Audeze Mobius is a magnetostatic closed design gaming headset designed specifically for experienced gaming enthusiasts created by the audio specialist Audeze. The famous American specialist in headphones also has a good reputation in the hi-fi scene and in the world of professional recording studios. As a result, Mobius holds out the promise of reproducing the spatialization of the audio data streams it receives with great accuracy – be it for 5.1 or 7.1 film tracks, games, or music in a stereo format.
One of its cornerstones has always been its multi-purpose nature. This is reflected by the amazing multitude of built-in features as well as a wide range of connections: a headset that can be used for a wide number of applications. They connect directly to your computer through USB – allowing them to be recognized as an external audio peripheral, depending on their configuration, either 7.1 or stereo. You can also use the USB connector to connect to the PlayStation 4 and, surprisingly enough, even the iPad Pro 2018 and the Nintendo Switch!
1. Overview | 2. Quick Review of Audeze Mobius | 3. Ergonomy | 4. Technology | 5. Bluetooth | 6. Sound Quality | 7. Gaming | 8. Conclusion
Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones Audeze Mobius Review
Type: Closed-back Over-ear 3D Gaming Headphones | Bluetooth: 5.0 | Latency: 160 ms (average) |Battery: 12 Hours (8 hours via Wireless) | Charging Time: 3 hours | Drivers: Planar Magnetic | Driver-size: 100 mm | Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 50,000 Hz | Weight: 350g | Microphone: Yes (Detachable)
Pros
- Precise sound reproduction
- Broad and dynamic stereophony
- Great manufacturing quality
- Very enticing gaming experience via 7.1 sound spatialization
- Highly versatile & Crystal-clear microphone
Cons
- Heavy and uncomfortable after long wearing
- High latency for professional gaming
The manufacturing quality remains outstanding, relying on top-quality aluminum and plastic materials. Thanks to the Audeze Mobius’ amazing 3D surround effect generated by its drivers, your music really does seem to flow around you from the outside. Audeze Mobius upholds the company’s strong reputation and convinces through superb playback qualities in every aspect. It plays fantastic, has an exceptional spatial resolution, and the perfect frequency response is a compelling feature of this product. With a striking visual appearance, Mobius features cutting-edge magnetic planar drivers, the possibility of connecting them wirelessly, and being able to function as a stereo device using the Waves Nx’s unique 3D sound technology. Meanwhile, the headphones remain within the affordability range for many people.
Overall 5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
Besides all the technical details, Audeze Mobius is an enclosed set of gaming headsets that have circumaural earpieces fitted out with magnetostatic drivers.
These headphones display some very classical lines, hardly emphasized by blue or copper-colored adornments on the earcups, which are, in fact, quite modest. While it doesn’t radiate a sense of lavishness, the manufacturing quality remains outstanding, relying on top-quality aluminum and plastic materials.
The leatherette coating on the rotating earcups provides a high degree of comfort, as does the adjustable headband. Very wide and deep earcups combined with generously cushioned memory foam pads guarantee a comfortable feeling. At the same time, this headset’s high weight (350 grams) means that you have to bear its weight. Many users will be able to accommodate it thanks to the headband’s abundant padding, though more sensitive individuals may end up feeling a mild sensation of discomfort on the crown of their head when using the headset for prolonged periods.
As they become worn out, the earpads can be easily replaced with new earpads. The manufacturer supplies foam & silicone gel ear pads as a supplemental accessory. The gel ear pads, according to Audeze, provide a noticeably smoother, softer, and more comfortable feel, while also being less prone to heating. These gel ear pads can be ordered as a separate item for a small fee.
5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
With the help of the Waves Nx algorithm that is built into the CPU, three-dimensional effects can be simulated. As your head position moves, so does the three-dimensional image, which is monitored by a gyroscope.
For Mobius, an innovative advanced software has been developed to assist in creating the desired sound profile and to optimize the sound in accordance with the data of the anthropometric data, collected in a separate department.
Thanks to the Audeze Mobius’ amazing 3D surround effect generated by its drivers, your music really does seem to flow around you from the outside. Using a wireless connection, you can wander across the room, while the sound shifts to match the way you move. Such sensation is what stands out the most, particularly when it comes to living concert performances.
Moreover, the music itself is not affected by digital processing – no dullness, coloration, or loss of readability – no matter how thorough the digitization of the music is. It has excellent dynamics at the same time. The finest tones are easily distinguishable, whereas, in the loud and intense musical sequences, noise and distortion remain imperceptible.
4/5
★★★★★ 4/5
You can use the Mobius both via Bluetooth wirelessly or with a cable. Two 1.5 m cables (USB-C to USB-C / USB-A to USB-C) were included as part of standard delivery to support multiple USB connections, but for analog audio connection, you will get a single 1.2 m long 4-pin mini-jack cable.
A cable with four-pin mini-jack connectors attached at each end has been provided for these headsets. We should state here the Audeze Mobius headset requires battery power to work even when connected by wire. This means that, when you travel with a completely discharged battery, for instance, if you switch to a wired connection from Bluetooth, the headset will not function.
When connected via Bluetooth, you can use the Mobius to communicate using the SBC, AAC as well as LDAC codecs. The communication delay is regrettably still high at 210 ms, making it impossible to enjoy a movie undisturbed by the audio/video time difference. Consequently, it is necessary for you to only use it to listen to music.
