This post is syndicated with permission from GamerFront.net
If you play PC games with other people online, there’s a good chance that you use some sort of voice chat. When playing WoW, our entire guild would use Ventrilo in order to stay coordinated in raids, or just to chit-chat. I never cared for free-standing mics, so I would always be wearing a headset. Sometimes it can be hard to find one that sounds good, picks up your voice properly and feels comfortable during long-term gaming sessions. This is why I love getting to review new headsets, so you don’t have to figure out the hard way whether or not one is worth buying. Well today I’m going to be sharing my thoughts on the Logitech Gaming Headset G330.
First Look
The G330 headset is of the behind-the-head variety, making it smaller than more traditional headsets. You’ll see that the width is actually adjustable on these, which is a welcome feature not often seen (on behind-the-head styles). The mic extends from the left ear and is adjustable. You will find in-line controls and your choice of standard stereo jacks or a USB adapter for hooking the device to your computer.
Installation
There’s really not much to talk about here. If you’re completely out of USB ports, you can just plug this into your standard audio jack. Of course if you do have a free port, I would recommend using it. On Windows 7, I needed only to plug it in and the computer automatically switched over to using the headset as my primary audio source. On my Mac (Snow Leopard) I only needed to Option-Click on my volume icon to switch my source. No software was required on either OS.
Comfort
One of the most important features of a headset is comfort. Great sound quality doesn’t matter if you can’t wear them for more than an hour at a time. I’ve never been a fan of behind-the-head sets for this very reason. I’m pleased to say that these are my favorite to date. They still aren’t as comfortable as traditional headphones, but they are the closest I’ve found. One of the biggest reasons these are so comfortable is because of that adjustable band in the back. Most others I’ve used are too loose or tight, which eventually causes pain or discomfort. This was eventually felt on the ears themselves, but only after extended use.
Audio Quality
Sound quality is almost as important as comfort, but I’m more likely to deal with average sound if the headphones are comfortable. The G330 is nothing to write home about, especially when using the stereo jacks. When plugged in via USB, the sound was a little more crisp during gaming and when listening to music, but not very much. If anything, I’d say the audio was a little flat, regardless of how you had the headset plugged in. It was not enough to dissuade me from using them on a regular basis.
I’ve had a lot of issues with microphones in the past. The biggest problem was generally that it wasn’t adjustable. I honestly don’t know why anyone would make a headset without an adjustable mic. I will never purchase one again. The G330’s is very flexible, allowing you to find the perfect position. Once you’ve found that sweet spot, you’re going to be impressed. When at home, I make all of my calls via Skype (thanks to AT&T’s abysmal coverage in the area). Even with a bit of music or a movie on in the background at a moderate level, the people I spoke to would rarely notice any background noise due to the noise-canceling abilities of the mic.
Verdict
If behind-the-head is your thing (and it really does come down to a matter of preference) then you’ll love the G330 Gaming Headset. It is the most comfortable of its type, and while the audio output isn’t phenomenal, it is perfectly acceptable. The clear audio input and its ability to use either stereo jacks or USB definitely make this $50 headset worth the money.
[ Logitech ] VIA [ GamerFront ]
