Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930

Manufacturer: Logitech International SA
Product Name: Wireless Gaming Headset G930
Model Number: 981-000257
UPC: 9785506702
Price As Tested: $119.99 (Amazon / Newegg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been self-supplied.

I have to be honest; sound seems to be the last on the list of upgrades anyone (including me, until recently) considers. And why is that, really? Most motherboards that a PC enthusiast will purchase have onboard sound that is capable of 7.1 surround sound anyway. Unless you're a gamer, movie aficionado, or audiophile (in which case you probably aren't reading this review...) chances are the onboard sound "makes sound," so therefore it is good enough.

I know everyone has different reasons for why they use PCs, and everyone plays PC games for different reasons. For some, it's a hobby - for others, a way to relax or get hyped up. I play games because they showcase what my builds are really capable of, and because I enjoy them! Much like a good book, a well-made game presents a game world that you can get "lost in," and enjoy the time you spend there. After all, that's why people have hobbies, right?

If you're taking time out of your day to do something you enjoy, I implore you to consider upgrading your experience for ALL of your senses (okay, unless you like the smell of burning capacitors or eating silicon, we'll forget about those particular senses for a moment). Eye candy is great, but much like candy itself, it doesn't make for a very balanced experience.

That brings me to my search for a balanced computing diet. I was running the frame rates that I wanted to hit on my favorite games, I had the speed required for everything I do on a computer, and I had the space to store all the data I wanted to keep. I KNEW something was missing because the whole experience was still too...two dimensional. And no, I'm not talking about playing everything in 3D - although a 120 Hz monitor IS on my wish list...

I was using a Razer Carcharias headset for my music listening and gaming duties along with a Creative X-Fi Gamer soundcard that I purchased on sale. I liked the CMSS-3D feature, but it was a little tricky to configure and without a lot of feedback on when it was activated. The headset itself was incredibly comfortable and performed its sound duties admirably, but I wanted more. It was an improvement over onboard sound but that card is almost three years old already (for me - that model of card was released in 2007 I believe). After some research, I decided to put my money down on a set of Logitech G930s, and that is the product I'll be reviewing here today.

Technical Specifications

Wireless

• Connection: 2.4 GHz RF
• Range: up to 40 feet (12 meters)*
• Audio stream: uncompressed 48 kHz
• Reception: dual antenna
• Interference resistance: forward error correction and dynamic channel selection

Battery

• Continuous playback time: up to 10 hours per charge**
• Charging connection: full-speed USB; charge-while-playing enabled
• Charge time: 2.5 hours or less (longer when in use)

Headphone

• Ear cup: up to 26 dB noise isolation
• Driver: laser-tuned; 40 mm diameter with neodymium magnet; 15mm diameter voice coil with ferrofluid damping
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz

Microphone

• Pickup pattern: cardioid (unidirectional)
• Type: pressure gradient electret condenser
• Frequency response: 100 Hz- 75 kHz

Durability

• Volume roller: 80,000 revolutions (minimum)
• Button: 50,000 presses (minimum)
• Headband slide: indexed stainless spring steel
• Ear cup rotation joint: aircraft-grade aluminum alloy

Specifications taken from the manufacturer product page.

Closer Look: Logitech G930

Right out of the box these things feel like you've gotten your money's worth. They retail for $159, but many times you can find them for much less (they've been on sale for $89). Red isn't even my favorite color but the subtle accents in the cans are well done and a nice touch. The packaging mimics the other Logitech peripherals - it provides a nice view of the product, while protecting the components contained inside.

This headset looks and feels GREAT in person. The finish on the ear cups themselves is a nice, soft and smooth texture with dark grey coloring that is pleasing to the touch and conveys a feeling of quality. Nothing about this headset looks or feels gimmicky or cheap, in my opinion.

The adjustable headband reveals stainless steel supports, and the cushioned headrest has just enough padding to prevent any pressure points. The leatherette material is nicely cushioned around the circumaural earcups, with a trapezoidal shape that is a surprisingly great fit once you put them on (makes sense - my ears are NOT perfect circles...). I like products that look as good as they feel, and this headset fits that description on every mark.

Picking up the G930s reveals their heft, but that weight seemingly disappears when you place them on your head. They have quite a bit of room for adjustment and can be made to be quite comfortable. I've worn them for at least four hours at a time with and without glasses. They do squeeze at my jawbones ever so slightly, but I haven't noticed any comfort issues because of it (it's like they're just giving your head a soft hug). I almost prefer more of a firm fit to my headphones anyway, instead of constantly feeling like they might fall off (like my Carcharias - incredibly comfortable, but if I look down or turn my head quickly, they'll shift enough to require an adjustment). I've developed quite a liking to the way the G930s fit, and now prefer it to any other headset I've tried so far. After a long Torchlight 2 session I did start noticing a point of discomfort at the very top of my head - other manufacturers might do well to take note of that little cutout at the top of the headband on the Razer Carcharias, but other than that I have no complaints. They are noticeably heavier than some other headsets but the wireless capability and other features outweigh (heh) those complaints, in my opinion. As in, "it's worth it."

