EPOS stands apart mainly because of its gaming headphones, and the company attempts to translate that impression into its debut at true wireless earbuds called GTW 270 Hybrid. Of course, these earphones are targeted towards gaming and come with a USB-C adapter that works for your Nintendo Switch PlayStation 4 and other USB devices. Due to the absence of voice chat, they fail as audio speakers in the gaming band. However, a practical solution is that earphones are oriented around their listening experience process to provide a decent sound quality and a stylish, comfortable appearance.
EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid is a product from ESS Sabre DAC with Norway’s high-quality audio technology for low-latency audio here to fulfill on-the-fly gaming demands. They are truly wireless headphones and come with a USB–C dongle.
EPOS GTW 270 has a microphone, but it is not good. It’s something to use alongside these gaming consoles, but its quality alone would be more than satisfactory. This will turn off the microphone and subsequently take it out of operation, leaving us with a Bluetooth-only powered gadget.
There are more water-resistant tips and charging cases than my daily AirPod Pro. As game-oriented ones, they will not need to be as refined for everyday usage in an office or on the commute. EPOS claims, which have been true with my test of the buds’ survival for up to five hours, even claim that the charging case accommodates a typical 20 hours.
Overview of EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid
In the wireless gaming audio landscape, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Buds are a testament to immersive sound engineering and ergonomic design. Below, we dissect the nuanced features encapsulated within this gaming audio marvel.
- EPOS Engineered Sound: Immerse yourself in a gaming audio experience with maximum external noise cancellation thanks to the closed acoustic design
- Dual Microphones: The dual microphones enhance acoustic clarity for realistic in-game sounds by delivering unrivaled sound
- IPX 5 Water Resistance: Portable and durable, these earbuds can withstand sweat and light rain, ensuring resilience during intense gaming sessions
- Ergonomic Fit: The unique ergonomic shape ensures a lightweight, secure, and comfortable fit, adapting naturally to your ears
- Playtime: Listen to your favorite melodies on the earbuds for up to five hours
- Portable Charging Case: Enjoy extended gaming or listening sessions with the charging case and 15 additional hours of playtime
- Natural Adaptation: The ergonomic design ensures a secure fit and naturally adjusts to your ear for enhanced comfort
- Acoustic Clarity: Dual microphones deliver clear and realistic in-game sounds for an unparalleled experience
- Snug Earbud Tips: Achieve optimal sound qualities and call performance by selecting earbud tips that fit securely in your ears
- Maximum Noise Reduction: The closed acoustic design maximizes noise reduction with passive noise cancellation for an undisturbed gaming audio experience
- Realistic In-Game Sounds: Dual microphones deliver clear, lifelike in-game sounds for an immersive gaming encounter
- Optimal Sound Quality: Ensure the correct fit of earbud tips to obtain optimal sound qualities and call performance
- Closed Acoustic Immersion: The closed acoustic design enhances the immersive nature of audio, blocking external disturbances
- Closed Acoustic Design: Experience immersive sound quality with maximum noise reduction, which enhances the audio atmosphere
Features of EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid
These earphones are comfortable to wear and stay in place, and you don’t get headset fatigue after longer gaming sessions. Here below, we are going to discuss all the features of the GTW 270 Hybrid in detail:
| Brand | EPOS |
| Model Name | GTW 270 Hybrid |
| Form Factor | In-Ear |
| Connectivity Technology | Wireless |
| Waterproof | IPX5 Rating |
| Playtime | 5 Hours |
| Playtime with Case | 15 Hours |
| Total Playtime | 20 Hours |
| Noise Cancellation | Passive Noise Cancellation |
| Fast Charging | No |
| Wireless Charging | No |
| Price GTW 270 | $85.88 |
| Price GTW 279 Hybrid (Dongle Incl.) | $133.49 |
| First Release Date | January 6, 2021 |
| Country of Origin | China |
Design and Features
Unlike the wire-filled neckband-connected wrap-around Bluetooth earbuds, the GTW 270 Hybrid is a clean but ordinary wireless earbud. After all, the earbuds seem insignificant but are still big enough for each bud’s rounded rectangular base to stick out from your ear. They’re more important than these tiny sticks that emerge from your ears when you listen to a device called Airpods, but they also appear tidier.
