We test the in-ears from Adidas and tell you whether they are suitable for gaming.
Are In-Ear Headphones For Sports Suitable For Gaming? Adidas Z.N.E. 01 ANC
Our colleague Dansen recently tested the Adidas Z.N.E. 01 ANC. They are actually intended for sporting activities, but the question arises here whether the sporty earplugs are also suitable for gaming. Finally, if you enjoy gaming and exercising, you can use a pair of headphones for both activities.
In the video review, Dansen tells you what Adidas in-ears can do, including whether and if so how well they are suitable for gaming:
Gaming With The Adidas Z.N.E. 01 ANC
Theoretically, you can game with all headphones and earplugs, as long as you can connect them to your gaming PC. However, some characteristics of headphones lend themselves better to gaming than others. Here we clarify how the Adidas earplugs perform in games.A big feature of the in-ears is the ANC or Active Noise Canceling (the Z.N.E. is also available without ANC), which is definitely positive for your gaming experience. By actively blocking out background noise, you can immerse yourself deeper in the game without being distracted by honking cars or barking dogs from outside. Your roommates don't bother you as much anymore either.
The feature worked very well in our test, Dansen hardly heard anything apart from the sound from the plugs. So from this perspective, the Adidas earplugs are very good for gaming. However, if you are cycling in traffic, for example, you should switch off Active Noise Canceling, as it can be dangerous if you do not hear sirens or car horns.
What About The Sound?
As with any headphones, the sound should of course also be right. Here, the Z.N.E. 01 by Adidas definitely cuts a fine figure. In the test, we were able to hear the highs and mids clearly, even with louder settings. The bass, on the other hand, sounds a bit unnatural with the headphones. This can be particularly problematic in shooters where you have to spot steps and shots.
But this is a general problem with in-ear headphones. They are usually very small, which is why manufacturers cannot install large sound drivers in them. This is at the expense of the bass. So this weakness was to be expected, but it's not serious in games like League of Legends.
Another weakness is that the Adidas in-ears have an integrated microphone, but they can't keep up with those of gaming headsets. This is particularly unfavorable if you want to play multiplayer games with friends.
So if you want to play with others with the Adidas plugs, you should consider using an external microphone. If you don't play games with others that often or your own sound quality isn't that important to you, the microphone in the in-ears will do the trick too.
Adidas Has Some Solid In-Ears
In terms of quality, the in-ears from Adidas are first class. Both the workmanship and the design are quite impressive. The latter is kept in the classic Adidas look, plain black with white accents. On the outside, you will find the iconic three stripes again. The surface is covered with a kind of spider web pattern, which makes the plugs feel and look good.
The battery lasts for around 4.5 hours with active ANC. Without the technology, you get up to 6 hours. If you want to game longer in one session, this could become a problem, otherwise you can charge the buds in between.
Conclusion: Are The Adidas Z.N.E. 01 ANC Good For Gaming?
Generally speaking, yes, you can use the in-ears from Adidas for gaming. For example, if you also want to do sports with it and don't want to buy two pairs of headphones. Or if you just like them better than gaming headsets.
An external microphone could also make sense, which you can use together with the plugs if you want to play multiplayer League of Legends with your friends. Otherwise, you make small compromises in bass, which are not unusual for such small earbuds.
The Adidas Z.N.E. 01 ANC are high-quality headphones that are not specifically made for gaming, but you can use them for it most of the time without any problems.