Most gaming headsets are designed more for flash than function these days. They often look more interesting than they sound, emphasizing pulsing LED lights and exaggerated plastic accents more than thumping bass and clear treble. If you want to buy a great pair of headphones though, the trends are very different. The most impressive headphones are often the most unassuming. Clad in black and brown, made of premium materials, they don't need to lure you in with colorful lights or plasticky design flourishes. They just need you to try them on.
Good headphones speak for themselves. That's exactly what happened the first time I put on Logitech's new G Pro X headset. At first glance it looks a bit plain. But as soon as I picked it up, I began to notice the craftsmanship—the plush earpads, the solid metal forks, the braided cable and subtle heft. It's plain, yes, but plain in the same way a luxury watch is plain. Add rich, resonant sound to the menu and it's a gaming headset that looks and performs like a pair of high-end, audiophile headphones, not a colorful trip to a midnight rave. In 2019, that's kind of amazing.
Testing, One, TwoThere's an important test I run when I'm checking out gaming headsets, especially gaming headsets over $100. First, I put them in a bag. Any bag works—a messenger bag, a backpack, a large purse, whatever I have on hand. Next I go outside. I go about my day, do all my normal stuff carrying these headphones around. This next part is crucial. When I'm in a public place like a café, an airport, a bus stop, I put them on and ask myself an important question: "Am I embarrassed that I look like I'm wearing a glowing space helmet and/or directing air traffic?" The answer to that question determines how much you're really going to get out of a headset.
If the answer is yes, then this headset is probably going to spend its life indoors, hanging out beside your computer, or at your office. If the answer is no, if they just look like nice headphones, you may get more mileage out of your purchase.
The Logitech G Pro X passed this test with (i.e., without) flying colors. The phones are just plain old black with some chrome accents, and the microphone is fully detachable, so you can pop it off and just use the headset as a pair of premium headphones if you wish. On top of that, the design is understated and undeniably premium. It's weighty but not heavy—luxurious and comfortable on your ears. Even with earrings or glasses (or both), the plush leatherette pads rest over your ears without squeezing your head.
The highest endorsement I could give these headphones is a simple one: Sometimes when I'm wearing them, I forget they're there. Listening to music, working, playing games, even after hours with these things on my head I'm not eager to take them off. They don't leave my ears sweaty, warm, or sore.
