Gaming peripherals are going the way of sneakers. Just like a pair of Nikes implies the promise that maybe, just maybe, you’ll find a little bit of the magic carried by the pros, accessory makers are tying themselves to eSports and professional gaming teams. Usually, “eSports grade” means “eSports premium” but with the Logitech G Pro gaming headset, Logitech is bucking the trend. Does it deliver? Read on for our official review.
Specifications
- MSRP: $89.99
- Driver: Hybrid mesh PRO-G
- Magnet: Neodymium
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20KHz
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 107dB@1KHz SPL 30mW/1cm
- Noise Isolation: up to 16dB
- Cable length: 2m
- Surround: Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos for headphones Compatible
- Microphone Pickup Pattern: Cardioid (Unidirectional)
- Microphone Type: Back Electret Condenser
- Microphone Size: 4mm
- Microphone Frequency response: 100Hz-10KHz
- Dimensions: 6.77 in (H) x 3.22in (W) x 7.17 in (D)
- Weight: (w/o cable): 9.14 oz (259 g)
- PC Cable Length: 6.56 ft (2 m)
- Warranty: 2-Year Limited Hardware Warranty
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The design ethos behind the Logitech G Pro seems to be “performance over flash.” Or, as the back of the box puts it, “One purpose. Play to win.” Either makes for a nice encapsulation of the approach Logitech has taken with this headset. You won’t find any flashy lights or space age designs. All of that has been pared back and the focus put on the things that matter most, comfort, sound quality, and comms.
Taking it out of the box, one of the first things I noticed is how light it is. At 259g, it’s only slightly heavier than a pair of gaming mice. It’s fairly surprising given the depth of the earcups; you would expect it to be heavier sight alone. It also feels good in the hand with a soft-touch matte black coating that repels fingerprints.
The overall design is very simple. Absent is the usual gaming flair I mentioned above, instead featuring matte black with tasteful gray “G” logos on either earcup. A set of leatherette earcups come pre-installed and this change of material looks good. I mention that because, combined with the detachable microphone and 3.5mm connection, you could easily wear these outside of the house as your go-to set of cans.
So, Logitech has clearly saved some money in the simplicity of design. They’ve lowered the price to a very reasonable $89.99, but if the purpose is to trim out the fat of “gamer chic” and reinvest in good core design, what did they invest in instead?
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Durability for one. The headband includes a stainless steel frame, which is great for its long term life, but even more notably, they’ve used TR90 plastic to surround it. TR90 is a thermoplastic most commonly seen in eye glasses frames where users may drop or bend their frames. In long term rough and tumble use, TR90 holds up against repeat flexing and won’t become brittle or crack after a drop or two.
The joints - another common breakage point - have also been manufactured with glass reinforced nylon. You frequently see this in things like the handles of folding knives where they’ll be exposed to heavy use. The joints of a gaming headset are obviously very different from a stationary knife handle, so I’m not sure how that will affect their durability in the long-term, but it’s good to see an extra step being taken nonetheless. These joints also features the same multi-piece design we like to see that helps with resistance by itself.
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Also inside the box is an alternate set of earpads. The leatherettes that come pre-installed are better for noise isolation at the expense of some heat build up. The alternate set is trimmed in a microsuede and are a touch thinner. They’re comfortable and easily more breathable but definitely allow more sound out and in of the earcups.
Build quality only goes so far, though. Astute gamers know the difference a quality headset can make to their competitive edge in games, so at the end of the day, it all comes down to sound. On their own, the G Pros are a stereo headset but are compatible with Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos, if either tickle your fancy. I appreciated the tracking of the positional audio and found that they were easy enough to drive to achieve a high volume when listening for those sound cues in the distance.
When it comes to sound coloration, it’s clear that Logitech was aiming for a meaty and fun sound experience, so you see a boosted low-end in frequency response. The highs are nice and clear, however, so picking up on small cues like footsteps or gunshots into the horizon. This also makes the G Pros and enjoyable Netflix binge tool, as movies and shows sound full and great.
In terms of music, I did find myself tweaking the EQ slightly to bring out the mids and highs just a touch more. This is all subjective, of course, and I suspect many users may not even find this necessary, but since this is a “standard” headset without the extended frequency range of my usual (and much more expensive) Hi Res headphones, making a small tweak was necessary to bring out those little details I’ve so grown to appreciate.
It’s also worth noting that distortion wasn’t an issue with these phones, which can’t be said of many headphones in the sub-$90 price range. These headphones use the same hybrid mesh Pro G drivers found in Logitech’s flagship G933 Artemis Spectrum headset, which is still substantially more expensive. Their inclusion here makes these headphones even more of a value.
Lastly, I was very impressed with the quality of the included condenser microphone. It attaches to the left earcup via a 3.5mm jack and is mounted on a flexible goosearm for proper positioning. Captures are nice and clear without audible compression. Noise isolation isn’t the best, however, so you can hear much of what’s happening in the background, but it may just be one of the best headset microphones available for less than $99.
Final Thoughts
With the Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset, Logitech has over-delivered for the asking price. This is a headset that feels like it should cost $99 but comes in ten dollars less. If you can live without the RGB and gamer flair, this is a great budget headset that will more than deliver for your competitive gaming needs.
Pros
- Affordable
- Same drivers as their flagship headset
- Swappable earpads
- Fingerprint resistant
- Simple design means you can easily take them on the go
Cons
- Swapping earpads can be cumbersome
- Mic allows in background noise
The product discussed in this article was provided by the manufacturer for the purposes of review.
