The Alienware Tri-Mode gaming headset is an excellent piece of {hardware}. It’s superb how a lot bassy depth this unhealthy boy can conjure up when listening to music or enjoying video games, and I really like its modern black and white aesthetic. Its microphone gives first rate crispness, although it could possibly sound a bit vacant, and the battery life is great.
Sadly, all of that crumbles underneath the load of 1 alternative. A alternative that ought to have by no means been made. For some absurd motive, there isn’t any quantity knob or wheel on this headset. You’ll be able to solely modify the amount by swiping upwards or downwards on the best earcup, and people incremental adjustments are shockingly minor, which suggests you’ll be flicking your finger upwards dozens upon dozens of occasions simply to hit a quantity that fits you. There are many good causes for a bit of {hardware} to fail, and quite a lot of these causes are as a consequence of some design flaw, however this isn’t a flaw. It was intentional; Dell particularly marketed this characteristic as “intuitive (opens in new tab).”
Past that, this headset additionally suffers from consolation points and random disconnects. However in the event you can look previous these issues, you’re in for a improbable premium headset boasting an outstanding soundscape.
Alienware Tri-Mode gaming headset costs and configurations
The Alienware Tri-Mode wi-fi gaming headset is available in two configurations, however the one actual distinction between them is the colour. The white model of this headset is called Lunar Mild and prices $189.99; the black model is named Darkish Facet of the Moon and has a $199.99 price ticket.
We’re not solely certain why the white model is cheaper, but it surely’s a typical technique to give attention to promoting a particular mannequin as a consequence of them being overstocked.
Alienware Tri-Mode gaming headset design
The Alienware Tri-Mode wi-fi gaming headset knocks it out of the park with its design. The underside of its ear cups aren’t rounded like most headsets. The sleek, white outer shell juts out past the ear cushions with its backside rounded into a large oval form. That is the place you’ll be able to slot within the microphone and cost it by way of USB-C.
The ear cup itself is clean to the contact with a white end. An Alienware brand that may be illuminated with varied RGB colours sits on the center of each ear cups. Its earcup cushions and headband, consisting of black leatherette reminiscence foam, are passable in thickness and have a stable softness.
On the underside of the best earcup is an influence button. The left earcup, then again, has buttons to mute the mic, flip ANC on or off, and change between Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wi-fi mode. The one solution to modify quantity on the Alienware Tri-Mode is thru the contact controls positioned on the best aspect of the headset. However the quantity can’t be adjusted by way of a fast flick as you might want to choose your quantity by way of particular person swipes upward. These have to be regular; they have to be considerably exact, and you may’t do it too quick, in any other case it received’t register.
At any time when I join this headset to my PS5, the amount begins out low, and to get it to a degree the place I can hear issues effectively, I’ve to take a seat for a few minutes, swiping up on the best earcup dozens upon dozens of occasions simply to get it to a quantity that’s decently audible. I counted the precise variety of swipes wanted earlier than audio reached a passable stage. It took 36 swipes — almost 40 upward gestures for me to make this headset usable. And each time you flick upwards, the headset beeps loudly.
I’ve additionally observed that in the event you enhance the amount too quick, it disconnects abruptly. It’ll additionally generally simply disconnect randomly with out warning, which could sound prefer it’s as a result of battery dying, however the headset continues to be on. All I’ve to do is change the output again to it on my PS5 and it really works like regular. However as soon as once more, each time I try this, I’ve to swipe up 36 occasions.
That is, by a longshot, the worst gimmick I’ve needed to take care of in a gaming headset. I want I used to be being hyperbolic right here. Knobs and wheels are already excellent; why try to repair one thing that isn’t damaged? Positive, they’re bodily, and perhaps that’ll get in the way in which for some customers, but it surely’s infinitely higher to shortly modify a quantity wheel into the place you favor and transfer on. Whatever the Alienware Tri-Mode’s many optimistic qualities, this single flaw is a large hindrance to its potential.
In case you’re listening to music, you’ll be able to change tracks by swiping left or proper on the best earcup. You can even double faucet in the identical spot to pause no matter it’s you’re listening to (or watching). That is fairly cool, however not remotely price it for the stress of getting to take care of quantity points on PS5.
Additionally, whereas I wouldn’t say the Alien Tri-Mode is low in quantity, its most output is nowhere close to as excessive as I’d anticipate. Turning it up as a lot as doable when listening to music has been passable, however for different headsets, that very same quantity stage is simply a fraction of their most. That is okay in most use instances; I don’t want the sound to be ear-shatteringly loud. Nevertheless, generally you’ll hearken to one thing that’s poorly blended, and a few functions may be unreasonably low. In case you wished to spice up the amount on a quiet video or a quiet recreation, you’d hit the ceiling fairly shortly.
This is likely to be as a result of the Alien Tri-Mode will increase the amount that comes from the system you’re connecting it to. On most different headsets I exploit, they’ve a separate wheel that impacts the amount of the headset itself, whereas the sound on no matter you’ve linked to may be modified individually. For instance, when linked to my desktop PC, rising or lowering the amount on my headset will increase my pc quantity.
Alienware Tri-Mode gaming headset consolation
The Alien Tri-Mode is snug and cushty, wrapping round my cranium properly with its black leatherette reminiscence foam headband and earcups having sufficient girth to supply a delicate however tight cushion. It’s additionally fairly gentle, and due to the wi-fi dongle, you don’t should really feel weighed down by an annoying wire (except you’re charging it)
Nevertheless, quite a lot of that consolation fades when one key factor isn’t designed effectively. On the within of the earcups, you’ll be able to really feel what number of ridges and crevices the speaker system has in it. This usually wouldn’t be an issue, however there’s a single bit that’s protruding outwards, inconsistently longer than the remainder of the earcup base. After I put on the headset, I can really feel that bit pushing towards the highest of my ear, which causes a substantial diploma of discomfort after lengthy gaming classes.
