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Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
The Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II is a good headset that could have been great — here's what I'd change
What do you do to relax and unwind after the working day is done? Me? I love spending the evening being silly with my partner or, when she isn't around, playing video games on my PS5 Slim. But when she's around and doing her own thing, I don't want my console to disturb her, so I always have one of the best gaming headsets at hand. I won't lie, I love the freedom a wireless headset provides as I don't have to contend with annoying cables, but wired sets of cans are great too, of course. I recently tested one such headset that I liked and, deep inside, wished I loved: the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II. It sounds fantastic, it's comfortable, it's got an awesome mic, so why don't I love it? Lightweight and comfortable, the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II is a fantastic headset that doesn't break the bank. It boasts a wide soundstage thanks to powerful 40mm drivers, and features 7.1 virtual surround sound that makes games more immersive. However, there's no companion software, the design is divisive, the in-line controls are frustrating, and it's a wired-only headset. If the H1 Gen II was a wireless headset, I wouldn't have as many qualms. As it stands, its wired connectivity and in-line controls grinds my gears as does the anime-themed Hatsune Miku design which I just cannot stomach. To take it from good to great, here's what I'd change about the H1 Gen II. The Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II headset is fitted with a cable that's 2 metres long — the same amount of distance they wanted us to maintain during the pandemic in the U.K. The distance between my PS5 Slim and my couch is 3 metres, so to test the headset, I had to pull a chair up to the halfway point. What's worse is that the headset needs to be plugged into a USB-A port which is located on the back of my PS5. Realistically, you can use the H1 Gen II only if your console (or PC) is on a desk or your couch is flush against your TV. This is why I would have loved a longer cable. And speaking of, I wish the H1 Gen II's buttons were located on the earcups and not included as an in-line remote that's located halfway down the cable. Having to pull up the cable every time I wanted to adjust the volume or toggle 7.1 virtual surround sound proved frustrating and tedious. It did make me feel like I was a doctor adjusting a person's IV drip flow, though, which was cool. I'm an emo kid at heart so if I was buying the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II headset, I'd go for the black model. But I also can't deny the charm of a colorful headset, like the Cooler Master CH351. The H1 Gen II comes in a Hatsune Miku Edition, sporting near-identical colors as the CH351. As I noted in my H1 Gen II review, prior to testing this headset, I did not know who Hatsune Miku was, but turns out she's a 'Vocaloid software voicebank' represented by a 16-year-old girl with long, turquoise twintails... and I do not like it. To each their own, of course, but anime has never been my thing and I really don't like that her silhouette graces one of the earcups. Personally, I'm not comfortable with the portrayal of Hatsune Miku in this context, given the character is canonically a minor. So yes, if the headset sported just the Asus TUF Gaming logo with the teal and pink colors, I would have liked it much, much more. One thing I love when using a gaming headset is customizing the equalizer and trying out different lows, mids and highs to achieve the best sound possible — and I wish I could do that with the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II. At the time of writing, there's no app support for the headset, which is a shame because Asus' other headsets (like the Asus ROG Pelta and the Asus ROG Delta II) allow for extensive customization. I think Asus missed a trick here. Letting users customize a headset that doesn't cost over $100 would have been brilliant and a game-changer in the budget market. I do hope this changes in the future because having a companion app would take this headset from being a 3.5-star product to a 4-star product. Of course, the H1 Gen II absolutely rocks when it comes to sound quality in games, as I discussed in detail in my H1 Gen II review. All of the flaws I've listed are subjective, and what I don't like, you may love, so take this with a grain of salt. A personal opinion of mine, if it were up to me, I'd make the design more minimalist and without the 16-year-old girl on the earcups, extend the cable, and add companion software. Then we'd have a winner on our hands.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I really enjoyed testing the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II with my PS5 — but it has a few noteworthy flaws
