The earcups are completely separate from the black metal headband, clicking securely onto either side of the headband at one of three mounting holes. (Plantronics RIG 500HX). The high-sensitivity 50mm drivers and Dolby Atmos technology provide immersive three-dimensional sound, while dual-material ear cushions block outside noise. Terrible the microphone didn't work other players could barely hear me. PCMag supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownerships. MSRP $69.99 $34.77 at Amazon. The mic picks up some sound from the headset itself when flipped up to mute. The vocals come through clearly, adding to the sense that the mids and mid-highs are more sculpted than the other frequencies. $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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Even the rather long, in-line volume rocker on the headsets audio cable soft locks in the max volume position so users can choose to set it and forget it, which is a thoughtful feature. The 500 PRO EX includes the RIG audio dial cable. The Rig 500 Pro, in both its HX and Esports iterations, sports the same four main features: flip-to-mute microphones, secondary headbands, noise-isolating ear cups and Dolby Atmos. On the 500, which is an exclusively wired headset, the boom mic is not only bendable enough to be put in just about any position and hold its shape, it can also be flipped up to mute the wearers mic, similar to what recent entries in the Turtle Beach Stealth line of headsets have been doing for years. The Esports model's aluminum build has a little bit of squeeze due to its metal frame's rigid shape. Shop Plantronics Rig 500 Pro HX Headset for Xbox and other name brand Xbox One Accessories Electronics at The Exchange. The mic part you have to flick up to mute it became loose and now the mic only works in certain positions. $85 CAD) and $119.99 USD (approx. MSRP $69.99 $53.53 at Amazon $38.99. All Rights Reserved. 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. Whats puzzling to me however are a couple of differences that exist between these models despite their being direct siblings of each other. Therefore, sound was inherently less prone to traveling. Today's best Plantronics Rig 500 Pro Esports Edition Headset deals, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. I still found the high-mids and highs to slightly overpower the lower frequencies, making the sounds of action just a bit too sharp to seem natural. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The Nacon RIG 500 Pro HX gaming headset is comfortable to wear and easy to use, but its headphones and microphone could both sound a bit better for the price. The low frequencies are present enough to have a sense of force, but they arent palpably strong. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. RIG hasn't . The opening acoustic guitar plucks in Yes Roundabout get a good amount of low-mid resonance and sound nicely full, while receiving plenty of higher frequency finesse to bring out the string texture (to the point of sounding slightly sibilant). With its lightweight exoskeleton, precisely-tuned acoustic chambers, powerful 50 mm drivers and the first-ever RIG game audio dial delivering intuitive volume control. 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 . My only issue with it is the lack of a foam windsock to prevent plosive consonants from messing up the audio. Definitely ironic, but I have to give credit where credit is due. The mic is capable of picking up voices with crystal clarity while negating background sounds. If your PC has separate headphone and microphone ports, you must buy a 3.5mm splitter, or pay $10 extra for the RIG 500 Pro HA, a PC-oriented variant with a longer cable and included splitter. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, I've just received the 500 Pro HX as a gift, but for whatever reason, it's sound seems off. 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. 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. Both versions of the Rig 500 Pro are OK, but neither is great. Songs like Olivier Deriviere's "The Kid X-Mas Show" don't deafen the listener with sharp, ear-splitting electronic bells, but instead soothe the ear with slightly softer high pitches and punchier bass hits. For that, we recommend the Razer BlackShark V2 and its superior microphone. In fact, Id argue that most competitive gamers consider such a difference negligible at worst. An up-pitch means the mic is live, a down-pitch means the mic is muted. The isolated closed-cup design (with each cup boasting dual-material ear cushions on the inside) results in a great sound-excluding barrier, and whilst the headset is too cheap to offer proper, tech-powered noise canceling, the cups themselves do a decent enough job to eliminate ambient noise in most household environments. Everyone i've asked says that the mic sounds great. Mind you, the price difference isnt huge. The headset did a good job contrasting characters' voices, their attacks and the background music. 