importantly, you’re getting amazing voice recordings out of the box. I used the mixer with the Fifine H9 gaming headset and am very impressed with the sound quality I got. You can use something like a voice meter to get a more professional sound, but I don’t think you need to. If you’re looking for the easiest and cheapest way to upgrade your sound for streams, the SC3 is what you need. I’ll leave a sample of the sound below:

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sc3voicecheck.mp3

Voice Changer Feature

The SC3 comes with a voice changer feature. This feature includes six easily toggleable presets: male, female, robot, monster, baby, and elder. This feature isn’t great, but it is fun. The male, female, and elder presets are the most usable of the batch. I’ll leave samples of the different profiles below.

Male Preset

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/malevoicechange.mp3

Female Preset

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/femalevoicechange.mp3

Robot

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/robotvoice.mp3

Monster

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/monster.mp3

Baby

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/baby.mp3

Elder

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/elder.mp3

Other Features

There are volume-controlling sliders for the mic, line-in, headphones, and line-out with corresponding mute buttons for each. There is also an autotune feature. I can’t sing to save my life and didn’t mess around too much with me. It feels a little basic, but it’s a fun and silly feature like the voice changer.

Of course, the SC3 wouldn’t be a gaming accessory without any RGB. The mixer has a solid collection of light profiles so you can always have a matching setup. The soft underflow is a very nice touch. I like the fact that I can toggle off the RGB if I need my desk to look less busy.

My favorite feature is the four programmable soundboard buttons. Each button can easily record and store your favorite sound bite to play during your stream or podcast. I already have my profiles loaded and ready for D&D silliness.

Quality

The SC3 mixer looks cheap, but the construction is sturdy. The sliders make the device feel cheap. I never had any issues with the sliders, but it feels like they will break after extensive use. That said, the SC3 will survive enough normal wear and tear to be worth the money you spend on it.

The buttons feel good and make up for the quality of the sliders. All buttons are easy to read, responsive, and soft. I like that the buttons glow white when they are in use, and make great use of their RGB lighting effects when not.

You are getting what you pay for, but it won’t break after a week of use.

Review

The SC3 mixer has become my daily driver for my home setup. It not only looks good on my desk, but it is also practical. The SC3 provides a decent soundstage. I would have liked a little more bass, but there is enough of it to make it an enjoyable experience. Most people who aren’t audiophiles will be content with the sound.

Voice recordings through the mixer is a fantastic experience. You aren’t getting studio quality, but the quality you’re getting is good enough for most cases. Without any tinkering or third-party software, you’re getting a good sound recording. The experience will vary based on the mic, but I did feel like I was getting a better-sounding recording from my Fifine H9 gaming headset. You can use something like voicemeter to make it sound more professional, but I don’t think it’s necessary. The SC3 mixer is an upgrade out of the box.

Quality isn’t an issue. The build looks solid, and it looks fine on the table. It does feel cheap, but I am not afraid of it breaking any time soon. This isn’t a buy-it-for-life situation, but it is a quality budget-friendly option. This is the device you buy while you save up for the expensive upgrade.

The SC3 is a very user-friendly and responsive mixer. Setup is easy, but there are some quality tutorials out there if you need them. I appreciate how responsive the controls are, especially if you’re using it for commercial purposes.

My only real complaint is that having your phone connected with the included aux cord sounds bad. There was a lot of static. A better AUX cord might fix this, but I wasn’t able to test one.

If you’re looking for a quality mixer that isn’t going to break your bank, check out the Fifine SC3. This mixer is a fantastic option for those looking to get into streaming or podcasting. You’re getting a decent amount of features for a good device that will hold you over till you’re ready for the upgrade. It doesn’t offer much customization in terms of equalizers, but you don’t really need them yet. While I do see some everyday use, this might be a bit overkill for everyone else. Unless you need the features, I would go with the Fifine H9 Gaming headset if you’re looking to upgrade your mic and sound. I am happy with the SC3, and recommend it to anyone in the market for a mixer.

You can pick up the Fifine SC3 Gaming Mixer for $49.99 using my Amazon Affiliate link.

Tech Reviews

The Best Budget Headset: Fifine H9 Gaming Headset

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I was sent a free pair of Fifine’s H9 Gaming Headset to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

Unboxing

What’s in the Box?

I was a little disappointed that the headset didn’t come with packaging to keep it from moving, but these sturdy durable things don’t really need it. The H9’s are 3.5 mm, but it comes with an audio box that converts it to USB. I used it as a USB headset and I appreciate the extra long chord and clip. The Mic is detachable which means it travels great.

Build Quality

I was disappointed when I first opened the box because the headset looked cheap. It doesn’t help that the box had no protective packaging to keep it in place. I wasn’t expecting a high-end titanium headset, but the H9s look like a kid’s toy. 

My opinion changed when I picked up the headset. The headset is surprisingly durable. It isn’t a buy-it-for-life type deal, but they are going to last you longer than other headsets at a similar price point. They won’t survive a pitch to the wall after an intense rage quit, but I’ve already dropped them enough times to be confident in my statement. 

The included USB audio box feels cheap. The audio box controls audio and mic volume, mutes/unmutes the mic, and has a handy clip. The volume buttons sink into the device when pressed and feel flimsy. The mic mute switch feels stiff. I found it more convenient to use my keyboard audio controls so it’s not a huge deal, but the mute switch is a fantastic feature. The clip is easily the audio box’s sturdiest part and a good way to tame the excess wire slack. The H9 Gaming Headset truly is a solid headset for the price point. 

