AQIRYS ALYA 2.0 Wireless Gaming Headset Review

Others by stefan @ 2024-05-05

After fully charging the headset, we started listening to different YouTube videos, watched a couple of movies but also played a couple of sessions in NFS Unbound, Fallout 4, Minion Masters and Dead Island Definitive Edition; we have noted an improvement regarding high and mid frequencies, which resulted in clearer voices, while maintaining a good representation of bass, ideal for a gaming headset! The battery capacity has been also doubled with the new revision, allowing up to 50 hours of usage from a single charge, while the 4-hour charge time remained the same, which is great!

Introduction

 

At first, we would like to thank AQIRYS for offering us a sample of their ALYA 2.0 Wireless Gaming Headset for testing and reviewing.

 

 

 

About AQIRYS:

 

“AQIRYS is about IT products and hardware dedicated to gaming.

Our solutions are developed and perfected by a passionate team with over 15 years of expertise in the IT & gaming industry, heavily focused on variety, quality, and affordability.

We all are avid gamers, some of us even reaching pro levels. Top that with the excitement for PC modding and overclocking that was well established through our parent company about 13 years ago (the first company in our country to receive the NVIDIA SLI certification).

The whole experience we amassed from gaming and crafting super high-end PC’s is now put to work in developing the AQIRYS products.

Our final goal is to deliver these products in a cool, dynamic way to people who are keen or enthusiastic about PC gaming and modding, making them feel more satisfied than before.

Welcome to AQIRYS! The galaxy of gaming tools that will lead you to victory!

Fun fact

Our logo resembles the image of a galaxy, the AQIRYS galaxy, which revolves in the universe of gaming and technology. That is why most of our products will borrow their names from actual stars, planets or other celestial bodies. We invite you to check out the fun facts on each product page and discover some cool stuff about the actual Universe!”

 

Product Features, Specifications

Product Features:

 

3D STEREO IMMERSIVE SOUND

Enjoy an immersive audio experience with realistic 3D positioning effects reflecting the playback scene and the sound source, delivered through updated and improved 50 mm drivers placed inside closed ear-cups to cut out much of the outside noise.

Larger Titanium film driver units produce richer and deeper acoustics delivering an enhanced sound with crisp highs letting you experience every moment at higher fidelity and bringing you closer to the action to live it at full intensity.

TEAMSPEAK CERTIFIED MIC PERFORMANCE

ALYA has passed the TeamSpeak certification process, the number one choice VoIP communication system for Online Gaming.

Furthermore, the improved omnidirectional Mic is detachable, so when matches are over, you can unplug it to enjoy a cleaner and more relaxed look.

TWO WIRELESS MODES + 3.5 MM CONNECTIVITY

Ultra-Low-Latency Wireless, BT, and wired (3.5 mm) connectivity are offered out-of-the-box, meaning ALYA can be connected virtually to any device. In addition, the versatile wireless USB receiver can connect ALYA to any PC, Mac, or console (XBX is not supported). Thus you can enhance your gaming experience with better audio quality, provided by a stable, ultra-low latency connection.

Moreover, the new built-in 2000 mAh high-capacity battery can last up to 50 hours of gaming*, and the USB Type-C connector lets you game and charge simultaneously.

PROLONGED COMFORT

ALYA’s breathable and moisture-wicking ear pads are filled with memory foam to ensure prolonged comfort in any gaming environment.

Additionally, the elastic headband follows the head contour to uniformly distribute the headset weight, canceling any pressure points that cause discomfort during extended gaming sessions. A two-step adjusting system provides the perfect fit for every head size.

THE WOW MEOW FACTOR

The expansion pack included with ALYA lets you personalize your headset or match it with your favorite gear using two extra headbands. Boost your no-holds-barred gaming looks and gain the meow factor by attaching the complimentary kitty ears. Together with the new dynamic RGB backlit strips, you're definitely set to draw attention.

