STACK Jun #128

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a mute option, with an in-line volume switch
on the 1.2 metre cable. Also supplied is a 1.2
metre smartphone cable and a 2.0 metre
extension cable.
Remember though, that the PDG1s are
open-backed, so while these are perfect
for gamers holed up in the salubrious
environment of home, or for keeping one ear
open for baby noise on a monitor and your
ears cool in a summer gaming marathon,
if you’re playing in an area with extensive
background noise, you’ll probably want
to consider the PG1 closed-back version
instead.
The PDG1 has dispensed with the wing
support, implementing a more traditional
band system. It does sound clichéd, but the
headset is so light, you really do forget you’re
wearing it, and that's what you want from a set
of gaming cans.
If you’re on the search for a versatile headset
for PS4 and PC out of the box (for Xbox One
compatibility, simply buy a stereo headset
adaptor) that delivers right across the board, for
the price point, these really are hard to beat.
Headsets. It can be a nightmare picking a
pair of these.With marketing phrases like
surround sound and 7.1 splashed across
packaging, navigating your way through the
array of options on offer can be a challenging
task, especially if you’re not overly tech savvy.
So where do you start in this daunting task
of selecting a new set of gaming cans?Well,
probably like most of us: at the price point.
The brand name Audio Technica is synonymous
with quality headphones and the company has
been in operation for 50 years now, so it’s fair
to say they know a thing or two about the
subject matter. While the gaming sphere is
still relatively new territory for the company,
they have hit the ground running.
The PDG1 comes in at $199, a figure most
gamers would expect to fork
out for a good set of
all-rounders. There’s
a lot of competition
around the same price, so
how do these perform? You
won't be disappointed.
By design, the Audio Technica PDG1
has a substantially smaller cloth-covered
ear cup with 44mm drivers more in line with
traditional gaming headsets than the company's
AT ADG1 premium gaming headset.
Forget all that sales gadgetry guff, this is a no
BS plug-in-and-play headset that provides exactly
what it says it will. Our test games for the PDG1s
was Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare for the
‘boom’ factor and STACK’s stalwart franchise for
testing headsets in the office: FIFA.
Advanced Warfare provided all the battlefield
effects we needed to test with great results.
Explosions suffered no distortion despite the
varying volume levels. The sounds of bullet-
ricochets, battle cries, grenades, etc, are
excellent. Similarly, the FIFA 15 commentary and
crowd noise is exceptionally clear; the crescendo
of sound when the ball hits the back of the net is
phenomenal – it's Old Trafford in the ear.
A detachable, unidirectional mic on the left cup
delivers crisp vocal communication and features
070
visit GAMES FEATURE
We too test ventures into the gaming headset market,
and the ATH-PG1, for a test drive. HEAD GEAR
ATH-PDG1
ATH-PG1
So, not a massive fan of open-back headsets? No
problem; Audio Technica have got you covered – literally.
The PG1 features the same standards in quality as the
PDG1, except the headset has a closed back for those
who like their gaming to be a little more personal and
immersive.
The cups are leather covered and designed to ‘seal’
and confine all the sound to the ear, effectively cancelling
any external noise – you’ll be able to hear that assassin
sneaking up behind you before he even
thinks of doing it. The weight is similar,
providing a great deal of comfort even
for extended periods of gaming.
JUNE 2015 JB Hi-Fi