Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

10/28/2019 By Daniel Nguyen Leave a Comment

The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset promises to deliver high-fidelity audio over either a wireless connection (via their proprietary Slipstream technology) or a wired connection (via 3.5mm/USB-C). With a focus on comfort and lightweight construction, will it tick those boxes as well as the high-grade audio quality it boasts? At an MSRP of $179.99, will it live up to its promises and deliver a premium feel that its pricetag implies? So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset Review.

Read: Corsair M65 PRO RGB Mouse Review

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

Corsair Virtuoso Headset Specifications

Read: Gaming: Corsair K70 LUX Keyboard Review

Design and Aesthetics

The Corsair Virtuoso is definitely a gaming headphone at heart, no matter how minimalist it looks. On the outside of both earcups, there’s RGB, which is controllable via iCUE provided you’re using either the USB-C cable or the wireless function. The RGB can be turned off, which helps if you’re going for a more sleek look. There’s always a faint Corsair logo no matter what, so if you’re not looking to have people know what brand your headphones are, it might hard to do so.

The detachable microphone features a green/red LED to indicate its status. The mute button on the bottom of the microphone toggles the mute function, and it turns red whenever muted. This makes it easier to tell at a glance if your microphone is muted or not.

The metal headband doesn’t seem like it’ll ever break, contributing to its premium feel. I flexed it very far, and it didn’t show any signs of temporary or permanent damage or warping. Overall, I don’t see any issues with its build quality or aesthetics.

Fit and Comfort

Speaking of lightweight construction and comfort, I had one major nagging issue while using this headset. The left side often bumped onto my ear and made it uncomfortable despite the seemingly thick ear cup padding. It’s a somewhat inconsistent issue, as it only happens to my ears about 50% of the time. It may be something I’m doing wrong, or it could be an issue with the padding on this headset. Overall though, the headband provides an adequate but not too excessive amount of clamping pressure, leading to very good comfort besides the issue mentioned above.

While the lightweight construction is supposed to be a selling point on the Virtuoso RGB Wireless, I weighed them in at 13.6 oz without the cable. My HyperX Stinger weighs in at a mere 7.5 oz and the Cooler Master MH751 at 8.8 oz. The Corsair Virtuoso seems relatively heavy in comparison, even though those other headsets are also well built. Notwithstanding, I didn’t notice the weight too much while gaming for short sessions, though you may feel it over longer sessions.

Read: Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

Features

The most significant selling point of the Virtuoso headset is the ultra-low-latency wireless technology, which I found to be extremely pleasant. The latency was so low that I could not notice it, even during intense gameplay when the lightning-quick response to sound cues are paramount. The included USB-C cable for wired listening, as well as the 3.5mm cable, worked great. For flexibility in setups between mobile and desktop, these cables are convenient to have. I would have liked to see a USB-C to USB-C cable to be easier to listen on smartphones without a 3.5mm headphone jack (which is a lot these days). Bluetooth would have also been a welcome addition, though I understand that would add to the cost of integrating new technology.

I also enjoyed the built-in microphone monitoring feature on iCUE. It’s helpful to listen to yourself, especially when you’re streaming or recording audio. Microphone feedback helps to make sure your microphone isn’t too loud, soft, or otherwise weird.

I found the feature set on the Corsair Virtuoso to be more than adequate, and it offered enough to unmistakably be a contender in the $150-$200 range, at least on paper.

Sound Quality

This headset has decent sound quality, though I wouldn’t classify it as anything that would satisfy most audiophiles. The audio sounds rather empty and unquestionably needs some adjustment. However, in iCUE, there is an option to adjust the EQ settings so that you can adapt it to your heart’s content. The Virtuoso can be 7.1 Surround Sound enabled, though I never got the chance to play with this as I don’t have any good games with 7.1 features. I also find 7.1 SS to be lackluster in most cases, so I wouldn’t worry about it much.

In games such as Rainbow Six: Siege, I was able to discern footsteps and sound cues easily. During gaming, I don’t see any issues, and if you’re purely using these for gaming, it’s a great audio system. The emptiness of the audio helps with discerning sound cues, though this isn’t so desirable elsewhere.

While listening to music, particularly music in the background of games, the audio sounded fine; thus, I see no concerns for most gamers. As I stated before, I don’t recommend these for an actual audiophile experience. Still, it certainly is satisfactory for most users.

The microphone quality is great for communicating during games as well as VoIP services, such as Skype. It’s very clear, and communications are a breeze.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Package Contents

• Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless gaming headset
• Warranty Card
• Detachable microphone

• USB charging cable, 1.8m
• 3.5mm stereo cable, 1.5m
• USB Wireless Transmitter

Final Thoughts

The Corsair Virtuoso offers decent audio performance during a gaming session, though for music listening or movie watching, I found that it could be improved. The soundstage didn’t feel too empty while still being wide enough to discern sound cues in-game easily. The subtle emptiness did make for a less enjoyable media consumption experience, though I found it to be still decent enough. The impressive wireless range allows me more freedom than I’ve experienced before. The excellent gaming performance and decent microphone help with the overall gaming experience.

For gamers who want that extra bling, there’s also RGB. For $179.99, it is a very steep price for those who want to get into wireless audio. If you have the money, though, it’s low latency audio with a very minimalist and comfortable design with decent audio. Overall, I’d give this a 3.5/5 just because of the price, though if it were slightly lower, I’d say it deserves a 4/5.

What do you think of this Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless gaming headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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FTC Disclosure: Corsair provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Corsair Virtuoso RGB wireless gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Ventus 6G OC Review

10/12/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

While the RTX 2060 has been out for a few months now, it’s still a strong contender in the mid-range graphics card market. The MSI Ventus RTX 2060 is a budget graphics card, currently priced at $360. Despite its relatively low price, does it have the premium feel of a flagship card? So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Ventus 6G OC review.

MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Ventus 6G OC Review

Package Contents

MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Ventus 6G OC Edition
User Manual
Thank You and Warranty Card

Thanks to Salad Technologies!