Product Specifications:

 

Sound: 3D Stereo

Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 KHz

Sensitivity: 114 +/- 3 dB

Impedance: 32 Ω

Audio driver size: 50 mm (Titanium FILM)

Backlight: Yes (DYNAMIC RGB)

Microphone pattern: Omnidirectional

Microphone type: Removable

Microphone frequency response: 100 Hz - 10 KHz

Microphone sensitivity: -38 +/- 3 dB

Microphone impedance: <= 2200 Ω

Noise cancelling: Yes

Microphone size: 6 mm

Headphone type: Over-ear

In-line remote: No

Connection type: Dual wireless + Wired

Dual wireless: Wireless ultra-low-latency via USB 2.0 receiver, Bluetooth 5.0

Wireless receiver: Plug & play USB 2.0

Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, SMP, HFP

Wireless range: Up to 10m

Battery: 2000mA / max charging time: 4h

Battery Life: Up to 50 hours, with volume at 50% and backlight off

Connectors: 1x TRRS 3.5 mm jack (PS, XBOX, mobile), 2x TRS 3.5 mm jack (PC, stereo), USB 2.0 receiver(PC)

Cable length: 1 m (audio cable) + 0.6 m (break-away) + 1.5 m (USB Type-C charging cable)

Compatibility: PC, Mac, Mobile, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox (wired only), TV

Color: Black

Weight: 300 g

 

Packaging, A Closer Look Part I

We will take another look on the ALYA headset, which has been recently updated/upgraded for offering a better overall experience. The product is shipped inside a medium-sized cardboard enclosure sporting the usual AQIRYS color scheme; on the top cover, we will note a photo of the headset, along with small icons representing the main highlights, but also the supported platforms:

 

 

 

On the side, we will note the main product features, written in different languages, but also the full list of technical specifications:

 

 

 

The manufacturer does also show the features with separate photos, here also showing the AQIRYS Expansion Pack:

 

 

 

Moving on, we will note the box contents, shown with small drawings, some QR codes pointing to online resources, the product serial number, but also the internal code name. Here we will also learn that ALYA is backed by a 2-year warranty:

 

 

 

The back side gives a closer look on the main components:

 

 

 

After unsealing the box, we will be welcomed by a small AQIRYS leaflet:

 

 

 

On its back, we will be presented with the ways ALYA can be connected to different sound sources:

 

 

 

We will also receive a nice sticker set:

 

 

 

The User Manual does explain in detail the main product interface, the usage modes, the significance of the status LED and more!

 

 

 

 

The headset does sit secure inside a sponge-like material mold, reinforced on the top with a layer of cardboard; the piano-black surfaces of the ALYA are covered by a transparent plastic film, in order to avoid scratches during transit:

 

 

 

A Closer Look Part II

The bottom layer does include a separate accessory box:

 

 

 

We will receive a carry bag, but also two smaller bags:

 

 

 

 

The bag does carry a large AQIRYS logo in the middle and it is a handy tool when travelling:

 

 

 

Regarding cabling, we will receive a 1.5m USB-C charging cable, the omnidirectional, removable microphone, a Stereo audio cable (1m in length, TRRS 3.5mm jack plugs), but also a 0.6m break-away audio cable splitter with 2x TRS 3.5mm jack plugs:

 

 

 

Here is a closer look at the offered cabling:

 

TRS Splitter cable

TRRS Stereo cable

USB Charging cable

 

The microphone has a sensitivity of -38 +/- 3 dB, a frequency response between 100 Hz and 10 KHz, while the impedance is measured as <= 2200 Ohm; its size is 6 mm and also comes with noise cancelling capabilities:

 

 

 

 

The bundled extra headbands now have different sizes, the blue one being larger than the one in red:

 

 

 

The plastic parts of the headbands are now softer than the previous version and we can attach/detach them from the headset much easier:

 

 

 

A Closer Look Part III

AQIRYS did not omit to include a set of kitty ears, sought of by female players:

 

 

 

 

 