Generally, you will need a fully charged battery, since the headset is being powered (and charged) through the computer via USB connection. The autonomy time is approximately ten hours if the 3D mode is enabled; for charging, it will usually require roughly 3 hours.
Regarding battery life, obviously, these results may vary considerably based on the use of the headphones – whether they are wired or Bluetooth, with or without virtual spatialization. There was only a minor discrepancy from one situation to another since the values obtained spanned from 9 hours at worst (Bluetooth connection with spatialization) and 12 hours at best (wired connection and no spatialization). The Mobius has the particularity of containing planar magnetic drivers, which are, by nature, very energy-hungry. Besides, in most cases, these figures appear negligible when measured on an absolute basis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUNw-HFawhA
5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
In contrast with conventional models of the proven Audeze LCD line of Audeze headphones, Mobius’s membrane diameter is just a few mm smaller, the headphones featuring a whopping 100 mm drivers.
The frequency response range for the 100 mm magneto-static transducers has been stated to be 10 to 50,000 Hz. Furthermore, thanks to the use of Bluetooth SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs, high compatibility with audio equipment is achieved, particularly in the case of playback devices (990 kbit/s, 24-bit, 96 kHz), that satisfies the requirements of demanding music enthusiasts with respect to audio with high resolution. When connecting the Mobius to a PC or various other player consoles via a USB cable, both 7.1 surround sound, as well as 7.1 multichannel playback, becomes a reality alongside traditional Stereo mode, which may be used in conjunction with a variety of other three-dimensional simulation formats, such as head tracking. 3D virtual surround sound playback is likewise supported using Bluetooth in stereo mode.
Audeze Mobius upholds the company’s strong reputation and convinces through superb playback qualities in every aspect. It plays fantastic, has an exceptional spatial resolution, and the perfect frequency response is a compelling feature of this product.
A clean, rich, but also detailed sound in the bass, wide open and dense in the lower register, spacious and airy in the high frequencies, yet warm, harmonious and well balanced in the center is the hallmark of the Mobius sonic spectrum.
As a result, it responds promptly to transitory sounds and therefore achieves an accurate and broad spatial representation along with an excellent visual impact. In the same breath, I would like to point out the good energy and the overall coordination, which is achieved in a balanced way. Despite the bassline’s astonishing reproduction, this headphone does not get overly dense when playing in the low-end, yet the harshness in the high frequencies is prevented.
In addition, various presets are included in the audio profiles, enabling users to tailor their playback settings to accommodate their unique listening styles. Changing the equalizer settings is out of the question, although there should be a suitable tuning for almost every taste, ranging from those who love bass to the classical music fanatics.
5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
Given the proper musical tone, a beautiful spatial sound effect can also be achieved here. And here’s where the head tracking system comes into play: operating on six axes, is able to follow your head’s motions with great precision and, most importantly, quickly. That is an outstanding property in the realm of VR, but primarily when used together with a VR headset during simulations or gameplay, making it a highly unique feature.
Head tracking on the screen is believed to provide only limited usefulness. Under certain scenarios, identifying the opponents’ location before visual contact through the acoustic medium can actually be effective, since you are typically facing the screen as you focus straight at the monitor for the most time.
Real-time head tracking can be displayed in real-time by using Audeze HQ software available free of charge for Windows and Mac OS. To that aim, you can choose among various EQ profiles here as desired, whereby the three-dimensional simulation (HRTF – Head-Related Transfer Function) is adjustable within a range of parameters, something which only had a somewhat negligible influence.
Overall 4.8/5
★★★★★ 4.8/5
The US-based manufacturer Audeze is widely recognized by our readership as a producer of high-grade, premium quality magnetic planar headphones that are very expensive and appeal to connoisseurs of the audio industry. By introducing the Mobius, Audeze targets the gaming community by bringing a high-end, technologically sophisticated set of gaming headsets to serious gamers. Such headphones are bound to attract widespread attention, especially for virtual reality purposes. The gaming headset Audeze Mobius fulfills high standards in the area of audio performance required for gaming as well as for movies using a USB connection. With a striking visual appearance, Mobius features cutting-edge magnetic planar drivers, the possibility of connecting them wirelessly, and being able to function as a stereo device using the Waves Nx’s unique 3D sound technology. Meanwhile, the headphones remain within the affordability range for many people.
Pros
- Precise sound reproduction
- Broad and dynamic stereophony
- Great manufacturing quality
- Very enticing gaming experience via 7.1 sound spatialization
- Highly versatile & Crystal-clear microphone
Cons
- Heavy and uncomfortable after long wearing
- High latency for professional gaming
I’ve owned my Mobius headset since they were first released. I’ve always felt I haven’t been able to get the most out of them and am constantly playing with different settings and sound profiles. Still, they seem to be missing something. I know they have great technology and come from a great heritage of sound development… yet, something is missing and I can’t quite figure it out. They’re still good… just, not as great as everyone else seems to believe they are. Still, the best gaming headset I’ve ever tried was the Asus ROG Strix 7.1 headset from a few years ago. It came with a breakout box that included a DAC and several other functions. Each ear cup had 5 speakers to create a mini surround stage for each ear. The sound was truly immersive. I only decided not to keep them because they offered no wireless playback; otherwise, they were the best sounding gaming headphones I’ve ever heard.
(Ironically, I only use my Mobius as a wired headset now, plugging the USB-C directly into the USB-C port on my motherboard).