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If you want a wired gaming headset with a detachable noise-cancelling boom mic, a 3.5mm jack that works with PS4, PS5, Xbox and PC, and 50mm dual-chamber drivers for movies and games, choose EKSA StarEngine S PC; if you need a lightweight wireless headset with a 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth 5.4, and 50-hour battery life for movies and all-night sessions, choose Black Emblem X1.
• EKSA StarEngine S PC — biggest strength: Big 50mm dual-chamber drivers plus a detachable noise-cancelling dual-mic system, in a wired 3.5mm package that plugs into almost any console or computer.
• EKSA StarEngine S PC — biggest trade-off: It's wired only, so there's no battery freedom and no Bluetooth pairing for phone or tablet use.
• Black Emblem X1 — biggest strength: 2.4GHz low-latency wireless and Bluetooth 5.4 in one frame that weighs only 165 g, with battery life rated far beyond a single gaming night.
• Black Emblem X1 — biggest trade-off: No 3.5mm jack at all, no Xbox support, and Bluetooth mode won't work on PS4 or PS5 — you must use the dongle there.
• Pick EKSA StarEngine S PC if you want one wired headset that covers console, PC and movie nights with a mic you can unplug.
• Pick Black Emblem X1 if you want the freedom of wireless, a very light fit, and long battery life for movies, streaming and late sessions.
The StarEngine S is built around sound hardware first. Its 50mm dynamic drivers use a dual-chamber design that EKSA says reduces positioning errors caused by the shape of the headset itself. In plain terms, that's a design choice aimed at keeping sounds where they belong — which matters in games, and it also matters for movies, where a wide frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz lets both deep rumbles and quiet dialogue land where they should. For a wired over-ear headset at this driver size, that's a solid foundation for movie watching on a console or laptop.
The second thing that stands out is the microphone. It's detachable, and it uses EKSA's dual-mic VoicePure setup, which the brand claims blocks up to 99.8% of background sound while isolating your voice. Whether or not you take that number at face value, the design intent is clear: this is a headset for people who talk while they play, whether that's squad chat, streaming, or a long call. The mic comes off when you just want to watch something.
Comfort gets attention too. It uses plastic with fabric and memory-foam ear cushions, a lightweight build and an adjustable headband, so pressure builds slowly over a long session. You also get a protective case and a Y-shaped extension cable in the box, plus a 2-year warranty.
Who should buy it? Anyone who wants one wired headset that does console gaming, PC gaming and movie nights without charging anything. Who should skip it? If you want to walk around, pair with a phone, or hate cables, this isn't the one — there's no Bluetooth here.
The X1 takes the opposite approach: it's about freedom and endurance. It's a wireless headset with two modes — a 2.4GHz USB dongle for plug-and-play on PC, Switch, Mac and laptop, and Bluetooth 5.4 for mobile, iPad and tablets. Latency in 2.4GHz mode is rated at 20 milliseconds or less, which is the whole point of a dongle: audio stays synced with what's happening on screen, so footsteps, reloads and ambient cues land when they should. For movies, that same low-latency link keeps lip-sync tight.
The battery is the headline. Black Emblem rates average life at 50 hours with a 40-hour charge time, so a single charge covers many evenings of films, streams and gaming. And at 165 g with breathable memory-foam ear cushions and an adjustable headband, it's designed to stay comfortable through a long night — the kind of headset you forget you're wearing.
The audio side is a 40mm custom driver with 32-ohm impedance covering 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, tuned for a 7.1 surround presentation aimed at FPS, MOBA and open-world titles. There's button control on the headset, and a removable mic.
The trade-offs are real, though. There's no 3.5mm jack, so a wired fallback isn't an option. It isn't compatible with Xbox at all. And Bluetooth mode doesn't work with PS4 or PS5 — on those consoles you must use the 2.4GHz dongle. There's also no active noise control listed.
Who should buy it? Anyone who wants wireless convenience, a very light fit, and battery life that outlasts the week. Who should skip it? Xbox owners, and anyone who wants a simple wired plug-in.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for wireless freedom and long battery life → Black Emblem X1, with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.4 plus battery life rated around 50 hours.
• Best for voice chat and streaming → EKSA StarEngine S PC, because of its detachable dual-mic noise-cancelling system and remote volume control.
• Best for all-day, lightweight comfort → Black Emblem X1 at 165 g with breathable memory-foam cushions.
• Best for Xbox owners → EKSA StarEngine S PC, which lists Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S support; the X1 explicitly does not support Xbox.
• Best for phone, tablet and iPad use → Black Emblem X1 in Bluetooth 5.4 mode; the EKSA has no wireless mode.
• Best for competitive PC gaming latency → Black Emblem X1 in 2.4GHz mode, rated at 20 ms or less.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → EKSA StarEngine S PC — one 3.5mm cable, no charging, no pairing.
If I had to pick one, I'd take the EKSA StarEngine S PC for a movie-first setup. The larger 50mm dual-chamber drivers, the wide frequency range and the wired connection are exactly what I'd want for films on a PS5, Xbox or PC, and the detachable mic means it doubles as a chat headset without extra gear. I'd only switch to the Black Emblem X1 if wireless freedom, Bluetooth pairing and marathon battery life matter more to me than driver size — for example, if I watch movies on a tablet or move between rooms. For a mixed console-and-PC movie and gaming routine, the EKSA is the safer, more versatile buy in my opinion.
For movies I'd lean EKSA, because its 50mm dual-chamber drivers and wider driver design are aimed at layered, positional sound, and the wired 3.5mm link adds no wireless latency. The X1 still handles movies well, especially in 2.4GHz mode.
No. Bluetooth mode isn't compatible with PS4 or PS5 — you need to use the 2.4GHz USB dongle for those consoles. It also isn't compatible with Xbox at all.
No. It's a wired headset using a 3.5mm jack with remote volume control, so there's nothing to charge and no pairing. If wireless is essential, the X1 is the one with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.4.
The Black Emblem X1 is the lighter option at 165 g with breathable memory-foam cushions. The EKSA counters with lightweight materials, CloudSoft ear cushions and an adjustable headband, so both are built for long wear — the X1 just has the lower listed weight.
I don't quote prices here, because they change often. Check the current price on Amazon using the buttons on this page, then weigh it against what you need: wired 50mm sound and a detachable mic (EKSA) versus wireless freedom and long battery life (X1). In my opinion, the better value is whichever one matches how you actually watch and play.
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