Review of the Logitech G230 gaming headset. Review of wired headphones with microphone Logitech G230 Test Logitech G230
Often not all manufacturers are ready to deviate from trends and present a truly affordable and high-quality solution to the user's judgment. In pursuit of a technological impulse, the headsets received backlighting, a dozen speakers, detachable wires and much more. Today I will share my impression of the youngest model in the Logitech lineup, the G230.
Appearance
The headset arrived on store shelves in one color version. Matte "soft" plastic prevails among the materials. Immediately, I note the absence of sharp corners inherent in the G series devices, and this is despite the presence of many bevels and cuts. Definitely, the appearance of the device cannot be called gaudy.
The headband is based on a steel frame, which does not interfere with twisting at all. There is a small mesh cushion right under the distinctive visor.
Thick bowls received small glossy inserts and a chrome-like G logo. Their travel ends at 90 degrees of turn and approximately 45 degrees of inclination. Somewhere inside each of them hides a 40 mm speaker.
A flexible folding microphone boom is located on the left cup. A thin braided cable also originates from here, I will separately note the protection against bending.
After about 50 cm you come across a neat remote control. The front panel contains a microphone toggle switch (On / off), the right side received a volume wheel. On the back there is a clip for attaching to clothes. The wire ends with a splitter for two 3.5 mm jacks, one for a microphone, the second for a sound stream.
Landing
A lover of leather and leatherette will have to reconsider their views on life. The solid cushion of the headband, as well as the removable ear pads, is made of "sports" material, in other words, the mesh from the sneakers. This solution breathes and does not sweat, but the filler should be made softer.
I have no complaints about the landing itself. The headset has received a wide range of adjustments, so it can adapt to any head. We get used to some harshness and enjoy hours of play.
Sound and microphone
The speakers are based on time-tested neodymium cones. The resistance stopped at around 32 ohms, which any modern computer can handle. The claimed frequency coverage is from 20 to 20,000 Hz, which is quite modest.
In fact, we get good stereo, with high bass. The kick effect is completely absent, hello Razor ... Thus, we managed to preserve the delicate balance of the rest of the frequencies, which positively affected the universality of the headset.
The positioning, adjusted for the segment, can be called decent. It is impossible to determine the diagonal, but the sound of footsteps did not confuse me. A beginner player doesn't need more, for the rest there are "more powerful" devices.
If you do not use headphones costing from $ 200 on an ongoing basis, then you will be satisfied with the musical component. What surprised me is that individual instruments are heard in acoustic works, not crystal, but not porridge either.
The microphone does not bother the user with its constant presence. If necessary, lower the bar and set the bend. I was pleased with the good quality of voice transmission. There is no unnecessary rustling, the average sensitivity is not enough noise from the room, for this a plus is determined.
Outcome
Don't expect 360-degree viewing in games and perfect vocals when listening to music. You always need to start somewhere and this device is ideal for the undemanding player who wants to get a high-quality device at the lowest price.
The Logitech G230 headset has an accepted design, good filling and a modest price, somewhere around 3000 rubles. She is able to become a true friend to you and your computer, performing a wide range of multimedia tasks.
Review of wired headphones with microphone Logitech G230
The next in the hands is the Philips SHM 1900 headset - also from the budget segment (1.1 thousand rubles). It sits well on the head, but the plastic headband has no steps, so it slides off. The two-meter wire connects to the cups from both sides. The microphone boom is unusually short, only 10 cm, it is not fixed reliably, and it strives to fall.
Our attention was attracted by the modest inscription "Game" on the blister of black Sennheiser PC 320 (3 thousand rubles). These headphones have a 3 meter long cable terminated in two separate jacks. The headband is plastic, adjustable within a wide range. Soft ear cushions fit comfortably over your ears. There is no on the control cable - the volume is adjusted by turning the center of the right earpiece. The microphone turns off by itself if the boom is lifted up all the way.
It is believed that real gaming headphones should look bright, for example, like the A4Tech Bloody G500 (2 thousand rubles). This model is equipped with a medium flat cable (2.2 m) and a foldable microphone that slides into the left earcup. The headband is made of metal with step adjustment. The volume control is on the wire. The ear cushions are made of cheap leatherette - the head will sweat.
After walking around the market a little more, I choose a Logitech G230 device, which will be discussed further.
Logitech G230 Headphone Specifications
Here are the main technical characteristics of the headphones.
- Speakers: 40mm.
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz.
- Resistance: 32 ohms.
- Cable length: 3 m.
- Microphone: electret condenser, polar pattern - cardioid.
- Microphone frequency response: 50 Hz - 20 kHz.
- Weight: 255 g.
- Cable connection: one-way.
- Connector: two mini-jacks, 3.5 mm.
Packaging and Description
Box, one third transparent
The headphones are housed in a matte black cardboard box. The right side of the package is open so that through a transparent blister the potential buyer can personally assess the appearance. The cardboard is dense, the printing is of high quality, the inscriptions are useful. Boxing smells good with new equipment.
Headphone blister
Inside the blister are the assembled headphones, the coil of wire rests in a separate socket, along with instructions and a book with warnings in thirty languages. The headset is fixed on plastic with wires so that it does not dangle during transportation.
Red lace
The audio cable is wrapped in a synthetic sheath in bright red. It is soft and flexible like a paracord lace. A Velcro Velcro is attached in the middle to fasten the skein. Wire length - 3 meters. Headphones and a microphone are connected with two mini-jacks. The cable exit points from the console, plugs and cups are crimped with flexible tubes so that the wire does not break off, as happened with the Koss plugs.
