This is the first time we are hearing about SAN Sound, as they reached out to us to experience one of their products. They sent us the SANWEAR-GAMETYPE (GT), their flagship gaming earbuds engineered specifically for competitive play. SAN Sound has also partnered with MenaRD, an EVO champion for Street Fighter 6, as an ambassador for the product, which already says a lot about their focus on esports and serious gaming.

Let’s take a closer look at how the SANWEAR-GAMETYPE (GT) performs and how it stacks up against the competition.

SANWEAR-GAMETYPE (GT) Specifications

Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3
Driver	8mm, V3 Hyper-Dynamic Driver
Audio Format	We optimize for universally supported AAC and SBC codecs to ensure the best experience across all devices. SANSYNC Low Latency mode uses LC3 codec for higher bitrate transmission.
Frequency Response	13Hz-20kHz
Latency & Connection Type	30ms Low-Latency Bluetooth (A2DP 1.3.2 + HFP) and 20ms 2.4 GHz (LC3 Codec)
Noise Attenuation	30dB Broad-Spectrum

Unboxing Experience

The unboxing experience is genuinely unique. The SANWEAR-GAMETYPE (GT) comes in a cube-style box that immediately gives off a futuristic vibe. Once you open it, the product pops up in a presentation that feels premium and playful at the same time.

Inside the box, you get multiple sizes of ear hooks and ear tips. Beneath the main tray, SAN Sound includes a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, a USB Type-C to Type-A cable, a protective pouch they call SANSHIELD, and a lanyard that can be attached to the charging case. The lanyard lets you wear the case around your neck, which is both functional and, depending on your taste, a stylish accessory.

Product Breakdown

Starting with the design, the charging case uses a transparent shell that shows off the internals and lighting effects. While transparent plastic can sometimes feel cheap, this mostly comes down to preference. The see-through design clearly aligns with SAN Sound’s futuristic and gaming-focused aesthetic.

The earbuds and case illuminate when in use, which adds to the gamer appeal. However, the color options are limited to black and purple, which may not be for everyone.

On the back of the case, there’s a physical pairing button, along with a USB Type-C port used for charging and for connecting the included dongle. Using the dongle allows you to connect directly to consoles, PCs, or smartphones for significantly lower latency compared to standard Bluetooth.

One downside of the charging case design is that it uses an open-access layout. Because of this, the earbuds can sometimes activate while inside a bag, occasionally pairing with a phone unintentionally when the case moves around.

The earbuds themselves are rated IPX6, meaning they can handle sweat, rain, and accidental splashes without issue.

SAN Sound intentionally skipped active noise cancellation, stating that ANC can interfere with audio purity. On the plus side, not having ANC helps preserve battery life and avoids additional processing that could affect sound quality.

Performance Experience

One design choice that still confuses me is the orientation of the earbuds inside the case. The left earbud is placed on the right side and vice versa. Even after almost a month of use, this still feels unintuitive.

Once worn, however, the SANWEAR-GAMETYPE (GT) fits surprisingly well. The insertion style may feel odd at first, but comfort improves over time. Passive isolation is strong enough to block most outside noise, which explains why active noise cancellation is not necessary here. If the default hooks or tips do not fit well, SAN Sound includes alternatives to help you get the right seal.

In terms of sound quality, the tuning is well-balanced. Bass is rich and punchy without overwhelming the mix, mids are clear and forward enough for dialogue and vocals, and highs are detailed without becoming sharp or fatiguing.

What truly stands out is the spatial audio performance. The earbuds deliver an immersive, 3D-like soundstage that makes gaming environments feel more alive. Positional cues such as footsteps, gunfire direction, and environmental sounds are easy to pinpoint, which is especially useful in competitive games.

The touch controls, however, are a weak point. They are overly sensitive and cover a large surface area, so adjusting the earbuds often triggers accidental inputs. There is also no clear feedback to confirm whether a tap was registered correctly, making it difficult to tell if you performed a single tap or double tap.

App Experience

The companion app, Soundscape, is straightforward and easy to use. You can control lighting effects, switching between red, purple, or turning them off completely.

The app also offers preset sound modes such as Game, Movie, and Music, along with EQ customization. Gesture controls are fully configurable, allowing you to assign actions to single tap, double tap, triple tap, long hold, and super long hold for each earbud.

One surprising inclusion is the built-in NFT avatar system. According to the app, it allows users to unlock access, earn points, and customize avatars. While I tried connecting my MetaMask wallet, the feature felt unclear and under-explained. It’s worth mentioning, but it may not be a major selling point for most users.

SANWEAR-GAMETYPE (GT) Verdict

The SANWEAR-GAMETYPE (GT) leaves a strong first impression from SAN Sound, particularly for gamers who prioritize low latency, precise positional audio, and immersive sound. Its spatial audio performance paired with a balanced sound signature makes it well-suited for competitive gaming, while still delivering an enjoyable experience for movies and music.

That said, it is not without flaws. The open charging case design, confusing earbud orientation, and overly sensitive touch controls can be frustrating in everyday use. The limited color options and the absence of active noise cancellation may also be a dealbreaker for some users, although the strong passive noise isolation and longer battery life help justify this choice.

At Php 17,900, the pricing is justified based on the features and overall experience it delivers. While there are more affordable alternatives that offer similar sound quality, the SANWEAR-GAMETYPE (GT) stands out with its premium implementation of ultra-low-latency gaming, especially the unique charging case that doubles as a dongle for reduced latency, a feature rarely seen in the market. If you’re interested in purchasing, you can buy it directly from their official website.