In the world of gaming headsets, few products embody a Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic as seamlessly as the Fractal Scape, priced at $199.99. This innovative headset caught my attention due to its sophisticated appearance, similar to many of Fractal’s renowned PC cases. With its clean lines and understated color palettes, the Scape is designed to integrate effortlessly into your home or office setup, making it a stylish choice for gamers.
Having spent several weeks testing the Scape while working and gaming, I can confidently say it ranks among the best in its price range. The fit and finish of this first-generation device are commendable, especially from a company that traditionally focuses on PC hardware rather than audio. Available in gray or black, the Scape features minimal LED lighting that provides a subtle glow around the ear cups—an aesthetic choice that sets it apart from other gaming headsets.
One standout feature is the chunky knob on the back of the left ear cup, reminiscent of Apple’s Digital Crown. This knob not only controls volume but also allows users to pause and resume audio content. A double or triple click can skip or reverse songs, enhancing the overall user experience.
The Scape excels in audio performance, delivering great sound quality that rivals more expensive headsets like Sony’s InZone H9 II. While the latter includes active noise cancellation, the Scape focuses on providing a rich audio experience without this feature. Additionally, it incorporates a button on the right ear cup for toggling between three pre-set audio equalizer settings. This hardware control is a welcome feature, as it eliminates the need to navigate through companion apps.
Configuration is made simple and elegant through a web-based tool called Adjust Pro. This tool allows users to customize equalizer presets, adjust microphone sidetone, modify LED lighting options, and even install firmware updates. The ability to download a portable version of Adjust Pro adds to the convenience, allowing for customization without an internet connection.
Fractal has thoughtfully included two microphone options with the Scape. Users can opt for the flexible flip-to-mute boom mic, which offers superior voice quality, or detach it to use the built-in microphone for casual settings. This level of flexibility is increasingly rare in gaming headsets, making the Scape a versatile choice for both gaming and everyday use.
The recording quality from the boom mic is adequate, while the built-in mic serves well in less demanding scenarios. A noise cancellation feature is also available, which effectively reduces background noise, making it ideal for use in environments with distractions.
With an impressive battery life of over 40 hours with RGB lights off, or around 24 hours with them on, the Scape is built to last. During my testing, I found that it easily survived multiple days of work and intense gaming sessions before needing a recharge. The included magnetic charging dock simplifies the charging process, allowing users to seamlessly dock the headset when not in use. The dock also acts as a stand and extends the range of its 2.4GHz audio transmitter.
Additionally, the Scape supports Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to switch between devices. While it allows for multipoint Bluetooth connections, it cannot play audio from both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth sources simultaneously, which is a limitation compared to some competitors.
While the Fractal Scape may lack certain features like active noise cancellation and concurrent multi-source audio, it stands out as a great-looking and great-sounding headset that is user-friendly and customizable. With its elegant design, thoughtful features, and competitive audio quality, Fractal's first headset is a commendable entry into the gaming audio market, making it a worthy choice for gamers seeking both style and performance.
