Established in 2021, OXS (short for Omni Xspace or ‘All Directional Sound Space’) is a company that is focused exclusively on creating innovative and immersive audio experiences in both gaming and home cinema. Proudly aligning its birth “alongside the rise of Generation Z,” the China-based manufacturer has positioned itself as a plucky upstart in both market segments, up until recently specializing exclusively in desktop and home theatre soundbar products with a strong gamer focus. Expanding on the company’s audio ambitions, The OXS Storm G2 Wireless Gaming Headset represents the company’s first foray into the gaming headset arena, and for a budget-priced device, it packs a number of features that might surprise you.
In the box, users will find the Storm G2 headset, a 2.4GHz wireless 2-in-1 dongle, a two-foot (61 cm) USB-C to USB-A charging cable, a four-foot (122 cm) 3.5mm audio cable, and a detachable omnidirectional boom mic. Also included is an OXM-branded protective carrying pouch and a multilingual user manual.
I must confess that the Storm G2 didn’t make the best visual impression on me out of the box, and I mean that in a literal sense. From the instant I removed the headset from the packaging, I was startled to discover that the Storm G2 I received was completely different in colour—not only from the one advertised on the OXS official website but also from the product assets printed on the box.
“Since flipping the switch on the right earcup is required to change from 2.4GHz wireless mode to Bluetooth and vice versa, the Storm G2 cannot operate in both modes simultaneously.”
According to the OXS website, the Storm G2 is only available in two colour variants, black or white, but the one I received was unmistakably light cream in appearance. Initially, I thought the product might have somehow yellowed during transport, but the SKU sticker on the box indeed says “Cream White,” so it’s possible there are, in fact, three SKUs available.
Having reviewed plenty of wireless gaming headsets in the past—with design qualities ranging from excellent to downright clumsy—I can immediately appreciate the Storm G2’s ergonomic simplicity. Apart from the 2.4GHz wireless/Bluetooth switch located on the back of the right earcup, all of the function buttons and necessary I/O are lined up in a neat, orderly and vertical fashion on the left earcup. From top to bottom, users will find the equalizer/LED toggle, microphone/mute toggle, power/Bluetooth sync button, USB-C charging port, volume dial, and the dual audio jacks for wired usage and the detachable boom mic. Consequently, there shouldn’t be any confusion for users as to which side of the headset they should reach for in most situations.
On the other hand, distinguishing between the various buttons by feel while wearing the headset is an entirely different matter. The aforementioned EQ, mute and power buttons are identical in size, shape and texture, so players will need to memorize their placement in order to avoid spending too much time fiddling with them. There is a moulded plastic bump next to the volume dial to assist the user’s thumb in locating it, but the dial is far too recessed into the earcup to be found quickly or confidently with just a thumb.
“The Storm G2 will only work with Xbox via a wired 3.5mm connection to an Xbox controller.”
With advertised support for 2.4GHz wireless, 7.1 virtual surround sound, Bluetooth 5.3 stereo sound and 3.5mm wired stereo sound, it’s understandable that potential buyers might assume the Storm G2 is capable of multitasking—but, unfortunately, it is not. Since flipping the switch on the right earcup is required to change from 2.4GHz wireless mode to Bluetooth and vice versa, the Storm G2 cannot operate in both modes simultaneously. So, for instance, you won’t be able to make or take a phone call while playing a game and/or listening to audio from your PS5 or PC.
Then, there are additional limitations. The Storm G2 will only work with Xbox via a wired 3.5mm connection to an Xbox controller. On that note, connecting the headset to any 3.5mm wired source, regardless of platform, will entirely disable the EQ feature and all other button functionality on the Storm G2, effectively downgrading it to a simple stereo headset. The Storm G2 also cannot be used while charging via its USB-C port, so gamers who rely on headsets for long sessions might need a backup set of headphones.
Finally, while countless Bluetooth headsets on the market are compatible with the PS4 and PS5 in Bluetooth mode, the Storm G2 is not one of them. It only works with PlayStation in 2.4GHz mode.
All the above constraints might seem like bad news, and I would be inclined to agree that this review should be for a higher-end, mid-tier $200-300 gaming headset from the likes of Logitech Astro, Nacon RIG, or Turtle Beach. At the Storm G2’s modest price tag of $100, however, I feel that it deserves more careful consideration in light of the handful of things it does impressively well.
