Logitech G430 Gaming Headset Reviewed

Some products benefit from being reviewed over a longer period. Typically we use an extended review period to give the build quality and practical elements of a product every chance to shine.... or fail. It also gives us a chance to notice things that may not be immediately obvious.

My initial observations were that the G430 was light to wear but the tension made the headset one of the less comfortable ones I have tried out of the box - it just felt tight even when adjusted to fit properly. First impressions can be deceiving though, and after about 2 weeks of daily use the headset went from being 'tight' to a really likable 'firm'.

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In line with the current G-Series products from Logitech, the theme is blue/black. The blue is pretty hard to ignore. I think Logitech took a bit of a gamble here with the blue cable and ear cups where a more subtle approach might have appealed to a bigger market. The flip side is that these headsets are easy to spot in the crowd and there is no mistaking them at a LAN event. At the recent Respawn LAN in Melbourne I noted the G430 headsets and how they were easily identifiable.

The swivel ear cups are light and plastic in construction, the hinges/swivels are also plastic rather than metal. This construction keeps the unit very light to ear but it still feels durable.

The boom mic lifts up out of the way and also bends at the end so that you can adjust it to suit your preference. There is an auto mute that kicks in when you stow the boom mic vertically on the left the ear cup and the inline volume/mute control isn't far away either. The inline control is well spaced and easy to use with one hand so you don't have to stop gaming when adjusting the volume or muting a sneeze or cough.

Under the top band of the G430, Logitech has attached a blue fabric covered foam head rest. It's firm but not uncomfortable and keeps the headset in place with a snug fit. I asked a few people to try the headset and a couple tried (unsuccessfully) to shake it off. Everyone that tried it in the first few weeks commented on how light it was and most also noted the snug fit. A head set shouldn't move around and this one certainly stays in place.

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Aesthetically, the blue probably won't appeal to everyone but the branding is pretty lean with just the Logitech "G" on each ear cup and the inline remote. I like that Logitech kept the branding subtle and with their colour scheme, the headset is still easily identifiable.

The packaging isn't anything special but you can see what it is clearly through the clear plastic shell and the contents are well protected. Accessories include the G430 headset, USB Audio adapter, Manual/documentation - it's everything you need and nothing extra.

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Build quality is interesting in that the headset is light but doesn't feel fragile and there is a metal (looks like aluminium) band inside the head band for support and durability. The G430 doesn't look or feel as tough as the beastly Thermaltake Level 10M, but it's important to note that the G430 is lighter and cheaper. The cable braiding is good with a velcro strap attached to keep everything tidy. The 3.5mm connections are not gold plated like other more expensive headsets. Washable ear cups is something different and the padding seems durable but only time will tell with the materials - for our purposes, we couldn't fault the build quality or materials used. 

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Features

• 7.1 Sound (if using the software)
• Noise Cancelling Mic with rotate to mute feature
• On-Cable Controls (inline)
• Rotating Ear Cups
• Sports-Performance Ear Cups with washable covers
• Lightweight Design
• USB audio converter
• 3.5mm audio and mic connection

Headset Specifications

• Colour: Black / Light Blue
• Connector: 3.5 mm (Headphones and Microphone), USB Audio adaptor also included for 7.1 sound
• Driver: 40 mm
• Frequency response: 20Hz-20KHz
• Impedance: 32 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 90 dB SPL/mW
• Cable Length: 3.0 meters
• Volume Control: In-line volume wheel and mic mute (with clip for attaching to clothing)

Microphone Specifications

• Mic Directivity: Cardioid (unidirectional)
• Sensitivity: -40dBV/Pa re: 0db = 1 Pa, 1KHz
• Frequency: 50Hz-20KHz
• Impedance: 3.0V, 2.2K Ohm

Dolby 7.1 Positional / Surround sound

This is software driven and available via the USB sound adapter. Although there are only 2 physical speakers, the perception of surround sound is pretty good via the Logitech software. 

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Rotating Washable Ear Cups

The ear cups fold flat which is convenient for laying around your neck but I liked this feature for hanging the G430 on a magnetic hook on the side of my PC. I didn't actually wash the removable ear pads because they didn't seem to get dirty but the concept/option is well implemented and good to see.

