Great sound and comfort
I am a sucker for a good headset. I am always looking for the next one to take the top spot for my consoles. I recently spent some time with the new RIG Pro Series which includes the 500 and 700 models for Xbox consoles. The biggest difference between the two are of course the price point, and the fact that one is wired, and the other wireless. Mileage will always vary for users on which they prefer, but with both models one thing is certain, quality was at the top of the list of priorities for both.
As mentioned, the biggest difference between the 500 and 700 are wireless capabilities. That being said the 700 comes with a USB dongle for lossless audio instead of relying on the built-in connectivity of the Xbox itself. I am of two minds for this decision. On one hand it stops the annoying connection problems as well as not powering on the console every time I power on the headset. The downside for me is having the large dongle sticking out of the console as well as some weird audio bugs I ran across. When the dongle was attached, I noticed that my sound settings were greyed out in the dashboard. This meant I wasn’t able to change the audio going to the TV. Most of the time this wasn’t an issue, but I did end up removing the dongle when not using the headset since it limited my options.
The 500 plugs right into the controller, which is extremely convenient. This also means no battery power to worry about. I wasn’t a fan of the flat cord that comes with it or the straight connector. For controllers I always prefer an L-shaped connector just so I am not smashing it with my controller in my lap. I do love the volume control on the wired set. It has a nice slider with a click for max volume. Both headsets have the flip-to-mute function which I always appreciate as well.
The biggest selling factor for both of the RIG models though is comfort. These are the lightest headsets I have used in quite a while. This means I was not developing headaches after long periods of use. They also both have the ski headband design, so my head is not resting on the plastic band across the top. I used both for gaming as well as recording a three hour podcast and had very little discomfort when taking them off. That is one of my biggest gripes about headsets these days and the RIG models nail it. Two of the most comfortable sets I have ever used and that weighs big on how often I have used them since getting them.
Unlike other sets adjusting the size requires removing the earcups and slotting them into different positions. There are three on each one and it made me nervous the first time taking them off. Thankfully the design and quality are superb, and they snap right off. I wonder how long it would take to wear down the connections but considering I have them in a good position now it likely won’t be an issue.
Sound quality is paramount with any headset and the RIG Pro models are great. They both support Dolby Atmos and both come with a 2-year activation code for the service. The sound is great, but I would have enjoyed a little more depth with the bass. I tested both headsets on a variety of games including competitive shooters, massive single player adventures, and plenty in between. The range of these headsets is impressive. I was able to hear directional audio in games like Overwatch, while explosions in cutscenes sounded fantastic. These both offer up some truly incredible sound at a price less than competitors’ headsets.
Mic quality is surprisingly good. I was able to record a podcast with the wired set and the results were impressive. Game chat is also solid with people telling me my voice was coming through loud and clear. Again, I love the flip to mute as it enables me to get out my frustration without griefing my teammates during a competitive game of Overwatch, of which there are many.
Whether you are looking for a wired or wireless solution for your Xbox consoles, both RIG headsets offer up plenty of bang for the buck. I was really impressed with the comfort of these headsets and being able to wear them for extended periods of time without dealing with a headache afterwards was enough for me to make a solid recommendation for those looking for a new set. For the price these two will be hard to beat going forward. They may not be the most impactful when it comes to sound, but every area outside that is top-of-the-line. I was very impressed and cannot wait to see what they come out with next.
Review copy of headsets provided by publisher.
