Taking One Company's Peripheral Line-Up For A Test Drive
This line-up-oriented round-up shows us that it’s possible to satisfy all of your peripheral needs using one company's products, so long as the pros and cons align with your own objective requirements and subjective preferences. The Tt eSports family (at least the members looked-at today) doesn't have any major weaknesses we'd need to warn you of, particularly at the company's price points. If you think a keyboard is $10 too expensive, then you can compensate by opting for a less pricey mouse. Both headsets are priced fairly, and the earbuds are pretty reasonable too. Everything we looked at is well-made, and interconnected by a cohesive style.
In spite of their similarities, each component is still differentiated. So, we're including a separate summary for each product.
Tt eSports Meka G1 Prime
A lot has been written about this type of mechanical keyboard. Not only is its foundation from the X-Armor days maintained, but the Meka G1 is also very close to the original from iOne.
Strong points include separate connections and cables for the keyboard and USB 2.0 hub, which means that the two don’t share USB 2.0’s already limited bandwidth. Also, a PS/2 adapter comes bundled, making n-key rollover an option.
Cherry MX Brown switches are nice, but the keys aren’t backlit and their letters are printed on, meaning they might not wear well over time. There’s no accounting for taste, so any judgments about the keyboard’s color scheme are best left to the individual buyer. If you're looking for flashy, though, this thing certainly qualifies. A $140 price tag on Thermaltake's webpage is most definitely on the high side, since similar (but less flashy) models are available for less.
Tt eSports Theron Infrared
The Theron Infrared’s most attractive feature might be its price. The older laser version, with sells for $70 on Thermaltake's website, is in the same price category as many mice that don't do nearly as well. But the newer infrared version can be found for $10 less.
The mouse employs a typical palm-grip design, and it consequently handles fairly well. Both versions, laser and infrared, feature decent sensors, and only the laser-based mouse at its maximum DPI setting exhibits weakness. FPS players will be happy that they aren’t affected by automatic angle snapping.
Aesthetically, the Theron Infrared clearly fits in the Tt eSports line-up, and its lighting is flashy, yet tasteful. The eight buttons are easy to use. Omron switches, customizable weights, a decent cable, and mature software round out an offering that fares well for its price.
Tt eSports Dracco Captain
These cans are huge, flashy, and offer more bass than you typically find in the $90 price range. The headset fits well and is built solidly. Then again, the fake leather ear cup padding is not a good choice for prolonged gaming sessions. Not-so-great mids and missing highs can be addressed for the most part with an equalizer, though that only takes the sound so far. FPS players might want to look elsewhere due to problems with spatial localization, even though bomb blasts certainly sound imposing. Maximum volume is alright, but not great.
Overall, the Tt eSports Dracco Captain is a solid and flashy headset, but it’s certainly nowhere close to the high end acoustically. The same headphones without the microphone sell for quite a bit less in a variety of different colors.
Tt eSports Cronos
We like this headset a bit more than the larger Dracco Captain. It pumps out more sound pressure in spite of its smaller drivers, and offers a much more linear and balanced frequency curve. Only the really deep bass is missing. Resolution is a lot better as well, and the volume can be adjusted up to pain-inducing levels.
The textile fabric used to pad the ear cups is better for minimizing heat (and sweat), but the headband is firmer which is to say that the cups get pressed tightly to your head, especially if yours is on the larger end of the spectrum. That might be a deal-breaker when you factor glasses into the picture. Consider finding a friend with the Cronos headset so you can try it first.
A $60 price tag on Thermaltake's website is fair; after all, you even get mood lighting for darker rooms.
Tt eSports Isurus Dub
This tiny headset produces a lot of sound pressure. Deep bass is lacking somewhat, though that shouldn't really be held against the Isurus Dub, since earbuds that perform this well are generally in a higher-end price category. The normal bass and the mids are more than acceptable, particularly considering the $33 price tag on Thermaltake's website. Highs are where the Isurus Dub suffers a bit, which is to say the upper range isn't particularly apparent.
Tt eSports' Isurus Dub isn’t the best deal out there, but it’s certainly on the affordable end of mobile audio, and solidly built. The included bag with zipper and replacement pads is small and sturdy, which makes it a handy addition.
