Plantronics RIG 800HS
CONSOLE GAMING HEADPHONES WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.
AIMED SQUARELY AT the PS4 crowd, Plantronics’ latest wireless gaming headset sports a number of desirable traits. Firstly, of course, it’s wireless, lightweight, has an exceptionally long battery life of 24 active gaming hours... and it’s attractive to boot. It’ll also work at a range of up to 10 metres, which should be more than sufficient, no matter how big your TV. We also love the convenience of its flip-down microphone, which can be muted by simply raising it away from your mouth — something that has become a staple of many Plantronics gaming headsets. The integration of a self-adjusting headband also helps keep the top of your head from getting sore during extended gameplay sessions, and the unit’s isolating ear-cups feature memory foam cushions for added comfort.
In terms of audio quality, the headset’s 40mm drivers provide ample punch and nuance to sound effects and music, and vocals come through crisp and clean. Four EQ settings allow users to tailor their audio experience to suit their needs, whether it be an added emphasis on vocals or the eardrum-rattling bass of the seismic option.
That said, the RIG 800HS has a few niggling factors that could put some users off. For starters, it isn’t Bluetooth compatible, so you’ll have to sacrifice one of your console’s USB ports to the headset’s wireless receiver plug. Not only that, the unit also needs to use your PS4’s optical audio-out port, so bad luck if you were already using it for your stereo or TV (you’ll find that the headset’s volume rocker won’t work without this optical connection). Finally, this is a stereo headset, so it lacks the 360° dynamics of other gaming headset options in this price range that can often feature 7.1 surround sound.