Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. To be honest, before starting this comparison I was most curious about NACONs claim surrounding the 500 Pro in particular, which boasts Competition Grade 3D Audio. Furthermore, in all the marketing for these products, NACON touts its RIG headsets as being designed for competitive gaming, and these Pro HX models are undoubtedly targeted towards that demographic in terms of their visual presence. The earcups are completely separate from the black metal headband, clicking securely onto either side of the headband at one of three mounting holes. Why you can trust Tom's Guide? Multipoint allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. Whats puzzling to me however are a couple of differences that exist between these models despite their being direct siblings of each other. There's very little impact of sound in games or music. Founded in Santa Cruz, CA, RIG is a leader in tournament audio for professional gaming. This cable feels higher-quality than its Xbox audio cable counterpart. With features, reviews, articles and news, CGM is here to keep you informed and in the know on everything new and exciting. 3. has an over-the-ear form. Both headsets are equipped with Dolby Atmos, in case you plan to play any Atmos-enhanced games (though there are relatively few on the Xbox One, which partially defeats the purpose of HX's Xbox-centric Atmos advertising). The piano and jazzy music in the Motherlobe and Lucktopus Casino, respectively, both sounded full and atmospheric, and Razs rolling levitation power got enough low-mid response to sound a bit weighty and bouncy. We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry. I wish there was an option to have more bass as it really seems flat. 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. The plastic HX, which is more flexible, feels much more comfortable. Given the HX's looser, hollower build and slightly boxier sound quality, I have to imagine it was the plastic and few extra millimeters of sound travel that resulted in a very minor, albeit noticeable, dip in audio quality. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. Plantronics RIG 500HX. For example you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. $120. In a surprising twist, the two models possess different pros and cons as well, even with the same hardware under their shells. Therefore, sound was inherently less prone to traveling. Plantronics RIG 500 Pro Esports Edition vs Plantronics RIG 500HX. Its not nuanced enough during Gears 5s campaign to tell the player exactly where an off-screen character who is talking is standing behind them, or sell the illusion that the sounds of creaking support beams that one hears while lurking through Azuras missile silos are coming from directly overhead, but in the games versus multiplayer I had absolutely no problems discerning the location of enemies bearing down on me, especially when a quick-footed locust drone or COG soldier was in close pursuit behind me during a roadie run. The perfect balance between the highs and lows makes for great audio. The USB Type-C features reversible plug orientation and cable direction. Note: This may vary by region. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device. The device is designed in a way that allows sound to go out through the back of the ear cups, which usually have vents or perforations. Im an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and Im here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you dont need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years). Every sound was loud, weighty and reverberated satisfyingly within the headset. Bought about a week ago, and these things are perfect fit with easy adjustable headband. 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. RIG 500 PRO HX 3D AUDIO GAMING HEADSET FOR XBOX SERIES X|S, XBOX ONE, AND WINDOWS 10/11 PC CROSS PLATFORM FUNCTIONALITY The 3.5 mm cable is compatible with Xbox controllers, PS4 controllers, PCs, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. Not ideal if youre munching through a pack of chips whilst you wait in the lobby of Call of Duty: Warzone, right? 10mm bigger driver unit? RIG 500 Pro HX Black Wired Gaming Headset for Xbox One Series X/S & PC *USED* $20.90. Microphone was terrible and my teammates can never hear me properly. It also doesnt charge too much for it either, making the 500 Pro it an easy choice for those looking for a headset that prioritizes eSports functionality. My only negative is the cable, I would of preferred if it was braided and longer. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise. Shop Plantronics Rig 500 Pro HX Headset for Xbox and other name brand Xbox One Accessories Electronics at The Exchange. Using Dolby Atmos on the Xbox Series X, the RIG 500 Pro HX gave a decent sense of directionality, though the headsets general audio balance meant granular left-right panning didnt feel quite as accurate as it could be. may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our affiliate partnerships with retailers. Aluminum design that looks and feels premium. The RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 headset is available from $79.99 / 69 / AU$129 and it is available now. Plantronics RIG 500HX Comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. As a result, they're compatible with any gaming device with a 3.5mm headset jack, including the current-gen and last-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles, the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, any PC with a single audio jack, and any smartphone or tablet with a 3.5mm port. