Note: This may vary by region. The RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 headset is available from $79.99 / 69 / AU$129 and it is available now. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. It offers potential for maximum bass and loudness levels. Hassle-free, high-quality audio with Dolby Atmos support? The company has also produced a cheaper version of that same headset. While the RIG 500 Pro HX is a simple, wired, stereo headset, it lets PC and Xbox gamers enjoy Dolby simulated surround. Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Plantronics news, updates, reviews and more. In a surprising twist, the two models possess different pros and cons as well, even with the same hardware under their shells. The scoring that appears on this site is determined by the site operator in its sole discretion, and should NOT be relied upon for accuracy purposes. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. There's very little impact of sound in games or music. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate. A speaker driver is an individual transducer that converts electrical energy to sound waves. These words can be found plastered all over the retail packaging in several places, and NACON is so confident in both headsets that they have included access to the required Dolby Atmos app for free in the box. I purchased the Rig 500 Pro EX headset today in hopes to gain some build quality and audio quality compared to my Rig 400 HX headset but now I'm left with some issues that I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced? Its a light and comfortable headset with a reasonable $69.99 price tag, but its audio performance could be a bit better. Lightweight exoskeleton, tuned acoustic chambers, 50 mm drivers and the RIG game audio dial create a high-resolution audio experience. Devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better experience. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to our use of cookies. The RIG 500 PRO HX includes a Dolby Atmos 2-year subscription code in the box. The Xbox-specific audio cable works well enough. Devices with neodymium magnets are lighter and more powerful than those which use ferrite magnets. Note: This may vary by region. It retails for. The microphone can be attached or detached if necessary. We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure youre buying the best. Each earcup is made of black plastic, with geometric, skeletal designs built around circular mounting points on the outer panels. Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. As of this writing the MSRP for the RIG 500 Pro HX (also known as the 500 Pro HC) and RIG 700 Pro HX are $69.99 USD (approx. The easy-to-reach RIG game audio dial delivers fingertip master volume control when used with console controllers. Personally speaking, all my previous experiences of using Dolby Atmos for Headphones with a wired headset up to that point had been consistently disappointing, and almost indistinguishable from plain stereo in fact. It fits into the mid-range price for a wired headset, and its closest competition would likely be the Razer Blackshark V2 X or the Razer Kraken Ultimate, with the SCUF H1 also coming in at the top end of the category. The Esports' cups, in a resting position, touch at the bottom edges, whereas the HX's have a bit of a natural gap. The mic part you have to flick up to mute it became loose and now the mic only works in certain positions. The minorly recessed mids are apparent only in bass-boosting songs, like Selena Gomez's "Back to You," where her voice, as it's trailing off at the end of a verse, occasionally sinks into the buzzes of the synth. All of these headsets work on every platform and all but the PlayStation model include the 2-year support for Dolby Atmos (more on that in a bit), so it's not entirely clear why there are so many models. Heres how it works. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. When covered under the manufacturers warranty it is possible to get a replacement in the case of a malfunction. New York, By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Nacon Rig 500 PRO review. Better for recording bass. Nacon RIG 700 Pro HX (top), 500 Pro HX Gen 2 (bottom) The RIG 700 Pro HX Remove non-product link is being sold exclusively at GameStop and retails for $120, while the RIG . How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, Read Our Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset Review, Read Our Astro Gaming A20 Wireless Gen 2 Headset Review, The Best Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds for 2023, The Best Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) for 2023, The Best Apple AirPods Pro Tips and Tricks, How to Connect AirPods to an Android Phone. Free shipping. Highly recommend! As for the HX model, it looks somewhat tacky due to its excessively angular design and plastic build. But with the 700 Pro, which is the more expensive, premium product, the bendable boom mic is far more resistant and tends to migrate back to its previous position, requiring a bit more fussing on the part of the wearer in order to get it into a position that works for them. Therefore, sound was inherently less prone to traveling. That slightly poor high-end may just be another way of saying how good the low-end is, though; the upper end of the spectrum isnt exactly bad, just not as good as what the headset was clearly designed for. The perfect balance between the highs and lows makes for great audio. Adam Patrick Murray/IDG. NY 10036. As we mentioned in the TLDR above, the sound quality on both pairs of headphones is great. 3. has an over-the-ear form. Ive been PCMags home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. The vocals come through clearly, adding to the sense that the mids and mid-highs are more sculpted than the other frequencies. Press J to jump to the feed. Foldable devices are easier to transport and take up less storage space. The RIG 500 Pro HX is framed as an Xbox-specific headset, but its effectively identical to the multiplatform, portable-gaming-oriented RIG 500 Pro HC. It supports high quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps). We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry. Help us by suggesting a value. I wish there was an option to have more bass as it really seems flat. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source. Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. These microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. The device sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal which reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out. He loves Sci-Fi and Sonic The Hedgehog. Battery. The Esports model's aluminum build has a little bit of squeeze due to its metal frame's rigid shape. And if you're dead set on spending a premium for headphones with great gaming sound quality, consider the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 headset before you commit to the Rig 500 Pro Esports. The cable features an in-line remote with a volume slider, but no phone controls. The device comes with its own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation. Each new boxed headset comes with a two-year subscription to the service, meaning a good value headset gives you more bang for your buck if youre thinking of combing through Xbox Game Pass and seeing which games support the 3D audio app. In addition, the ear-cushions for both models are a combination of pleather on the exterior and a breathable air-weave fabric mesh on the inside, allowing for a bit of more air flow and making long playing sessions considerably less hot and sweaty for ones ears (a much-appreciated feature now that summer is upon us). The RIG 500 PRO HA includes a longer 1.5m audio cable with in-line volume that is ideal for PC gaming, but also works with console controllers. A 50mm driver sits behind each earcup's inner fabric. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). It feels more expensive than it is and delivers mid-range sound without breaking a sweat. The permanently attached cable also means you cant swap it out for one with a smartphone remote. MSRP $69.99 $34.77 at Amazon. aptX Low Latency is a codec developed by Qualcomm. An up-pitch means the mic is live, a down-pitch means the mic is muted. On the bright side though, the 700 Pro boasts 18 hours of battery life, and I can personally attest that it took me over a week of using the headset for up to two hours every night before I finally drained the headsets initial out-of-box charge and had to recharge it. Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 headset is available from $79.99 / 69 / AU$129 and it is available now. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. The systems that the headset is compatible with, according to the manufacturer. I like the self adjusting headband which keeps the headset snug and they dont move around without the need to adjust the size. For example you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The information which appears on this site is subject to change at any time. The three tiers are balanced well. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of CGMagazine. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. To be honest, before starting this comparison I was most curious about NACONs claim surrounding the 500 Pro in particular, which boasts Competition Grade 3D Audio. The 500 and 700 are so close to one another in this category that if not for the former headsets audio cable I doubt I could tell any difference in feel or comfort between them if I was blindfolded. The secondary headband is a welcome addition as well, keeping the headset secured onto your head while never pressing down hard enough to be uncomfortable. Control the battlefield with the exceptionally engineered RIG 500 PRO HX headset, designed for Xbox One. Plus, the headset offers rock solid bass response, zero distortion, and according to my trusted online wingman (my brother), a clean, crisp mic signal, though the 700 Pro has no issues in those areas either. The RIG 500 Pro HX looks and feels very much like the Plantronics RIG 500 Pro, with design elements informed by the series original concept as a modular headset line. The earcups are completely separate from the black metal headband, clicking securely onto either side of the headband at one of three mounting holes. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for XBox 1 & PS4 Gaming Headset - RIG 500 Pro at the best online prices at eBay! The cable is designed to minimize tangling. MICROPHONEFrequency Response: 100 Hz - 10 kHz | Sensitivity: -45 dBV/Pa | Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >42 dBPick-Up Pattern: Uni-DirectionalSPEAKERFrequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Impedance: 32 Ohms | Sensitivity: 111 dBSPL/VMaximum Input Power: 40 mW | Drivers: 2 x Dynamic 50 mmFEATURESMetal Headband Frame | Self-Adjusting Head Strap | Dual . I put the headset through the paces with several games, including Gears 5, MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Resident Evil 7 and more, as well as one of my fave audio test Blu-Rays, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, and found the headset to be an adequate substitute to my wireless cans in a pinch. The battery can be recharged and used over again. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with, RIG 500 Pro HX (also known as the 500 Pro HC), National Anime Day: Celebrating Animes Impact on Western Pop Culture, The Best Anime-Based Video Games of All-Time, Immortals of Aveum Preview: Single Player Magic FPS Power, the prior written permission of CGMagazine. Control the battlefield with RIG 500 PRO HC. Especially useful in noisy environments. This cable feels higher-quality than its Xbox audio cable counterpart. We were recently presented with a conundrum here at CGMagazine. Success. The secure fit came as quite a surprise to me since unlike other gaming headsets Ive used, the 500 and 700 dont use a traditional headband notch system for adjusting head size. At the high ranges I tested, the sound never distorted. Take Star Wars Battlefront II (2017), for example. The boom mic performs well, but with an unfortunate caveat. Product Description. I could easily tell when nearby players and creatures were running around, but the distant thunder of gunfire lacked the low-end power to give an impression of the shots' location. This model is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it . These specs result in punchy bass, slightly recessed mids and perfectly relaxed treble. Ergonomically, the 500 easily outshines the 700 thanks to its pure simplicity. This type of device allows you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise. Ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. 50mm vs 40mm 8000Hz higher microphone frequency? Whats puzzling to me however are a couple of differences that exist between these models despite their being direct siblings of each other. SHOP Shop Shop The Exchange. With its lightweight exoskeleton, precisely-tuned acoustic chambers, powerful 50 mm drivers and the first-ever RIG game audio dial delivering intuitive volume control. 50Hz vs 100Hz Such no-nonsense accuracy is crucial when one is reminded of the products intended audience: competitive gamers. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The headset has a tendency to underperform at the very top end, so high-pitched noises and cartoony titles dont work quite so well with those nice, heavy drivers (the specs say the headset supports a frequency response range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz). Nacons takeover of the brand has clearly elevated what the headsets can achieve, and now this mid-range headset certainly impresses compared to other wired hardware in the same bracket. $79.99 In stock Add to Cart ELITE AUDIO - UNCONTESTED Control the battlefield with the exceptionally engineered RIG 500 PRO gaming headset, designed for PC. 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