“The dual ENC (environmental noise cancellation) microphones are excellent, and I was particularly impressed by the sound quality of the detachable boom mic.”
First off, I’m pleasantly shocked to report that the Storm G2’s 7.1 virtual surround sound is probably some of the best I’ve heard from a headset since the Turtle Beach Stealth Gen 2, which is very high praise coming from me. The Storm G2’s 50mm dynamic drivers are at the very least on par with that older set, and they handily outclass my daily driver headset, the Logitech G Astro A30, not only in terms of superior bass response but also in the depth and warmth of its audio immersion. The Storm G2 also offers “Game” and “Music” as alternate sound modes, but alas, there is no downloadable companion app or software to make any adjustments to them.
Players who want to enjoy a deep, rich soundscape for games and films will definitely want to leave the headset on Surround. Game Mode comes across as shallower in depth and not as loud, while Music retains the audio quality of the Surround mode but flattens it into a more traditional 2.0 stereo signal.
If I may be so bold, the Storm G2’s wireless 2-in-1 dongle is quite ingenious. At first glance, it appears somewhat clunky and overdesigned, but once I realized that the dongle splits into two pieces—a tiny USB-C dongle and a larger USB Type-A adapter (or shell, if you will)—the Storm G2’s overall utility as a gaming headset for PS5 quickly rose in my esteem.
The ability to easily connect the dongle in two different ways to one of the PS5’s front ports, regardless of the model (OG, Slim or Pro), is an invaluable convenience and can potentially free up a port on the front or back of the console for another peripheral. This, of course, extends to desktops, laptops and other devices where space is often at a premium.
The dual ENC (environmental noise cancellation) microphones are excellent. I was particularly impressed by the sound quality of the detachable boom mic, which, unlike similar omnidirectional headset mics I’ve used in the past, is great at eliminating unwanted noise, including the sound of my breathing.
I tested both the built-in and wired mics during a phone call with one of my younger siblings, and we both had very little to complain about. Also, having the freedom to detach the boom mic and use the Storm G2 as a mobile headset is a plus that doesn’t require explanation, though if you plan to wear the headset outdoors as a fashion statement, I’d strongly recommend purchasing either the Black or elusive “pure white” variant.
It’s worth mentioning that the comfort and build quality of the Storm G2 are also quite decent. The memory foam earcups are generously sized, create a snug, effective seal and should easily fit over most ears. The headset is also noticeably lightweight at only 250 grams but requires quite a bit of vigorous headshaking to even come close to slipping off.
The adjustable headband extends up to an inch on each side, and the subtle inclusion of circular notches on the inner sides of the headset’s metal brackets allows the user to balance the fit and vertical position of the headset on their head down to the millimetre. The pleather ear cushions are very soft, enabling the headset to be worn for hours at a time without discomfort.
“Truth be told, I would argue that the OXS Storm G2 is actually a premium gaming headset in budget form, held back from being even better not by its features but by its narrow bandwidth.”
Finally, while I’m not the kind of gamer who likes to show off, I can at least admit that the Storm G2’s built-in RGB light show is very cool and elevates the look of the headset (even if it’s the Cream White unit). I’ll say it once again: it’s bizarre that OXS didn’t lean in harder to promote or expand upon the RGB feature with a programmable companion app of some sort, but it is what it is.
The light show activates automatically when the headset is turned on and can only be turned off (or on again) with a double-click of the EQ button—an important detail that the included manual strangely never explains. That said, as far as grabbing one’s attention goes, the Storm G2 gets the job done and can last an entire 24 hours with the RGB effect on and the headset volume at 50 percent. With the RGB disabled, the Storm G2 can last up to 40 continuous hours and can be fully recharged in four hours.
Truth be told, I would argue that the OXS Storm G2 is actually a premium gaming headset in budget form, held back from being even better not by its features but by its narrow bandwidth. Allowing the device to perform more than one key function at a time—such as charging via USB-C while in use or enabling the headset to operate simultaneously in 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 modes to allow phone calls—would bring the Storm G2 much closer in line with more popular competing headsets. I would bet that such improvements wouldn’t cost much more.
In the meantime, if you’re simply looking for a flashy yet affordable surround sound gaming headset for PlayStation and PC that just needs to do one job—sound amazing—the OXS Storm G2 should be at the top of your list.
