A test of Krux Knockz, a cheap headset

The Krux company decided to go crazy in the middle of summer and provide the market with three new headsets for PLN 79 to 119. Today we will look at the most expensive of them, the Knockz model, which fortunately abandoned the RGB backlight in relation to other headsets.

Box and accessories included

The characteristic combination of an orange-black and “X-shaped” motif together with a product render on the front begins our adventure with Krux Knockz. An ordinary cardboard box is home to an equally cardboard “pillar” that keeps the headphones in one place during transport. There is no plastic inside, for which we can give the producer an eco-friendly thumbs up, but we will find a detachable microphone and a 150-cm adapter with one 3.5 jack for two jacks.

Krux Knockz highlights

• General
  • Predominant material: plastic
  • Weight: 213 grams
  • Closed circumaural headphones
  • Adjusting the spacing of the shells + their deflection
  • The length of the integrated cable for the console / smartphone – 120 cm
  • Length of the computer cable – 150 centimeters
  • Both cables are thin and in nylon braids
  • Volume control and ear cup microphone
  • Detachable microphone
  • No software
• Neodymium converters
  • Diameter: 40 mm
  • Impedance: 18 Ohm
  • Sensitivity: 120 dB
  • Frequency response: 20 – 20 kHz

Design, materials and workmanship

According to Krux, the Knockz headset is an elegant headset for gaming and work. Personally, I would go the other way and say that this is a model that is intended to fit in with the widest possible audience, thanks to the compatibility with many devices through a 4-pin integrated jack and an adapter for two for a computer or laptop, where one goes to the headphone connector and the other for the microphone. The cables and connectors themselves do not raise any objections, presenting an appropriate level of quality and durability, which even applies to the flexible entry of the cable to the shell in a rubber casing.

At first glance, the headphones themselves also do not seem to be a bum. Especially due to their metal forks with internal embossing as to the spacing level. These connect with shells made of hard plastic, decorated with a special insert on the edges, providing them with adjustable inclination, as well as a flexible metal headband. However, you will not see it, because it is located under the scraps of artificial leather, which are nicely connected with each other on the sides, which is also home to a modest amount of pleasant to the touch foam.

A visual addition is not only the embossing of the manufacturer’s name on the top of the headband, but also the outer side of the shell, which is complemented by appropriately large leather earpieces. Their quality corresponds to the padding of the headband itself, but the foam used in their case is much thicker and more resilient.

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The rest is completed with thin, but hidden in a fabric braid, cables connecting the shells with the headband without any protection, and a modest command center at the back of the left shell. It boils down to a simple on / off switch for the microphone (the one in the “off” position sways to the sides, making the plastic clatter with more aggressive movements of the head) and an independent potentiometer in the form of a somewhat clumsy knob. There is also room for a detachable, simple microphone hidden under the foam on a boom that holds the shape.

All this combines into a surprisingly good headset for PLN 119, but it has one huge snag – the way of connecting the forks to the headband. Here, Krux gave the bodies, not caring about the solid embedding of the metal in the rails, which makes the shells bend to the sides when putting it on, the headband makes a rattling of metal against the plastic and it is really easy to accidentally change the setting when removing or putting the headset on the head.

Ergonomics Krux Knockz

This Krux product continues the positive trend also in terms of comfort, thanks to its weight of only 213 g, sufficiently large earpieces and headband. This modest weight is evenly distributed over our head, and although the earmuffs do not grip us too tightly, the set stays firmly even with more vigorous movements. The problem of “fatigue” of the hearing aid and heating of the turbinates is felt in their case after several dozen minutes, but this is a problem that plagues most closed headphones with leather earpieces.

Krux Knockz sound test

If you have the opportunity to regularly listen to music from other devices, you will certainly understand me when I say that you can simply get used to the sound of Krux Knockz. When I moved to them from a high-end headset, traditionally I could not help but focus for the first dozen or so minutes on the deficiencies that can be felt in their sound, but the next day I could already wave my hand at it.

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This set does not sound bad… for the price. It does not hum, does not buzz and does not generate distortion at high tones, which is probably the most important for this price range. Although the music from Knockz is clearly lacking in character due to their dark character and low dynamics, something can be heard there, and in games the reproduction of sounds in space is by no means lame. For undemanding or younger people, this headset will work well, and thanks to its 18-ohm impedance, it works a bit better on mobile devices.

Microphone test

In physical terms, the Krux Knockz microphone lacks nothing, but its efficiency is not that impressive. While the sound quality is appropriate, the low level of sensitivity is directly reflected in the volume level.

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Krux Knockz test – summary

Currently, Krux Knockz is available on the market mainly for PLN 139, but you can find offers that agree with the price of PLN 119. As for the capabilities of this headset and the performance, which unfortunately suffer from two physical flaws (switch and earcup adjustment), it seems to be an adequate amount, although it is worth remembering that in the case of Knockz you cannot set yourself up for a revolution in terms of sound. This is just another cheap set worth recommending at this price, which does not impress, but should be perfect for the undemanding.