But is it too good to be true? We’ve spent some time playing games using the Rig 500 Pro, and here’s what we think. For more headset inspiration, take a look at our selection of the best gaming headsets available right now.
Plantronics Rig 500 Pro pricing and availability
Plantronics Rig 500 Pro review
The Plantronics Rig 500 Pro is a decent effort at a headset that makes the right compromises to offer solid audio at a sub-£100/$100 price point. For example, you get a metal headband to provide rigidity and solidity, but the main body is plastic to keep things lightweight and affordable. Like a growing number of gaming headsets, this also features a secondary fabric headband intended to help the headset sit comfortably and lightly, without becoming insecure. Unlike most rivals this actually works, and the Rig 500 Pro really does sit snugly. If there’s a downside to the design it’s that it’s, well, pretty damn ugly. The angular metal-and-plastic lines and gold finish don’t feel very 2019, and this is far from sleek. It’s a capital-G Gaming headset, with all the questionable design choices that entails, and Plantronics is lagging firmly behind its competition here. Audio quality is solid, if not remarkable, but it’s strong for the price. Bass response is strong from the 50mm drivers, and there’s a noticeable surround sound effect. Audio can get a bit muddied, making it tricky to isolate specific in-game sounds at times, but generally speaking this makes games sound good. The microphone is more impressive, with crisp, clear audio that could rival much more expensive headsets. There’s no foam windsock to protect against plosives, but that’s only a minor downside really – especially once you factor in that the mic is removable, and boasts a flip-to-mute function that makes it dead easy to use. Controls are minimal other than that, with just a simple inline volume slider. If you’re a console player, keep an eye out for the Xbox One and PS4-focussed 500 Pro HX and HS respectively, which instead come with volume dials that sit on the controller’s headphone port for quick access – though you lose the metal headband in the process. There’s also a pricier 500 Pro Esports Edition, which has a whole metal frame and includes extra ear cushions and audio cables.
Verdict
Set the aesthetics aside, and the Rig 500 Pro is a really impressive gaming headset for its price. We’ve frequently forgotten that this is costs less than £100/$100 while we’ve been using it, happily switching between it and some far more expensive alternatives. Solid metal construction means its comfortable and built to last, with powerful bass that’s perfect for driving shooters and refreshingly simple controls. Tech Advisor’s Deputy Editor, Dom covers everything that runs on electricity, from phones and laptops to wearables, audio, gaming, smart home, and streaming - plus he’s a regular fixture on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