A tiny button on the left earpiece facilitates phone-related tasks such as trip receiving and media controls, including play and pause or tracking specified activity. Remembering those control inputs with just this one button is tricky and not too big.
Each bud has a small nub with an adjustable rubber ear tip. Four sizes of rubber tips are supplied with the GTW 270. The innovative prizes are designed to form a strong seal that blocks much outside ambient noise. The earbud fills your ear, so take a moment to find the right size.
Like many of the other true wireless earbuds shown in the carrying case, which serve a double function, it not only carries the GTW 270 Hybrid but also charges and serves as a hub of their connection to the wireless network. The small and dark aluminum paneled box is sleek and restrained.
There is a single button on the front, which, once pressed, gives feedback about the battery in the case or, when held, allows you to pair it up with your device using Bluetooth. It is regarding the back, which has a USB-C port for charging and connection to positive computing. When you open the lid, delicate molded areas for both earbuds guarantee a secure fit, and proper copper wireless charging contacts meet all ends.
Connectivity
The earphones can be compatible with every phone, tablet, or computer that supports Bluetooth and work directly without an intermediate device. This USB-C dongle gives increased support to the Nintendo Switch Lite, providing high-quality aptX audio streaming connecting on any Android phone that doesn’t currently assume it. It works with PlayStation 4 and PCs. It also has a built-in male-USB-A to female-USB-C extension cable so that you can use a standard USB Type-A port with the dongle on those systems.
Though it is not mentioned whether the dongle was officially supported, I tested it and even used a PlayStation 5 with the help of that dongle, and everything went fine. Although the earphones have been able to pair with either a Bluetooth device or the dongle, they cannot connect two of them simultaneously.
This is another missed opportunity because the chance to listen in on calls or boot up tunes while the audio plays on your Switch would have been helpful. A small button on the left bud allows limited control after connecting via Bluetooth or dongle: one press of pause and play music or receive calls, two presses skip a track, and three keys go back to the previous time. If you press the on-port button for a long time, Siri or Google’s voice assistant will call. From there, they can control the volume, something you cannot do with the buds.
Two things to note about connectivity and performance: these buds cannot pair with dongle and Bluetooth simultaneously. If you need to use them for calls between sessions on your Switch, you’ll have to flick over devices physically. Secondly, the built-in mic is wonderfully decent and comes in handy only if you aren’t connected via Line In, another Bluetooth-only feature.
Sound Quality
At the same time, a capable handle cannot deny bass, but they will not rattle your head. The bass synth notes in our bass test track, The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” reproduce well at the low-frequency response without distortion, even if you turn it up full blast. It’s a firm knock that isn’t deafening but sounds surprisingly capable by true wireless earphone standards.
Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O Mine” opens with an acoustic guitar picking the first three brief chords, and it has ample resonance to create a complete, round sound while offering enough high-frequency finesse that reveals crisp string announcement during Yes’ “Roundabout.” Then, as soon as the track buzzes in, the bassline stays.
The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down” also gives the GTW 270 points with a great bass output and excellent high-mid frequencies. Besides, the Crystal Method’s “Born Too Slow” sounds very well while using this model due to its tremendous bass response and high reproduction of the mid-frequency range. The gender-bending vocals, screams, and guitar riffs are firmly in the center of this mono mix, with enough low-end reinforcing the beat. It is a fully fulfilled, well-balanced, profound sound that has enough thump and, at the same time, offers very clear crispiness to distinguish clearly those high-frequency tools in the mix.
The USB dongle, like Sony INZONE Buds, operated successfully on the Nintendo Switch and Switched Lite on testing. I plugged it into every one of them, and the earphones connected in seconds. The Monster Hunter: Rise demo has produced a splendid beat, the sounds of nature echoing through with great details. The earphones don’t have any pseudo surround; the game provides good stereo listening. It is easy to feel where the sound is coming from.
Playtime
The star feature is its excellent battery lifespan, a true breakthrough even for predominant members of the two communities. In real-use situations, for instance, during extended game-play on Nintendo Switch consoles or lengthy music sessions, these earbuds offer an outstanding 5 hours of consecutive utilization, delivering a fully encompassing experience without interruptions. Moreover, you can enable it with the portable charging case, which makes these earbuds capable of taking them to a meeting, running, or during training without recharging an additional 15 hours on a full charge and keeps the iPhone reliable for various tasks.
