OXS Storm A2 Review

Introduction

The OXS Storm A2 seems like a product that could be punching above its weight on specs alone.

For a mid-range £129.99/$129.99 price tag, you’re getting a headset with a lightweight, collapsible frame, plus 40mm neodymium drivers, active noise cancellation and versatile wireless connectivity.

Key rivals at this price, including the Logitech G522 and Sony Inzone H5, don’t have as rich a spec sheet, so on paper at least, it seems like the Storm A2 could pull ahead.

It could be entirely different in practice, though, which is why I’ve put this OXS headset through its paces for the last couple of weeks to see if it’s one of the best gaming headsets you can buy for the price.

Design and Features

• Lightweight, plasticky chassis
• Finicky on-board controls
• Versatile wireless connectivity

The Storm A2 ditches any form of RGB and a typically gamer aesthetic for something a bit more functional and inoffensive, with a two-tone steel and black frame that carries a bit more purpose. 

The actual feel of the headset isn’t as pleasant as its look, though, with a majorly plastic frame that gives it a cheaper feel than the mid-range price tag would suggest. At 285g, it is at least lightweight and isn’t too fatiguing to wear for extended periods.

Unlike a lot of its contemporaries, the Storm A2’s frame is collapsible, so they are at least easy to travel with, especially as they come supplied with a carry bag more in line with actual headphones than a headset.

Their earcups are deep, and there is some proper adjustment with the earcup swivel and an easily adjustable headband, so it’s easy to get comfortable with these cans. The padding on the earcups and headband is also quite plush to aid comfort, along with a pleasant clamping force.

I think the onboard controls on the Storm A2 are a tad minimal. The left side houses volume up and down as separate buttons plus one for power, which just feels a bit finicky against a volume rocker or wheel., The right side has one button for ANC toggle, plus a USB-C port for charging. 

Long presses and double taps on the buttons control settings such as seeking tracks, Bluetooth pairing and mic muting. This also just feels a bit lazy, especially when other headsets have dedicated buttons for setting such as Bluetooth and mic mute for easier access.

The Storm A2’s passive isolation is pretty good, and they do come with ANC if you want it. I found their active noise cancellation to be fine, if a tad unremarkable, letting some noise from my keyboard and radio chatter from a nearby speaker through. There is a transparency mode for when you want to hear what’s going on around you, although it felt quite synthetic as opposed to being natural.

These cans benefit from some very versatile wireless connectivity, especially with its two-in-one 2.4GHz wireless USB receiver with both USB-C and USB-A options, plus Bluetooth and means. This means it’s compatible with modern Xbox and PlayStation consoles, plus has no trouble playing nicely with the Nintendo Switch, mobile devices and PC. I had no trouble using it over Bluetooth with my Honor Magic V3, or over USB with my Windows gaming PC.

The rated 70 hours of endurance is great for a headset at this price, putting it right up there with Logitech’s option in terms of runtime, although the fact that this OXS headset has no software integration at all feels a smidgen lacking.

Audio and Microphone

• Solid mid-range and treble 
• Bass feels a little lacking, unless the Surround mode is used
• Microphone isn’t great

The Storm A2 utilises 40mm neodymium drivers, which I felt seemed more tuned for the mid-range and treble, rather than having a prominent low end. This works to its advantage in FPS titles, where a heightened mid-range can help you discern footsteps more clearly, for instance. 

To this end, I found this OXS headset to perform decently well in some rounds of Counter-Strike 2, alongside a reasonable sense of width and soundstage for placing footsteps and far-off gunfire. The width is okay, although I have tested better at this price range, such as those rivals from Logitech and Sony.

By default, the low-end lacked a little bit of thump in my suite of rock testing tracks. I got more of the cymbals in Rush’s Workin’ Them Angels than an overwhelming thump of bass, kick drum and gritty electric guitar. With this in mind, vocals and general mid-range detail came through well on James Taylor’s On The 4th of July, plus a crisper treble with the song’s percussion work.

There is a surround sound setting for the Storm A2 that I found to provide a bit more in the way of low end oomph, providing more of an immersive quality for grenade explosions and heavy gunfire in Counter Strike 2, plus adding a better sense of power to tracks from Rush and Brand X.

This headset’s boom microphone sounded quite thin and crispy in my testing, lacking a certain body and definition, which means it isn’t the best for team communication. Other cans at this price perform much better, as would a standalone unit, of course.

Should you buy it?

FAQs