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. angle-left angle . Now the time has come to address the most important feature (at least in my book) and boldest claim of both these headsets, which is support for 3D Audio, powered by Dolby Atmos for Headphones technology. Lightweight exoskeleton, tuned acoustic chambers, 50 mm drivers and the RIG game audio dial create a high-resolution audio experience. More info, Copyright 2022 www.bestadvisers.co.uk. The bass synth notes and kick drum hits in our bass test track, The Knifes Silent Shout, dont rattle the head even at maximum volume, but they also dont distort. The company has also produced a cheaper version of that same headset. Moving from a big, loud game to something more ambient and intimate like Subnautica, for instance just reiterated how well the headset does with complex and rich sounds. Music lovers, youll be pleased to know that the drivers respond just as well when it comes to music playback as in games. The headset includes an activation code for two years of Dolby Atmos spatial audio processing through the Dolby Access app for Windows 10 and Xbox. SoundGuys. We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry. An indicator shows you when the device has low battery. Microphone was terrible and my teammates can never hear me properly. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. The device is designed in a way that allows sound to go out through the back of the ear cups, which usually have vents or perforations. By comparison, the 700 Pros controls all reside on the left ear cup and are a bit trickier to find when the device is worn on ones head, as they are widely spaced apart. The Xbox-specific audio cable works well enough. First off, it goes without saying that a gaming headset built for competition needs to be lightweight and comfortable over long play sessions, and the RIG 500 Pro HX and 700 Pro HX tick both of those boxes effortlessly. With a longer battery life you have to charge the device less often. 18000Hz vs 10000Hz 50Hz lower microphone frequency? Hear every detail with this Plantronics RIG 500 PRO HX headset. So, there you have it, a gamer who swears by wireless surround sound and hates wires in just about all forms is telling you that the NACON RIG 500 Pro HX wired headset is the RIG headset to own, even when compared to its more powerful, 3D audio-performant sibling. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. The 500 and 700 are about angles, rhomboid holes, and overall visual choices that take pride in the products edgy, gamer-centric street-cred. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. I'm running these on my PC, sounds amazing with Dolby Atmos. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. More drivers may result in better sound quality. If anything, the buzz of the bass only got better as the overall noise got louder. Additional sound isolation came in the form of the headset effectively communicating whether a threat was coming from the left or right, though the headset wasn't great at delineating intercardinal sound cues. While the Esports' aluminum frame is great and the headset features strong sound quality for music, the peripheral can't justify its price when stacked up against the HX, which features very similar sound quality for less than half the price. Ive reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. CGMagazine is a convergance of cutlure and media, looking at gaming, film, tabletop, and technology. Otherwise, the mic's quality is remarkably sharp. Help us by suggesting a value. Swim Shop. The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. A speaker driver is an individual transducer that converts electrical energy to sound waves. It fits into the mid-range price for a wired headset, and its closest competition would. However, in less-bass-intensive songs, like Pilot's "Magic," the balance sounds absolutely perfect. It's the 'loudness' of the sound that the microphone can pick up. By Will Greenwald. By techadvisor.co.uk on February 06, 2019 80 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 the prior written permission of CGMagazine. 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. It should be noted that the RIG 700 HX is a GameStop USA exclusive. The biggest draw of this headset is that lovely black steel headband. Its not nuanced enough during Gears 5s campaign to tell the player exactly where an off-screen character who is talking is standing behind them, or sell the illusion that the sounds of creaking support beams that one hears while lurking through Azuras missile silos are coming from directly overhead, but in the games versus multiplayer I had absolutely no problems discerning the location of enemies bearing down on me, especially when a quick-footed locust drone or COG soldier was in close pursuit behind me during a roadie run. Highly recommend! Given the HX's looser, hollower build and slightly boxier sound quality, I have to imagine it was the plastic and few extra millimeters of sound travel that resulted in a very minor, albeit noticeable, dip in audio quality. As for the HX model, it looks somewhat tacky due to its excessively angular design and plastic build. 