If I shift the headset ahead as a lot as doable, it’s rather less noticeable, however then there’s strain being put towards the again of my ear, which is equally uncomfortable. It seems like this headset wasn’t designed with big-eared folks in thoughts, as I may see this not being an issue in case your ears are smaller.
Alienware Tri-Mode gaming headset sound high quality
The Alien Tri-Mode is a improbable sounding headset that may possible flip into your most popular methodology of music listening and gaming to any extent further.
I began by listening to “Reggae” by Black Midi, a chaotic noise-rock monitor that has tons of abrupt highs and lows, which I figured could be a very good take a look at for this premium headset. When the opening guitar strums started, I used to be frightened the headset could be a bit too quiet, however because the monitor escalated, every part got here along with a convincing efficiency. The repetitious percussion and plucking guitar complemented one another completely, and because the lead singer screamed and shouted with unpredictability, no depth was misplaced. When the tune transitioned into its laborious drop, I couldn’t assist however bop my head alongside as a consequence of how powerfully the bass got here by way of.
I then listened to “There’d Higher Be A Mirrorball” by Arctic Monkeys,a whole 180-degree shift from tone when in comparison with the earlier monitor, because it’s informal, enjoyable and melancholic. The Tri-Mode completely demolished this monitor with its all-encompassing soundscape. It doesn’t really feel like I’m having the strings, guitar strums, piano, and percussion performed into my ears as a lot because it seems like my senses are being engulfed by the audio.
I completed off my music assessments with “Bachelorette – Household Tree Model” by Björk, a monitor that includes a full-blown ensemble of distinct devices layered on prime of one another. Each be aware from the understated piano keys to the hi-hats to the percussion to the atmospheric strings by no means misplaced their depth. Each piece of this elaborate puzzle fell into place with a putting depth, and because the rigidity escalated, I sensed no struggles on the headset’s half to inject this superb symphony into my veins.
I additionally gave “Hunter” from the identical artist a short pay attention, and I used to be electrified by how the opening synths rumbled between my ears. This tune performs totally different sounds between each earcups, and as I heard Björk’s voice shift from one aspect of my headphones to the opposite, I felt goosebumps kind alongside my arms.
Basically, this headset completely rocks. It sounds improbable, however I used to be curious to see if it may maintain up anyplace close to as effectively in my gaming assessments. Fortunately, these additional solidified its potent bass, readability and depth.
Testing a brand new headset with Doom Everlasting is a should for me. There’s nothing extra viscerally satisfying than listening to the foolish pop of a demon’s head after it has been shot off, the atmospheric shouts and squeals of hell’s most terrifying monstrosities, and naturally, Mick Gordon’s legendary soundtrack that makes you are feeling like an unstoppable god at each second.
I began the Mars Core mission and it opens with an extended downward descent by way of an elevator the place I may hear demon’s screeching, the low rumbling base of their destruction and the escalating synths of this electrifying bassy soundtrack. At one level, it felt like my cranium was rumbling, and as I stepped by way of the door, I felt invigorated. Each shot of my pulse rifle, each slam and crash of the percussion and synths and each superb kill I executed got here collectively in a hellish symphony of destruction.
I launched Elden Ring and was shortly despatched to The Lands Between because the stomps of my character’s metallic boots complemented the soundtrack’s atmospheric strings. The headset does a terrific job translating this mild atmosphere, as every part from the delicate breeze to the occasional fluttering of dragonflies gives a relaxing sensation. And naturally, as I started my battle towards a monstrous foe, I couldn’t ignore the explosive soundtrack inflicting a rumbling in my ears.
Alienware Tri-Mode gaming headset microphone
The Alienware Tri-Mode mic received’t compete towards a devoted microphone, but when you might want to chat with pals whereas gaming, it’s greater than passable. It gives clear, loud audio with out being too harsh or coarse, however it could possibly sound a bit vacant.
Background noise isn’t a lot of a difficulty, both, because the mic does a very good job routinely canceling it out. However each time I spoke, it felt like I used to be in a vacuum. I used to be positively audible, but it surely did sound a bit empty.
You can even manually mute the microphone by clicking the center button on the left earcup, which is a really welcome privateness characteristic.
Alienware Tri-Mode gaming headset battery life
Alienware claims that this factor can final 55 hours on a single cost with ANC off and 30 hours with it on. After all, these assessments have been made with the RGB lights off and at 50% of the headset’s regular quantity. 50% isn’t very excessive with this headset, so that you’ll typically be someplace near the utmost quantity, and if in case you have the LED lights on, don’t anticipate it to really final 55 hours.
However regardless, I’ve stored it working throughout my work hours over the past week, and have solely wanted to cost it as soon as. I often work for round eight hours, and after I’m gaming or listening to music, I’ll have it on as effectively. Consequently, this headset ought to be greater than succesful to final you thru lengthy gaming classes. And even in the event you do must cost it, Alienware claims it could possibly final you six hours with a fast 15-minute cost.
Backside line
The Alienware Tri-Mode gaming headset is improbable in sufficient methods to make for a straightforward advice, although it stumbles in some key areas. In case you’re in want of a premium headset with excellent audio high quality, nice battery life and an honest microphone, that is a fully worthwhile choose.
Components of it could possibly get uncomfortable when worn for lengthy durations, however its biggest sin is the lack to boost and decrease quantity by way of a knob or wheel. As a substitute, you’ll should flick up on a contact panel dozens of occasions for minor quantity will increase, which is definitely one of many worst gimmicks I’ve ever encountered on a gaming headset.
