Review: White Shark – Gorilla Pro

Design & Comfort

White Shark Gorilla Pro offers a minimalist and stylish design. You can rarely go wrong with a black-on-black design, and the discrete logo on the ear cups gives the headset a sleek and understated look. It is a headset that works just as well visually on the gaming desk as it does in an office environment. Unfortunately, the choice of materials is the first thing that reveals we are in the budget segment. The construction feels very plastic-y and doesn’t exactly give a high-quality impression. With a weight of only 217 grams, I would have expected a pair of really comfortable headphones, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Despite the low weight, the Gorilla Pro does not sit particularly comfortably on the head. The combination of the construction and the choice of materials means that the ear cups don’t really seal tightly around the ears. Above all, I feel that the lower part of the cups angles outward from the head, which affects both the fit and the feel during use.

Connectivity & usage

When it comes to connectivity options, the Gorilla Pro has quite a bit to offer. The headset can be connected via a 2.4 GHz dongle, Bluetooth, or a traditional 3.5 mm audio cable. The connection itself is simple and the use is largely plug and play. But what happens if you need help? That’s where the problems begin.

According to the packaging, a user manual should be included, but I didn’t find one. However, there is a welcome letter with a QR code that is supposed to lead to the manufacturer’s website. Fantastic, right? The problem is just that the link took me to a Croatian webpage which, after translation to Swedish, informed me that the page no longer existed. This is a major downside in my book. I simply had to figure out for myself how to switch between 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth and how to put the headset into pairing mode. There is no dedicated mobile app either, which means that the customization options are severely limited. Both EQ settings and chat-mix are missing here. What you get are basic controls for power, volume, and the microphone’s mute function. One bright spot is the battery life of up to 30 hours per charge. That is definitely positive, but personally, a long battery life doesn’t carry much weight when the rest of the experience doesn’t quite measure up.

Soundscape

Sound-wise, the Gorilla Pro is unfortunately not a winner. The treble is sharp and at times really shrill, the midrange feels recessed, and the bass is almost entirely absent. The result is a strange combination of tinny and shrill sound, both when listening to music and gaming. It might sound like a contradiction, but it’s actually the best way to describe the soundscape. It lacks both fullness and balance, which makes the experience quickly become tiring. It’s especially a shame since the headset is equipped with 53 mm drivers, which on paper give hope for significantly more. During phone calls and Teams meetings, however, the headphones work better. Voice reproduction is relatively clear and distinct, even if the sharp treble sometimes makes itself felt. The microphone is mediocre but fulfills its basic function. During gaming, my teammates experienced that I was heard very poorly and that my voice often sounded metallic. In Teams meetings and phone calls, the result was more acceptable, even if I occasionally sounded like I was talking from inside a soda can.

Summary

White Shark Gorilla Pro is, in my eyes, more of an office headset than a gaming headset. Sure, you get multiple connectivity options, low weight, and a decent battery life, but it’s not enough to outweigh the shortcomings in comfort, sound quality, and microphone performance. I don’t expect revolutionary sound from a budget-class headset, but at the same time, I don’t think a low price tag should be an excuse for a substandard experience. A good example is EPOMAKER GX1, which we have previously tested. It also belongs to the budget segment but manages to deliver far beyond expectations for its price. It shows that affordable doesn’t have to mean mediocre.

My conclusion is therefore quite simple: If you need a wireless headset for Teams meetings, phone calls, and simple office work, the Gorilla Pro can definitely work. But if the plan is to use it primarily for gaming or music, I would recommend looking at other options. There are simply too many compromises here for the Gorilla Pro to feel like a truly good purchase.

White Shark sent a review unit for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you, the readers and consumers, in focus.