(Plantronics Rig 500), Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value. The die-cast aluminum build of the Esports model goes a long way toward making those headphones attractive. We also recommend the $99.99 Razer Blackshark V2 if you want a wired headset for PC gaming, and the $99.99 Xbox Wireless Headset if you want to specifically game on the Xbox One or Series S/X. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. 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. 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. Free shipping. 18000Hz vs 10000Hz 50Hz lower microphone frequency? We deliver in Texas, Arizona and Florida. Clear, good quality microphone for ingame communications. If the device supports Dolby Digital it can deliver up to six different audio channels (sides) for a much better sound quality. There is a control panel on the device body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to. Character dialog was also easy to discern. RIG 500 PRO HC | COMPETITION GRADE GAMING HEADSET Features Hear more and react faster with precisely tuned 50 mm drivers delivering high-resolution audio The lightweight exoskeleton design covers the ear for stable, comfortable gameplay, so you can play longer with less distraction The highest frequency at which device produces audio. Such no-nonsense accuracy is crucial when one is reminded of the products intended audience: competitive gamers. There are other questionable differences too, largely focused around the finish and materials used, such as why NACON chose to go with a plastic headband on the 700 Pro and a metal headband on the less-expensive 500 Pro, but none of them are so drastic that they are worth writing home about. Comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. As a result, the whole headset feels light and easy to wear though we noticed after a while there was a little pinching on the crown of the head and around the ears. Looking at it makes It seem like it shouldnt work so well, but it does, with both headsets staying firmly on my rather large dome without exerting excessive pressure, or alternatively, feeling too loose. The memory foam earpads are pleasantly soft, covered with faux leather around the side panels and breathable fabric for the surface that presses against the ears and the sides of the head. RIG 500 Pro HX RIG 500 Pro HX Save product Hear every detail with this Plantronics RIG 500 PRO HX headset. Black Canary's screeches soared over Swamp Thing's meaty vine attacks and Scarecrow's chains scraped against Flash's baritone voice, resulting in clear sound differentiation and distinct noises. Better for recording treble. 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. $120. The closed-ear design helps keep outside noise out, while not completely cutting you off from the outside world. 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 . If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. 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). (Plantronics RIG 500HX). Elon Musk planning to launch ChatGPT AI rival, 15-inch MacBook Air leak shows no M3 chip, Huge weekend sale at Best Buy TVs from $79, $400 off MacBook Pro and more. Razer Leviathan V2 Pro sound bar is an innovative device with camera-assisted head-tracking and, despite, The Kensington H3000 Headset is a solid Bluetooth headset with clear audio quality that could, Explore the resurgence of space-themed games, from big studios to indie gems like EVERSPACE 2,, If you need help looking for new games to binge, here is a tested list, Its National Anime Day and whats a better way to celebrate then looking into all. Take for instance their detachable microphones. Anyway, the most pressing question that we knew we had to answer right away is: Between these two RIG headsets, which one is the definitive headset to own? The device's battery life (when in use) as given by the manufacturer. Music listening is also very hard to enjoy when I prefer a bit more volume on the treble side vs bass side, where the 500 Pro HX, even with an equalizer, is too heavy on bass. Clear driving sounds if someone is coming from behind you you can tell where they are coming from. There is a control panel on the cable, so you can easily operate the device without having to interact with it. Strangely, the boom mic cant be flipped up either, and muting the mic can only be achieved via the shallow and rather difficult-to-locate mute button on the bottom of the left ear cup. It's the 'loudness' of the sound that the microphone can pick up. The mic part you have to flick up to mute it became loose and now the mic only works in certain positions. By Will Greenwald. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Plantronics GameCom 788 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset DAMAGED NO SOUND at the best online prices at eBay! 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. 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Definitely a draw here. Microphone was terrible and my teammates can never hear me properly. The cable features an in-line remote with a volume slider, but no phone controls. 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. When put up against the 500 Pro however, the 700 Pros superior 3D surround fidelity is unmistakable, especially when playing games such as Gears 5 which are built to exploit the subtleties of the technology with their rich, varied environments and diverse soundscapes. New York, The 500 Pro delivers reliable, consistent performance for competitive types while also offering adequate, simulated surround that doesnt get in the way of the basics, which pro gamers are bound to appreciate. Three positions for earcup height might seem paltry when most gaming headsets offer a dozen click-stops or smooth sliding adjustments, but it isnt a problem thanks to the secondary band through which the wire connecting the two earcups runs. Product Description. The RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 makes a great first impression; its stylish, that steel band over the head does a great job at making the hardware feel more premium than it actually is, and when you pick the headset up, youll enjoy just how light and unobtrusive it feels. 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. 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The mic also feels cheap. This page is currently only available in English. The lowest frequency at which the device produces audio. It remains one of the best features of Plantronics' headsets. I've just received the 500 Pro HX as a gift, but for whatever reason, it's sound seems off. