STACK #167 Sept 2018

TECH FEATURE

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Rig 500 pro e-sport Plantronics are back with a new headset series aimed at aspiring pro gamers.

W e recently tested the brand new Plantronics RIG 500 Pro Esport – the top of the line of the new 500 series of gaming headsets. The 500 Pro Esport features 50mm drivers and is compatible with PC, PS4 and Xbox One – not to mention anything else that has a 3.5mm jack. The new headset offers high resolution game audio and a flip-to- mute, noise-cancelling, unidirectional microphone. Complete with sturdy, diecast aluminium cups and dual material ear cushions, the Rig 500 Pro Esport also has a self-adjusting headband that is a staple of Plantronics’ gear. They’ve even included an extra pair of foam earcups if you're not a fan of the half-half foam/ leatherette combo. The best part is they’re super easy to swap out – they just snap off and back on. Arguably the most impressive aspect of this new headset is its new controller connectivity. On a console, there are those who aren’t

necessarily fans of inline volume controls for your headset. They can he hard to find, and it’s usually inconvenient to have to move your hand so far from the controller. Plantronics have rectified this with their new game audio dial. There are two different shapes – one each that will fit a PS4 and Xbox One controller – and they simply snap into the 3.5mm jack on your controller. You can then adjust the volume simply with a spin of the wheel, without having to move your hand from the controller. The game audio dial also features a full volume lock, so you don't need to be concerned with accidently hitting it. Of course, the top of the line Pro Esport model also comes with an inline controller if you’re using it on PC. Plantronics’ new headset offers Dolby ATMOS sound and includes an activation code in the box. You’ll get brilliant highs and lows, and Plantronics are some of the lightest headsets on the market, so you don’t need to worry about fatigue after a long gaming session. The RIG 500 Pro Esport is one of the best headsets on the market at the moment – and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

We took a pair of Turtle Beach’s Stealth 300s for a spin. Turtle beach stealth 300

T urtle Beach is back with a new addition to its extensive headset range, introducing the Stealth 300s for Xbox or PlayStation. We had a play with the PlayStation version, that connects simply through a 3.5mm jack – essentially bringing true versatility to a myriad of devices. The Turtle Beach Stealth 300s are a wired stereo gaming headset that you’ll need to charge before use, and they also utilise Turtle Beach’s prospecs system, which takes the pressure off your glasses (if you wear them). It's got a groove cut into each earcup that allows the arms of your glasses to simply slide through, without the rest of the earcups needing to come away from your head. Something you don't really think about if you don't wear glasses, but if you do, it's a blessing. The headset features 50mm drivers and a flip-to-mute, high sensitivity microphone. It also has dials for both volume and chat control, as well as a button that allows you to switch between four audio presets to get the best out of whatever you’re using it for. You can also make use of the variable mic monitoring to hear your own mic feedback within the headset, to determine if you’re being too loud or too quiet. The Stealth 300 is sturdy, with a metal reinforced headband and swivelling earcups. Turtle Beach’s headset won’t hurt your hip pocket and is a reliable, simple bit of kit.

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SEPTEMBER 2018

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