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I tested the Logitech G430 sound experience with the following audio sources:

• On-board Realtek ALC 898 (ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe)
• ASUS Xonar DX
• On-board Supreme FX on the ASUS ROG test bench using a Maximus VI Gene motherboard
• Logitech USB sound adapter

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The ASUS ROG test bench was used for the majority of the testing. The specifications are below:

Sound Experience

The USB sound adapter allows for simulated 7.1 channel sound and does it pretty well. Battlefield 4, COD Ghosts, Skyrim and DayZ were all very immersive from an audio point of view when using the included USB connector. Music and movies were also clear and the ranges felt consistent with the non-USB experience via ASUS Xonar DX and the on-board Supreme FX solution on our ASUS ROG Maximus VI Gene test bench. This shows that the USB adapter really is optional and that the headset stands up on its own.

Watching a movie was balanced and clear but perhaps not as crisp as some of the more expensive alternatives - still very good for a 'gaming' headset at $75. In terms of external noise isolation, the cloth ear pads don't do as good a job of blocking out external noise as the leather or faux leather that some other headsets have. The trade-off is that the cloth ear cups generally breathe better which could be good for longer gaming sessions or warmer weather. Once you get into the action when gaming, noise isolation is less of an issue but for movies or some music it can make a difference - especially if you have background noise to block out.

While there are many gamers out there using entry level motherboard sound chips and seeking a USB headset, there is an increasing number of motherboards becoming available with upgraded sound solutions that are wasted if you have a USB headset. Logitech gives consumers the best of both worlds by providing a Gaming headset with 3.5mm plugs and a 7.1 channel USB sound adapter that has a clean software interface

Software

If you already have Logitech Game Software installed and want to use the USB sound option, the G430 should just be a case of plug and play as the drivers are built into the LGS (Logitech Gaming Software). Game Software is your one stop shop to control your Logitech G-series mouse and keyboard options as well as your audio - it's a neat concept and a good example of consolidation for software utilities.

Microphone

In terms of microphone performance, it is a clear microphone that recorded/registered better with the USB option or Xonar DX than the Supreme FX option which was noted to have softer microphone sensitivity in the ASUS Maximus VI Gene review. The sensitivity of the microphone was in line with other headsets I've seen and picked up keyboard noise but not any background noise like other people talking, TV etc more than 3m away. The settings can be tweaked at a software level to reduce sensitivity but for testing we keep it consistent and go as close to default as possible.

The G430 is a good headset for team comms when in game and also for voip calls but your microphone clarity will vary if you bypass the USB adapter.

USB Audio Adapter

Aside from minor variations in volume levels, I couldn't identify any notable difference between the included 7.1 USB adapter and the Supreme FX or Xonar DX - especially when gaming. For people looking to improve on their laptop audio or on-board sound, this could be worth a shot.

After more than 2 months of use, I would describe the Logitech G430 as comfortable. I found the headset to be fine for long periods of time and although it's a snug fit, you almost forget that you are wearing it when the microphone is up. 

In terms of sound, I couldn't really fault the output and for the price, it's probably punching above its weight division in terms of gaming but I've heard clearer headsets when listening to music - although not at this street price point.

The Logitech G430 is a really good gaming headset but I wouldn't call it a stand out "all rounder". It will certainly do for casual music or movies and is also good for VOIP but it's pretty clear that Logitech designed this particular unit for gaming first and foremost.

The recommended retail price is $109.95 but the street price at the time of publishing is only $75. Given the versatility with both 3.5mm and USB connectivity it's an attractive option.

At the moment gamers really are spoiled for choice with a number of gaming headsets competing for our ears. The best part is that we have seen some really good quality offerings at affordable prices. The RRP listed on the Logitech website is a little high in my view but with a much more reasonable street price in effect at the moment I'd consider the G430 a pretty safe buy if your budget is around the $75 mark. 

	Logitech G430 Gaming Headset
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PROS	Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Good Gaming performance and positional sound for 2x40mm drivers Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Light construction Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Auto mute when rotating the mic up and out of the way Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.USB (for 7.1 sound) and 3.5mm connectivity gives great flexibility Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Well Priced
CONS	Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Initially a tight fit
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Pricing	RRP $109.95  Street Price $75.00