The MSI Ventus RTX 2060 in today’s review was provided by Salad Technologies. Salad helps gamers tap into a powerful (yet often idle) resource: their gaming PC. These machines are fitted with high-end hardware that can handle the latest AAA titles. Salad connects gamers and their capable hardware to industries that are starved for computing power. Salad hopes to bridge this gap and enable our users to make money and lend their GPUs to the latest research and innovations. In exchange for users’ computing power, they can earn Salad Balance, which is redeemable in-app for items like games, game codes, hardware, gift cards (Visa, etc.), and more.

Read: Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

Use code BEANTOWN for 2X the $$ when you sign up on the Salad App.

Specifications

Features

Aesthetics

While I’d argue that aesthetics isn’t too important when choosing a card, it is to some. The MSI Ventus cooler has a rather neutral silver and black color scheme. It features a metal backplate, which looks very nice on the card. One gripe I have with the Ventus series is that it has random hints of green, which can mess with color coordination. However, it generally looks solid and somewhat premium. There is no RGB, which may or may not be a factor in your mind. I don’t mind the lack of RGB so much.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Build Quality

The MSI GeForce Ventus RTX 2060 has a sturdy metal backplate which claims to prevent bending. While I didn’t test how much it bends myself, it sure does feel sturdy and contributes to a premium feel. There is a plastic shroud around the fans; however, its design makes it look high quality and almost like a metal. Overall, I don’t see any concerns with the build quality.

Connectivity

The Ventus RTX 2060 has 3 DisplayPort v1.4 ports and 1 HDMI v2.0b port. Overall, I’d say it’s pretty standard though I would have liked to seen a VirtualLink USB-C Port for future VR connectivity.

Read: Patriot Viper V765 Gaming Keyboard Review

Cooling Solution

The Ventus RTX isn’t the best cooler on the market, for sure. However, on the RTX 2060, it works perfectly fine. With my headphones on, I can barely hear the fans while I’m running the 3DMark Port Royal stress test. This test was without audio in my headphones, so it is rather quiet. Temperatures hovered in the high 70°s to low 80°s, and that’s a safe number for most graphics cards. I have no concerns, and for typical gaming, I don’t see any issues with the Ventus cooler.

Benchmarks

Okay, this is the meat of the graphics card for most people and what you most likely care about most. For 1080p gaming, this card will absolutely crush any eSports title at 144 fps and run most AAA games with at least 60 fps. In 1440p gaming, the card starts to show signs of struggling. However, it’s tolerable if you’re used to 60 Hz gaming. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the RTX 2060 for AAA games at 1440p, but that goes for any RTX 2060, not just the Ventus. I would steer clear of 4k gaming with an RTX 2060 and go for a beefier solution, such as an RTX 2070 Super. The stock overclock of the Ventus is nice and definitely helps for those who don’t want to mess around and just get the best performance from their GPU.

Here are some graphs from benchmarked games:

Read: Thermaltake Level 20 RGB Titanium Gaming Keyboard Review

Conclusion

The MSI RTX 2060 Ventus OC edition is a great all-around card for 1080P, even performing well at 1440P with acceptable performance at 4K. Its price point of $350 is also especially attractive, and for a decent cooler that does well on the RTX 2060, I don’t see any reason to doubt the cooling capabilities of this card over the long run. If you’re in the market for a great VR experience, a 1080P or 1440P gaming card, this is definitely the card to buy for $350.

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FTC Disclosure: The writer was provided with one (1) MSI RTX 2060 Ventus 6G OC Edition as part of a giveaway by Salad Technologies. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador for MSI or Salad Technologies.

Patriot Viper V765 Gaming Keyboard Review

07/28/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

The Patriot Viper V765 is Patriot’s intermediate level gaming keyboard, and with programmable per-key RGB lighting, it’s sure to look good on any gamer’s desk. Featuring the innovative Kailh Box White switches, the V765 is also partially water and dustproof. The Kailh Box lineup of clicky switches also features a different click mechanism, which gives it a distinctive feel that is different from a traditional Cherry MX Blue style switch. At $89.99 at the time of writing, it is one of the lesser expensive mechanical keyboards on the market and is sure to attract many budget-conscious gamers. However, is that low price-point too good to be true, or is it truly a good keyboard? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Patriot Viper V765 gaming keyboard review.

Key Features of the V765 Keyboard

Kailh mechanical box switches for superior durability and quicker response time
Water and dust resistant to IP56 rating
Full spectrum RGB, 16.8 million color backlighting
Dedicated multi-media controls
Volume wheel w/mute function
N-key rollover and anti-ghosting
Removable magnetic palm rest
Aircraft grade aluminum chassis

Patriot Viper V765 Gaming Keyboard Review

First Impressions

The packaging is well-put together and shows off the keyboard.
It’s a medium weight keyboard, and its thinner cable makes transport easier if desired.
The RGB implementation bright and will illuminate any setup nicely.
It has a very simplistic design and is sure to fit on any desk.

The Switches and Typing Experience

The Kailh Box White switch is one of my favorite switches on the market right now, behind some of Kailh’s other clicky options. The click feels very pronounced, and its design even offers some water and dust proofing for minor accidents; nevertheless, your experience may differ with spills. Though this isn’t a keyboard I recommend having if you’re super messy and spill liquids everywhere. The keycaps feel decent for a $90 keyboard and are definitely passable. The legends have that “gamer” aesthetic but are still rather neutral if you aren’t going for a gamer aesthetic. However, the wrist rest wasn’t long enough for me, and I found my hands on the table instead of on the comfortable rubber grip that the wrist rest offers.

Read: Gaming: Patriot Viper V570 Mouse Review

Aesthetic

While I appreciate the nice RGB integration, the red Viper logo in the center of the keyboard seems badly placed considering that it may clash with many setups. Overall, the keyboard has a very simple design and it will fit on most desks. The software that Viper provides also gives a lot of customization which means you can coordinate your keyboard with your setup very nicely. However, it doesn’t sync up with other Viper hardware and the fact that it uses separate software from other Patriot components is an element that can be improved.

Read: Gaming: Patriot Viper V361 & V370 Headsets Review

Build Quality

The V765’s build quality is outstanding for a keyboard under $100. The body is entirely metal and will last a long time under heavy use. Overall, I have no concerns the build quality.

