Introduction
Founded on July the 23th, 2004 by Sam Mathews, Anne Mathews and Nader Atoui. Fnatic is one of the most known gaming teams in the world, being the winner of the title “Team of The Year” in 2006.
In November 2015, the gaming peripheral company Func was acquired by the eSports team Fnatic. The goal of the new brand is producing high quality peripherals.
Official product link:
Packaging and accessories
The headsets are packaged in a two-tone cardboard box with orange accents.
On the front side, there is a general image of the headsets using the bigger, “over ear” cups. On the lower side, there are the name of the product and its description. On the upper left corner, there are the Fnatic logo and Gear series name.
The sides of the box are simple, on each there are listed the features of the product and the package contents.
On the backside there is a general image of the headsets using the smaller cups.
Accessories
The product comes with the following accessories:
– 1x Manual
– 2x Speaker Unit
– 1x Headband
– 2x On-Ear Earpad
– 2x Over-Ear Earpad
– 1x Boom Microphone Cable
– 1x In-Line Microphone Cable
– 1x Mic Splitter
– 1x Drawstring Pouch
All the headset components are individually packaged in sealed plastic bags. Also each is correctly labeled.
Specifications
Model: Duel TMA 2
Colors: Black-Orange
Materials: PET + Titanium
Headphone
Driver Unit: 40 mm, with Neodymium magnets
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Frequency response: 75 kHz
Sound pressure: 117 dB
Cable length: 12m
Input power: 30 mW
Connector: 3.5 mm Jack
Weight: 275g
Colors: Black-Orange
Materials: PET + Titanium
Headphone
Driver Unit: 40 mm, with Neodymium magnets
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Frequency response: 75 kHz
Sound pressure: 117 dB
Cable length: 12m
Input power: 30 mW
Connector: 3.5 mm Jack
Weight: 275g
Features:
ESPORTS INSPIRED: Designed with the world’s best CS: GO, League of Legends, and Dota 2 players for dependability in the toughest situations.
COMPLETELY MODULAR DESIGN: Headband, Earpad, Earcup, Speaker Unit, Cable, Microphone, all yours to select. We’re taking customization to the next level.
DJ AUDIO QUALITY: A collaboration with Danish company AIAIAI, we guarantee premium audio for music and gaming.
VERSATILITY: Featuring both “On the Road” and “Gaming” configurations, DUEL is ready for any situation. We’ve included a protective drawstring bag to carry your DUEL wherever you go.
AESTHETIC: AIAIAI’s designs featured in the Museum of Modern Arts with Fnatic tones result in a headset you’ll be proud to display indoors or out.
COMPLETELY MODULAR DESIGN: Headband, Earpad, Earcup, Speaker Unit, Cable, Microphone, all yours to select. We’re taking customization to the next level.
DJ AUDIO QUALITY: A collaboration with Danish company AIAIAI, we guarantee premium audio for music and gaming.
VERSATILITY: Featuring both “On the Road” and “Gaming” configurations, DUEL is ready for any situation. We’ve included a protective drawstring bag to carry your DUEL wherever you go.
AESTHETIC: AIAIAI’s designs featured in the Museum of Modern Arts with Fnatic tones result in a headset you’ll be proud to display indoors or out.
Visual inspection
The Duel TMA 2 have a completely modular design, after delivery these require assembly, also each component is individually packaged. The design of the headsets is made in collaboration with the company AIAIAI which offers consumers custom modular headsets.
The Duel TMA 2 model can be assembled in two configurations, “On the Road” and “Gaming”, each offers different features and use separate components.
The headband is a made out of a single piece, this makes the connection between the speakers. The underside of the headband is covered in leather, here there is engraved the Fnatic name, in addition the sides of the headbands are perforated in order to allow the mounting and height adjustment of the speakers.
The headband is a made out of a single piece, this makes the connection between the speakers. The underside of the headband is covered in leather, here there is engraved the Fnatic name, in addition the sides of the headbands are perforated in order to allow the mounting and height adjustment of the speakers.
The speakers connect to the headband using a jack type connector. The two connectors are color coded so that they can be identified and for the speakers to be installed on the correct side of the headsets.
The headsets use two 40mm Neodymium magnet drivers with an impedance of 32Ω. The outer surface is made out of rubberized plastic, in the center there engraved the Fnatic team emblem. The speakers are individually packaged in textile bags.