One of my favorite things to do after making my dough for the day is to unwind by playing games on my PS5, so I know the importance of how much audio can make or break a game. That's why you need one of the best gaming headsets to truly immerse yourself. I just spent a few days testing the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II, and it blew me away with its wide soundstage and comfortable fit. The headset is competitively priced, retailing for just under $50, and it comes with a clear unidirectional mic, too. However, the design may not be everyone's cup of tea, and the USB-A wired connection is limiting, to name a few flaws. For the complete breakdown, read my full Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II review. Specs Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II Price $49 / £59 Colors Black, Hatsune Miku Edition Platforms PS5, PS4, PC Connectivity USB-A wired Frequency response 20-20KHz Drivers 40mm Neodymium magnet Paired devices max 1 Multipoint connectivity No Microphone Unidirectional Weight 10.47oz The Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II is extremely comfortable, boasts a wide soundstage that makes games more immersive and its unidirectional mic makes you sound loud and clear. One of the most important qualities a gaming headset must possess is that it's extremely comfortable, so you can keep playing for hours and hours. The Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II is just that. Firstly, it's very light, weighing just 10.47oz, so the headset has a feeling of weightlessness to it. Aiding the weightlessness is the headset's metallic headband as well as the cushioned elastic one, which eliminates any pressure you may feel on the top of your head otherwise. The headband also adjusts itself as soon as you put it on your head, so no need to manually adjust anything. The H1 Gen II's cushioned leatherette earcups are mighty comfortable, and they create a good seal around my ears. I wore the headset for four straight hours and didn't feel any discomfort in the slightest. If you prefer memory foam earcups, though, which are more breathable and negate sweat buildup, I'd recommend the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 ($59) instead. If it's powerful audio you're after, regardless of the game you're playing, the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II should be right up your alley. Featuring 40mm Neodymium magnetic drivers, the headset has a 20Hz-20KHz frequency response, ensuring you hear every subtle and loud noise clearly. Similar drivers are found in the pricier SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless ($109) and the 5-star SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 ($129), so rest assured you're getting best-in-class audio. The H1 Gen II also features 7.1 virtual surround sound, which, essentially, emulates the feeling of a 7.1 setup through EQ, and your ears are basically tricked into imagining a wider soundstage — and it works well, making games more immersive. I tested the H1 Gen II by playing a few games on my PlayStation 5 Slim and our shared office Windows 11 laptop. I am currently obsessed with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (aren't we all?), so I had to test the headset while playing the game on my PS5. In Expedition 33, parrying is extremely important as it can deal extreme damage while shielding your party, and alongside seeing when an enemy is going to attack, there are subtle audio cues to help you parry. With the H1 Gen II on my head, I relied solely on audio cues and — I'm very proud to say — I didn't miss a single parry. Expedition 33 also features the best soundtrack of any game ever (in my very humble opinion), and an orchestral ballad soundtrack powers through many boss fights. The H1 Gen II balances the powerful OST extremely well with sounds of weapons and your party exclaiming every now and then. Songs never feel overpowering, and instruments don't sound muddled either. Maelle's saber slicing through Nevrons and Lune's Elemental Genesis raining down fire and thunder gelled extremely well with the music. There are a few scary moments and areas in Expedition 33, which are, again, soundtracked by equally eerie music, and you get ambushed by enemies, too. Through it all, the H1 Gen II exaggerates the horror of it all by emitting sounds and noises from various directions when virtual surround sound is enabled. Truly a thrilling experience. When I'm not sinking hours into RPGs, I like to take a leisurely drive around the block in my Koenigsegg… in Need for Speed: Heat; unfortunately, I don't actually own the car. And doing so while wearing the H1 Gen II was a fantastic experience, like I was actually behind the wheel. Every time my car switched gears, regardless of how loud the backing soundtrack was, I could hear the gears shift every time. The sound of the tires burning on the tarmac as I made donuts was also pleasing, and the sound of the Koenigsegg's engine roaring sent me into orbit. The third and final game I played with the headset was Lies of P on Windows. I've played this game through to the end, and I'm well aware that it features subtle and soft sounds that can help determine where enemies are positioned. The H1 Gen II excels here. I could clearly hear raindrops and water leaking from old buildings, which added to the game's dystopian atmosphere, and each step my character took was pronounced. When peaking around corners, I could hear the heavy footsteps of the mechanical policemen, which helped me gauge their location better and strategize how to approach a heavily guarded area. In combat, the titular character's grunts were loud and clear, and I loved hearing the sound of my sword sharpening against the Grinder, identical to revving a car as it got louder and louder. Anyone who plays games online knows the importance of having a loud and clear mic, and the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II has a great one. It can't be detached or retracted like mics can on the likes of the Cherry XTRFY H3 ($99) or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, but it can be moved out of the way with the flexible gooseneck arm. The H1 Gen II's mic is unidirectional, which is generally better for gaming as it only picks up sounds from the source — the player's mouth, in this case. To test it, I recorded myself speaking into the mic without anything playing in the background. In the clip above, I sound clear with every word enunciated well. I then put an episode of 'Schitt's Creek' on in the background to see if the headset isolated my voice as the only source. While you can hear the characters speaking in the background, it's my voice that takes center stage, and it's loud and clear, which is what matters most. Rest assured that your online lobby will still be able to hear you cuss at them even while there is other commotion around you in your physical space. The Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II is one of the cheapest gaming headsets I've had the pleasure of reviewing. The black model retails for $49 / £59 at Amazon, while the Hatsune Miku Edition costs more and is available in the U.S. only for $99 at Best Buy. The reason the base model is so cheap is because it's a wired-only headset, and you usually need to spend upwards of $70 on wireless cans. The Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II sports a divisive design and frustrating in-line controls, and there's no companion software for customization. I have used and reviewed many gaming headsets in my time, but I can't say I've ever seen a headset like the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II, which I can best describe as divisive. If, like me, you love a minimalist colorway, I'd recommend grabbing the all black model. But if, unlike me, you're a (mega) fan of anime, then get the Hatsune Miku Edition. I'll be honest, I didn't know who this character was until I laid eyes on our review unit. I spent a few minutes looking into this, and it turns out it's a Vocaloid software voicebank represented by a 16-year-old girl with long, turquoise twintails. Unlike the black version of the H1 Gen II, the Hatsune Miku Edition is pink and turquoise, so a lot more colorful. Her silhouette is imprinted on the left earcup, and it lights up in a shade of teal, which I'm personally not a fan of because I don't consume this kind of content. I would still go for the black model because I prefer darker colors (and non-Anime themes), but to each their own, I suppose. Many gaming headsets are accompanied by companion software that lets you adjust the headset's equalizer, update its firmware, remap buttons, adjust mic settings and more. The Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II is not one of them. When you visit the headset's help page, Asus says: 'We don't currently provide a software utility or drivers for this model.' This may change in the future, and if it does, I will update the review accordingly. Meanwhile, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 utilizes the brand's Sonar Audio Software for customization, which may meet some users' needs more. Unfortunately, the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II is a wired headset, which means you can't use it over a wireless connection. The non-removable cable is 2 metres long, and since it's a USB-A connection, I had to plug it into the back of my PS5 Slim. This proved annoying as the distance between my TV and couch is over 2.5 metres, so I had to sit on a chair to test the headset. I'd recommend this headset only if your couch and console are positioned close together, or if your console or PC sits on an office or gaming desk. The thing is, you won't find many wireless gaming headsets that cost as cheap as the H1 Gen II, but there are some sub-$100 options available. If you want a wireless gaming headset that doesn't break the bank, I'd recommend spending a little more on the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 ($79) or the Cherry XTRFY H3 ($99). This may not be an issue for everyone, but I found the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II's controls frustrating. There are no buttons on the earcups. Instead, an in-line remote (which resembles an IV drip flow regulator, honestly) is used to change the headset's volume, turn RGB lighting on and off, mute and unmute the mic, and enable 7.1 virtual surround sound. The buttons aren't what I have an issue with — it's the placement of the remote. It's located at the halfway point, so around a metre down, and I found myself struggling to reach it every time I wanted to adjust something as simple as the volume. I would have much preferred having the buttons on the earcups within easy reach. There's no denying the fact that the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II is a good gaming headset. Its wide soundstage and 7.1 virtual surround sound make even the dullest of games sound exciting. The unidirectional mic works like a charm and isolates voices well, and the headset, being extremely comfortable, is beneficial for long gaming sessions. But this isn't to say the headset is perfect. Personally, I'm not a fan of the anime-themed design, and I'd rather go for the all-black colorway. There's also no companion software for customization, and the lack of a longer cable limits the headset's use. I don't like the in-line controls either, which are rather frustrating. All in all, I believe a few tweaks to the H1 Gen II could have taken it from being a good headset to being absolutely fantastic. I'll stick with SteelSeries for now.
