At Gamescom, we had the opportunity to try out the new range of Plantronics gaming headphones.
Plantronics, as you know, is one of the leaders of audio devices, such as bluetooth headsets, professional headsets or gaming, the Plantronics name is a reference point.
Products:
Gaming’s product range consists of 4 product lines:
- RIG 100
- RIG 400
- RIG 600
- RIG 800
The RIG 100 series is designed for those who have a great sound system at home and just want to be able to chat with game’s friends, in fact, the mono headset is open so the external audio can safely enter but at the same time allow you to listen quietly the party and can be worn both on the left ear and on the right.
The other series are of course intended for both PC players and Console players, but the message that comes out of nowadays is that if you are looking for purple highlighters, you are wrong port. Plantronics points to the reliability and performance of the audio, giving your customers unbelievable performance up to a few years ago in style and elegance.
In fact, in the PC and Xbox versions together with the headsets comes an activation code for the new Dolby Atmos technology with which the new products are compatible.
What is Dolby Atmos? As wikipedia says
The Dolby Atmos system is based on sound objects, unlike previous systems that were based on the channels (5.1 or 7.1). This system supports up to 128 sound objects, each with its own sound characteristics, each of which can be assigned any position in a three-dimensional space, which may vary over time. Depending on the position taken by the event at a given time, the audio processor will decide which speakers will play it to create a more realistic three-dimensional audio environment. With this system the audio involvement should be more complete, for example you will hear the rain falling from above, the thunder expanding above us as in the most classic of the thunderstorms or making the roar of a helicopter, the peculiarity of the Dolby Atmos is just about to wrap the listener upstairs.
So we are faced with a complex audio system that will allow us, for instance, to hear from what position the shot is coming, so not just from right or left, we will have a 360 degree listening field.
Other stronghold of the Plantonics Headsets are the resistance, in fact, I have seen the broken body, put under unnatural twists and always return in the right position, practically indestructible. Another peculiarity is the fact that you can disassemble the audio system from the body and personalize the height of the headset.
All RIG 400, 600 and 800 Series products are perfectly soundproofed out there, the RIG 400 and 600 have wired connection while the RIG 800 is wireless. I admit that I’m always doubtful about the wireless headphones but the Plantronics top range performance slammed my jaw, 24 hours of full charge with a quick charge system that guarantees 1 and half a game after only 30 minutes of charge.
Product Highlights:
E-Sport Roots – From the headset company that equips the pros, the RIG Series are crafted to meet the needs of e-sport and competitive players the world over.
Modular System – Gamers can adapt, upgrade or personalize their headset with purpose-built performance components.
Durable Comfort – Engineered to be the lightest performance audio headsets on the market.
Premium Acoustics – 40mm matched drivers and low-frequency resonators provide exceptional highs and deep, accurate bass.
Clear Voice – Noise canceling microphones ensures your teammates hear you and not the room.
At Gamescom we also had the pleasure of knowing Gregory Morquin – Gaming Segment Manager EMEA at Plantronics and we asked some questions.
Z: Your headphones are designed for e-sports. What does this idea come from?
G: As we spent more time in the e-sports scene we learned a lot from our competitive gamers and we took notes. We observed gamers both on/off the stage and developed a concept similar to how a gamer would construct their RIG. Start with the chassis and work your way to the core. Rather than looking at the headset as a whole, we looked it as individual components.
RIG headsets and accessories are targeted to the competitive gamer, and more specifically the aspiring e-sport player. The RIG Series (with exception of RIG 600) are the first modular gaming headset systems, built from user configurable components. Basic elements include: a highly durable and flexible headband frame, a self-adjusting head strap for fit, open or closed acoustic earcups, flip-up or removable microphone boom and interchangeable cable systems for compatibility (varies by model). By developing individual parts with very specific functions, we allow gamers to adapt, upgrade or personalize their headset. Specialized components also allow for an extremely lightweight design that maximizes comfort by eliminating unnecessary pieces.
Z: Have you been able to combine gaming and elegance; how have you been so successful?
G: Gaming headset are typically no more than branding efforts to “gamifying” existing audio products, and result in unfortunate compromises…delivering average comfort, sound, privacy and compatibility. The RIG Series changes everything by adapting to the player and their environment with purpose-built components.
Z: I saw how you manages the headphones; are they practically indestructible?
G: Yes… We’ve worked hard to create a lightweight, flexible and highly durable headband that provides the frame for attaching system components.
Z: In your opinion with the Dolby Atmos technology it was achieved the top of audio perfection?
G: In a revolutionary leap forward from surround sound, a full range of Plantronics RIG gaming headsets will be bundled with activation codes for Dolby Atmos for Headphones for use on Xbox One console or Windows 10 PC. Dolby Atmos provides powerful, moving audio that sweeps around and above gamers with increased precision and realism.
Dolby Atmos provides gamers with advanced spatial precision by changing the way developers treat in-game sound. Instead of pushing flattened audio through 2-D stereo channels, Dolby Atmos gives gamers the full positional data of their surroundings by treating audio as individual objects that realistically move around a gamer’s field of sound. With Plantronics RIG gaming headsets featuring Dolby Atmos for Headphones, gamers can hear audio cues coming from the front, back, above and below.
Z: Will the Xbox One X release foresees new products for Plantronics as well?
G: Plantronics and Microsoft are industry partners. Our full line-up of Xbox headset is Officially Licensed.
For all Plantronics news and technical data on their products, we recommend that you follow them on their official website.
