Specs
HEADSET
Speaker Unit: ?40 mm
Impedance: 16 ± 20% ?
Sensitivity: 102 dB ± 3 dB
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
MIC.
Mic. Frequency Response: 75-16,000 Hz
Mic. Sensitivity: – 45 dB
CABLE
Cable Material: 48-Core Copper Cable
Main Cable Plug Type: 3.5 mm Plug (Audio/Mic)
Main Cable Length: 120 CM
LED USB Cable Length: 100 CM
3.5 mm PC Adaptor Cable Length: 100 CM
Price: 74.99
There are tons of different headsets on the market. Each come with a set of promises, especially when it comes to being a universal accessory. Many companies will claim their headset can be used as a gaming headset and then, with the click of a button or stripping of cords, become your go-to set when you’re on the move. This is important for gamers being that esports have secured their place in gaming, and the importance of mobile gaming and entertainment is equally important.
The latest headset from Bloody by A4 Tech shares a lot of commonalities amongst many of the headsets on the market. The M66OP Chronometer brings with it something special in its 40mm driver set. As stated on the box and marketing material, “ M.O.C.I. (Mycelium of Carbon IT) is the soul and heart of MOCI Sound. Made of advanced biotechnology with bred nano mycelium and carbon fiber to offer the metal rigidity with paper-like thinness.”
While the technology promises diversity in sound, I wanted to first jump into the basics M660OP Chronometer.
For starters, the set includes a multi-use in-line cord that can be used between PC, console and mobile platforms. Of course, mobile platforms are more than just using your phone to watch movies or game. Those platforms include the gasping-for-air PS Vita and the Nintendo Switch. Both bring a high-tier mobile experience for gaming, thus creating yet another area for a headset to excel in.
What’s in the box
In the box, you will get cloth-threaded cord instead of a metal wrapped or straight wired cord. At first, I didn’t really care too much for this feature. Honestly, it felt a little cheap. However, over time I began to enjoy this a little more considering my entertainment habits. It didn’t get easily stuck on my tower or rolled over under my office chair wheels.
There really isn’t too much in the box other than the already assembled set and the cords.
Design
The cord is a bit clunky in design. Usually, a set will feature a breakaway cord that leads from the headset itself into the mic/audio input for your PC. The portion that leads from the headset is wired into the headset itself, dissimilar from brands like Plantronics and Polk Audio that feature breakaway cords on both ends.
The clunkiness is found on the cord leading from the headset. Here it splits off into a mic/audio plug that then feeds into your PC ports, which also has an additional USB input to power the red lights in your set. What would a Bloody set be if it didn’t glow red, right? However, the single headphone prong that leads from this cord has an open audio jack where you must plug in the dongle. This is polarized by the in-line mic design that is both sleek and easy to use. Instead of having a slim, easy design that isn’t bothersome on mobile platforms, it dangles and sticks out whenever you aren’t connected to the PC. But, I will say that it comes with a certain level of lightness about it that can’t be dismissed. I sometimes forgot that I was wearing a corded set.
The M660OP Chronometer has something noticeable right off the bat: ear cup size. One of the larger sets I’ve used is the HyperX Cloud Revolver. The majority of the bulk in the HyperX set was mostly on the outside speaker design. There was a distinction between what was the outside speaker portion and the cups/foam. There is a volume wheel on the left ear cup, which was a welcomed detail.
In the case of the M660OP Chronometer, it’s as if it took note of the HyperX design and compacted them into one individual speaker. I really didn’t find that the giant size or foam played any role in the overall comfort. The cups are wrapped in “protein leatherette” that seems fairly durable. Although, during long periods of play, they did weigh heavy on my ears. Talk about first-world problems.
Aesthetically speaking, it often looks and feels like I’ve got some enormous on my head. I could never get over the sheer size of the earcups. Gaudy, if anything.
Much like the Cloud Revolver set, Bloody chose two similar paths in the design. For one, the set has an adjustable, spring-loaded band on the interior. Above the tension band is a metal bar, also similar to the HyperX Cloud Revolver. These provide a very sturdy feeling to the design. One thing I didn’t like about the Cloud Revolver was the tingy sound that echoed every time I dinged the set, even with my hands. The M660OP Chronometer, fortunately, doesn’t suffer from that same pinging sound.
Sound Quality
I can say that I wasn’t too fond of many of the physical attributes and design choices for the M660OP Chronometer. Where the set lacks in physical attraction it makes up for in performance.
Going back to the M.O.C.I. technology, I can say that it quite possibly does make a difference and delivers on its promises. Most sets that are in the 40mm market suffer from varying degrees of sound quality. At times you will get deep bass when the volume is kept to a minimum. Other times, mids and highs are showcased in crystal clear quality, highlighting short direction and other in-game tools. In the case of the M660OP Chronometer, there is no shortage of sound quality.
Usually, deep bass is achieved through a powered headset. At first glance, you might think that the USB cord provided on the mic/audio dongle powers the set. It really is only for looks. The bass delivered on the PC is just as deep as when you play the set on the go or on console. I was surprised, and overall pleased, with the range heard in both games and movies. The Turtle Beach XO Four’s have been my go-to console headphones. I usually watch a few movies and play various rap/hip-hop and EDM tracks to test the limits of a headset in review. In this case, I had watched the war drama “Sand Castle” on Netflix. I was glad that I did as there is some great dialogue, gunfire, and explosions that highlight the film. These definitely had me second guessing my choice in headphones, especially after hearing the difference between the two.
Aside from the Overwatch, Rocket League and Battlefield 1 matches, the M660OP Chronometer once again showcased its diversity in its bold bass and range of mids and highs. Color me impressed.
The market for headsets used to be controlled by only a few companies. Some have left the market altogether, while new players have emerged. The line of Bloody headsets by A4 Tech is relatively new and offers some pleasing features.
I can say that the design isn’t something that would have urged me to inquire. The headset cups are large, housing sprockets and gears on the outside as part of their design. They glow red when powered by their USB cord, but sit dark when used on any other platform outside of the PC.
While I did have some quarrels with the design, I guess that’s a little subjective on what many will find tasteful.
The sound quality of the M660OP Chronometer is impressive. It offers deep bass and identifiable mids and highs. The range of use for movies and video games are echoed within the chambers of these 40mm drivers. Where the headset lacks in style, it makes up for in the M.O.C.I. technology used to create a great spectrum of sound. I hope in the future that the cords are better designed so that they aren’t so clunky. The cloth wrapped wiring is welcomed, and the mic is impressive for being in-line instead of a hanging boom mic.
Published: May 16, 2017 06:28 pm