Specifications

• Key Switch:
• Cable:
• Switch Lifecycle:
• Dimensions:
• Weight:
• Polling Rate:
• Profile Keys:
• Programmable Keys:
• Multimedia Keys:
• Graphical User Interface:

• Kailh Box White mechanical switches
• 1.8m, braided
• 50 Million
• 1.1 in. x 18.4 in. x 6.4 in.
• 2.5 lbs
• 1000 Hz
• Yes, 5
• Yes, 103
• Yes
• Yes, Viper Software

Conclusion

Pros:
• Kailh Box White switches feel very nice and feel high-quality
• Build quality is very sturdy and will last a long time
• Price is under $100
• Detachable wrist-rest is very comfortable
• Software is very intuitive and easy to use

Cons:
• Wrist-rest is too short and doesn’t fit my palms
• Key-caps feel meh at best
• The software isn’t well integrated with other Viper products

Patriot Viper has created a solid budget keyboard that integrates just the right amount of features that gamers desire. The on-keyboard lighting profiles, as well as the Patriot Viper keyboard software, make it easy to control your lighting profiles. If you take into account all the features of this keyboard, which include its great switches, RGB lighting, design, etc., the Viper V765 is one of the best keyboards I’ve ever tested, even competing with those above $120.

The Viper V765 RGB mechanical gaming keyboard is available for purchase on Amazon for under $100 (see link below) as well as on the Patriot Store at a list price of $99. All-in-all, this is a well-designed RGB mechanical gaming keyboard which easily earned a 4.5 out of 5-star rating.

What do you think of this Patriot Viper V765 gaming keyboard review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to Patriot’s Viper Gaming page to see their newest products. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. The Viper V765 keyboard comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Patriot Memory/Viper Gaming provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Viper V765 gaming keyboard sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Viper V550 Gaming Mouse Review

07/25/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

The Patriot Viper V550 Gaming Mouse is touted in Viper’s intermediate lineup as an ambidextrous mouse. The V550 sports a Pixart 3325 optical sensor that can achieve up to 5,000 DPI. It also flashes two RGB strips at the bottom of each side, and features four programmable side buttons as well as an on-the-fly DPI wheel. For $40 on Amazon at the time of writing, it is one of the least expensive gaming mice on the market. Can it stand up to other tried-and-tested giants in the mice field? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Patriot Viper V550 gaming mouse review.

Key Features

Ergonomic, ambidextrous design
Fully customizable
Multi-zone full-spectrum RGB
Nine buttons, eight programmable

Specifications

Sensor: Pixart 3325 optical sensor
DPI: 5,000 DPI, adjustable up to 10,000 through software
RGB: Yes, multi-zone and full-spectrum
Buttons: 9 buttons, 8 programmable
Switches: Omron, 10 million clicks
Cable: Braided, 1.8m USB cable
Mouse feet: PTFE
Polling rate: 1000 Hz

Viper V550 Gaming Mouse Review

Mouse Shape and Construction

The Viper V550 is described as an ambidextrous mouse that’ll work for anyone. The mouse shape itself is rather comfortable but could use improvement. Unlike many ambidextrous mice (such as the Zowie FK-series and the Glorious Model O) that go for a less deep comfort grip for the thumb, the V550 has a deep comfort grip on both sides. As a right-handed person, this makes my pinky feel very awkward whenever I’m trying to rest my hand. I would have preferred if they had gone for a safer shape with less deep grips. The fact that that the V550 has four side buttons makes it easy to remap every key that you’ll need in an MMO to a side button. As soon as you get the mouse, I recommend you change the keybind on one side of the mouse to something else, as I often found myself accidentally pressing buttons on the other side. At a $40 price point, this was a very good attempt at an ambidextrous mouse.

The V550 isn’t a heavy mouse, which makes it easy to use over extended periods while using it for productivity, or making flick-shots in FPS games a breeze. The mouse clicks were very crisp, and I never found myself misclicking the right or left mouse buttons. The DPI switch button was somewhat weirdly placed, and its lack of firmness often made me misclick it and miss a shot due to the shift in DPI.

Aesthetically, the V550 is a good looking mouse. The RGB Viper logo, mouse wheel RGB, and side glow will be sure to accent any setup that you have.

Gaming Performance

As previously mentioned, the V550 uses the Pixart 3325 sensor which can achieve up to 5,000 DPI mechanically, and 10,000 DPI through software. The Pixart 3325 is a very good sensor, and I never found it to miss any flick shots or track unreliably. The size of the side buttons was very good as well and was easy to reach during games. As mentioned above, the fact that there are two side buttons on each side makes it easy to misclick one; however, you can either unbind this in the Viper software or map it to a different keybind. All of the buttons felt good and were never misclicked, except for one of the side buttons.

The PTFE mouse feet didn’t feel like pure PTFE for some reason, which led to less smooth gliding. I will say that these feet glide better than most mice and won’t need any aftermarket modifications.

One thing I didn’t like was the cord, as it felt stiff and often caught on objects on my desk. I would definitely recommend a mouse bungee for the V550.

Conclusion

Pros:
• Attractive price point at $40
• Ambidextrous design
• PTFE feet allow for smooth movement
• Semi-lightweight design

Cons:
• The cord is stiff and catches on desk
• Side grooves are a tad too deep
• Side buttons often misclicked

Overall, the V550 is a good attempt at an ambidextrous mouse with its 8 programmable buttons and multi-zone RGB, though it falls a bit short in terms of its design. The side grooves were just too deep for me. The mouse was also too small for me; thus, it didn’t fit well to my hands too well. Though if your hands are smaller, the V550 should work and fit just fine for you.

The Viper V550 RGB ambidextrous gaming mouse is available for purchase on Amazon for under $40 (see link below) as well as on the Patriot Store at a list price of just under $50. All-in-all, this is a decently-designed RGB gaming mouse which earned a 3.5 out of 5-star rating.

What do you think of this Patriot Viper V550 gaming mouse review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to Patriot’s Viper Gaming page to see their newest products. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. The Viper V550 mouse comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Patriot Memory/Viper Gaming provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Viper V550 gaming mouse sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Thermaltake Level 20 RGB Titanium Gaming Keyboard Review

07/24/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

With the inclusion of the Level 20 RGB Titanium Gaming Keyboard in the Level 20 series, it sure seems to be promising being grouped in the Thermaltake “Premium” Series and bearing the name of its flagship case, the Level 20. With its impressive RGB side glow and numerous RGB installations on its top plate, it’s sure to turn some heads and make a statement on any PC. But for $150 (at the type of writing), is it worth that price point? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Thermaltake Level 20 RGB gaming keyboard review.