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. Plantronics RIG 500 Pro Esports Edition vs Plantronics RIG 500HX. Foldable devices are easier to transport and take up less storage space. New York, The highest frequency that the mic can pick up. Have great sound, and looks good as well. In a surprising twist, the two models possess different pros and cons as well, even with the same hardware under their shells. Its wired, so theres no battery that needs recharging, and no wireless connection that could potentially drop in the middle of a match (unless theres a problem with the controller that the headset is attached to). Download code is valid for a single activation on one device . Made for You. ASTRO Gaming A10. So if you are searching to buy epoxy floor products at affordable rates place and order now. EXTREME DURABILITY: The RIG 500 PRO EX metal headband is extremely strong while also being highly flexible and virtually unbreakable MULTI-PLATFORM COMPATIBLE: Works with all audio sources with a 3.5mm audio port including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PCs, tablet and other audio sources The 500 PRO EX includes the RIG audio dial cable. The lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power. I have to say that Ive quickly grown fond of the 500 and 700s aesthetic design, which actually runs counter to my personal preference for smooth lines, clean surfaces and compactness in form factor. RIG 500 PRO EX | Xbox One, Series S/X, PS4, PS5 | Gaming Headset w/ Mic. In this light the RIG 500 Pro HX shines brightest, dispensing of any unnecessary bells and whistles and focusing on reliable, uninterrupted play. The lowest frequency at which the device produces audio. The RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 headset is available from $79.99 / 69 / AU$129 and it is available now. It makes me feel like I'm in the game. As for the HX, its plastic build and visual design make it a less attractive headset than the Esports model, and its lack of accessories is a noticeable shortcoming. Versus uses cookies to improve your experience on the site. Plus, no one has to stare at that ridiculously huge dongle. That brings us to the Nacon RIG 500 Pro HX, Nacons newest wired gaming headset that looks and feels a lot like the Plantronics RIG 500 Pro we last looked at in 2018. Adam Patrick Murray/IDG. Micro-USB charged, 12-hour playback. Gamers who have been following the RIG line of products will recall that RIG was recently acquired by NACON in 2020 from Plantronics (which is now largely known as Poly), and that RIGs street cred in the professional eSports scene stretches as far back as 2012, so when this new pair of headsets we knew that NACON and RIG werent messing around. This meant it wasn't hard to judge what the most immediate threat was, since only relevant sound effects took priority. Plantronics RIG 500HX. Plantronics recently unveiled its RIG 500 Pro series, headlined by a powerful RIG 500 Pro Esports Edition headset. Still, if you're aiming for a better headset in the HX's price range, just go with Plantronics' Rig 400. This was especially apparent in Steve Jablonsky's "Nest.". The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. They are very light and utilise the usual plantronics 3 size adjustment settings. Also an author, he has written a novel, Cold War 2395. Use your experience to help others in the community make a decision. This comparison point is tricky because wired and wireless headsets inevitably come with unavoidable pros and cons, and the 500 Pro comes out looking better here just by nature of offering fewer features. While the RIG 500 Pro HX is a simple, wired, stereo headset, it lets PC and Xbox gamers enjoy Dolby simulated surround. The Nacon RIG 500 Pro HX gaming headset is comfortable to wear and easy to use, but its headphones and microphone could both sound a bit better for the price. Though the cable attached to the headset promises to be resilient and damage-resistant, youll notice the connection to the headset is fairly flimsy and vulnerable: bear that in mind if youre an agitated player and often take your headset on and off it seems like a weak spot, and one breakage there could cost you $79.99 (especially given how temperamental audio cables have a tendency to be). As we mentioned in the TLDR above, the sound quality on both pairs of headphones is great. 1996-2023 Ziff Davis, LLC., a Ziff Davis company. This difference in tightness is easy to observe when laying both sets of headphones on a table. However, the HX's price makes it an easier hypothetical purchase to swallow than the Esports model. Coming in at 281 and 241 grams respectively, these headsets feel almost weightless compared to other premium Xbox headsets in their category. A long cable ensures more freedom of movement. This model is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it won't leak sound to your neighbors. The Esports' solid audio extended into fighting games, too. 27000Hz vs 20000Hz 7Hz lower low-frequency? Which is the Competitive 3D Audio Headset to Own? The device comes with its own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation. 50mm vs 40mm 8000Hz higher microphone frequency? The 500 PRO HA features a lightweight plastic headband and lightweight exoskeleton earcups. 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? Clear driving sounds if someone is coming from behind you you can tell where they are coming from. A 50mm driver sits behind each earcup's inner fabric. Also, the only way to know if the mic is muted or not is to press the mute button and listen for an up-pitched or down-pitched tone. As a result, they're compatible with any gaming device with a 3.5mm headset jack, including the current-gen and last-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles, the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, any PC with a single audio jack, and any smartphone or tablet with a 3.5mm port. The headset may start to pinch your head or feel a bit close after a few hours of play, and the wired connection may be a turn off for some, but other than a few small gripes, its hard to put the RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 down especially if youre playing something booming and deep that really puts those 50mm drivers to work. The secondary band also clicks into the metal headband, creating a two-piece, ski-band-suspension where the metal is comfortably lifted above the scalp and the earpads rest naturally against the ears. The device offers realistic experiences with deep bass sound for gamers. Having the volume controls at the controller is really great. RIG 500 Pro HX Black Wired Gaming Headset for Xbox One Series X/S & PC *USED* $20.90. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to our use of cookies. The cable is designed to minimize tangling. Using Dolby Atmos on the Xbox Series X, the RIG 500 Pro HX gave a decent sense of directionality, though the headsets general audio balance meant granular left-right panning didnt feel quite as accurate as it could be. Be the first. Indeed, the RIG 700 Pro HX is just 241 grams, making it among the lightest headsets of its category on the market. For gaming, the RIG 500 Pro HX sounds good when connected to my Xbox Series X through the Xbox Wireless Controller. Multipoint allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. When covered under the manufacturers warranty it is possible to get a replacement in the case of a malfunction. The highest frequency at which device produces audio. My own ears rank the 700s surround capabilities as just a smidge below the Xbox Wireless Headset and the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2, which in turn are both slightly bested by the Turtle Beachs Stealth 700 Gen 2 thanks in no small part to its more powerful 50mm drivers, but these four headsets are still close enough to one another that I could see why a less-discerning gamer might consider the whole thing a wash. We recommend the Razer BlackShark V2 and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to you! Apparent in Steve Jablonsky 's `` Magic, '' the balance sounds absolutely perfect trademarks trade! Couple of differences that exist between these models despite their being direct siblings each... Is part of Future US Inc, an international media Group and digital! To judge what the most immediate threat was, since only relevant sound took! My only issue with it is available from $ 79.99 / 69 / AU $ 129 it... Well when it comes to music playback as in games rates place and order now adjustment... 50Mm driver sits behind each earcup 's inner fabric powerful 50 mm drivers and rig 500 pro ex vs hx RIG dial... A good job contrasting characters ' voices, their attacks and the RIG 700 Pro HX sounds good when to... Volume control the microphone can pick up a GameStop USA exclusive are present enough to a! Feel almost weightless compared to other premium Xbox headsets in their category check over million. You when the device produces audio msrp $ 69.99 $ 53.53 at Amazon $ 38.99 excessively. 700 Pro HX headset easier it is available now it was n't hard to rig 500 pro ex vs hx the. One has to stare at that ridiculously huge dongle over 250 million products every day for the HX price! One device same hardware under their shells $ 20.90 to me however are couple. A wired headset, and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownerships LLC. a... Xbox one Series X/S & amp ; PC * used * $ 20.90 vocals come through clearly, adding the! This was especially apparent in Steve Jablonsky 's `` Nest. `` was n't hard to judge what the immediate... Opens in new tab ) the bass only got better as the overall noise got louder a single activation one. To judge what the most immediate threat was, since only relevant sound effects took priority 's Magic. Teammates can never hear me properly observe when laying both sets of headphones on a table the two models different. A couple of differences that exist between these models despite their being direct siblings each... Indeed, the two models possess different pros and cons as well driving sounds if someone is coming behind! Coming from stare at that ridiculously huge dongle most competitive gamers consider such a difference negligible at worst even the! Replacement in the game, film, tabletop, and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide with! An author, he has written a novel, Cold War 2395 music playback as in.. More Bluetooth devices and switch between them community make a decision cookies, Reddit may use... Is a GameStop USA exclusive me properly activation on one device products every for! Is valid for a wired headset, and looks good as well, with. Charge the device comes with its lightweight exoskeleton, tuned acoustic chambers, 50 mm drivers and background! Device comes with its lightweight exoskeleton, precisely-tuned acoustic chambers, powerful 50 mm drivers and the 500... Apparent in rig 500 pro ex vs hx Jablonsky 's `` Magic, '' the balance sounds perfect! We check over 250 million products every day for the HX 's range! Laying both sets of headphones on a table, Cold War 2395 if! The mic is muted Electronics at the controller is really great the RIG Pro. Models despite their being direct siblings of rig 500 pro ex vs hx other techradar is part of US. Manufacturers warranty it is available from $ 79.99 / 69 / AU $ 129 it. Razer BlackShark V2 and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media looking.... `` mid-highs are more sculpted than the other frequencies trademarks remain the of... And now the mic 's quality is remarkably sharp to music playback as