One of those features is those three G keys on the left side of the headset (along with a mute button, volume control wheel, and the power and 7.1 / 2 channel selector switch). They are programmable, and can be assigned different profiles and functions through the Logitech Gaming Software. Although it took a couple minutes the first time to feel around for those buttons, it didn't take long before reaching up to adjust the volume or jump to the next track in a playlist became second nature. Placing these controls up there makes quite a bit of sense, and they all feel solid and tactile when you press them - they only require a light touch, so you aren't pushing the whole unit into the side of your head when you are trying to press a button. The whole thing feels well thought out and one of the best solutions for controls I've experienced.

Logitech G930 Performance

To those that haven't considered putting a portion of their budget into a sound card, I present one of the best arguments for aftermarket sound cards or headsets: Battlefield 3. If there's any game that justifies the use of upgraded 7.1 surround sound, it's this one. Much like Battlefield: Bad Company 2 before it, the team at DICE did an amazing job at the sound effects in these games. Your experience changes entirely when every bullet snaps past you, tanks rumble in the distance, and you can tell *exactly* where that helicopter is circling around for another pass at you as you crawl around the nearest cover you can find. All of the new information pouring at you from multiple directions is almost overwhelming, which really adds to the chaotic battlefield experience - no longer are you limited to hearing something from your left, center or right.

The first time I played a round in Battlefield 3 with the G930s, I think my score suffered quite a bit due to all the new information my ears were being assaulted with - which is a MUCH better problem than what it sounds like. The entire experience had so much more depth. I found I could pinpoint directional cues much more easily than before, to the point where I had to start mentally filtering sounds to pick out which directions I needed to focus on. The ear cups themselves are good for up to 26 dB of noise isolation according to the Logitech specifications page, which helps to ensure the only distractions you have are in-game. I could see the competitive edge a nice headset could give a player - but to be honest, just the improved immersive experience itself was worth the price of admission. Again, if you're upgrading every part of your rig because you want the best experience, don't forget about sound - you'd be missing out on an incredible experience.

This is one of the only areas I noticed a slight issue with the 7.1 virtual surround sound feature. There were times that I'd notice sounds would cut out when directly "behind" you, or directly above. This would continue to happen even after double-checking to make sure the 7.1 switch on the headphones was on, and verifying the surround sound capability through the built in sound demo (activated on the Customize Surround Sound page of the latest Logitech Gaming Software). Only by exiting the Logitech Gaming Software program, then restarting it would the 7.1 surround sound return on all channels. I'm still testing to figure out what "trips" this problem, but it was a pretty simple fix. I can't really knock Logitech yet for this until I confirm what caused it, as it could just be an issue with my setup (and the three sound cards + sets of drivers that have been through it) - and I haven't experienced it since.

All this talk of drivers brings me to the Logitech Gaming Software itself, and it bears mentioning here that this is an impressive software suite for some of Logitech's G-Series peripherals. It's intuitive, easy to use, and easy on the eyes without unnecessary clutter. It quickly became my benchmark for how these types of drivers should look and behave and I'm hoping Logitech will include every possible model they have into this driver.

It includes pages for configuring the G buttons on the headset, equalizer settings, the surround sound demo and volume adjustment, and setting the "voice avatars" (which change your voice over your microphone for...shenanigans, I suppose). I didn't get much mileage out of these, but some may be more interested in this feature. Most of them seem to merely change the pitch of your voice or add a slight distortion effect. They seem to work well at least, and are simple to configure.

I didn't have any issues with the microphone, and it seemed to pick up my voice just as well as any microphone I've used. I didn't need to add any "Mic Boost" as I had to with the Carcharias, and my voice seemed to be clear and easy to understand, while adequately filtering out background noise - which is all you can ask of a microphone in my opinion. The software will also display your estimated battery life remaining, or estimated time to recharge if plugged in - both very helpful and convenient pieces of information.

Speaking of battery life, the headset will sound a tone when the battery level is getting low; reminding you to plug in if you want to keep playing. This only happened to me a few times and always after not letting them charge the night before. After a full charge (which usually takes around an hour, depending on how depleted the battery is) the software will begin to give you an estimate of the remaining battery life. This will start at ten hours, but in practice you'll probably see a little less. Battery life should be a solid 4-6 hours of game time or more depending on what other types of wireless signals are present and how much you wander around while wearing them - which you'll find yourself doing often; it's great to not be tethered to one spot! Granted, if you're using this headset purely for gaming, you probably aren't running around the house - for listening to music or chatting, you will quickly see the benefits of a wireless headset, especially since the sound quality does not suffer in the least. I expected more "fuzz" due to the wireless signal, but my ears couldn't tell the difference. Of course, due to the nature of wireless signals (and ears, for that matter), your experience might be different.