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. As we mentioned in the TLDR above, the sound quality on both pairs of headphones is great. This model is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it won't leak sound to your neighbors. The detachable microphone is interesting; its both removable and flip-to-mute, which is unique in any headsets this reviewer has encountered. This page is currently only available in English. Plantronics RIG 500HX Comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. In fact, Company/product listings on this page DO NOT imply endorsement by the site operator. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise. 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. Use your experience to help others in the community make a decision. RIG 500 Pro HX Black Wired Gaming Headset for Xbox One Series X/S & PC *USED* $20.90. Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Founded in Santa Cruz, CA, RIG is a leader in tournament audio for professional gaming. ASTRO Gaming A10. Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc. When the track properly kicks in, the guitar strums and cymbals stand out slightly in the mix, and the bassline's punchy attack comes through much more prominently than any low-end follow-through. Please check your email to complete your sign up. It acts as something of an exoskeleton, with the rest of the hardware seemingly attached to that core chassis and feeling suspended from it. It feels more expensive than it is and delivers mid-range sound without breaking a sweat. A long cable ensures more freedom of movement. The high-sensitivity 50mm drivers and Dolby Atmos technology provide immersive three-dimensional sound, while dual-material ear cushions block outside noise. Unlike early RIG headsets, the Nacon RIGs arent intended for modularity. The device sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal which reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out. $145 CAD) respectively. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. This site is a free online resource that strives to offer helpful content and comparison features to its visitors. The 500 PRO EX features a durable metal headband and lightweight exoskeleton earcups. Help us by suggesting a value. 3. has an over-the-ear form. If using this headset on a Windows 10 PC, launch the Microsoft store, select Account Menu, and Redeem A Code. Skip header navigation. Both Plantronics Rig 500 Pro models (Esports and HX) feature great microphones, but the overall audio quality isn't what it should be for the prices of either model. Both headsets have great microphones, strong internal hardware specs, Plantronics' signature headband and a few neat additional touches. The lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass. The RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 headset is available from $79.99 / 69 / AU$129 and it is available now. Were not marking it down for that (its effectively user error, after all), but you should be aware if youre thinking of picking this headset up. The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. Success. The battery is removable and can be replaced by the user if broken. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. The 500 comes packaged with a 2-year activation code, while the 700 automatically provides licensed access to the app once its 3D dongle is attached to the console. CGMagazine may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our affiliate partnerships with retailers. 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. 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. Each earcup is made of black plastic, with geometric, skeletal designs built around circular mounting points on the outer panels. 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 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. The three tiers are balanced well. I'm running these on my PC, sounds amazing with Dolby Atmos. Plantronics RIG 500HX. My only negative is the cable, I would of preferred if it was braided and longer. Both headsets use a lift-to-mute mechanism where you push the mic up until it 'clicks' and then it is muted. 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. Shop Plantronics Rig 500 Pro HX Headset for Xbox and other name brand Xbox One Accessories Electronics at The Exchange. I don't know if it's just my ears or whatever, but it seems flat or like it's playing through a window. With features, reviews, articles and news, CGM is here to keep you informed and in the know on everything new and exciting. The Rig 500 Pro Esports model is good for gaming, if a bit underwhelming for its price bracket. Control the battlefield with the exceptionally engineered RIG 500 PRO HX headset, designed for Xbox One. Fortnite highlights the RIG 500 Pro HXs relative lack of deep bass response, with the games bombastic soundtrack, shotgun blasts, and clunking of feet on wood floors sounding more poppy than full and robust. Take Star Wars Battlefront II (2017), for example. An indicator shows you when the device has low battery. 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. RIG 500 PRO HX box includes: The easy-to-reach RIG game audio dial delivers fingertip master volume control when used with console controllers. Halo 5: Guardians also benefited from the headset's competent sound balance and isolation, though to a slightly lesser degree, since the maps I played on were filled with walls and hallways. Which is the Competitive 3D Audio Headset to Own? It should be noted that the RIG 700 HX is a GameStop USA exclusive. Everyone i've asked says that the mic sounds great. 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. Made for You. The lowest frequency at which the device produces audio. Swim Shop. Please be advised that the operator of this site accepts advertising compensation from certain companies that appear on the site, and such compensation impacts the location and order in which the companies (and/or their products) are presented, and in some cases may also impact the scoring that is assigned to them. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Hassle-free, high-quality audio with Dolby Atmos support? Hover . 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. 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