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Teufel Zola in the test: Adjustable headset with a convincing microphone

Dec 1, 2022

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The Teufel Zola headset scored well in the test with its very solid microphone and the high degree of customizability made you sit up and take notice. However, their wide range of colors cannot hide the choice of materials. The rather linear sound will not appeal to everyone. It's still worth a look.

Table of contents

Design, finish and price
1. Other Colors for an extra charge
2. Plastic well made
3. Internal analog, USB via adapter
The Teufel Audio Center

< li>Sonic possibilities kept narrow

Microphone with a focus on speech
1. Sample recordings of Teufel Zola
2. Sample recordings of the competitors
Conclusion

Design, workmanship and price

With the Zola* headset, Teufel focuses on the aspect of customizability in addition to the usual sound requirements. The headset, which has an RRP of 130 euros, is either very dark, almost black, or light gray when it is first taken out of the packaging.

Other colors for a surcharge

If desired, it can then be expanded with additional caps for the ear cups, available in different colors, as well as with cushions and pop protection for the microphone. These listen to promotionally effective names such as “Coral Red”, “Golden Amber” or “Crape & aqua”. However, the possible variety of colors has its price: Teufel is selling the covers for 20 euros per pair, and the ear pads are available for 25 euros.

Behind this concept, however, there is a more or less normal USB headset that can also be operated analogously. Despite the color accents, it looks quite simple on the outside, which is not least due to the choice of materials. The Zola mainly uses plastic, only the suspension of the slightly laterally movable ear cups is made of metal. As a result, the Zola seems somehow rickety the first time you pick it up – other manufacturers can do that better at the asking price.

Plastic well processed

However, the general workmanship leaves little room for criticism, only the cables leading to the ear cups could have been shorter. In its current form, there is definitely a risk of getting caught somewhere during transport and damaging the headset as a result. The headband ensures a tight fit, which could be a bit too strong for one or the other user. However, this circumstance also has its advantages, even in the event of strong, sudden head movements, the 330 g Zola remains securely on its owner's head. The pressure is absorbed well by the ear pads, which could have been a bit thicker. The fabric cover also ensures sweat-free ears, but is less easy to clean than is the case with imitation leather.

As already mentioned, the ear pads and the covers of the ear cups are interchangeable. In reality, however, putting this on often proves to be a test of patience. The cushions are only held in place by a strap that runs around them, but which is difficult to insert into the thin gap on the ear cups. With the covers, it's the other way around: loosening is more of a problem here, which can sometimes cause a broken fingernail.

Teufel Zola beyerdynamic MMX 100 beyerdynamic MMX 150 Logitech G735 Design: over-ear, closed Driver: neodymium, 40 mm Connections: 3.5 mm jack, USB, detachable cable on the headset 3.5 mm jack, detachable cable on the headset 3.5 mm Jack, USB, can be used on mobile devices via USB C, detachable cable on the headset USB, can be used on mobile devices via USB C, detachable cable on the headset Wireless connections: – Radio, Bluetooth Frequency range, headphones: Jack: 10 Hz – 20,000 Hz
USB: 10 Hz – 20,000 Hz jack: 5 Hz – 30,000 Hz jack: 5 Hz – 30,000 Hz
USB: 5 Hz – 30,000 Hz wireless: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
Bluetooth: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz Wireless connection runtime: – 56 hrs Wireless connection distance: – 20 m Wireless charging: No Controls on the headset: No Yes Wired remote control: Yes No Integrated sound card: Yes No Yes Surround sound: Yes No Yes Frequency range microphone : jack: 100 Hz – 16,000 Hz
USB :100 Hz – 16,000 Hz jack: 5 Hz – 18,000 Hz jack: 5 Hz – 18,000 Hz
USB :5 Hz – 18,000 Hz wireless: 100 Hz – 10,000 Hz< br>Bluetooth: 100 Hz – 10,000 Hz Microphone Properties: detachable, mute, adjustable, pop protection detachable, mute RGB lighting: No Yes Cooling: – Vibration function: No Weight: 330 g 296 g 304 g 260 g Price: from €130 onwards €85 from €109 from €178