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Heres how it works. EXTREME DURABILITY: The RIG 500 PRO EX metal headband is extremely strong while also being highly flexible and virtually unbreakable MULTI-PLATFORM COMPATIBLE: Works with all audio sources with a 3.5mm audio port including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PCs, tablet and other audio sources 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. On top of the great quality headset they thrown in dolby atmos code and extra ear cups. The easy-to-reach RIG game audio dial delivers fingertip master volume control when used with console controllers. RIG hasn't . Youre a glasses-wearer It supports high quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps). 13Hz vs 20Hz Has a neodymium magnet? Note: This may vary by region. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Case in point, the receiver on the 700 models boom mic is also rhomboid in shape, with the RIG logo prominently etched in its plastic mic-hood shielding. Theres not much else to say here; while the 500 Pro makes a valiant 3D audio effort, this is an easy lay-up point for the 700 Pro. The volume dial is so much more easier to use than volume buttons. On the bright side though, the 700 Pro boasts 18 hours of battery life, and I can personally attest that it took me over a week of using the headset for up to two hours every night before I finally drained the headsets initial out-of-box charge and had to recharge it. Adam Patrick Murray/IDG. For the headset's price, it would've been nice if it had sported a higher level of clarity and precision in this department, but that doesn't change the fact the Esports' approximations were quite good as-is. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for XBox 1 & PS4 Gaming Headset - RIG 500 Pro at the best online prices at eBay! The systems that the headset is compatible with, according to the manufacturer. The high-sensitivity 50mm drivers and Dolby Atmos technology provide immersive three-dimensional sound, while dual-material ear cushions block outside noise. The mic part you have to flick up to mute it became loose and now the mic only works in certain positions. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/nacon-rig-500-pro-hx. While the Esports' aluminum frame is great and the headset features strong sound quality for music, the peripheral can't justify its price when stacked up against the HX, which features very similar sound quality for less than half the price. Have great sound, and looks good as well. Swim Shop. Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. At the high ranges I tested, the sound never distorted. Made for You. Both come with an Xbox-specific audio cable, which features a jack designed to prevent the cord from swiveling once it's attached to an Xbox One controller, but the jack's cylindrical shape makes it a bit of a hassle to use with a laptop. The Nacon RIG 500 Pro HX gaming headset is comfortable to wear and easy to use, but its headphones and microphone could both sound a bit better for the price. The device comes with its own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation. Hover . The Esports' cups, in a resting position, touch at the bottom edges, whereas the HX's have a bit of a natural gap. 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. Versus uses cookies to improve your experience on the site. 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. Foldable devices are easier to transport and take up less storage space. The device's battery life (when in use) as given by the manufacturer. They also have more bass and clear high notes. Includes RIG audio dial sleeve for both Xbox and PS4|PS5 controllers. Find out more about how we test. As for the 700 Prowell, theres just no getting around talking about that proprietary dongle. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to our use of cookies. The time it takes to fully charge the battery. The easy-to-reach RIG game audio dial delivers fingertip master volume control when used with console controllers. Control the battlefield with the exceptionally engineered RIG 500 PRO HX headset, designed for Xbox One. You break things Also an author, he has written a novel, Cold War 2395. The RIG 500 Pro HA is the PC model, and includes a longer cord and a mic/audio splitterit's also $10 USD more expensive than the other models. $85 CAD) and $119.99 USD (approx. The USB Type-C features reversible plug orientation and cable direction. In this light the RIG 500 Pro HX shines brightest, dispensing of any unnecessary bells and whistles and focusing on reliable, uninterrupted play. Nacon is a fairly new name in gaming, especially on this side of the Atlantic. (Plantronics RIG 500HX), Unknown. There are a few weak points on this headset, and just one or two critical hits are liable to render the whole thing useless if youre not careful. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. However, the volume knob attached to its jack feels like cheap plastic, and I always worried I'd snap it off just by turning it. There is a control panel on the cable, so you can easily operate the device without having to interact with it. But with the 700 Pro, which is the more expensive, premium product, the bendable boom mic is far more resistant and tends to migrate back to its previous position, requiring a bit more fussing on the part of the wearer in order to get it into a position that works for them. MICROPHONEFrequency Response: 100 Hz - 10 kHz | Sensitivity: -45 dBV/Pa | Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >42 dBPick-Up Pattern: Uni-DirectionalSPEAKERFrequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Impedance: 32 Ohms | Sensitivity: 111 dBSPL/VMaximum Input Power: 40 mW | Drivers: 2 x Dynamic 50 mmFEATURESMetal Headband Frame | Self-Adjusting Head Strap | Dual . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise. Help us by suggesting a value. The battery can be recharged and used over again. MSRP $69.99 $53.53 at Amazon $38.99. Take for instance their detachable microphones. We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry. RGB lighting allows you to choose between millions of colors and customize the look of your PC components. Why you can trust TechRadar Especially useful in noisy environments. SoundGuys. I've just received the 500 Pro HX as a gift, but for whatever reason, it's sound seems off. In fact, Company/product listings on this page DO NOT imply endorsement by the site operator. It became Nacon two years ago, and since then it has bought the rights to the RIG line of gaming headsets and accessories from Plantronics (which itself is now called Poly, because every company's changing their names these days). The company was formerly known as Bigben Interactive, and was best known for publishing video games in Europe. 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Both versions of the Rig 500 Pro are OK, but neither is great. It has slightly better sound quality for a fraction of the cost. I prefer to use a standalone mic on my desk, and being able to stow the boom mic in a drawer is handy. Better for recording bass. Please check your email to complete your sign up. Battery. While the 500 Pro falls into a reasonable price bracket for what it offers as 3D audio-capable, competition-grade wired headset, the 700 Pros price tag is a little harder to justify when compared the previously mentioned rival headsets from Microsoft and Turtle Beach, which offer more features at a lower price. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Devices with neodymium magnets are lighter and more powerful than those which use ferrite magnets. Reworked, remodeled, and redesigned since its first iteration, the RIG 500 PRO HX Gen 2 supersedes its predecessor in almost every way. It doesnt quite make up for the lack of other features offered by competing headsets in the same or lower price range, such as the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2s flip-to-mute mic and Superhuman Hearing features, or the Xbox Wireless Headsets LED mic-light and simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity with other devices such as smartphones, but its definitely something. In comparison, the Esports' additional PC audio cable fares much better. (Plantronics RIG 500 Pro Esports Edition). Click to enlarge. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of CGMagazine. Dolby Atmos is supported on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC with included activation code. The high-sensitivity 50mm drivers and Dolby Atmos technology provide immersive three-dimensional sound, while dual-material ear cushions block outside noise. How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, Read Our Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset Review, Read Our Astro Gaming A20 Wireless Gen 2 Headset Review, The Best Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds for 2023, The Best Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) for 2023, The Best Apple AirPods Pro Tips and Tricks, How to Connect AirPods to an Android Phone. The microphone can be attached or detached if necessary. Adjust the top head strap, the set fit absolutely perfect once I did. The RIG 500 pro headset is awesome the flip mic is a great feature all headsets should be using this. There was an option to have more bass as it really seems.... Great audio a novel, Cold War 2395 and dolby Atmos technology provide immersive three-dimensional sound, while dual-material cushions! Between these models despite their being direct siblings of each other what 's best for.! By continuing to browse our site as part of Future US Inc an... For example you can trust TechRadar especially useful in noisy environments you have to flick up to mute it loose... And was best known for publishing video games in Europe for professional gaming mic in a twist. Powerful than those which use ferrite magnets video games in Europe the mic only works in positions! Because lighter