If you’re in the market for a new pair of gaming headsets, I have one suggestion for you and that’s Plantronics RIG800HS wireless headset. Having used these headphones for a little over a month, it’s been enough to convert me into a Plantronics fan due to the quality and ease of use these headsets provide. This headset is the ultimate in continuous and easy gaming, with great battery life, ease of accessibility and amazing sound. Keep reading to check out why you need a pair.
First and foremost one of the most desirable components of this headset is its ease of use. It’s really as simple as plug and go. Every time you turn the RIG800HS on, you’re greeted by a voice that reads off the status of the headset. Connected, not connected, battery life at medium, low etc. The headsets automated voice prompts allow for quick and easy information when first turned on. No longer do you need to guess whether your headset is connected or not, or physically check how much battery life you have left mid-game.
Speaking of battery life, the life on the RIG800HS is LONG. The headset advertises a cool 24 hour wireless gameplay battery life. With casual play, leaving the headphones on while not gaming, and coming back to a session hours later, I got around 20-25 hours between charge sessions (which were not needed as often as assumed).
Controls are simple and easy to use as well. There are adjusters on the left ear-cup the control master volume, power to the headset and party chat/in-game volume. The knobs, once you remember where they are, easily adhere to quick and responsive changes in sound. You’ll be able to tell where the center between party chat and game volume is as well thanks to a groove that helps recognize the balancing area. This is something most headsets neglect, making it hard to get that perfect balance or find the middle-ground without resetting your presets. You can completely mute the game or the party chat for those scenes you do or don’t need to hear! The mic boom is also easily flipped up for muting and un-muting, which sounds off a beep so you know when you’re muted and when you’re not.
The mic works as you’d expect, friends could hear me clearly, even at a decent range. I must say, though the mic quality is good I had just a few problems. There were times that I had to readjust the mic because my teammates couldn’t hear well or head static or background noise. A quick fix though and nothing to complain about too much.
The RIG800HS also has the LONGEST RANGE from headset to PS4 dongle that I’ve ever experienced. With an impressive 10 m wireless range from the PS4 wireless base, I was able to travel throughout the house without noticing a disconnect.
The real reason the RIG800HS is one of the best headsets is because of its sound. This is the headset that makes gaming immersive, in a way that so far hasn’t been duplicated. The surround sound lets you hear exactly where your enemies (or friends) are coming from, with some of the best noise-cancelling ear-cups in the headset culture. With all PS4 audio coming to the headset and party voice chat, I turned up the volume and got lost in the game. This headset is exactly what immersion is built on. The subtle nuances and the background music are all captured on these headphones. The background and foreground all combine in a seamless listening, and in turn gaming experience. From Overwatch to the Neir demo, the background music was prevalent but not intrusive and character interactions and conversations were clear and crisp and above the background at all times. The only thing I wish this headset had was a bit more bass. You can change through four different EQ settings to improve this, but the EQ is not customizable.
One aspect that I do love that other headsets lack is the adjustable fit! The RIG800HS is unique because you can literally change the position of the ear-cup on the headset to be higher or lower. The ear cup can come out of the attached band and be moved higher or lower for your most comfortable fit. Not only that, but there’s an elastic cushion piece that rests over your head. I personally don’t like the piece, but this headset allows you to remove the elastic band completely if you, like me find the piece uncomfortable.
Immersion is where the RIG800HS shines. You get lost in the game, and don’t have those annoying worrisome issues you’ll have with other headsets. The noise cancelling mic ensures your friends can hear you, the noise cancelling headset ensures you can hear everything within your world and ignore the outside world. Easily determine where friend and foe resides by hearing every detail in the deep surround sound provided with the headset. Stay comfortable with over the ear headphones that fit with enough room to not crush your ears. They last so long they won’t die during your play session (unless you’re playing for more than 24 hours that is) so you’ll only need to worry about your controller battery. The level of adjustability for comfort is unmatched. Couple that with quick and easy controls, an automated voice and easy to recognize tones for changes and a stellar sound that enhances your experience, the soundtrack, and dialogue, and it’s easy to see why the RIG800HS is one of my new favorite headsets.
RIG 4VR
As for the RIG 4VR, you’re going to have an edge when using these headphones due to the accurate positional audio. While the RIG800HS has the same great positional audio, the RIG 4VR expresses that positional audio better, and has better bass and deeper tones that the RIG800HS. The booms and lower register tones are great in this headset.
