By asahifile Fractal Design Scape Review: A Stellar Debut
Fractal Design, renowned for its quality PC cases, makes its foray into the audio market with the Scape gaming headset. Priced at $200, this headset boasts a sleek design, impressive sound quality, and an innovative inductive charging base – although it does have a few drawbacks.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sophisticated, understated design
- Convenient inductive charging base
- Excellent neutral sound quality
Cons:
- Headband padding could be improved
- No active noise cancellation (ANC)
- Microphone performance is decent but not outstanding
Design Breakdown
The Fractal Scape features an elegant blend of materials, highlighting the company’s attention to detail. The included charging dock not only inductively charges the headset but also houses its 2.4GHz wireless transmitter, allowing for seamless connectivity with various platforms, including PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, although Xbox support is absent.
The headset boasts user-friendly controls, including buttons for volume adjustments, connecting via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz, and toggling RGB lighting. However, the overall comfort could be better; while the clamping force is appropriate, the headband lacks sufficient padding. The fabric used for the headband and ear pads could also be improved for better heat dissipation.
Audio Performance
Out of the box, the Scape’s dynamic drivers deliver a well-balanced sound profile. Bass is punchy, and mids are detailed, though some users may find the upper mids a bit harsh without adjustments. The onboard EQ settings, adjustable via the Fractal Adjust app, allow for tailored sound profiles across various genres, although competitive gamers might benefit from more presets.
The absence of ANC doesn’t detract significantly from the experience, as passive noise isolation is quite effective in most environments.
Connectivity and Microphone Quality
Bluetooth performance is adequate, though it lacks advanced codec support, which can lead to compressed audio quality. The detachable microphone provides acceptable performance but lacks the nuance some users might desire. A built-in mic is available for casual use, though its quality is average.
Software Interface
Fractal’s Adjust app is user-friendly and web-based, avoiding the hassle of heavy software installations. Lighting options and audio adjustments can be customized easily, allowing users to fine-tune their experience on any gaming platform.
Battery Life
The Scape provides up to 40 hours of use with RGB lighting off. In practice, users reported around three full days of use with moderate lighting, making it a reliable choice for lengthy gaming sessions.
Competition and Conclusion
Priced at $200, the Scape is a strong contender against other gaming headsets, offering a compelling mix of audio quality, comfort, and features that make it an exciting entry into the market. While some aspects, such as comfort and advanced features, could be improved, the Scape is a commendable first effort from Fractal Design, promising an exciting future in the audio realm.
Final Thoughts
The Fractal Design Scape headset excels in design and sound quality, making it an excellent choice for gamers seeking a stylish and functional audio accessory. As Fractal explores further into the audio space, fans await what innovations may come next.