I’ve always found wireless gaming headsets to be dodgy when it comes to reliability. You’re never too sure if the connection between the headset and your PC will hold strong when you’re going through a particularly intense gaming session in Overwatch.
But how does the Logitech G533 wireless gaming headset hold up?
The Logitech G533 is one the sleekest looking headsets I’ve seen. Lacking are the frills and pomp other headset manufacturers may add to their devices. Modest is how I would describe the Logitech G533 appears. It’s a design decision Logitech have not kept exclusive to the G533; even the G810 keyboard has the minimalist design going for it.
That said, whilst the design is minimalist and modest, it does lack that eye-popping factor most gamers opt for. There aren’t any futuristic looking grills nor is there a clashing colour scheme to make it stand out. The simple, matte black plastic headband isn’t fat and beefy like the Sennheiser GSP 350 for instance and would be unremarkable if not for the glossy Logitech logo at the top.The large ear cups are separated from the headband by adjustable pivots to increase the size of the headset and the angle of the ear cups. The ear cups themselves are unremarkable except for the left ear cup, which houses the extendable microphone boom, the power switch, a volume roller and programmable “G” button. By default, the “G” button is set to mute the mic, but you can customise what it does through the Logitech’s gaming software.
While the aforementioned headband may be visually bland, it has one of the snuggest and comfortable foam bands. When covered by the sports mesh Logitech has opted for, allows for long extended wearing sessions without the feeling of the headband digging into your head. The ear cups are similarly made of the same foam and are covered by the same sports mesh. The combination of the headband and the ear cups result in one of the most comfortable headsets I’ve ever reviewed. Logitech has even nailed the ear cups just right; they’re circumaural, covering your ears but giving them plenty of breathing space thanks to the XXL size. For a large headset (it measures 189x197x85 mm), Logitech has done well to keep it at 380g, which further lends to the comfort factor.
But how does it compare with the competition when it comes to sound performance?
First of all, I have to state again that the Logitech G533 is a wireless headset. Yes, you get a cable that comes with it, but its only purpose is to charge the headset, you still need to plug in the USB 2.0 adaptor into your computer. There is no 3.5mm cable and that’s a factor that may deter a lot of potential users.
To make full use of the Logitech G533, you will need to download the companion software that comes with it.
Once you’ve downloaded it and restarted your system, you’ll be able to tweak a myriad of different settings, including audio profile presets, sidetone levels, microphone level and so forth.
The Logitech G533 is loud yet it never sacrificed any clarity whatever the volume level. That coupled with the improved sense of immersion affords one an incredible experience. My preferred testing game for Surround Sound headsets is Overwatch, as the directional sound plays a significant part in gameplay. Audio cues and the position of enemies can be pinpointed in space thanks to the DTS 7.1 Surround Sound capabilities of the G533. Changing audio profiles to First Person Shooter, augmented and improved the audio performance remarkably, whilst switching to MOBA refreshed my experience in Heroes of the Storm and Dota 2. While I think Logitech’s companion software is a bit bloated, there is no doubt that it is pivotal to have when using the Logitech G533, if only for the basic profiles. Users can also change profiles, adding custom settings to suit their own preferences.
When it comes to music, the Logitech G533 does fall short when due to a slightly over-the-top bass, but other than that it performs remarkably well. Unfortunately, due to the lack of a 3.5mm cable, you will still need a dedicated music headphone.
Communicating is remarkably easy thanks to the adjustable microphone boom on the G533. Logitech boasts an integrated micro pop filter which reduces popping and breath noise to help ensure clear and communications and reduces unwanted noise. Friends told me I sounded crystal clear and when recording myself over Audacity, I found the playback to be lacking in background noise and any pops or crackles. Stowing the mic away plays a warning note for you to hear, though there isn’t that much tactile feedback other than a very slight click.
Going back to the wireless aspect of the Logitech G533, Logitech claims the headphones can work for 15 hours when at 50% volume. Considering how loud the G533 is, I often had my volume slightly lower than 50%, meaning I often came close to 15 hours of battery life and sometimes surpassed that. The G533 even has some smart power settings, turning the device off after an adjustable period of time where no noise is played, extending the life of the 1100mAh battery. The 15 metres that Logitech says is the distance the Logitech G533 can work away from the computer is plugged into may be a bit modest. Thanks to the wireless 2.4Ghz band the audio is transferred over, I could be several walls away from my desktop and still be able to clearly hear what a friend was telling me.
So when it comes to it, how does the Logitech G533 DTS 7.1 Surround Sound wireless gaming headset measure? While the design might be aesthetically lacking, the Logitech G533 is supremely comfortable and does a fantastic job replicating sound in surround sound, lending games an extra level of immersion. Unfortunately, the lack of a 3.5mm cable is still a deterrence to some gamers.
At $149, it isn’t the cheapest headset out there but it is still quite affordable for a wireless headset that also has surround sound capabilities.
