A few weeks ago, Headset Advisor reached out to see if I was interested in trying out their ear cushions for the EPOS IMPACT 1000.
This one marks a first for me in my long history with DRN. Gear tends to be transient so reviewing aftermarket components takes planning and timing. However in this case, I have been running with this particular headset for a few years now.
A little backstory provided by Headset Advisor: Comfort has been the primary feedback area for this headset. Many users have requested a design that fully encloses the ears, along with a choice of fabric or leatherette materials.
I should know, after over three years of use, I know when the OEM cups starts to get warm and I need a break.
What Makes the Headset Advisor Cushions Different?
Headset Advisor kindly provided me a pair each of the leatherette and fabric over-ear cushions for the EPOS IMPACT 1000.
As the name implies, these cushions are designed to fully enclose your ears, which is something the OEM version does not do.
In the package is an instruction manual. Also included is a headset cleaning wipe to clean up your headset before giving it a new comfort upgrade.
Changing the ear cushions is simple – you just have to pull on the edge of the existing one to remove it, and slip the new one on.
You need to slide the edge into the gap, and I found that doing that on one edge, then rotating the ear cushions around helps get them on fairly easily.
Take your time and don’t try to force it by stretching the material too much.
EPOS IMPACT 1000 cushions: OEM, Leatherette, Fabric
Comfort Test: Real-World Use on the EPOS IMPACT 1000
In the interest of genuine real life use, I sacrificed my time testing between work calls and binge watching For All Mankind.
For starters, the over-ear cushions makes a significant difference in initial comfort levels. I have a preference for over-ear rather than on-ear type of headsets.
For both fabrics, the size is the same. The fit is generous without being too big.
After hours of extended use – work of course, not just watching For All Mankind, these Headset Advisor cushions do make a difference in long term comfort.
However, I did find that it also changed the seal around my ears and the fit overall.
This leads to some impact on noise cancelling performance. Passive noise cancelling quite noticeably took a hit. And as a flow on effect, it also somewhat degraded the ANC.
The EPOS IMPACT 1000 is pretty amazing at active noise cancelling – with a sampling rate of thirty-two thousand times per second. What it can’t do is compensate for the leakage in passive noise cancelling.
Is it a deal breaker? I would say it all depends on the predominant environment that you use it in. I have used the EPOS IMPACT 1000 in some seriously noisy environments and it does come a point when it just can’t keep up. But I think overall, these Headset Advisor ear cushions is not detrimental.
As for comfort level, it comes down to a matter of personal preference.
I don’t mind the leatherette material, but the fabric version does run a little cooler overall. And if you are wearing these for hours on end, then this might tip the decision over to the fabric type.
Build Quality, Fit and Noise Cancelling Performance
Headset Advisor pointed out that this is the first version of these cushions, and there are some fit and finish issues.
I dug in hard on this and really looked over these aftermarket cushions.
Yes the finish could be better. The EPOS OEM ones are much more polished with the finish. But on the other hand, I don’t have eyes on my ears so once they are on, or if I don’t look too closely, it is not something I worry too much about.
The foam on the Headset Advisor units is a little firmer than the OEM version. But the fabric membrane on the OEM feels thicker and nicer quality.
As for the fit, there is definitely room for improvement. What Headset Advisor is doing is fundamentally converting the function of the IMPACT 1000 from on-ear to over-ear.
Since they are working on a V2, I would suggest a firmer moulded foam. This should help create a better seal and making it a much more substantial upgrade to suit the headset.
Final Verdict: Are the Headset Advisor Cushions Worth It?
The Headset Advisor over-ear cushions are a step up for comfort, but it came with some trade off to noise cancelling. This was more noticeable with the fabric version, although personally I found this one more comfortable.
If I was to use the IMPACT 1000 in the same environments that I have been a few years back, the change would be much more noticeable. However as my working environment has settled quite a bit now, I am happy to trade up just for the comfort level alone.
Many consumers probably will not factor this in, but Headset Advisor is a small company that made a genuine investment in developing this product. It retails for A$108 a pair with shipping on top. There is a deal running bringing it down to $78 a pair.
The pricing does feel a little steep, but consider supporting a small business in the interest of your ear comfort!
Also considering the headset itself can cost up to AUD$750, and EPOS provides very long term support for all their products, this is a comfort upgrade for the long term.
On a personal note, as the editor-in-chief of DRN, I deal with a lot of people on a daily basis. I must point out that Drew is an absolute pleasure to communicate with.
DRN would like to thank Headset Advisor for providing the review units.