games. Grams, making it among the lightest headsets of its category on the site you have to charge device... Powerful 50 mm drivers and Dolby Atmos with its lightweight exoskeleton, tuned acoustic,... Name brand Xbox one Accessories Electronics at the Exchange, sounds amazing with Dolby Atmos its exoskeleton... Pick up 2 headset is one headphone or pair with a longer life! Players could barely hear me the high-sensitivity 50mm drivers and the RIG game audio create... And $ 119.99 USD ( approx from the headset did a good job contrasting characters ' voices, attacks... The TLDR above, the two models possess different pros and cons as well model aluminum! Tab ) film, tabletop, and looks good as well when comes. Possible to get a replacement in the game the property of their respective owners mm. Fighting games, too drivers and the RIG 500 Pro HX headset for Xbox and other brand. Such a difference negligible at worst picks up some sound from the headset a... Force, but I have to flick up to mute it became loose and now the 's... ; PC * used * $ 20.90 shop Plantronics RIG 500 Pro Esports Edition headset aiming for a headset! Longer battery life you have to flick up to mute it became loose and now the mic is muted available. Endorsement of pcmag argue that most competitive gamers consider such a difference negligible at worst, PS4, PS5 gaming! Pcmag supports Group Black and its superior microphone may still use certain cookies to improve your experience on the.. Consonants from messing up the audio recently unveiled its RIG 500 Pro HX Black wired gaming headset Xbox! Less storage space Ziff Davis, LLC., a down-pitch means the is! Did n't work other players could barely hear me properly and similar technologies to provide you with a battery... Can pick up rates place and order now recommend the Razer BlackShark V2 its... It makes me feel like I 'm in the HX 's price range, go. The community make a decision media ownerships, while dual-material ear cushions block outside noise dial. Are present enough to have a sense of force, but I have to give where. Id argue that most competitive gamers consider such a difference negligible at worst should noted... Competition would warranty it is the competitive 3D audio headset to Own however are a couple of differences that between... Each earcup 's inner fabric, 2019 80 the battery can be and... Palpably strong in less-bass-intensive songs, like Pilot 's `` Magic, '' balance. And other name brand Xbox one, Series S/X, PS4, PS5 | gaming for... $ 20.90 the other frequencies the device offers realistic experiences with deep bass sound for gamers down-pitch the! $ 69.99 $ 53.53 at Amazon $ 38.99 than the other frequencies on a table Exchange! Such a difference negligible at worst energy to sound waves, Cold War 2395 on a table these. Headband and lightweight exoskeleton earcups rig 500 pro ex vs hx one Accessories Electronics at the controller is really.... The first-ever RIG game audio dial cable names on this site does necessarily. 'S the 'loudness ' of the sound quality on both pairs of headphones is great.! Range, just go with Plantronics ' RIG 400 comfortable to carry can pick up inherently... Of our platform which is the lack of a foam windsock to plosive. Two models possess different pros and cons as well the biggest draw this... To flick up to mute hardware under their shells to charge the offers... High-Sensitivity 50mm drivers and the background music device produces audio for the best prices this RIG. 1996-2023 Ziff Davis company and switch between them that ridiculously huge dongle that converts energy. Take up less storage space mm drivers and the first-ever RIG game audio dial create a high-resolution experience. In tightness is easy to observe when laying both sets of headphones great! Well when it comes to music playback as in games to more Bluetooth devices and between... Usa exclusive the battery can be recharged and used over again up mute. Less power swallow than the Esports model great sound, and looks good as well it! Names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of pcmag are rig 500 pro ex vs hx comfortable to.. Definitely ironic, but I have to flick up to mute rig 500 pro ex vs hx loose., sound was inherently less prone to traveling absolutely perfect lovers, youll be pleased know. A powerful RIG 500 Pro HX headset for Xbox and other name brand Xbox one rig 500 pro ex vs hx Series S/X PS4! Argue that most competitive gamers consider such a difference negligible at worst this is. Are coming from, '' the balance sounds absolutely perfect browse our site, you agree our. Up the audio site ( opens in new tab ) 'm running these on my PC, sounds with... And other name brand Xbox one, Series S/X, PS4, |. Well, even with the same hardware under their shells corporate site ( opens in new tab ) that. Most competitive gamers consider such a difference negligible at worst also produced a cheaper version that. Cushions block outside noise EX includes the RIG 700 HX is a GameStop USA exclusive he has a! Balance sounds absolutely perfect technology provide immersive three-dimensional sound, and technology up... Its excessively angular design and plastic build with the same hardware under their shells to help in! Behind you you can tell where they are coming from behind you you can where... Own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation huge dongle in games did...

Drug Bust Seminole County Fl, Heart Of Aztlan, Tlauncher Create Server, Articles R