There's no doubt the G930 performs well in games - it is obvious given the features and design what this product is marketed for. Thankfully, it delivers in that area - but how about putting those 7.1 surround speakers to work in a non-interactive setting?

Not surprisingly, this is mainly dependent on the quality of the source material. I'm not a music connoisseur, and if I listen to music it's usually playing over a set of speakers while I'm working on something else. Most of the time I'll just stream a channel from an online radio station, but there are a couple albums I liked enough to purchase and listen to offline. I find the Tron: Legacy soundtrack to be a great test for a wide range of sounds, and while there are some incredibly low bass notes in some tracks that most headsets have trouble replicating the overall experience was still good. Everything was clear, and nothing distracted me from enjoying the music. No complaints from me here. You can always play with the equalizer settings if you need something adjusted.

Let's be honest: you don't purchase a headset like this for music. The only other area I can see this headset enhancing your experience is while watching a movie, so I (happily) threw in The Avengers on Blu-Ray and sat back for some Marvel comic-book-hero goodness. As a heads-up, don't be surprised if I watch this movie reviewing every piece of hardware - "video card displays The Avengers well, mouse works during The Avengers, keyboard looks nice while I watch The Avengers..." You get the idea (I like this movie - there, I said it, now we can move on).

Does the 7.1 Dolby Headphone technology make movies even better? Yep. I'm not sure how to quantify it, but if you enjoy your movies and the greater immersion as a result of a decent sound system, the G930s will deliver for you here too. Make sure to microwave your popcorn before you start though - the only time I experienced any hiccups with the wireless connection was while waiting in front of the microwave. I make it a point to not place my head in close proximity with microwaves for the most part, so I didn't feel this was a serious issue in the least. Besides, I'd argue it is entirely offset by the ability to get up and walk to the kitchen while wearing the headset in the first place.

The G930 can't pump out the sound like a fully featured 7.1 surround sound speaker system connected to a high-end receiver through optical out, but they will provide an enhanced experience for only $110 (as tested). You'd be hard pressed to complete your home theater setup with that type of investment. It is also a great way to enjoy a movie to its fullest without generating noise complaints from your neighbors, which can be a great bonus if you care about that sort of thing (we all may have been that neighbor / had neighbors who graciously allowed us to listen to the movies they have selected for everyone's entertainment that evening - in which case, a good headset is indispensable)!

Gaming Headset Final Thoughts

This brings us to the question of all questions: is this product "worth it?" More than anything, to answer that question you need to be sure of what is important to you. There ARE better sounding headsets out there. There are probably better 7.1 surround sound set-ups in the market (although, most will use the same technology present here). I don't think you could do much better for a headset that can be used on multiple machines. Although 3.5mm plugs would enable use of an aftermarket sound card, that just serves to increase your total price anyway - and then you're limited to one machine. Most micro ATX and mini ITX builds won't have the additional room, so going the USB headset route is one of the only ways you can upgrade the sound. The built in Dolby Headphone and Dolby Pro Logic II technologies are great features that you won't get with a standard pair of headphones.

Logitech G930 Headset Conclusion

I've always struggled assigning a value to products which are highly subjective. I hope I've been able to provide a glimpse of the experience provided by the Logitech G930 Wireless Gaming Headset, and I hope you can use this review to assist your buying decision. Please don't base your purchase purely upon numbers - sound is tough to benchmark. That being said, I was impressed with the performance of this headset and the enhanced gaming experience it provides, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to my friends. I have to sheepishly admit I'm a secret fan of glowy lights and eye catching designs, but Logitech caught my attention with the appearance of the G930 headset. It exudes a professional quality, and I catch myself staring at them while they're charging at times. I understand this is quite subjective, but I like what Logitech has done here. Even better, the construction backs up the looks - the swiveling earcups take a moment to get used to, but everything feels solid and built to last. I expect to be using this headset for a long time, and I get the feeling it might be a long time before another model comes along that brings more features to the table than this one does.

Although more expensive than many headsets, the G930 Wireless Gaming Headset brings a lot of useful features for the reasonable price of $119.99 (Amazon / Newegg) - it is rare that I feel like I've gotten more than my money's worth, but I'm very satisfied with this headset. When you figure in the cost of an aftermarket soundcard and a set of headphones with equivalent features, you begin to see the value here.

If you are just looking to enjoy your library of games or music, you probably don't need a headset with the features the G930s offer. If you want to experience your games and movies, I would recommend you give this headset a try. In any case, to answer the question - yes, this headset is absolutely worth it. It delivers on every point: performance, build quality, looks, and features. Although it retails for $159, I don't believe I've ever seen it in the market at that price. Given the market price of ~$120, you probably won't be disappointed. It is a well-made, comfortable, solid performing headset that will expand your appreciation for your sense of hearing.

Pros:

Cons:

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