In the bustling world of gaming earbuds, the Hecate GX05 truly stands out. Just take a peek at its slick, all-metal zinc alloy charging case—it's not your run-of-the-mill box. 

Picture this: it's like a mix of a sleek mothership fighter jet and a ninja's shuriken, all rolled into one. It's the kind of cool that grabs attention and turns heads effortlessly. With the GX05, your gaming setup isn't just gear—it's a conversation starter, a style statement, and a whole lot of fun.

The Hecate GX05 is all about combining quality with style—it's evident from the get-go. Let's talk about the charging case—it's far from ordinary. Adorned with sleek engravings and featuring a ninja star lid design, it's truly one-of-a-kind. And the coolest part? Opening it feels like you're accessing a top-secret gadget, thanks to the smooth twist mechanism. 

Now, take a look at the lid—it's not completely shut, giving you a sneak peek inside. There, you'll find three impressive RGB LED bars and a convenient spot to store your earbuds and 2.4GHz dongle. Speaking of which, the earbuds snap into place magnetically, while the dongle fits snugly through friction.

When it comes to the Hecate GX05 charging case, it's anything but ordinary. Weighing 97 grams, it's got some substance to it. Plus, its triangular shape gives it a distinct appearance that stands out from the crowd. Measuring 6.5cm wide and 3cm tall, it commands attention. 

As for the earbuds, while they may appear bulky, they are surprisingly comfortable to wear, securely staying in the ears and weighing only 5 grams each. Now, onto materials—the case is predominantly metal, with a non-rubberized plastic base. And don't overlook the USB-C charging port on the side—it's where the magic happens. Oh, and there's a button on the base, adding a touch of style.

The Hecate GX05 design is undeniably cool, but it has its drawbacks. Firstly, the charging case is slightly bulky and heavier than average, lacking the water resistance found in other charging cases like the Neobuds Pro 2 and Edifier W320TN. Retrieving the earbuds can be a bit tricky due to the unique ninja star lid design.

Moving on to the earbuds themselves, they sport a grippy rubbery coating, spacious driver chambers, and a durable metal nozzle tip. The touch controls are sleek and responsive, complemented by an LED bar that flashes every 4 seconds when connected. You'll find all the standard functions—RGB control, call handling, playback control, and track skipping—along with various gestures to explore.

However, there's a catch: Edifier hasn't developed a mobile app for the GX05 yet, leaving users reliant on default touch controls without access to native EQ settings. While disappointing, there's hope for future updates.

The Hecate GX05 nails it with clear midrange, powerful bass, and precise treble. You'll hear every detail—from quiet rustles to loud explosions—making your gaming experience even better. In gaming, speed matters, and the Hecate GX05 delivers with its 2.4G technology, boasting a mere 15ms latency. This means your actions are instantly reflected on screen, crucial for fast-paced gaming where split-second decisions are key. Plus, its dual-mode connection lets you seamlessly switch between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, ensuring you stay connected even during calls. And if you prefer mono listening, just remove one earbud—it's that easy. Just note, there's a quick 4-second delay when you put it back in.

AAC code isn't supported and the only options available are SBC (standard Bluetooth) and LHDC 5.0 (Hi-Res audio), but keep in mind that your device must also support the LHDC protocol. LHDC offers superior sound quality compared to SBC, although it does consume more battery life. Typically, you'll get approximately 4 hours of playtime on Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless modes at 50% volume, with an additional 10 hours provided by the charging case. Charging time is 1 hour with 10 minute fast charge, which gives you 1 hour of playback.

When it comes to call sound quality, the microphones provide clear, natural voice calls in quiet environments. However, in noisy backgrounds, the call quality degrades a little bit due to the aggressive microphone noise filtration.

Selling points

• High Res LDHC audio

• Simultaneous switching between Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz

• Voice alerts

• Ultra-low latency

• Seamless gaming experience

• Clear, detailed sound quality

• Eye-catching RGB lighting effects

• Ergonomic design and lightweight

• Durable zinc alloy body

• Easy plug-n-play setup

Potential deal breakers

• Heavy and bulky to carry in pocket

• Average battery life

• To enjoy LHDC hi res audio, your device must also support LHDC

• No ANC/ambient sound support

• Background noise leaking in to calls

• No mobile app support

• Lack of AAC codec support

• Call quality may degrade in noisy environments

• Limited battery life compared to other true wireless earbuds

Accessories included are silicone ear tips, charging cable, USB-A to USB-C adapter, pinch pouch made of thick soft PU leather, USB-C 2.4Ghz dongle and stickers. You also get a nice plastic hardshell case with a thick foam insert to safely store the charging case and accessories. You can buy the Hecate GX05 from Edifier website and amazon.