INTRODUCTION

   If you've been around the block as many times as we have then in all likelihood you're well aware that gaming headsets have evolved quite a bit over the years in all areas but sound quality. Sure we've seen many gaming headsets with Dolby certifications and both virtual and "true surround sound" over the years but what most manufacturers have chosen to focus on have been features like wireless connectivity (either Bluetooth or radio), LED lighting (single or RGB), flexible frames (for more durability and optimal comfort), Earpad materials (again for optimal comfort) and microphone types (retractable and boom ones - flexible or not). Hi-Res Audio is here to change all that and the Khan Pro Gaming Headset by ROCCAT which we have here with us today is among the very first (if not the very first) to hit the PC and console market.

   Founded in 2007 in Hamburg, ROCCAT designs the best gaming products in the world. We combine detail-loving German innovation with a genuine passion for what we do. The result is a forward-looking product portfolio adaptable to the gaming trends of tomorrow. The industry-leading experiences we develop are born of a deep affinity with gaming community that we ourselves are very much a part of. We achieve this by having an outstandingly talented team comprised of gamers, visionaries and industry experts.

   Just like most gaming headsets in the market the ROCCAT Khan Pro features a closed over the ear design and is based on two 50mm stereo dynamic neodymium magnet drivers that feature a frequency response of 10Hz-40KHz and 25 Ohm impedance. ROCCAT has also equipped the Khan Pro with a pull-down flexible boom microphone featuring -40dB sensitivity with 60dB SNR (ROCCAT calls it real-voice) and a volume control knob placed at the rear of the left earcup. Now as you have probably noticed already what Hi-Res Audio basically does is boost the frequency response of these 50mm neodymium magnet dynamic drivers all the way up to 40KHz but with our ears limited at only up to 20KHz how much does that really matter? So yeah at least for the most part Hi-Res audio could end up being just another marketing "trick/gimmick" but that doesn't mean it has nothing to offer so let's move forward with our review of the brand new Khan Pro Gaming Headset by ROCCAT to see for ourselves.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The Khan Pro arrived inside a black box that has a product picture at the front along with the company and Hi-Res logos.

Both the Hi-Res Audio and the lightweight design of the headset are showcased on the right side.

A more detailed features list is placed at the rear of the box in 9 different languages.

ROCCAT ships the Khan Pro Gaming Headset with a Y-split 3.5mm adapter (for use with smartphones) and its user manual (information document).

THE KHAN PRO

Although the Khan Pro features stainless steel sliders the exterior is almost entirely made out of plastic allowing it to weight just 230g.

Using our regular foam mannequin head it's easy to tell that the Khan Pro is a small to medium sized gaming headset.

The ROCCAT logo and product name are printed on the exterior of both earcups.

It may take quite a bit of space but the pull-down microphone is quite flexible.

The medium sized earpads are dressed with PU leather which combined with the angled design of the earcups should be very comfortable.

Left and right markings are placed on the interior of the headset just over the earpads as seen above.

A very simple yet efficient volume control knob is placed at the rear of the right earcup.

Both earcups can rotate up to 95 degrees for easier storing.

The headpad may not be very thick but for a 230g heavy headset it should do fine.

As usual the company logo is printed on the exterior of the headband.

The headband extends up to 30mm on both sides (60mm total) via 8 increments (no markings).

All three available 3.5mm plugs (including the one of the Y-split cable) are gold plated.

CONCLUSION

   Hi-Res Audio is still not set in stone which means that depending on the support it gets by manufacturers it may or may not make it in one piece just like numerous other technologies introduced in the market over the year (who remembers the HD-DVD by Toshiba for example?). Still even though our ears can't hear the difference it can't hurt to have a wider audio spectrum/range (material quality may be better to achieve this after all) as opposed to other headsets and this is why ROCCAT and many other manufacturers have high hopes about Hi-Res Audio. Getting back to the Khan Pro i have to admit that initially i used it with my smartphones (via its bundled 3.5mm Y-split cable) and the results were really bad. Mids and highs were mediocre at best and bass wasn't much better either so i was rather surprised and baffled with the performance of the Khan Pro. Things however changed when i plugged it with the sound cards of both my systems without using that split cable. By doing that highs became very crisp and clear followed by almost equally good and detailed mids and a sufficient amount of deep and rich bass. This is not to say that the Khan Pro outperformed everything we've used to date but it does seem that the Hi-Res Audio feature helps deliver better audio quality. So although for use on the go via the bundled y-split adapter the Khan Pro couldn’t get much worse (perhaps that’s something ROCCAT can resolve in a future revision?) for use at home it’s a very balanced headset. Things are just as good when it comes to the pull-down boom microphone ROCCAT has equipped the Khan Pro with. True it doesn't look nice and it's not as convenient as some retractable ones we've seen in the past but it performed better than most to date (at times players on the other end thought we were sitting right next to them).

   The ROCCAT Kahn Pro Gaming Headset currently carries a retail price tag of USD99.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 73Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) so it sits right in the middle of many similar headsets. Of course although the Khan Pro may not excel in terms of build quality it offers impressively crisp and detailed audio quality (just don’t use the bundled y-split cable) and since that’s not something we see a lot in sub-100$ models it deserves our Golden Award.

PROS

- Design
- Hi Res Audio (Crist & Detailed Mids/Highs)
- Bass Levels
- Microphone 
- Comfortable
- Available In Black, White & Grey

CONS

- Overall Build Quality
- Price (For Some)
- Audio Quality When Using the Bundled 3.5mm Split Cable