Introduction
GALAX’s premium gaming brand HOF is now a stand-alone brand and one of its inaugural product is a gaming headset dubbed the Maestro. Joining its wireless gaming mouse brother, the HOF Ace, the HOF Maestro H1. This USB powered headset brings with it the option of using it for PC, console as well as handhelds as it also supports 3.5mm jack input.
Along with RGB lighting with physical controls for the lights, its a straightforward USB headset. We’ll talk about the HOF Maestro H1, its peformance and quality in this review. Read on!
The Hall of Fame Brand
The Hall of Fame (HOF) brand is now intended to be a stand-alone brand, separate from the GALAX brand. Much like its origins, it remains to stand as a brand with a pedigree for quality. Historically known for breaking world records and setting a high bar in performance, HOF’s brand vision is rooted in peak performance.
Alongside this rebrand, HOF also offers its GPU tuning utility: HOF AI based off the Xtreme Tuner software used by GALAX GPUs. You can see all of HOF’s offerings from their official website: https://hofmvp.com/en/
That said, going forward, we’ll be separating HOF from GALAX and treating the brands as different entities.
Features & Specification
- Powerful Bass & High Fidelity
- Sophistically crafted 50mm composite membrane speakers.
- Designed for immersive and dynamic audio in gaming.
- Comfort & Durability
- Premium cushioned headband.
- Breathable memory foam earmuffs.
- Ensures comfort for extended gaming sessions.
- Detachable Noise Cancelling Microphone
- Uni-directional microphone with noise cancellation.
- Enhances voice clarity and reduces background noise.
- Breathable Fabric & Memory Foam Earmuffs
- Detachable earmuffs made from breathable fabric.
- Memory foam for added comfort and better fit.
- 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound
- Offers an immersive audio experience with virtual surround sound technology
Headphone Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Driver | 50mm composite membrane |
| Impedance | 32Ω +/- 15% |
| Frequency | 20-20000Hz |
| Sensitivity | 97dBSPL/mW at 1kHz |
| T.H.D | < 1% |
| Ambient Noise Attenuation | approx. 10 dBa |
| Sampling Rates | 44.1kHz, 48kHz |
| Headband Pressure | 6.6N |
Microphone Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Element | Electret condenser microphone |
| Impedance | ≤2.2KΩ |
| Frequency | 50-16000Hz |
| Sensitivity | -42dBV (1V/Pa at 1kHz) |
| T.H.D | 2% at f = 1 kHz |
| Max SPL | 104dB SPL (THD ≤ 1.0% at 1 KHz) |
| Sampling Rates | 44.1kHz, 48kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Uni-Directional & Noise-Cancelling |
Others
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Earcup & Earpads | Breathable Fabric and Memory Foam |
| Connection | Wired 3.5mm (4-pole CTIA), Wired USB 2.0 |
| Virtual Surround | Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound with Software |
| Weight | 417g (headset) |
Official site (its one-pager site so all the products are also listed there)
Closer Look – HOF Maestro H1
HOF ships the Maestro H1 in this thick cardboard box witn the HOF styling. I know its familiar to GALAX fans and its simply endearing they’re willing to use their high-end packaging (complete with reflectorized) treatment on the box.
Aside from documentation, the packaging content is straight to the point with the Maestro H1 headset along witht eh microphone boom and 3.5mm audio jack.
The 3.5mm cable plugs in directly into the in-line controller and will immediately bypass the USB audio when a signal is coming from this end. It will work even if the USB cable is disconnected but you will lose RGB lighting. Via the 3.5mm cable, you can use this with just about any other device that output audio via 3.5mm jacks.
The HOF Maestro H1’s inline controller features a volume wheel, mic mute and RGB on/off button. The controller is hardwired to the headset and you cannot remove it. Its located after a foot or so of cabling from the headset making it a very, awkwardly placed controller as the cable of the HOF Maestro H1 is very thick.
And not just thick… the HOF Mestro H1’s USB cable is firm and its going to be hard taming this cable.
Pulling back, we get to see this great-looking headset and if there’s a really strong argument for this pair of cans, its definitely the looks. It is a gorgeus design and the material quality is excellent.
The White version is particularly inspiring as it really exudes elegance. Sad to see it being held down literally by its thick USB cable but other than that, the overall plastic and cushion really go well together, even the fabric of choice needs to be applauded here.
Once plugged in, the RGB ring light up. Sadly no RGB control here but it doesn’t matter as you really won’t be looking at yourself while gaming.
Software
HOF’s software for the Maestro H1 is a bizaare interface and while it has its uses, its general lack of polish as well as any actual context make it very unusable.
User Experience & Conclusion
At around PHP4500 with street prices going even lower, the HOF Maestro H1 is actaully an excellent budget option and compared to what you’re paying, you are getting a high quality headset with very flexible usability. This does have its downsides.
As much as I love the look and feel of the HOF Maestro H1, it is weighed down literaly by its thick cable and as a PS5 gamer, there’s no way I’ll be lugging that cable around along with the 3.5mm cable should I choose to go with controller audio. Add to that its poor software and we get a middling mainstream option whose audio performance sits right at home at its dealer pricing.
All things considered, HOF should’ve considred a wireless gaming headset to pair with their HOF Ace wireless mouse. The option of having either a black and white option is also a good choice but its conflicting themes reallys puts into question if GALAX’s wishes for their HOF line-up is an image of disconnected product designs with no unifying design language.
HOF’s response: In response to our critique of choosing to go with wired, the HOF team believes that more gamers still rely on wired option which inspired the decision to go with a wired base option. HOF also cites that they have been pushing HOF to embrace the black color together with their white option.
Ultimately, the HOF Maestro H1 is a considerable option if you’re on a budget but want to explore a USB headset that offers virtual surround. A major plus is the ability to passthru 3.5mm audio if you have a more powerful audio card that would really give the Maestro H1 a real kick.
The HOF Maestro H1 surround gaming headset is available now at Lazada and Shopee as well as authorized dealers now.