First Impressions

The packaging displays most of the features of the keyboard.
Its thick braided cable will last a long time but will make the regular movement of the keyboard from place to place difficult.
Its hefty weight also forms the impression that its build quality is superior to many others on the market right now, however, makes the regular movement of the keyboard difficult.
The RGB implementation bright and will illuminate any setup nicely.
The aggressive design is too tacky for me, however, it may interest some.

Read: Patriot Viper V770 Gaming Keyboard Review

The Switches and Typing Experience

While the Cherry MX Silver isn’t my favorite switch in world, its light activation force is sure to be a favorite for light typists. Nevertheless, the decreased travel distance makes me constantly bottom out (hitting the bottom of the keystroke) instead of being able to release the key after actuation (when the keystroke registers). This bottoming out effect led to soreness after extended periods of gaming, especially in my middle finger due to it often hitting the W key too hard. I did eventually adjust to the speed switches and was able to type without too much soreness, but I’d much prefer a switch with a fuller travel distance. Luckily, the Level 20 RGB is also offered in the Cherry MX Blue, though it will be too loud for some users.

Unfortunately, the keycaps weren’t of the best quality. I would have liked to see double-shot (two separate pieces of plastic) keycaps instead of the pad printed keycaps (ink rolled on top of the plastic) as then the legends on the keycaps will never wear away. Nonetheless, the legends are beautiful and feature a seamless typeface which is very clean looking.

These keycaps don’t produce too loud of a noise. I’m not worried that this Level 20 RGB Titanium keyboard will be louder than the run-of-the-mill mechanical keyboard. If you feel the sound is an issue, you can purchase o-rings at any major online retailer to dampen the noise.

The mappable macro keys serve useful for many users. The fact that you can map a key to any combination of keystrokes is helpful to gamers and even professionals alike who have too many shortcuts.

Read: Gaming: Tt eSPORTS Cronos Riing RGB 7.1 Headphones Review

Aesthetic

While I don’t like the look of the RGB strip in the middle of the board, it is truly a statement piece and will illuminate any desk setup nicely. And while the large bezels look nice, I feel it’s more form over function. The extra desk space the bezels take up could be used for the mice, and concerning gamers, desk space is truly precious. Overall, I would say that this is an attractive aesthetic for those who like the Level 20 RGB keyboard; however, it isn’t for everyone.

Build Quality

The Thermaltake Level 20 RGB Titanium Edition sports a full-metal body, giving it unyielding weight, thus staying on one’s desk for a while. But this weight makes it less portable, which may be a downside for those LAN party players but will work well for those who keep it on their desktop setup. The flip-down feet are considerably stable and have a robust tactile response when they flip down.

Final Thoughts

While this gaming keyboard is one of the best boards you can get, for $150 I feel like you could get another of similar quality for less and have more money to put elsewhere in your setup. It does have all the bells and whistles a gamer could need though, such as macro buttons, voice control, a mic, and USB passthrough. The software is nothing spectacular, though it easily gets the job done via customization and integrating easy setup of macro keys.

There is one thing I do wish Thermaltake offered, and this would be a TKL version. For most gamers, desk space for their mouse is precious, and on a gaming-oriented keyboard, I would have liked to see a more compact version or even this same layout but without its large bezels.

While the Thermaltake Level 20 offers tons of features and a very high-tech look, I can’t recommend the Level 20 for gamers due to its humongous footprint. The Level 20 doesn’t even fare well for general productivity, as the aggressive design and RGB implementation wouldn’t look good in any professional setting. The Thermaltake Level 20 earns a modest 3 out of 5 stars.

Read: Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

The Thermaltake Level 20 RGB gaming keyboard is available for purchase on Amazon for $149.99 (see link below.)

What do you think of this Thermaltake Level 20 RGB gaming keyboard review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Thermaltake homepage to see their current line-up of products. To learn more about service, support, and warranties, click on their Support tab. The keyboard comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Thermaltake provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Level 20 RGB Titanium gaming keyboard sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own, and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Gaming: HyperX Alloy Elite Keyboard Review

Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

07/20/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

Just a few days ago, Cooler Master introduced their GS750 “Desktop Hub.” According to Bryant Nguyen, the Peripheral General Manager at Cooler Master, “[Cooler Master] wanted to make a product that would serve multiple functions while also decluttering your space.” The GS750 is more than just a headphone stand, sporting many integrated features into the stand itself. Some of these features include an RGB LED base as well as a USB hub that is sure to reduce desktop clutter. At $79.99 MSRP, how does it stand up to competitors such as the Corsair ST100 or the Razer Base Station Chroma both which list at $20 less? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub review.

Read: Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

Key Features

Qi Wireless Charging Base
USB Hub with Two USB 3.0 Ports
Onboard 7.1 Surround Sound
Customizable RGB Beam Lighting
13 LEDs around the edges for endless customizability
Software Customization
16.7 million colors via software control

Build Quality

The GS750’s build quality is one of the features that make it the most distinctive across other headphone holders. Its aluminum neck for the headphone holder allows it to securely hold any pair of gaming headphones, ranging from the heavy Sennheiser GSP600 to the Cooler Master MH751. Even when applying pressure on the stand with my arms, I never felt as if it was going to break; thus, it should be able to hold any headphones you’ll ever own. The plastic base plate feels sturdy as well, and even functions as a coaster, if you’re lazy. This sturdiness is one of the GS750’s advantages over the Base Station Chroma, as the Base Station Chroma is only a plastic build with no metal in it.

Read: Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset Review

Onboard 7.1 Surround Sound

The GS750 sports an integrated headphone/microphone jack on the right side of its base. This jack allows it to provide 7.1 surround sound and is useful in many open-world games. When combined with the MH751 headset, I didn’t notice any discernible difference when using surround versus stereo sound from the computer’s motherboard. I’m not sure if this was an issue with how I was using it. Nonetheless, this would surely help in open-world games such as GTA V or the Battlefield series.