Internal analogue, USB via adapter

Strictly speaking, the Zola is a purely analogue headset. The digital capabilities are only given to him externally via a small USB interface. As a result, the test candidate, in contrast to some other USB representatives, does not have any controls on the headset itself – only the connections for the audio cable and the input for the microphone can be found on it. Teufel provides the audio connector with a bayonet catch that secures the connector to the headset. Although this ensures that the plug connection always works, it can also damage it if the cable gets caught.

But the interface also doesn't offer any real operating options, as it can only be used to switch on the surround sound. The volume control and the muting of the microphone, on the other hand, are completely analog in the jack cable. This in turn has the advantage that the Zola can also be used with your own sound card. Other settings such as the strength of the monitor function or the input volume must be made via the software.

The Teufel Audio Center

With its Audio Center, Teufel provides the appropriate software for the Zola, but it is quite manageable in terms of functions. Among other things, it offers controls for the input and output levels as well as adjustment of the monitor function, a 10-band equalizer and various voice effects. Since the headset itself has no controls, most of the settings have to be made via the software.

Tonal possibilities kept tight

With its 40 mm drivers, the Zola should offer a frequency response of 10 Hz to 20 kHz according to the manufacturer, which should include an “extremely deep, powerful bass”. As always, there is a wide gap between advertising promises and reality.

On its own, the headset initially offers a fairly balanced and solid sound that does not distort even at higher volumes. The highs are well resolved and provide the necessary space, while the mids ensure good voice coverage, which is particularly advantageous for conversations. The low-frequency range, on the other hand, appears quite dull and depressed. Teufel basically does not use the possible low frequency range here. There is also no real pressure when the corresponding frequencies are increased via the software's equalizer, which is particularly noticeable in music and films – the developers seem to have already planned for this in games and mix their soundscapes accordingly. The user's options for influencing the software are just as small, because the drivers hardly offer any reserves in this regard. A slight increase in the lower frequencies can already cause audible distortions, although the sound has changed very little. This circumstance does not really fit with a sound generator that is offered as a gaming headset.

Has good reproduction of the highs but also its advantages. Even the faintest of noises can be heard when playing corresponding games with the Zola, which can definitely be decisive for a game. But when it comes to background noise for opulent epic battles, the Zola is quickly overtaken by some of its competitors.

The character of the new headset also affects other areas, whereby the type of content is also important. The Zola is only conditionally the first choice for films, especially when it comes to action-packed titles. In films where the dialogues are in the foreground, the good center coverage can show its advantages. The situation is similar when playing music, which also depends on the genre played. For example, titles from the areas of electro, pop and rock are unlikely to be fun for some users. With classical, jazz or other acoustic styles, however, the Zola can boast of a wide stage.

Teufel also offers a DTS:X surround sound function for the Zola, with which, according to advertising promises, users should be able to locate opponents before they even see them. Here, too, reality shows a different face, because the function basically does not place more than a reverberation over the signal. In most cases, the output even appears washed out and less precise. If spatial sound is desired, either the solution available in the respective game or Dolby Atmos should be used.

Microphone with a focus on speech

According to Teufel, the Zola's microphone should offer a frequency range of 100 Hz to 16 kHz, which is rather unusual for this price range and which the measurements also confirm. The input level, on the other hand, could have been higher, because even at maximum volume there is still plenty of room for improvement. So the Zola has hardly any reserves in this regard.

The microphone is a bit surprising in the test recordings, the competition often offers less here. The detachable sound pickup concentrates primarily on the middle and higher frequencies, which means that the voice is well reproduced. This ensures that game partners are easy to understand, even in hectic game rounds. The lower frequencies, on the other hand, are hardly taken into account by the Zola, which means that the typical radio voice is left out. This means that the microphone is less or not at all suitable for podcasts, streaming or soundtracks.

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