Preview: Plantronics’ RIG 500 range of headsets

Plantronics’ upcoming RIG 500 series range of headsets wants you to apply your own style to its technology.

Stevivor spent an hour with the headsets last week, checking out the new, modular nature of the range.

The 500 series will feature three base models:

• The 500 itself is a stereo PC headset with closed, memory foam sound-isolating earcups, a noise-cancelling boom mic and 40mm drivers that will retail for $99.95 AUD.
• The 500HD is a 7.1 Surround Sound PC headset with the same base features as the 500, plus 24-bit audio-rendered studio sound. It will retail for $129.95 AUD.
• The 500E has the same base features as the 500HD, but comes with another set of open earcups — so you can hear the world around you as well as the game, which ESL professional players say is crucial for training — as well as ESL-branded features. All of its components are shown below. It will retail for $199.95 AUD.

On top of the three base models, the 500HX mirrors the HD model but comes with an Xbox One adaptor, and the 500HS mirrors the 500 model but will also work with PS4 controllers (and the new Xbox One Elite controller, complete with a 3.5mm stereo headset jack).

The modular nature of the 500 series means you can customise myriad options. First off, earcups can be plugged into one of three slots on the side of the base headband, suiting people with different head sizes. A secondary, elastic headset can also be added, further suiting its user. The base headband can be replaced with a number of custom-built options, available from major retailers and Plantronics itself. Want a custom-branded headband created for your Esports team? Plantronics is open to making it… for a price, of course.

On top of this, the new modular nature of the 500 series means a couple things; first, defective parts can simply be swapped out, rather than needing a full headset replacement, and second, that gamers can start in the lower 500 range and buy up, eventually adding components from the 500E set.

Sound-wise, the 500E scared the ever-loving beejeezus out of me when delivering 7.1 surround sound care of Outlast. I’m not the most technically-minded when it comes to sound, so it was the bits and pieces of the headphones themselves that most impressed me. I enjoyed the Xbox One controller adaptor that had a rotary volume dial rather than the step-up and -down buttons on the generic Microsoft offering. Moreover, the best part about Plantronics’ noise-cancelling boom mic is that it will mute itself as soon as its flipped up against the earcup it’s plugged into.

The RIG 500 range is planned for a September release. In the meantime, a new Gamecom P80 headset hits the market this week; check back soon for Shane’s review.