305-Hour Battery Can't Hide the G5 Max's Flaws at $150

At $150, the G5 Max struggles to justify its price for players who prioritize sound and build quality, but it's a strong option for those who value marathon battery life above all else.

At $150, the G5 Max struggles to justify its price for players who prioritize sound and build quality, but it's a strong option for those who value marathon battery life above all else.

Key points - The Edifier G5 Max claims 305-hour battery life and weighs 305 grams. - It features 53 mm titanium-coated drivers, 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 6.0, and USB-C wired connectivity. - Out of the box, the sound profile is boxy and requires manual EQ tweaking. - The detachable boom mic and built-in mics deliver below-par performance. - At $150, the headset's plastics and controls feel cheap for the price.

Timeline - During testing: Reviewer uses the G5 Max for several weeks without draining the battery to zero. - Out of the box: Default sound is boxy; EQ presets in the app are heavy-handed. - During movement: Light clamping force causes the headset to slip off the head.

FAQ

Q: Does the Edifier G5 Max really last 305 hours? A: Edifier claims 305 hours, and the reviewer couldn't drain it to zero after several weeks of on/off testing, so the battery life is genuinely impressive.

Q: Is the microphone good for gaming chat? A: No, the detachable boom mic and built-in mics are below par—dull, slightly muffled, and difficult to tweak even with software options.

Q: Do I need to adjust the sound settings? A: Yes, the default sound is boxy and the EQ presets are poor, so you'll need to manually tweak the sliders in the Edifier Hecate app for decent audio.