The two sets of ear pads attach to the speaker units with the help of four round pins. The speakers mount and height adjust on the headband with the help of a round pin inside the housing.
The headsets can be assembled in two configurations: “On the Road” and “Gaming”. The smaller on-ear type earpads are dedicated for use with the headsets outside while the bigger over-ear type earpads are meant for use inside. The earpads are covered in PU leather, the only graphical element on them is an orange X on the inside.
The Duel TMA 2 model features two microphones, the first microphone is mounted on the cable of the headsets and is meant for outside use with mobile devices such as smartphones, also this mic has a mute button. This cable uses a 90° audio jack, also the cable has a length of 1.2m.
The main microphone is mounted on the headset’s cable, it is a boom type microphone and uses a sponge on top for sound filtering. It has a flexible structure and can be muted by using the in-line button. In the package, we find a jack splitter.
Testing
Once assembled the headsets have a solid structure, the headband is flexible and in combination with either type of ear-pads, it offers a comfortable experience even for long periods of time.
The height adjustment is done with ease due to the simple system which uses perforation in the headband, thus increasing the reliability of the headsets.
The following songs have been used to test the headsets:
– The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Soundtrack
– Daft Punk – Give Life Back to Music
– Daft Punk Feat Pharrell Williams – Get Lucky
– Daft Punk Feat Panda Bear – Doin’ It Right
– Lorde – Tennis Court (Flume Remix)
– Desire – Under Your Spell
– LORD FUNK – REVERIE
– Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx – Nightcall
– Gramatik – No Way Out
– Gramatik – Break Loose
– Glass Animals – Toes
– Alice Cooper – I’m Eighteen
– Dan Croll – From Nowhere
– T-Rex – Get It On
– Jimi Hendrix – Foxy Lady
– Jimi Hendrix – Purple Haze
– Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son
– The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Soundtrack
– Daft Punk – Give Life Back to Music
– Daft Punk Feat Pharrell Williams – Get Lucky
– Daft Punk Feat Panda Bear – Doin’ It Right
– Lorde – Tennis Court (Flume Remix)
– Desire – Under Your Spell
– LORD FUNK – REVERIE
– Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx – Nightcall
– Gramatik – No Way Out
– Gramatik – Break Loose
– Glass Animals – Toes
– Alice Cooper – I’m Eighteen
– Dan Croll – From Nowhere
– T-Rex – Get It On
– Jimi Hendrix – Foxy Lady
– Jimi Hendrix – Purple Haze
– Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son
Final thoughts
Due to their modular configuration, the Fnatic Gear Duel TMA 2 are a good alternative to the classic gaming headsets. These can be used both in gaming and outside, and their modularity allows for the user to personalize the headsets and replace any defective component.
The performance is very good, the bass is reproduced faithfully, it does not cover the low and med sounds, thus offering a clear and neutral sound.
The over-ear ear-pads offer a good sound isolation while the on-ear ear-pads offer a more open type soundstage, being ideal for outdoors activities.
The main boom microphone offers a clear sound without distortions and the background noise canceling is more than acceptable.
However, the headsets do not feature a volume adjustment button, this being an inconvenient to the users who do not use a DAC or amplifier.
For a better experience with these headsets, I recommend using them after a few hours of burn-in, thus allowing all the components to reach their optimal parameters.
In conclusion, the Duel TMA 2 model competes with the models from other well-known audio manufacturers. The main feature of these headsets is the offered modularity and vast options for customizing them.
The performance is very good, the bass is reproduced faithfully, it does not cover the low and med sounds, thus offering a clear and neutral sound.
The over-ear ear-pads offer a good sound isolation while the on-ear ear-pads offer a more open type soundstage, being ideal for outdoors activities.
The main boom microphone offers a clear sound without distortions and the background noise canceling is more than acceptable.
However, the headsets do not feature a volume adjustment button, this being an inconvenient to the users who do not use a DAC or amplifier.
For a better experience with these headsets, I recommend using them after a few hours of burn-in, thus allowing all the components to reach their optimal parameters.
In conclusion, the Duel TMA 2 model competes with the models from other well-known audio manufacturers. The main feature of these headsets is the offered modularity and vast options for customizing them.
