As I review a lot of gaming hardware each year, for headsets, it will be interesting to see what companies have in store for 2022-2023.
For today, I am taking a look at the RIG 800 PRO HD Wireless Headset and Multi-Function Base Station. RIG is part of the parent gaming company Nacon which is a French video game company formerly Bigben Interactive (both were merged into a single entity back in 2002).
And since then NACON has grown to acquire numerous development companies, while their video game accessories, instead of going with the Nacon brand, they went full force in developing RIG GAMING, a premium gaming accessory brand for tournament audio for professional gaming.
So, for those wondering, in this competitive gaming industry, with NACON having its foothold many years ago with gaming accessories, it continues in the form or RIG.
And as far as their headsets go, they vary in price with the 800 Pro Series being their premium headset on the market (at $150 for the headset). It’s also important to note that RIG was the first gaming headset to partner with Dolby to launch Atmos for Headphones (for 3D audio).
The headset comes with a 2.4Ghz radio frequency USB receiver and a docking station to charge your headphones. Granted, you can also connect the micro USB 2.0 cable directly to the headset, if you choose not to use the charging station. I do wish they have went with USB-C instead of the older micro USB.
For one, it comes with 24-hour battery life thanks to its 1,800mAh rechargeable battery, precision 40mm drivers with bass enhancers when tuned for 3D Audio. For the price, I wished it offered 50mm drivers, but I wish it distinguishes it more from its mid-price line.
The headset has 10m range and has a frequency response 100 Hz-20 kHz frequency response and the pickup pattern for the mic is uni-directional. Fortunately, it doesn’t use a detachable mic. Something I do like about the RIG 300 Pro’s because it falls off so easily.
The headsets feature an ultralight headband frame, snap-in/out ear cups, dual material ear cushions, power on and off, volume dial, game chat balance (for XBOX only), a flip up to mute mic boom and a base station with charging station.
There RIG headset has no software that allows you to control audio settings which is unfortunate.
RIG headsets have never been about flashy LED lights, as the only LED you will see on this headset is a small dot which is seen when charging the unit. But compared to the RIG 300 Pro, this headset looks much better and you would expect that considering the price.
But I do feel that you are getting a little less for the price. For something released in 2022, you want to be able to customize audio through software, you want USB-C for charging, smaller 2.4GHz USB wireless receiver (this one is big like the old MSoft wireless keyboards/mouse) and 50mm drivers (otherwise 40mm is fine if one can use software to boost bass levels).
But for the most part, audio wise, the RIG 800 PRO HD Wireless Headset and Multi-Function Base Station is good but not premium great! Considering this is RIG’s premium headset, it’s just not great for the $150 price! Definitely room for improvement but I hope RIG updates this headset in 2023.
