GTW 270: Packaging
EPOS recently launched two versions of the GTW 270 Closed Acoustic Gaming Wireless Buds: the Hybrid version and the non-hybrid one that comes without the USB dongle. We were sent the former version. Sold at $199, the buds definitely aren’t cheap and needed to be hardcore in order for us to recommend them. And safe to say, they passed the test.
The GTW 270 has a dark and sober theme going on. From its box to the packaging material and accessories inside, everything is dark grey or black. The main box closes magnetically and is fancier than any box I’ve ever received from EPOS. Considering where the brand started—the GSP 300 is a good example—EPOS has grown tremendously. They now produce visually stunning pieces infused with sophistication and premium materials. Their packaging has gotten significantly more elegant and the GTW 270’s sturdy and stunning box is proof of that.
The box opens with the help of a satin ribbon exposing a range of accessories. First off, you come across a cardboard box containing four clear plastic packets. These packets contain a USB-C charging cable, a USB-A to USB-C extension cable, three ear tips of varying sizes and a rubber protective case for the USB-C dongle. I don’t always come across an extension cable for the charger so I particularly appreciated that. Being thoughtful enough to provide extra security for something as small as the USB dongle was also a gesture I noticed and cherished. There’s also a thick booklet of the usual paperwork apart from the charging case, the buds and the dongle.
GTW 270: Design
The GTW 270 comes in a typical charging case. There’s a USB-C charging port in back and battery-revealing LED lights in front with a button below them that activate the lights. The case is long and shallow with sockets that have pogo pins and magnets installed in them. The aluminum carry case makes sure, through both its material and color, that fingerprints and other agents don’t leave stains. The case is minimal and closes with a sharp click.
The buds consist of large pieces of plastic with silver metal plates on their front faces that have the brand logo etched on them. The buds’ inner part is designed to fit the curvature of your ears. The bulge, along with the considerably small ear tip worked together to keep the bud inside my ear canal at all times.
GTW 270: Setting up
I inserted the dongle in my laptop’s USB-C port and it turned blue while sending a pop-up notification to my screen about the device connecting. In exactly 18 seconds (yes, I counted), the LED light on the dongle turned purple and I received another pop-up saying the device has been connected. Pairing was fast and simple.
The GTW 270 instantly muted 90% of ambient noise. They provide insane passive noise isolation. Even before I turned on some music or loaded a game, I was transported to another dimension. Their snug fit made sure there are no gaps for ambient sound to come in. The inner bulge ensured the bud touched every part of my inner ear. Ergonomically speaking, the GTW 270 is a big yes.
GTW 270: Gaming
Gaming on the GTW 270 was a pleasant experience. The buds feature the kind of surround sound that makes you feel like you’re listening to 8D audio. Because of the closed-back design, they allowed me to focus on my game fully. They also completely shut out background noise, creating a sort of bubble with just me and my game in it. Bass on the GTW 270 isn’t particularly enhanced. There is much more emphasis on treble.
The GTW 270 features excellent low latency that made sure my connection didn’t stutter once. It gave me a completely lag-free experience without a single hiccup. With a sound pressure level of 100dB, the buds provide an appropriate level of loudness. On a single charge, I got around four hours of uninterrupted gaming. And with the charge of the carry case combined, I was able to use the GTW 270 for up to five days with around three and a half to four hours of use each day. I find this pretty impressive.
Sporting just a single button on the left bud, the GTW 270 is as minimal in its controls as it gets. The button is a multi-function key and controls pretty much everything. Pausing, playing, skipping tracks, taking calls, you name it. Considering these are in-ear earbuds and it’s not easy to navigate tiny switches on them, I am glad they decided to limit their switches to just one. The GTW 270 offers simple navigation, surround sound audio and an impressive battery life.
Is It Hardcore?
Without a doubt.
The GTW 270 features an ergonomic body, a stable connection for uninterrupted gaming and brilliant audio. It may be pricey, but it’s worth it.