Roccat is well known in the peripheral world for making high quality devices that think outside the box. This time, they’re bringing high resolution audio to the masses with their affordable Khan Pro gaming headset. That “High Res” distinction is something audiophiles know well. Coming in at only $99, can the Khan Pro deliver on its lofty promises?
Let’s see what we can garner from the specs.
Headphones
- Weight: 230g
- Cable Length: 2.45m
- Plug: Dual 3.5” (mic/headphones)
- Frequency Response: 10 – 40000Hz
- Impedance: 25 Ohms
- Driver Diameter: 50mm
- THD% @1kHz: 1%
Microphone
- Sensitivity at 1kHz: -40dB
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 60dB
- THD% @1kHz: 2%
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The first thing you’ll notice when you unbox the Khan Pros is how lightweight they are. As we work through our series of headphone reviews, I currently have seven other pairs of competing headphones and headsets and the Khans are the lightest of the bunch. Since these headphones seem aimed at evoking e-Sports, this is an important feature that makes them easy to wear over a long period of time. If you were ever likely to forget you’re wearing a headset, this is probably the one you would do it with.
The other thing you’ll notice is that the construction is largely plastic. This allows it to remain lightweight, but the weight combined with that plastic build definitely made me question how well made it was. Cheap headphones have a tendency to break at flex points like the headband or housing joints. Neither should happen with the Khan Pro. Under the band’s plastic shell is flexible metal strip. That band isn’t breaking where it flexes, which means it probably won’t break period. Likewise, Roccat address the articulation issue by utilizing hardened plastic joints that feel quite durable and well made.
Apart from being light, the headset is quite comfortable to wear. They’re closed back, which typically means heat build up, but the ear cushions are quite breathable. The cushioning on the head band is also fairly lush. Roccat made use of a leatherette material here, which over time may lead to flaking. I typically prefer fabric cushions for this reason, but I can appreciate that breathability and price consciousness drive certain concessions, and in this price bracket the Khan Pro is pretty much in line with its competition. I’ll hold out hope that replacement ear cushions become available after launch.
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The earcups fit nicely over my smaller sized ears and created a very good seal without squeezing too tightly. Comparing it to my prior Steelseries Siberia 800s, which are more than twice the price, the noise isolation was substantially better while also remaining more breathable and less tight. I’ve been using the Khan Pros for a couple of weeks now and haven’t had any issues with ear pain, even when wearing them over my glasses. Ask a glasses wearing gamer, that’s a big deal.
But how do they sound? The selling point here is the Hi-Res certification, which in this case means a frequency response outside the range of human hearing. Humans, in general, hear from between 20-20000Hz. These headphones are rated to respond between 10-40000Hz. What’s the point, you ask? Well, by extending the frequency response range, the Khans should theoretically be able to hit the lowest lows and highest highs without distorting or becoming muddy to the ear. If you want the full scope of an explosion and the highest tinkles of falling glass, you need a headset capable of accurately hitting that frequency spectrum. This higher response is one of the key differentiators that give the Khan its e-Sports distinction, but every gamer can benefit.
Does it work? Well, since we can’t actually hear that extended range, we’ll have to take Roccat’s word for it. What I will say is that, for the relatively low price, they sound remarkably good. The headset still favors the low end, but mids have been raised and resonate with a crispness and clarity that make games and music sound fantastic. I found myself using them around the house to listen to music and podcasts on my smartphone instead of my usual earbuds just because they sounded so nice. Often, gaming headsets push the lows so much that they become muddy and the mids and highs lose clarity. That isn’t the case here by any means. This headset does have a slightly higher impedance rating, however, which means lower powered devices might not get full volume out of them. On both my PC and Galaxy Note 5, the Khan Pros worked perfectly well.
The boom mic is mounted to the left earcup and features an automatic mute in the vertical position. It’s not detachable, which is too bad for a headset that could easily be taken out of the house and enjoyed on the go. Roccat has dubbed it their Real-Voice mic and it sounds very good. It won’t replace your Blue Yeti, but if you’re looking for an all-in-one headset, it’s easily one of the very best available - and that’s if you include those more than double its price.
The jacks are likely a result of cost effectiveness, but since the noise cancellation is also very good, you can safely boost up to 30dB with virtually no background noise at all. It would have been nice to see a USB port since the non-detachable mic guarantees you’ll only be using them in the house. Other concessions, like majority plastic body (which also keeps it lightweight) and the leatherette ear cushions also show the push to keep costs down. To me, this is a fair trade off.
The Khan Pro seems to enter the market on a mission to deliver better sound for less money. On that front, it’s a success. The average gamer will never know what frequency response outside their hearing range the headset is hitting, but they will know that it sounds great with everything they can hear. The special attention paid by Roccat to reinforce the most common areas of breakage is also a nice touch that gives me faith in their long-term durability.
My hope now is that Roccat takes these Hi-Res drivers and goes big. If their budget friendly headset is a nice and lightweight as this, what they could do on the premium enthusiast end is exciting.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Metal band and hardened plastic hinges
- Crisp, clear sound that doesn’t overblow the low end
Cons
- A bit too much plastic in the build
- Leatherette ear and head cushion
- Non-detachable boom mic