Cable Management Features

The onboard USB 3.0 ports’ purpose is for providing easy cable management; however, I didn’t find them to be all that useful for its intended purpose. For my mouse/keyboard, I found that their cords were too long to be helpful and would produce a mess of cables on my desk.

Notwithstanding, it was super useful for putting in flash drives, as my computer is in a hard to reach location. It may also be beneficial for the MH752 with its USB sound card; however, we don’t have an MH752 to test with. I would have also preferred seeing a Type-C port to provide future compatibility.

I’m not sure if the plate on the back of the neck is for cable management, but if so, it would also prove to be useful to coil up your headset cable when not in use. Though, I found myself thinking it would take too much time as opposed to just popping my headset onto the neck.

Another thing to mention is that the included USB Type A to USB Type Micro B 3.0 cable is a little too short for my particular desk. The distance the cable covers is about 1 meter. This distance isn’t enough for me to go from my computer (on the top of my desk on the right) to the left side of my desk. I would have also preferred seeing a USB Type C to connect to the GS750, though there may be some requirement that necessitated the use of the Micro B that I’m not aware of.

Compared to the other headset stands out there, the USB ports aren’t all that dissimilar than the competition. Most of the other headset stands offered at least two USB 3.0 ports.

Read: SHIVR 3D Wireless NC18 Headset Review

Qi Charging

Qi Charging on the GS750 was one of the reasons why I was so interested in this headset stand. When testing the Qi Charger on my Samsung S9+, I only got about 500mA of charging current which isn’t much compared to most 2.4 amp cable chargers. It took a while to charge my S9+, though if you game for most of the day, there won’t be an issue charging it throughout the day. The base is also a tad bit too short for my S9+, which means similarly sized large mobile phones will have difficulty charging if aligned horizontally. The Qi charger is also centered around the Cooler Master logo, so your phone will only charge if its receiver is close to that logo. If you turn your phone horizontally, larger phones shouldn’t have an issue with charging.

Software

Cooler Master’s Portal software integrates all of its products in one software package, which is convenient. While I do not have any other Cooler Master RGB products to test with, it should be pretty easy to sync up your all your Cooler Master RGB products. I also never had any issues with changing RGB LEDs or the volume on the integrated audio codec. You can also change the 7.1 surround sound audio settings in Portal, allowing for super easy customization of your headset.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Cooler Master GS750 is in a little bit of a weird spot. Priced at $79.99, it only offers a few more features than its competitors. While it’s a good first attempt, I don’t know if I would be willing to spend $79.99 on a headset holder. It offers a host of features that may be worth it by itself. The Qi charger and integrated 3.5mm jack were things that were found to make my life much more comfortable. If you desire a headset holder and have the additional money, this is one of the best headset holders out there. For more budget-oriented consumers, it may be worthwhile to look into more reasonable headset holders.

If Cooler Master dropped the MSRP by at least $10, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this. However, for $79.99, I can only give the GS750 3.5/5 stars. For the GS750’s features and nothing else, I wouldn’t hesitate to give this 4.5/5 stars. If you have the money and want a great headset holder, get the GS750. However, if you don’t have so much money, I recommend looking into other options.

What do you think of this Cooler Master GS750 desktop hub review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Cooler Master press page to see their newest products. To learn more about service, support, and warranties, click here for their Service-Support page. The GS750 Desktop Hub comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Cooler Master provided Beantown LLC with one (1) GS750 desktop hub sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: 1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC Headphones Review

Corsair M65 PRO RGB Mouse Review

07/08/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

The Corsair M65 PRO RGB is one of the oldest mice on the market right now, being over 3 years old, even being succeeded by the Elite version of the M65. Boasting plenty of RGB, a magnificent sensor and a tuneable weight system, it was one of the most revolutionary mice at the time. However, can it still stand up to some of the more popular mice today such as the Logitech G502, Zowie FK-series, and the new Glorious Model O? So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Corsair M65 PRO RGB mouse review.

Key Features

Two Zone RGB
DPI adjustment switch
Sensor with accuracy up to 12,000 DPI
Two side buttons and DPI-switch buttons
Tuneable weights
High-quality construction using aircraft grade aluminum
Smooth and large PTFE mouse feet

Specifications

Corsair M65 PRO RGB Mouse Review

Mouse Shape and Construction

The M65 is touted as a premium gaming mouse featuring an aluminum body and six programmable buttons (left/right click, mouse wheel button, back/forwards on browsers, and a sniper button). With these six buttons, I found it easy to game in most FPS games. However, those who play MMO-style games may find it more challenging to play as opposed to a mouse with more buttons. One gripe I had with the side buttons was their position and size. The fact that they are located on the very top and are super small makes it difficult to identify them in the middle of an intense team fight. In addition to the mouse buttons placement issue, the cord is also rather stiff and doesn’t feel too good while gaming, nevertheless, this may be fixed by using a mouse bungee.

The biggest issue I had with the M65 PRO was its weight. It is supposed to weigh 115g without the three weights, yet it felt much heavier than that. When placed on a scale, I found it to be significantly heavier at 130g, which is most likely attributed to the cord. The mouse clicks also felt slightly cushioned and were very heavy, making it not ideal for those with a light touch.

One of the most prominent redeeming factors of the M65 PRO was its great shape and aesthetic design. I found it to fit very comfortably in my hands (which are a medium size) when using a palm grip. The fact that the hump is at the back of the mouse will allow for palm grippers to more comfortably rest their palms on the mouse as opposed to the mouse pad. However, the size of the mouse will present an issue for fingertip or claw grippers. It may be alright for those who have above average-sized hands.

Gaming Performance

The Pixart 3300 sensor is one of the best on the market right now, and its performance never disappointed me. I was able to aim accurately in Overwatch and Fortnite, and never found an issue with the sensor failing. Still, as mentioned above, the mouse buttons were often challenging to reach.

The size of the side buttons has significantly increased with the newest model of the M65, the M65 Elite RGB. The sniper button is super useful and makes it easier to have a lower DPI for more precise aim when you are scoped in. As previously mentioned, the buttons were a little heavy, making it occasionally difficult to hit during games. The mouse glided smoothly using its PTFE feet (commonly found in aftermarket modifications such as Hyperglides) and felt better than most mouse feet on the market.

