Home Gaming Headsets EKSA StarEngine E5000 Review – To Infinity, And Beyond?

EKSA StarEngine E5000 Review – To Infinity, And Beyond?

by Stuart Charles Black
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Big thank you to EKSA for sending the E5000 to review!

Full disclosure: This is a paid review but I made it clear to them that I do not guarantee positive reviews or recommendations – I make in-depth, honest evaluations based on my impressions and the ultimate value that the product may or may not provide. 

Greetings mate and Welcome aboard! Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear) all over again, so…

EKSA E5000

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In The Box

1x EKSA Star Engine Gaming Headset

1x Detachable Microphone

1x Microphone Foam Cover

1x 3.5mm Audio Cable

1x Type-C Audio Cable

1x USB to USB-C Extender

1x Carry Pouch

1x User Manual

EKSA Star Engine E5000 Review

Specifications

  • Speaker Diameter: 50mm
  • Sensitivity: 112dB±3dB
  • Impedance: 55Ω±15%
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
  • Net Weight: 325g
  • Call Mic: Unidirectional
  • Noise Identifying Mic: Omnidirectional
  • Sensitivity: -42dB±3dB
  • Operating Voltage: 1-10V
  • Current Consumption Max: 0.5mA

Introduction & Build

Today we’re going to talk about something near and dear to my heart – gaming.

Specifically, we’re going to make a carefully thought-out decision about whether or not EKSA’s Star Engine E5000 is ultimately worth a purchase over a couple of other gaming setups that I really enjoy.

So strap in and let’s get started. By the end of this article, you’ll know if the E5000 is right for you.

To begin with, the build here is pretty incredible for a roughly $60-$70 unit.

The headphone itself is bulky, but it feels robust and durable – as if it could withstand some abuse which is great if you’re an out-of-control nerd-raging gamer bro who gets mad at stuff that isn’t real.

Kind of like me.

In fact, this build is eerily reminiscent of your typical Beyerdynamic headphone which is a great thing.

The bales and headphone adjustment mechanisms are almost identical, but Beyer uses velour whereas you’re getting pretty standard protein leather here.

I would have loved to see EKSA use velour instead of the material present, but perhaps that can be implemented in a later model.

EKSA Star Engine E5000 ReviewI do appreciate the thickness and depth of the pads as it feels like there’s plenty of cushion for the pushin’ here.

They’re also decently wide so my ears fit snugly inside as well.

The mic is a detachable 3.5mm which is ultra-convenient, and the wire used to connect to your console is a USB Type-C.

EKSA also includes an extension cable here too which is a nice addition.

I do wish it was a bit longer, but I’m not going to complain too much as I sit kind of far from my couch.

I think most people who game on PC or sit a bit closer will be fine.

On the back of the left earcup, there’s a volume dial, a mic on/off, and a sweet light button which makes these headphones look rather futuristic in the dark.

An aesthetic add-on, sure, but I do enjoy the design quite a bit.

I’m not sure how those green wires coming out of the headband will hold up over time, so do keep that in mind. I will update this as needed.

The R & L indicators on the inside of each earcup are also a nice touch, as many companies put them in tiny block letters that you need a magnifying glass to find.

Each of the headband adjustment blocks contains EKSA’s branding: their logo on the left and “Star Engine E5000 Pro” on the right.EKSA Star Engine E5000 ReviewEKSA Star Engine E5000 ReviewEKSA Star Engine E5000 ReviewEKSA Star Engine E5000 ReviewEKSA Star Engine E5000 Review

Comfort

The top of the headband doesn’t intrude much on my skull and the clamping force on the sides of my head is just about right.

The cups rotate down just a hair short of 45 degrees and they also move just enough front to back in order to get a nice fit on your head.

These don’t fold or rotate in any way, but you probably won’t require that seeing as how they’re meant for marathon sessions on your couch potato.

I haven’t felt the need to take these off yet and that’s most assuredly a good thing as I really think ESKA prioritized comfort here rather well.

The headphones feel snug but they don’t distract from the gaming experience. It’s not as if you’re wearing nothing and they don’t feel like air, but all in all, I’m very satisfied with them and applaud EKSA for the effort.

Sound

First, we’ll get mic quality out of the way by comparing 3 mics that I have here: The V-Moda Boom Pro, Ant Lion Mod Mic, and EKSA’s Star Engine E5000 Mic.

Mic Comparison

(Star Engine E5000 vs. Mod Mic vs. Boom Pro)

As you can tell, the Boom Pro is still king as far as I’m concerned.

That’s not to say the quality of the E5000 or Mod Mic is bad per se, but you can definitely tell the Boom Pro is clearer and less boxy/congested sounding.

If I had to rank them in terms of sound quality, I’d go Boom Pro > Mod Mic > Star Engine.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below!

As far as the sound quality while you’re gaming?

I was pleasantly surprised here.

The sound is clear, full, and deep, and you’ve got the choice of pressing a button for surround sound as well which really enhances the overall imaging portrait and provides an extra edge in terms of immersiveness (is that a word?) and depth.

