EPOS Gaming H3Pro Hybrid Gaming Headset

Even though I paid for a *new* product, I received the headset in used condition. The manual was folded against the creases, nothing was wrapped in plastic, and there were several accessories un-banded. Regardless, I was anxious to see if the headset would work so I plugged in the USB dongle and started setting it up in Windows 11 Pro. I immediately ran into issues connecting to the EPOS Gaming Suite software, but I expected as much, based on the reviews. Plus, I own an older Sennheiser Game One headset with driver issues (Sennheiser and EPOS gaming headsets used to be the same brand). The driver issues with this headset are pretty much the same as my older headset. You can get audio to come through fine with plug and play (legacy drivers) but if you want to connect to the EPOS Gaming Suite, you’ll need their proper drivers. It’s also worth noting that the EPOS Gaming Suite software worked when I connected the included USB-A to USB-C cable to the headset… but who wants to use a cord with a wireless headset? So, I needed to get the USB dongle working or I was going to return the headset. I screwed around for a couple hours updating firmware, uninstalling/reinstalling drivers and software, until I was about ready to print the return labels. Then finally I made one simple change, and everything worked. I went to Device Manager -> Audio Inputs and Outputs -> Headset (EPOS H3PRO Dongle) -> Update Driver. Boom. Everything worked. I admit this hassle isn’t ideal for the average consumer; however, I’m glad I stuck with it and got it working. As far as the actual hardware is concerned, I'm totally satisfied. It sounds and feels better than my old headset. It has a snug fit that only slips when you tilt your head too far forward. The ear cups are firm, but cushioned, and do well to form a good seal. The volume limit could stand to be a little louder, but the clarity is very good. You aren't going to get thumping bass or anything, but frequencies are well separated and clear. The software also has an equalizer to play with. There are 2 surround modes - 2.0 does well for louder stereo music, and 7.1 is good for most games/movies. The noise cancelling is kind of strange as it only seems to cancel lows - like the sound of my voice, but it’s not bad. The wireless aspect is amazing and battery life is an absolute non-issue. I plug it in whenever I’m done using it (usually 14-hour sessions), and I’ve never had it reach less than 60% charge. You can also attach it to the USB-A to USB-C cable which is about 6 feet long if the battery dies. I haven't used Bluetooth so I can't comment on that. Overall, the hardware is great, the software isn't bad, and the driver support is lacking. If you use the USB dongle like me, just update the drivers in Windows and you should be good to go.