While all my praise for the RIG800HS still stands with the RIG 4 VR, this headset has more headspace room for your VR pleasures. With the same additional adjustment features, the RIG 4VR has a retractable and connectable mic, to be attached when using the headset with the PS4 controller. Of course the ear-cups and adjustable strap can be moved as well.
This headset has an even softer ear-cup cushion than the RIG800HS, though since they are designed for VR they include vented ear-cups, which of course do let in more sound. This design is to keep yourself oriented and hear others when playing with VR. Though it doesn’t detract from the immersion of gaming, the RIG800HS does have a louder sound and cancel out almost all noise.
The sleek white design for the RIG 4VR sports the PlayStation logo and is a bit more stylish than the RIG800HS.
The only way to use these headsets is through the connector while plugged into the PlayStation VR set or into your PS4 controller.
The only drawback for this headset is that it’s not as easy to change the volume on this without configuring your sound options in the main menu. You must also attach the headset jack into a connector cable that goes into the PS4 controller when not using the headset with the PSVR. A separate connector cord goes into the VR system from the headset as well. The only other problem I had was making sure the headset was connected and the connector was firmly placed. When gaming, you can get a bit excited and may disconnect the connector cord, losing the audio. The cord is long enough that moving the controller from the headset and moving around is fine, just be sure to not knock out the connector from the headset and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
Keep reading for specifications on both headsets as well as what’s in the box!
RIG Surround Package
The Specifications for the ‘RIG800HS for the PS4 are as follows:
FEATURES:
- Up to 24-hours of lag-free wireless audio per charge
- Four EQ settings
- Control game/chat and master volume
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Mic frequency response 100 Hz–10 kHz
- Mic sensitivity -45 dBV/Pa
- Mic signal-to-noise ratio >42 dB
- Mic pick-up pattern Uni-directional
- Headphone weight 290 g/10 oz
- Headphone frequency response 20 Hz–20 kHz
- Headphone impedance 32 ohms
- Headphone sensitivity 111 dBSPL/V
- Headphone maximum input power 40 mW
- Headphone drivers Dynamic 40 mm
- Headphone cable length 1.3 m/4 ft
- Headphone cable connector 3.5 mm Compatibility PlayStation 4 Wireless base with USB and optical cable included.
- COMPATIBLE WITH PS4
- Service and support 1-year limited warranty
Included in the box you’ll receive
- Wireless Headset
- Wireless Base
- USB Charge Cable
- Optical Cable
RIG 4VR Back
The Specifications for the RIG 4VR STEREO GAMING HEADSET FOR PLAYSTATION VR are as follows
FEATURES
- Designed for use with PlayStation VR and PS4
- Accurate positional audio tuned for VR gaming
- Oval earcups that fit comfortably with VR displays
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Mic frequency response 100 Hz–10 kHz
- Mic sensitivity -45 dBV/Pa
- Mic signal-to-noise ratio >42 dB
- Mic pick-up pattern Uni-directional
- Headphone weight 240.5 g/8.5 oz
- Headphone frequency response 20 Hz–20 kHz
- Headphone impedance 32 ohms
- Headphone sensitivity 111 dBSPL/V
- Headphone maximum input power 40 mW
- Headphone drivers Dynamic 40 mm
- Headphone cable length 1.2 m/3.9 ft
- Headphone cable connector 3.5 mm
- Compatibility PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR
- Noise-cancelling mic flips up to mute
- 3.5 mm connector COMPATIBLE WITH PS4
- Service and support 1-year limited warranty
RIG 4VR Spill View
Included in the box you’ll receive:
- Headset Frame
- Self-Adjusting Headband
- Vented Earcups
- Removable Mic Boom
- Stereo Headset compatible with most 3.5 mm devices, including mobile, most PC/Laptop and console gaming platforms
- 0.4 m cable for use with PlayStation VR
- 1.2 m cable for use with wireless controllers
If you’re looking for a brand new headset for your PS4, look no further than Plantronics. They have upped their headset game and are now competing with some top name brands, and for good reason. I can’t recommend the RIG800HS or the RIG4VR any more than I already have. Pick up a pair and see for yourself what they can do!