In other words, it truly does feel out of your head as you’re able to hear sounds in all directions.

Oftentimes, it seems like the sounds are coming from outside the headphones which adds a layer of detail that may also help when attempting to identify where the enemy is.

In a Twitch shooter like the one I was playing in Black Ops 4, you should always be on the alert.

The E5000 makes it that much easier.

It almost feels as though you’re in the heat of battle rather than just seeing and hearing your typical sounds through a T.V. set.

7.1 Surround sound is especially intense, and I couldn’t help but think how well they’d do for watching film as well.

I didn’t go into this review with a bias against the E5000, but I have long stuck with my SHP9500 + Boom Pro + SoundBlasterX G6 setup and recommend it the world over to people.

In other words, I wasn’t expecting to like the E5000 because of my (perhaps unfair) bias against gaming headsets. I had a Turtle Beach years back and it broke within a couple of months.

So that experience soured me on them, to say the least.

I don’t know if the E5000 has made me a believer in gaming headsets again overall, but I’m definitely impressed with this particular unit.

The combination mentioned above of 9500/Boom Pro/G6 will run you about $245 while the E5000 is a measly $60-$70.

EKSA Star Engine E5000 Review

Value

I simply can’t find any reasons not to recommend the E5000 and I’ll briefly go over why to end this review:

It’s dirt cheap. Considering the entire package, $60-$70 is a steal for these. In my mind, they should go for at least $100-150.

Build and comfort are both exemplary for a headphone of this caliber and again, it feels like the build quality you’d get on a much more expensive unit.

Convenience and versatility

The E5000 is compatible with PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Laptop, and mobile devices.

What’s even better is that it’s also plug-and-play. No amps needed, no weird setups, no hassle.

Just plug it into the USB slot on your console and you’re ready for gaming.

You can use it with something like a G6 if you want. Just use the provided Type-C to 3.5mm and snag one of these and these.

All of the connections feel extremely solid and I like that they’re using Type-C here as it feels infinitely more durable than Micro.

Accessories

It may seem trivial, but the included velcro strips for each cable are a nice added touch and increases the value in my mind.

Oftentimes you’ll find companies using those cheap twist ties and they are a real pain to deal with.

I have a bag full of them!

Here the velcro strip is attached to the cable, it’s super convenient, and it dons EKSA’s logo which adds a touch of professionalism as well.

The included carry bag doesn’t feel like the cheap faux leather you’ll find with other sets. Here you’re getting a soft, velvety drawstring bag that matches the headphones’ aesthetic quite well.

The manual is easy to flip through and very straightforward.

If you’ll recall, Supsoo’s B131 manual felt like opening a road map and I think all companies should employ some variation of the booklet type found here.

Some things I would like improved:

There’s not much to complain about here, although the green wires protruding out may pose an issue down the road.

I also wish EKSA would have made the 3.5mm jack compatible with other mics.

I tried plugging the Boom Pro in (connected to my G6) and it clicked perfectly but I believe EKSA made this a proprietary jack.

In other words, it only works with the mic provided and I think the added flexibility would be much appreciated for those who aren’t a huge fan of the included mic quality (cough, me).

That is to say that I think they made it so that the audio only comes through the Type-C jack and the lack of versatility is a tad disappointing but not a deal-breaker.

Though mic quality is not the main concern for me when gaming, I’d still like to see it improved in a future iteration.

My mantra is always “If they can hear me clearly, then it’s fine.” That’s essentially what you’re getting here.

My voice comes through adequately, but the boxy/nasally quality can definitely be improved.

Lastly, the pads are great but it looks like they could easily come loose from the cup over time.

This is something I experienced almost to a tee with Sony’s MDR-7506 and it looks like the same thing could happen here with extended wear and tear.

EKSA Star Engine E5000 ReviewEKSA Star Engine E5000 Review

Final Word

I think EKSA’s Star Engine E5000 is a great deal and do recommend it if you’re a gamer who’s after a solid, robust headset without the hefty price tag.

I don’t think the E5000 is the sole reason I did well against bots, but I will say this headset forces you to be a little bit more focused because the sounds are so intense and you’re hearing things in all directions.

In other words, it kind of feels like you’re in the heat of battle and that illusion helps maintain high alert at all times.

So take that for what it’s worth. For now, definitely consider a purchase.

 

Videos

Here are some gameplays I did when demoing the 3 microphones. My aim was a bit off in the first game, but I hit my stride in the others on Summit.

Well, that’s about it for today folks! I hope you’ve enjoyed this EKSA StarEngine E5000 review and came away with some valuable insight.

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!

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Is the E5000 worth a purchase? Do you have any experience with gaming headsets? I’d love to hear from you. Until next time…

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

EKSA StarEngine E5000

4.45

Build

4.8/5

Comfort

5.0/5

Sound

4.7/5

Mic Quality

3.5/5

Pros

  • Surprisingly good sound. Clear, full, and has impact
  • Built extremely well for the most part
  • Incredibly comfortable
  • Excellent Design

Cons

  • Mic quality needs improvement
  • Wires protruding may become an issue
  • Pads may come loose over time

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