I used to play games often. I don’t consider myself too old to play games, just too busy writing reviews and tutorials online. Nowadays, games help me deal with the frustration that often comes when I can’t figure the next guide out. Writing a review of gaming headset – Dodocool DA163 gives me an opportunity to score few kills and not to get a usually associated with it a moral hungover.
Dodocool DA163 – review
I don’t have anything against the gaming aesthetic, I know some people find it too flashy. I use gaming accessories to boost my productivity (Roccat Keyboard & Mouse, Razer KeyPad). For some time I have been looking for headphones that would become a permanent fixture in my office set up. The PXC550 are brilliant, but Adobe Premiere CC cries each time I launch it without the headset connected!
The headphone monster!
My first impression was: These are so BIG! And I kid you not, these are the biggest headphones I have ever had on my head. It’s a good thing they are not wireless! I’m not going out looking like that! There is a nice, covered in rubber, USB cable, long enough to let me reach other places in my office.
For the headphones this big, Dodocool DA163 are very light. To the point that the weight of the headset gives you a “cheap” impression. Upon closer inspection, the band is made of anodised metal, the head cushion is made of fake leather suspended by a clever and extremely comfortable cable retention system. The cups are made of plastic, padded with a nice and soft material. The size of the cups easily covers up even the biggest of the ears!
The red pulsing highlight brings up the meshed, gaming look. It actually looks quite presentable in the dark (not as much in the daylight).
Bring out the 7.1 Gaming sound!
What’s the better way of testing spatial sound than some great games with the excellent sound design? The directional sound in Battlefield 4 and Arma 3 series is excellent and if you want to survive a game, you need to know where the bullets and the footsteps are coming from.
I’m pleased to say that these headphones are really good! I was able to pinpoint the sounds with extreme accuracy, even with my eyes closed. The sound can be additionally boosted with the software that comes with the headphones. It’s easy to miss the driver, check the spec tab to download.
The software allows for 4 profiles to be set, but there are no key shortcuts to change the preset. Additionally, each setting can be saved to file making the number of possible presets unlimited. Other than this, the software is barebone, there are no scripts that would launch the sound preset when a game is running etc.
The Dodocool DA163 come with a microphone as well, it’s serviceable for the multiplayer, but if you want to stream your voice, think about a backup solution.
Comfort
The size of the Dodocool DA163 made me wonder how long I can keep them on my head without getting tired. Fortunately, the retention system is so comfortable, that with the connection with oversized cups and not-so-tight headband causes no strain.
There is one thing I want to mention. The volume wheel is upside down. To raise the volume up you have to slide your finger down. It’s counter-intuitive and for a moment I thought the headphone isn’t working as I completely muted the speakers. I’m not sure why it was done this way, but this is something I can get used to.
Conclusion
I always looked a little bit suspicious at “gaming” products at a budget price. I found a solution to my occasional gaming habits and a permanent fix to Adobe complaints. Not everyone loves the gaming look but I’m not going to take the Dodocool DA163 anywhere outside of my office, even if the USB cable is long enough for me to do so! For £20 (at the time of the review) you really can’t go wrong with these, as long as you don’t mind looking slightly ridiculous 🙂