In addition to these mouse feet, the shape made it very comfortable to hold for extended periods while gaming. I never felt any pain in my hand, and it should also be an okay mouse for productivity as well. As previously mentioned, the weight was still very high for a gaming mouse, which makes it tiring after time to lift off. This may interfere with productivity or gaming over time, but if you’re used to heavier mice, it should be okay.

Conclusion

While the M65 is a great mouse, I found that there were many better options at its $60 price. The Logitech G502 offers a better cable which doesn’t kink or drag so easily while having a similar shape to the M65 PRO. The G502 features a similar amount of buttons and a slightly lower weight.

If you need the RGB bling and don’t mind the weight, I think that the M65 PROs sniper button is more convenient and features the iCUE lighting system. This allows you to control more than just peripherals, and I even could sync my mouse up with components in my computer. The M65 PRO RGB is succeeded by the M65 RGB Elite, and for what it is, it’s one of the best mice on the market if you want a very good sniper button and good shape for a right-handed palm gripper.

What do you think of this Corsair M65 PRO RGB mouse review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Corsair homepage to see their current line-up of products. The Corsair gaming mouse comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Corsair did not provide Beantown LLC with a mouse sample for review purposes; it was purchased. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

07/06/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

In 2019, Is This The Best Gaming Headset Under $80?

Back around Thanksgiving 2018, the folks at Cooler Master announced their entry into the gaming headset market. Their two new over-the-ear models, the MH751 and MH752, are the first we’ve seen from the global brand. Come October 2019, we’ll see three more models, one of which is their first wireless headset. How did the MH751 it hold up to our testing? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Cooler Master MH751 gaming headset review.

Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

According to Bryant Nguyen, Peripheral General Manager at Cooler Master, “We wanted to create a headset with a focus on audio quality, mic quality, and comfort. The MH751 and MH752 are a result of this vision. Both are lightweight and can be worn hours on end providing unparalleled sound for all types of use.”

Read: Gaming: Sennheiser GSX 1200 PRO Amplifier Review

MH751 Design, Fit, & Features

The MH751 is a sleek, black headset with its only visible branding being a silver Cooler Master hexagon. This allows for a stealthy appearance, one in which I would consider wearing in public. The detachable boom mic and 3.5mm cable make portability easy, as you can toss these pieces into a bag and put them together later without the need to untangle a cord. You can also use this headset without a mic, which also leads to a stealthier appearance in public.

The minimalistic design delivers comfort and style while not being a burden on your head due to its light weight of 280 grams (0.62 pounds). The padded headband and ear-cups felt super comfortable and allowed for hours of continued use. The clamping force is also rather reasonable, and the MH751’s design should not be a concern for any eyeglass wearers.

The MH751 features an adjustable headband and swiveling ear-cups, meaning it will fit well on anyone’s head. My head felt snug in the headset, though this may vary for people with rather small or large heads. The swiveling ear-cups also allow it to contour to your head more, which is a much-appreciated feature.

However, the fact that the ear-cups swivel 90 degrees away from you does not make sense to me. If you wish to rest your headphones on your neck, you will either be stuck with the ear cups being perpendicular to your chest or the microphone resting on your chest. Neither of these positions is comfortable and make me wonder why Cooler Master didn’t have the ear cups swivel 90 degrees the other way.

The MH751 features an adjustable volume wheel and a mute slider on the cable. I personally don’t like the on-cable adjusters as it is difficult to find in the thick of a battle, especially when you’re trying to mute your microphone before someone else in your household starts trying to talk to you.

On the left side of the headphone is a detachable microphone. The mic quality is not that bad, and would undoubtedly suffice for most users’ needs, especially for dedicated gamers or just for casual Skype calls. However, if you’re seriously looking into streaming or video production, I would recommend a dedicated mic setup; however, this isn’t the fault of the headset, merely the fact that a dedicated setup will always sound better.

One final thing–there’s a locking feature on the cord preventing from falling out of the headset.

Read: Sennheiser GSP 301 Gaming Headset Review

MH751 Gaming Performance

While playing Fortnite and Overwatch with the MH751, I found myself able to listen to the various nuances and sounds that one would need to know their surroundings. Even though I was often playing with music, I still found myself able to distinguish sounds that were on the softer end. Overall, I would say that if you are purely gaming, there should be no concerns with your performance during gaming sessions. The lightweight design and comfortable cushions will also help for extended gaming sessions.

While listening to my music, I noticed that treble accents and vocals weren’t emphasized as much as bass tones. However, this is typical of most gaming headsets, and I still had no issue listening to my music. However, if you aren’t planning to super seriously game on the MH751, I would recommend a less gaming-oriented pair of headphones.

MH751 Gaming Headset Specifications

• Driver: 40mm Neodymium
• Cable lengths: 1.5m 3.5mm connector, 0.3m dual 3.5mm cable
• Headphone frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Impedance: 26 ohms
• Sound pressure level: 97 dB ± 3 dB

• Microphone frequency response: 100 Hz – 10 kHz
• Microphone pick-up pattern: Omni-directional
• Microphone sensitivity: -42 db ± 3 dB
• Weight w/cables: 280 grams (0.62 lb)
• Dimensions: 5.8 x 3.35 x 8.46 inches

Package Contents

• MH751 gaming headset
• 1.5m 3.5mm connector (removable), 3.5 mm, 4-pole jack
• Detachable microphone

• Multi-language instructions
• 0.3m dual 3.5mm cable (removable), 3.5 mm, 4-pole jack
• Black velvet carry pouch

Final Thoughts

The MH751 offers a superb gaming experience with a super comfortable design and sleek but stealthy design. For the price and the feature set it provides (including detachable cables, volume adjustment and microphone mute), it really is one of the best value gaming headsets on the market right now. Therefore, I give this a solid 4.5/5 rating due to its comfort and audio quality, only falling short due to the lack of vocal emphasis in music.

Available for purchase on the Cooler Master website at a price of $79.99, this headset is in the mid-range for gaming headsets. See our Amazon Affiliate Link at the bottom of this review.