Mic Quality

The mic is removable, which is nice for travel or when you don’t need it. I was very happy with the length, and its flexibility means it always be at the ideal position. The sound quality of this mic out of the box is phenomenal. I was amazed by how good I sounded without the need for any processing. I’ve used cheap headphones that made me sound distant or garbled, but that isn’t an issue with the H9s. Processing the sound through OBS or a third-party app like Voice Meeter will make these sounds even better. 

You aren’t getting a professional-sounding mic, but you are getting a very clear and intelligible sound which is all you really need when it comes to headsets. 

Mic Sound Check Out of the Box

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Mic Sound Check With Processing

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Sound Quality

I am not an audiophile, and can’t tell you how these compare to a top-of-the-line experience. I honestly couldn’t even tell you the difference. For every day, daily beaters, you can’t get a better sound stage. Everything sounds crisp, clear, and fine. Some cheap gaming headsets overcompensate with bass and you get a strange mechanical sound, but the H9’s sound warm with a solid range. I do wish there was a bit more bass, but I’ll live. 

The H9 Gaming Headset has some solid noise cancellation, even at low volumes. They aren’t perfect. You’ll hear some of the louder noises poke through, but the amount of soundproofing you get is impressive. There is some noise bleed, but I wouldn’t say it is distracting. 

The headset has a 7.1 mode that you can toggle from the USB audio box, but I felt like it was more marketing than functional. It doesn’t sound bad, especially compared to some other devices I’ve tried, but you aren’t getting true 7.1. It sounded artificial, and while it wasn’t bad, I preferred using the normal mode. I can see it being helpful in an FPS, but I don’t think it’s good enough to give you any type of competitive edge. It’s a nice feature, but not the reason to pick up this headset.

Impressions

I’ve only been using the H9 Gaming Headset for two weeks now, but they’ve become my daily drivers. I have a nice pair of open-back headphones and a decent desk mic, but I am not ready to go back. I love the convenience the headset provides, and it is good enough for what I need. 

The sound does feel a little flat for my taste, but otherwise, it is great for the price point. What I love most is how good the mic sounds. It’s not professional, but people on the other end can understand me.

If you’re looking for a budget headset that is decent quality, pick up a pair of the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset is a fantastic option. This is a very comfy headset that does its job, doesn’t break the bank, and should last you long enough to be worth the money. 

The Fifine H9 Gaming Headset is available in Black, Pink, and White for $39.99 on Amazon through my affiliate link. 

Tech Reviews

Tech Review: Redragon K585 DITI Keypad

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I want to start off by mentioning that this isn’t a sponsored review. I bought this with my own money and these will be my honest review. All links in this review are my affiliate links, I get a little money if you choose to buy anything I link to.

The Redragon K585 DITI is a mechanical gaming keypad. The keypad has 42 keys and 7 onboard macro keys that are easy to program through their software. You get three options for key switches: red, brown, and blue. The red switches are their silent option, blue is their loudest, and brown is in between. The Redragon K585 DITI is available in both wired and wireless options. And just so you know that this is a gaming keypad, it has RGB.

Out of the box, you get the keypad, a plastic wrist rest, a keycap puller, a switch puller, a braided USB-c cable, a wireless dongle, extra switches for replacement, and a sticker. I choose the wireless option with the blue caps, so my set came with five blue switches.

Images taken from Amazon product page

At first glance, this keypad looks cheap. When you use it, it feels and sounds cheap as well. It’s not unusable nor breaks easily, but it is something to keep in mind. The blue switches are very loud; I recommend you buy one of the quieter options even if you like the sound. The blue switches do not produce the satisfying mechanical sound I am used to, but rather a cheap clanging that will annoy your housemates. You can probably lube the switches to reduce the sound and eliminate some of the clangings, but that is too much effort for a cheap keypad. You are better off spending a bit more for something better.

I used the keypad for about a month for all my gaming. The performance of the keypad was great at first. There was no noticeable latency, but the clanging got annoying. If you are using voice chat, everyone is going to hear your keypresses. Unfortunately, the wireless feature stopped working after a day. I tried updating the firmware, switching ports, and charging the battery, but the fixes were only temporary. I ended up returning the keypad because I couldn’t use it wirelessly.

Programing this keypad is easy. You plug in the keypad and use the software to customize the keys, macros, and lighting profiles. You can change the lighting profiles on the keyboard without having to go into the software which is nice. The macros were nice and I would use them to bind keys that I needed for gaming that this keypad didn’t have. Unfortunately, my bindings kept clearing so I stopped using them pretty early on as well.

The RGB is okay and offers a few options, but you are limited to the preset profiles. If you want better customization, I suggest you get a different keyboard. One pretty cool feature this keyboard has is that the backlight turns off when it is not in use. Unfortunately, I can’t speak about the battery life since I was forced to mostly use it wired. I recommend buying the wired version instead.

Maintenance for the keypad is very easy. The keycaps and switches are easy to remove for cleaning and replacement. I dropped the keypad accidentally from a low height, and one of the keycaps fell off. I was able to put it back without an incident, but I fear a higher drop might prove disastrous.

If you are looking to make your setup more ergonomic, look elsewhere. Although I found my hand position on this keypad comfortable, I could only game on this for an hour before my hand would cramp out and remain useless. The wrist rest offers no additional support and seems more like a gimmick than a feature. You are better off purchasing a third-party wrist wrest. If you are looking for an ergonomic mechanical keyboard, you are better off with the Kinesis Freestyle. You can see my full review on that here.

So is the Redragon K585 DITI worth your money? No, it is not. It feels, looks, and sounds cheap. The only reason I can see someone buying this keypad is if they need the portability. Otherwise, I suggest you spend a little more and buy a full-sized or split keyboard. If you are getting this keypad, get the wired version with quieter switches. You can buy both wireless and wired on Amazon with my affiliate links. The Redragon K585 DITI isn’t a terrible product, but you have better options.

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