Fractal Design Scape Gaming Headset Review: A Stellar Debut Unless you are a PC enthusiast, you might not be familiar with Fractal Design. The company has built a strong reputation for designing some of the best and most aesthetically simple cases for DIY computer builds. Now, Fractal is stepping into the crowded gaming audio market with the Scape, a two hundred dollar wireless headset that not only looks sophisticated but also sounds surprisingly great. Design and Comfort The design of the Scape shows a lot of thoughtful attention to detail. The most notable feature is the included charging dock. It charges the headset inductively, so there is no need to fuss with charging pins, and it cleverly houses the headset’s two point four gigahertz wireless transmitter. This dock can connect to your PC, keeping the dongle ready for use with a PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, or another computer. Sorry Xbox fans, there is no support for Microsoft’s console. The headset itself is primarily made of plastic with brushed metal accents, giving it a premium feel. It comes in two colors, light and dark. On the back, you will find four buttons, a dial, and a toggle that control nearly every function, including volume, mic mute, connectivity switching, power, RGB lighting, and three EQ presets. The controls are distinct and easy to use. However, the Scape could be more comfortable. The clamping force feels right, but there is not enough padding on the top of the headband, which can create pressure on the top of your head during long sessions. The fabric on the headband and ear pads also feels somewhat scratchy and is not great at dissipating heat. On a positive note, the high-density memory foam beneath is plush, and the ear pads are deep enough for most ears. The pads are also easy to remove, and Fractal will send free replacements if you contact their support. Sound Quality and Performance Out of the box, the Scape’s dynamic drivers are tuned with a soft v-shaped curve, emphasizing accuracy. The bass is punchy without being bloated, and there is nice detail in mid-range instruments. Some listeners might find the upper mids and treble a bit harsh, but this is easily fixed with the built-in EQ. For casual music listening, these are excellent headphones. In single-player games like Ghost of Tsushima, the Scape does a great job of reproducing immersive soundscapes. The soundstage is above average for closed-back headphones. For competitive shooters like Valorant, the default bass can be too much for isolating sound cues, but, again, the EQ makes it simple to create a more competitive profile. The headset lacks active noise cancellation, but its passive noise isolation is effective for most environments. Bluetooth connectivity uses version five point three, but codec support is limited to SBC and AAC, which can lead to slightly compressed audio and more lag compared to the two point four gigahertz connection. There is also no multipoint support for connecting to two devices simultaneously. The detachable microphone is functional but uninspiring. It compresses your voice, removing some nuance, though the noise cancellation does a good job filtering background sound. A built-in mic is also included for convenience, though it does not sound much better. Software and Features Fractal’s software, called Adjust, is a welcome change from the norm. It is a website you access through a Chrome-based browser, so there is no bulky software to install and potentially conflict with your system. The interface is simple, with pages for Lighting and Audio. You can choose from ten classy lighting presets or create your own. The parametric EQ adjustments are a standout feature, offering more control than the fixed-band EQs found on many gaming headsets. Any presets you save are stored directly on the headset, making them available on any device you use. The software is somewhat limited for microphone controls, only allowing adjustments to sidetone and noise cancellation. Battery Life and Competition Fractal claims up to forty hours of battery life with the RGB lights off and about twenty-six hours with them on. In real-world use, these estimates seem accurate. The headset is easy to charge on its dock, and a tap of the power button shows the battery level via the RGB lights. Priced at two hundred dollars, the Scape enters a competitive field. It is one hundred dollars cheaper than the premium Audeze Maxwell, which sounds better and supports LDAC, but the Scape is lighter and has a more convenient charging base. If you need active noise cancellation, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is an option, but it costs more and requires Razer’s Synapse software. For the best microphone quality, the wired Drop PC38X remains a top pick, but it lacks wireless functionality. Wrap-Up The Fractal Scape is a great gaming headset and a tremendous first effort from the company in the audio space. While there are minor comfort issues and the Bluetooth codecs are basic, the Scape largely excels. It sounds excellent, looks sophisticated, and its thoughtful design touches, like the charging dock and web-based software, set it apart. For two hundred dollars, the Scape is an excellent all-around package that makes a strong case for itself in a crowded market.