What do you think of this Cooler Master MH751 gaming headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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FTC Disclosure: Cooler Master provided Beantown LLC with one (1) MH751 gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Gaming: Sennheiser GSP 350 Headset Review

Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset Review

10/31/2018 By Brooke O'Connell

At the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the folks at Sennheiser introduced many new headphones that would be released throughout 2018. One of these headsets, the GSP 600 pro gaming headset, captured our attention. Some have said that this new model would be the flagship headset for Sennheiser Gaming. It took a little bit of time, but we got our hands on this multi-platform gaming headset. How did it hold up to our testing? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Sennheiser GSP 600 gaming headset review.

Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset

According to Andreas Jessen, Head of Product Management Gaming at Sennheiser “In the creation of the GSP 600, we took our very best closed gaming headset and made it even better. The GAME ZERO broke new ground by building a high-quality audio headset that was created entirely around the needs of gamers. With its successor, the GSP 600, we have stayed true to this ethos with a headset that even more perfectly matches the needs of each individual gamer – with an exceptionally comfortable fit that can be tailored to each person, so they can truly become one with the game.”

Read: Gaming: Sennheiser GSX 1200 PRO Amplifier Review

Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset Review

GSP 600 Design, Fit, & Features

The Sennheiser GSP 600 gaming headset is nearly the perfect headset for the avid gamer and gaming fan. The outer appearance is quite attractive with its matte black finish, silver hinge, and red accents. The colors are simple and streamlined.

The user-friendly, quality build of this stereo headset makes it quite durable and designed to last a very long time. The downside is that it’s quite heavy at 395 grams. This can put some unneeded pressure on the underside of your ears and jawline, which if you’re gaming for many hours, can lead to some unnecessary pain.

: Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset

: Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset

The GSP 600 has an easily “adjustable contact pressure function” headband and comfortable earcups which provide a good measure of soundproofing during gameplay. The suede-like earcups completely envelop your ears, yet without sticking or getting hot.

Since our heads come in different shapes and sizes, this “adjustable contact pressure function” is most handy. Unfortunately, it will take some time to determine the right position for your head. Also, while there’s a fair amount of padding on the headband, I wish there was more with less separation between the two rows of padding.

There’s a volume dial positioned on the right earpiece. While it is easy to rotate, it’s in an inconvenient spot in my opinion. If it was raised more to the outside of the earpiece, with a slightly rougher surface material, it would be easier to turn.

When you’re in the thick of a game, it’s difficult to manipulate to the level that I’ve found in most gaming headsets. Again, in my opinion, the often seen adjuster on the cable is a much better option, one in which I wish was provided on this headset.

On the left earpiece is the noise-canceling swivel microphone, as well as the cable port. The former worked like a charm. It even goes to mute when it’s positioned up. The cable does cause some noise against clothing one’s hair and clothing. I wish some sort of clip was included.

: Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset Headband Exterior

: Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset Headband Interior

Now, the GSP 600 has a couple missteps in its design. This pro gaming headset is very weighted making it quite the struggle to keep on for long periods of time. For me, the headset became uncomfortable at about the 20-minute mark. It put pressure on both sides of my head, and the weight of it made it too heavy for any form of lengthy gameplay. However, this could just be a preference issue as I usually go more toward the lighter weighted headsets.

(Editor’s note: I’ve worn the headset for many hours over a two-day period without noticing any pain on the sides. Though, I did notice the headband padding somewhat pressing into my bald head.)

If you happen to wear prescription eyeglasses or gaming glasses, you need not worry. As someone who falls into this category, I believe your glasses will fit as comfortably as mine have.

Read: Sennheiser GSP 301 Gaming Headset Review

Sennheiser Gaming Performance

The GSP 600 has terrific quality sound when used on PC. I tested it with Minecraft, and the quality is quite lovely. It enabled you to hear everything you need to, such as zombies, ghosts, and witches. It also provided a nice sound for the music and sound effects.

Even though the headphone frequency response is beyond the range of human hearing, what you’re able to hear on the low and high ends was great.

: Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset

: Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset

I tried testing it on the Xbox One, but for some reason, it would not work with my controller. I don’t know if this is a manufacturer issue, a user error, or both. The device in question is the Sea of Thieves special edition Xbox One S controller. Up until this point, I haven’t had any issues with any other headsets. Currently, I’m in contact with Sennheiser Support to try to resolve the issue. Hopefully, this portion of the review will be updated soon.

GSP 600 Pro Gaming Headset Specifications

• Ear coupling: Circumaural, around-the-ear
• Transducer principle: Dynamic, closed
• Cable lengths: 1.5 & 2.5 meters
• Headphone frequency response: 10 Hz – 30 kHz
• Impedance: 28 ohms
• Sound pressure level: 112 dB SPL @ 1 kHz, 1V RMS

• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.07%
• Microphone frequency response: 10 Hz – 18 kHz
• Microphone pick-up pattern: Bidirectional ECM
• Microphone sensitivity: -47 dbV/PA
• Weight: 395 grams (0.87 lb)
• Dimensions: 7.9 x 3.5 x 7.5 inches

Package Contents

• GSP 600 black/red gaming headset
• GSA 505 PC Cable – 2.5 meters, 2 x 3.5 mm audio jack, 3-pole
• Thank you note

• Multi-language safety instructions
• GSA 506 Console Cable – 1.5 meters, 1 x 3.5 mm audio jack, 4-pole
• User manual

Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset Package Contents

Read: Sennheiser AMBEO AR One Headphones

Final Thoughts

An analogy we’ve used around here is the GSP 600 headset is hoping for a Mercedes-Benz Coupe but instead getting an SUV. While they’re both Mercedes-Benz vehicles, we would have preferred the former.

As stated in the Design section, this headset is near perfect. The weight and pressure are issues for this writer, but they may not be for you. Set up is super easy, and there isn’t a long mess of cables like with some other gaming headsets. Overall, my impression is a positive one yielding a rating of 3.75 Stars out of 5. This headset is for use with Sony PS4, Xbox One, Mac, and PC.

Available for purchase on the Sennheiser website at a price of $249.99, this headset is in the high range for gaming headsets. As stated above, this is the Mercedes-Benz of gaming headsets so just like the vehicles, the headset is pricey too. Though it can be found on Amazon for slightly less. See our Amazon Affiliate Link here or at the bottom of this review.

Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset

What do you think of this Sennheiser GSP 600 gaming headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Sennheiser press page to see their newest products. To learn more about service, support, and warranties, click here for their Service-Support page. The GSP 600 professional gaming headset comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Sennheiser provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Sennheiser GSP 600 gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% her own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Gaming: Sennheiser GSP 350 Headset Review

Best Gaming Headset Under $90? Plantronics RIG 500 PRO Review

09/25/2018 By Brooke O'Connell

It’s been six months since the Consumer Electronics Show and Plantronics is back with the introduction of their RIG 500 PRO series of gaming headsets. Announced on June 5th, the RIG 500 Pro series is a multi-platform series of headsets geared towards use with Xbox, PS4, and PC. How does the PC version of the headset stack up in the Plantronics Gaming Universe? More importantly, how does it hold up to our testing? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Plantronics RIG 500 PRO review.

Per the June 2018 press release: “RIG 500 PRO Series are the first gaming headsets to feature an exoskeleton earcup design with isolated inner acoustic chambers to reduce distortion, creating the ideal audio solution for today’s high-resolution gaming platforms.”

According to Jack Reynolds, Director of Gaming Products at Plantronics. “The new RIG 500 PRO Series takes the innovative modular design of the RIG 500 to the next level. It continues the impressive number of firsts we’ve brought to competitive gamers, including the first VR-focused headsets, Dolby Atmos® activation and now, the RIG Game Audio Dial for Xbox One and PS4 wireless controllers.”

Read: Gaming: Plantronics RIG 600 Headset Review

Plantronics RIG 500 PRO Review

Design, Fit, & Features

Plantronics RIG 500 PRO gaming headset has several features that make it one of the more comfortable headsets that I’ve worn. The usual heaviness that most gaming headsets consistently seem to have is reduced with its lightweight exoskeleton combined with an inner comfort band. The lightweight metal is a burnished gold which makes it look not only luxurious but gives it a very sci-fi feel to an already unique looking headset. The geometric cutouts surrounding the ear pads make for an interesting appearance.

The comfortable ear cups are adjustable however they differ from others which utilize a sliding mechanism. Instead, these ear cups pop out at the connector and have three different positions. A bit of a downside here is it takes some force to push the cups out of their connectors. While cute that the cups won’t suddenly shift, it is a bit of a pain to adjust. And having only three settings makes it limiting if you like a full range of adjustment in your headset.

The ear cups are supremely comfortable, and the soundproofing is quite amazing. Though depending on the game, it is not fully noise-canceling. When playing a fighting game like DRAGON BALL Fighter Z, I could still hear outside interference. However, this is not a game where the intense focus on hearing is needed.

The soft cushioning makes the RIG 500 PRO headset easy to wear for extended amounts of time and not require me to adjust them.

There’s an easy volume adjuster on the cord. Its slider made it easy to adjust mid game while not having to struggle to adjust. I loved how easy it was to change it. In conjunction with the easy adjuster, the mic flips up to mute. The ease with speaking and muting is a huge draw.

There was a downside though. I found the volume was not quite loud enough for some specific games.

Over the years I’ve worn several headsets such as those from Turtle Beach to the Xbox recommended headphones, and none have been as comfortable as this one. As someone who can’t wear tight headphones, the RIG 500 PRO is perfect. The comfort band makes an excellent lightweight barrier between the bulk of the weight of the headset. The ear cups are so comfortable that it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing a gaming headset. Also, there’s no issue with them heating up or the problem with it tangling with my long hair.

Read: Patriot Viper V770 Gaming Keyboard Review

Performance

The headset was used playing several levels of Assassin’s Creed Origins where hearing your surroundings is vital. When going through the open world, being able to hear what is going on around you is very important. Just as it when you’re listening to backstories and character information. It provides quite the fantastic ambiance to an already exciting game. This is something I’ve found lacking in other headsets. A small caveat to this is the volume could go louder. But that is probably more of a personal preference since I tend to crank the volume as loud as it will go.

The RIG 500 PRO shined when playing Fortnite. The sound quality was quite good and didn’t need to be turned up as much as when playing Assassin’s Creed. This quality made hearing my surroundings excel upon which I lasted much longer during gameplay than usual. It’s safe to say that I prefer this headset for this particular game more than for Assassin’s Creed.

Read: Gaming: Plantronics RIG 400HX Headset Review

RIG 500 PRO Gaming Headset Specifications

• Microphone sensitivity: -45 dB
• Microphone signal-to-noise ratio: > 42 dB
• Microphone pick-up pattern: Uni-directional
• Weight: 281 grams
• Headphone frequency response: 20 Hz-20 kHz

• Headphone sensitivity: 111 dBSPL/v
• Headphone maximum input power: 40 mW
• Headphone drivers: Dynamic 50 mm
• Headphone impedance: 32 ohms
• Cable length: 1.3 meters

Package
• Gaming headset
• 1.3 Meter cable
• Quick start guide

Contents
• Warranty & Regulatory Info
• Safety Info
• Dolby Atmos® code

Read: Gaming: HyperX Alloy Elite Keyboard Review

Conclusion

Overall, my impression of the Plantronics RIG 500 PRO headset is that it’s a great headset for any gamer. The comfort is unbeatable, and its functions are amazing.

It’s got features aplenty like the adjustable mic, the comfort ear cups with soundproofing, the lightweight exoskeleton and comfort inner band, plus fantastic sound too.

Available for purchase on the Plantronics website at a very affordable price of $89.99, this headset is a moderate price with such incredible features. The downsides of this headset are quiet speakers and the odd way of adjusting the ear cups. Yet, they are far surpassed by its features and the quality build of the headset. I’m thoroughly impressed.

Set up is very easy and there isn’t a long mess of cables like with some other gaming headsets.

There are four sets of headphones that make up the RIG 500 PRO Series:

RIG 500 PRO for PC: $89.99
RIG 500 PRO HX for Xbox One: $79.99
RIG 500 PRO HS for PS4: $79.99
RIG 500 PRO Esports Edition, $149.99

What do you think of this Plantronics RIG 500 PRO review? Do you think it’s one of the best gaming headsets under $90? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Plantronics Newsroom to see their latest announcements. The RIG 500 PRO gaming headset comes with a one-year limited warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Plantronics provided Beantown LLC with one (1) RIG 500 PRO gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% her own and is not a paid product ambassador.

Read: HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset Review