While the current trend resembles more of staying home, the possibility of using and adapting EPOS GTW 270 earbuds thrives. Fits well for flights, commutes, and even travels, these earbuds are perfect for connecting to handheld gaming consoles and music players. First, it has speedy charging to boost convenience or lessen long waiting hours with just twenty minutes in the fashionable charging case, and users can enjoy more than an hour of playtime.
EPOS GTW 270 earbuds do a great job in terms of performance and flaunt their business chic look; the elegant charging case goes well with them. They work great for people who constantly change their environments and need a suitable audio solution matching their activities and lifestyle. Supposing you are on the go or enjoying yourself immersed in your game, the reliable battery life of EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Wireless Gaming Earbuds opens up its potential for use so that you can enjoy it without the concern of having to recharge now and then.
Waterproof Rating
These mid-range earbuds boast an IPX5 water resistance, making them practical and durable. The fact that they promised to shield the earbuds against moisture brings a sense of peace because users can easily use them during workouts, outdoor activities, or even small drizzles.
It means their ability to withstand harsh degrees of weather so that they can stand the test of changing meteorological conditions. Although they are intended to withstand sweat and rain, it is imperative to note that these earbuds, as consumer discretion advised, are not suitable for water immersion. These earbuds, without any doubts, know they can weather the elements confidently because of their resistance capability without compromising performance.
IPX5 earbuds have water resistance beyond the protection from external elements; it builds suitability attributes for these buds for varied environments. Regardless of the tights pushing you through a massively challenging workout or if they’ve been accidentally slipped into on your way to work during an unforeseen pitfall of raindrops, the earbuds continue performing without compromising quality.
With a water resistance of IPX5, this involves protection from outside sources and these earbuds’ overall adaptability for various settings. Whether you’re powering your way through an intensive workout or making haste home when caught in that unexpected drizzle during the homely commute, these earbuds remain user-friendly without compromising quality. The combination of portability and durability (accompanied by water resistance) gives people an excellent opportunity to use these accessories everywhere.
Microphone Quality
270 GTW earphones allow users to enjoy an unparalleled sound experience while playing games. With two built-in microphones, distorted acoustic clarity accentuates the virtual world sounds for realism. The built-in microphone is okay for making calls, but competitive gaming with aptX streaming using the USB-C dongle leaves much to be desired. The limitation for aptX low latency is that this format prioritizes playback channels only and, therefore, does not work in low-latency mode. Yet this is not an inconvenience that would ruin the earbuds’ great sound results in playing games.
Since the guys who are all Sysattached to multiplayer gaming may find what we stated lower previously, the mic is unavailable in either of the low-latency modes. EPOS ascribes this limitation to focusing on audio playback channels with low latency aptX. Thus, personal considerations like multiplayer gaming with friends may mean users must switch to the slower Bluetooth connection for microphone features to work. Even though this is a trade-off, the gaming sound quality remains unparalleled, offering quite an immersive audio experience that can make gaming more enjoyable and a journey to cherish.
The Bluetooth pairing of the microphone with a phone sound is tragic but understandable, as it delivers clean sound. However, it still has a slight hollowness that reminds me that you are speaking into a bucket. It is also typical of many true wireless earphones available today.
Despite lacking the vote gain and HDMI ports feature that the previous version did not have, making phone calls regarding audio quality is still compelling to allow users to shift effortlessly from a gaming session to the day’s actual communication activities. This makes them face competition in the top gaming earbuds factor. In more ways than one, they are at least a solid contender.
Pros and Cons of EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid
EPOS GTW270 earpieces come with a dongle for users to stream audio from their Nintendo Switch. They have impressive sound quality but are not ideal for voice chat. Here below are some plus and negative features of these earphones:
Pros
- IPX5 Waterproof Rating
- Decent Audio Quality
- Impressive Playtime
- Low-latency Audio Support
Cons
- Not for Voice Chat
- Scratch-prone Charging Case
FAQs About EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earphones
Are you searching for answers to the questions about the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid? Read the below frequently asked questions to make your mind clear about those queries.