The included wireless adapter is USB 2.0 and comes with a range of up 10 meters; on the top area, we will note the AQIRYS logo, but also a small orifice through which the status LED light is shining:

 

 

 

On the back, we will observe logos of the supported standards, but also specs of the included headset battery, type and charging time:

 

 

 

Overall, the ALYA 2.0 does resemble the initial release in terms of appearance; the light chassis is made of textured black plastic with piano black accents on the earcup frame:

 

 

 

The earcups are large and feature a row of RGB lighting, which is now animated on the new revision:

 

 

 

On the back of each cup we will note a small white AQIRYS logo:

 

 

 

The audio channels are color coded with inscriptions on the headband:

 

 

 

We can adjust the height of the headband easily from the back of the earcup:

 

 

 

ALYA 2.0 does feature new, large, 50mm drivers with Titanium film, sporting a frequency response between 20 Hz and 20 KHz, while the sensitivity is set at 114 +/- 3 dB, and the impedance is 32 Ohm:

 

 

 

A Closer Look Part IV

On the left earcup, we will note the microphone mute button, but also the Volume wheel:

 

 

 

Moving on, we have the Power On/Off button, the status LED, the 3.5mm jack interface but also an USB-C port for charging purposes:

 

 

 

The microphone connection is also done with a 3.5 mm jack port, which features a custom shape in order to aid with positioning:

 

 

 

The preinstalled flexible headband is in black color, with an AQIRYS logo in the middle:

 

 

 

 

The adjustment mechanism is straight-forward:

 

 

 

 

The microphone can be mounted in a couple of seconds, while the more flexible body is a nice touch!

 

 

 

Right after turning on the headset, the rows of RGB LEDs will start showing a dynamic rainbow; when not needed, the RGB effects ca be turned off by double pressing the Power button:

 

 

 

After a long press of the Power button, ALYA 2.0 will turn on and will start directly on WiFi connection; if no WiFi connection is available (dongle is not connected), it will try the secondary connection, Bluetooth, so the status LED will alternate between red and blue for signaling pairing mode:

 

 

 

The two top bars on the headband can be used for attaching the cute silicone cat ears, which come with a red color:

 

 

 

Impressions and Conclusive Thoughts

After fully charging the headset, we started listening to different YouTube videos, watched a couple of movies but also played a couple of sessions in NFS Unbound, Fallout 4, Minion Masters and Dead Island Definitive Edition; we have noted an improvement regarding high and mid frequencies, which resulted in clearer voices, while maintaining a good representation of bass, ideal for a gaming headset! The battery capacity has been also doubled with the new revision, allowing up to 50 hours of usage from a single charge, while the 4-hour charge time remained the same, which is great!

 

The earcups now come with memory foam pads in order to preserve comfort for longer, and now we are getting headbands of different sizes in order to fit absolutely all head shapes and sizes. While being connected via wireless, we walked around the apartment and did not notice drops in quality or interruptions; the headset comes with an automatic connect/disconnect system meaning if we are out of the transmission range, the ALYA 2.0 will automatically disconnect, but if it will re-enter the range in less than 5 minute time, it will reconnect automatically. To save battery life while out of range, the headset will turn off automatically if 5 minutes have passed.

 

The microphone has been improved a little as well, as we have noted while testing with some Discord sessions; the voice is now even better picked up, while keeping the noise levels to a minimum.

 

The Bluetooth connection is great when listening to music or watching video content while on-the-go, ALYA 2.0 being able to also take calls when the microphone is installed. For this aspect, the carry bag is very welcome, for keeping the headset protected while traveling.

 

The second revision did not drop the 3.5 mm jack analog interface, for keeping compatibility with a large range of audio sources, even legacy!

 

AQIRYS ALYA 2.0 is not currently available in the online store of the manufacturer, but in the local Romanian market, we can find it for about 62.5 Euros, a good price for what we are getting!

 

AQIRYS ALYA 2.0 Wireless Gaming Headset is Recommended for:

 

 

We would like to thank again to AQIRYS for making this review possible!

 

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