14 DAY TRIAL // If you’re in the market looking for affordable gaming headphones, your only option is to check out the offering of Chinese manufacturers, as top-rated brands typically sell such gear for more than the majority of people are willing to spend.
While there was a time when Chinese companies were all about copying the products launched by more high-profile brands across the world, there are now a few names that are trying to conquer international markets with their own products based on a more or less successful mix of low price and high quality.
Dodocool is one of the firms that are trying to do this, though judging from the price tag of their products, you might think otherwise. In many cases, a low price is considered an indicator of questionable quality, so when hearing about a gaming headset that costs $35, you really can’t expect more.
The Dodocool DA163 gaming headphones promise to offer you the same features as more expensive rivals but at more than half their price, without compromising sound quality and comfort in any way.
Obviously, this sounds too good to be true, especially when a Chinese company is involved, but the spec sheet is compelling, to say the least. But how’s everything in real life? Let’s find out.
First and foremost, the first encounter is surprising. The Dodocool DA163 is a gigantic gaming headset that covers not only your ears but also a big part of the head. Despite their size, however, they’re super-comfortable, and it’s all because of the choice of materials that the Chinese company used.
“Gigantic, yet super light.”
At only 395 grams, this is no surprise, but while the materials feel good to the touch, I have serious concerns over their long-term durability. Dodocool used PU leather for the earmuffs, and the DA163 also comes with a soft head pad, plus adjustable headband. The soft ear cushion means you can use the headset for longer period of time without feeling any discomfort at all, especially because they’re so big yet very light.
There is no pressure on the head or the ear, and this is the result of the headphones not using too many metal parts. The base of the headset has good padding, though I’ve noticed that they could fall off when leaning or turning the head.
While the build quality isn’t top-notch, it’s not bad either, so if you’re not looking for anything close to the quality of premium headphones, which obviously cost substantially more, you should be OK with Dodocool’s product.
Let’s talk a bit about what this alleged gaming headset can offer. First and foremost, it comes with a USB cable that measures 2.2 meters and doesn’t tangle, so you’re going to avoid one of the biggest annoyances with headphones these days. But the choice of USB 2.0 for connectivity also causes some drawbacks.
“USB connector only.”
For gaming, this is without a doubt the right way to go, but it limits the capabilities of the device in a substantial manner. For example, you won’t be able to use them with a phone, tablet, or any other device that comes with a headphone jack.
The earmuffs come with a built-in volume controller, which I honestly found way too easy to touch by accident, but also with red lights that turn on when output is detected. This makes the headset looks kind of cool, especially in complete darkness, but in the long term, this can become annoying for people around you. There’s no way to disable the lights.
The over-the-ear headphones also integrate a microphone that’s built inside the muffs, and it offers an impedance of 2200 Ω and 52 ± 3 dB sensitivity. This means that it should work in most conditions, though others might have a hard time hearing you if you’re in a noisy environment.
As for the quality of the sound itself, Dodocool says you’re going to get 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz frequency response and 108 dB at 1 kHz sensitivity, with 3 dB channel balance and impedance of 32 ± 10% Ω. Maximum input power is 40 mW.
For those who aren’t very tech-savvy, this means the DA163 should offer audio quality that’s way above the average, but I wouldn’t go so far. At least, not when listening to music, because the headset won’t truly show its limitations when playing games.
The headphones aren’t the loudest I’ve tried, and at the maximum volume, there’s a small distortion especially in those moments when the bass should be more noticeable. This is obviously the result of the price you pay because it’s impossible to get a super-premium experience in all regards without a hefty price tag.
Dodocool says the headphones come with what it calls Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound, while should offer “an upgraded level of audio precision that will immerse you deeper into the game.” To be completely honest, I barely noticed any difference between modes with this feature on and off, and if there’s really a change, it’s not something that will upgrade audio precision in such a substantial manner.
Noise isolation is another problem that I spotted. Obviously, at this price, you can’t expect a noise-canceling system, though there are Chinese brands who claim they do offer such a feature (with no real benefit though), but the soft earmuffs and their dimensions allow the noise to get past quite easily.
“Noise isolation is an issue.”
This means that if you’re in an office environment, for instance, pretty much anyone around you can hear what you’re listening to when the volume exceeds 50 percent or even lower. There’s no way to prevent this other than keep the volume as low as possible, though this in its turn substantially affects the experience with the headset.
In the end, the Dodocool DA164 gaming headphones is a good choice if you know exactly what to expect from such a device.
First and foremost, it’s important to always have in mind its price. You can’t expect more from a headset so affordable, and I’d say that the quality it provides is exactly what you should get at this price. Dodocool offers good value for the money, though once again, I’m not sure how this product is going to wear out in time, especially in the case of heavy gamers or office workers who use them up to 8 or 9 hours a day.
Then, it’s the build quality. It’s not the best, but it’s not the worst either, and for me, the best thing about these headphones is that they’re incredibly comfortable. This makes them the right choice for long hours of gaming without any headache or pain.
And last but not least, it’s the overall package. There are flaws, that’s for sure, but for an affordable headset that you’re supposed to use at a lower volume, no big problems are likely to be experienced. In the time I spend with this headset, the biggest drawback was the USB port, which made it impossible to use the headphones with a mobile phone or a tablet. Nevertheless, for gaming, it’s an excellent choice.
All in all, should you buy the Dodocool DA163? You could give them a try and who knows, maybe you like them enough to replace a more premium headset. At the price that you have to pay for this product, you’re not going to lose too much just for a test drive.