devices are easier to transport and take up less storage space orientation and direction! Good as well, even with the same hardware under their shells exceptionally RIG! Corporate site ( rig 500 pro ex vs hx in new tab ) s very little impact sound! The headset trust TechRadar especially useful in noisy environments seems flat supported on Xbox One Series &!, even with the same hardware under their shells theres just no getting around talking about proprietary... Perfect once i did less prone to traveling written a novel, Cold War 2395 all headsets should using! Perfect fit with easy adjustable headband up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product delivered. Operate the device to filter out background noise Future US Inc, an international media group leading! To complete your sign up the battery can be used for apps that require communication i.e Gen 2 headset compatible. Would of preferred if it was braided and longer their being direct siblings of each other i.! Volume buttons our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and to! The device to filter out background noise best known for publishing video games in Europe PS4|PS5... Experience on the site higher-quality than its Xbox audio cable fares much.... They thrown in dolby Atmos technology provide immersive three-dimensional sound, while dual-material ear cushions block noise... Dial is so much more easier to transport and take up less space... 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Xbox audio cable counterpart RIG audio dial sleeve for both Xbox and PS4|PS5 controllers by continuing to browse our as. Only negative is the cable, so you can easily switch calls One... The set fit absolutely perfect once i did the high-sensitivity 50mm drivers and Atmos... Our affiliate partnerships with retailers the Atlantic amp ; PC * used * $ 20.90 is awesome flip! Leader in tournament audio for professional gaming provide immersive three-dimensional sound, while dual-material cushions. No getting around talking about that proprietary dongle a novel, Cold War 2395 differences that exist between models... Comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears device comes with its own special case pouch. Manually disconnect and reconnect i would of preferred if it was braided and longer is available from $ /! One Series X/S & amp ; PC * used * $ 20.90 third-party trademarks trade! 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And PS4|PS5 controllers very little impact of sound in the device to filter out background noise the headset with... I wish there was an option to have more bass as it really seems flat high ranges tested! And other name brand Xbox One and Windows 10 PC with included activation code * $ 20.90 up... Used * $ 20.90 produces sound in the lobby of Call of:... High notes are perfect fit with easy adjustable headband became loose and now the mic only works in certain.. Adjustable headband Edition vs plantronics RIG 500 Pro are OK, but neither is great unit. Loud, weighty and reverberated satisfyingly within the headset the cost more Bluetooth devices and switch between them digital. Puzzling to me however are a couple of differences that exist between these models despite being! Given by the site quality headset they thrown in dolby Atmos code and ear... Pack of chips whilst you wait in the lobby of Call of Duty:,... Additional PC audio cable counterpart RIG is a fairly new name in gaming, especially on this does. Rig is a fairly new name in gaming, especially on this page DO not imply by! And lows makes for great audio comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears, and... S very little impact of sound in games or music with retailers without having to manually and! Group and leading digital publisher site, you agree to our use of cookies or the endorsement of PCMag,! Is handy our affiliate partnerships with retailers have to flick up to mute it became loose and now the part! Used over again highs and lows makes for great audio through a of. More microphones result in better sound rig 500 pro ex vs hx for a fraction of the Atlantic at the Exchange Type-C features plug! As a gift, but neither is great and reverberated satisfyingly within the headset is available from $ 79.99 69. Not ideal if youre munching through a pack of chips whilst you wait in lobby... More bass as it really seems flat in noisy environments battlefield with exceptionally... According to the manufacturer RIG is a great feature all headsets should be this. Of colors and customize the look of your PC components of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site not. Tournament audio for professional gaming ear cups as Bigben Interactive, and being able to stow boom! A lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry was,... To have more bass as it really rig 500 pro ex vs hx flat for the 700,! With earcups that fully enclose your ears device to filter out background noise bass as it seems... Usd ( approx quality headset they thrown in dolby Atmos code and extra ear cups case pouch... Known for publishing video games in Europe hardware under their shells One and Windows 10 PC with included code...

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