Remote controller. View from above
The wire fits to the headphones only from one side, and this is convenient - it will be less tangled. There is a small control panel at a distance of 70 cm from the left cup. The wheel adjusts the volume, the slider turns off the microphone. No more searching among dozens of Skype windows and clicking an on-screen button.
Remote controller. Bottom view
There is a clip on the back of the remote control, with which the regulator is attached to clothing - the control is always at hand
Extendable headband
The headband of the headset is sliding, on each side it increases by as much as five centimeters. These headphones will fit on any head.
Swivel cups
Our headphones are of the on-ear closed type - the earpads completely cover the ears, resting on the temporal bone. The cups rotate about ninety degrees around their axis - the shape of the head does not matter.
Headband top
The upper part of the headband is made of plastic, the support for the crown is made of foam rubber, covered with a net. The plastic plate is four centimeters wide and the red lining is less than two centimeters wide. It's strange why the engineers didn't make it full width. I believe the designers decided it for them.
Gooseneck microphone
The microphone is placed on a flexible boom. It is rubbery to the touch, while bending to the right and left and holding its shape well. In the vertical plane, the holder moves from the zenith to 60 degrees below the horizon.
The ear pads are removable
To our delight, the ear cushions of the headphones are removable, they can be cleaned and washed. A well-known Chinese store sells replacement kits.
Red on black
The headphones are decorated in a classic combination of red and black. Red cord, black remote control, black body. Bright bezels set off a rounded pentagon with a Logitech badge in the center. The ear pad holders are made of red plastic.
All body elements are matte, fingerprints are not collected. The parts do not fit very tightly - both cups and holders creak in your hands.
Neck decoration
Young people who spend a lot of time with their headphones will appreciate the comfort of wearing the headset around their neck. The headband pillow fits just as well as your grandmother's scarf. The sound jack fits your tablet and smartphone - music will accompany you on the road.
We listen and speak
The outer caps of the plugs are black, the centers are painted in the standard colors of the audio connectors: green and pink, you can't confuse them.
We connect to the computer
As expected, connecting the headset is not easy, but very simple. A plug with green plastic and an embossed headphone symbol is plugged into the green connector on the computer, the pink microphone jack fits into a similar hole on the motherboard. And that's it, you don't need to install any drivers.
I call colleagues from my laptop and immediately receive a portion of criticism. "What are you whispering there?" - they say. I raise my voice and frantically climb to study the Windows settings.
How to set up Windows
It turns out that you need to open the "Recording" tab in the "Recorders" menu (right-click on the speaker in the panel), select the "Microphone" icon and click the "Properties" button. On the "Levels" tab, move the "Microphone gain" slider. Then everything falls into place.
No such problems were found under Ubuntu, the microphone works, the voice is heard perfectly.
Correctly fitted headphones fit snugly and don't wobble. The pressure of the cups on the head is slightly unusual. Two hundred and fifty grams are well balanced, the crown is not pulled from the vertical.
Our headset works well in a noisy open space, thick pads dampen external sounds. An hour-long conference sits out without difficulty. However, if the room is 30 degrees, headphones will not save you from sweat. At normal temperatures, mesh ventilation is sufficient.
Large speakers (40 mm in diameter, let me remind you) convey all shades of voice: the players hear the Alien sneaking, and the boss, by the sniff of an employee at a distance, determines the quality of the work done.
The directional microphone cuts out extraneous sounds, but if you forget to bring the barbell to your lips, the interlocutors begin to complain that the sound comes from a shed.
Music sounds very good in the Logitech G230 speakers. The lower registers of the organ roar in the "Fugue" by I.S. Bach, violins resonantly echo with violas in "Flight of the Valkyries" by R. Wagner, the piano sounds quiveringly in F. Chopin's preludes.
conclusions
The wishes of office workers and freelancers for headphones with a microphone unexpectedly coincided with the demands of computer players. It turned out that among the gaming accessories there are good-quality and inexpensive headsets, suitable not only for shooting off sneaking opponents, but also for long negotiations and teleconferences.
The headphones considered in the review will help you in your work, support you in games (outside of working hours, of course), and help you relax to your favorite music.
According to the website poisk-podbor.ru, headphones with a Logitech G230 microphone at the time of this writing cost about 4 thousand rubles.
Recently, our laboratory received a new device from Logitech, a stylish gaming headphone made in a red and black color scheme - this is the Logitech G230. This company has been pampering its fans with various devices for quite a long time, which can fill the virtual world of gamers with new possibilities and sensations. From small gaming mice to high-quality sound from their speakers, gaming headphones keep up with their older brothers. So let's take a closer look at our Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset.
Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset
Just recently, Logitech pleased our laboratory with its devices, some of which can already be seen and read in our reviews. However, today we will talk with you about what really makes it possible to fill the virtual world of gamers with high-quality sound and some possibilities.
Logitech G230 Package Contents
The device arrives on store shelves in stylish packaging, but there is nothing primitive and superfluous inside, everything that a gamer needs is already installed on the headset, except for the operation book and documentation. The power cable of the device is not removable.
Logitech G230 Specifications
So, let's take a look at the actual basis of this device that Logitech offers us. In principle, this headset can be attributed to the budget class, but its characteristics speak for themselves:- Diffuser: 40mm
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Resistance: 32 ohm
- Sensitivity: 90dB
- Microphone characteristics: frequency response (50 Hz - 20 kHz); Sensitivity (40 dB).
- Logitech G230 availability
At the time of testing, the device costs its customers about 2,000 rubles. Perhaps the price is a little overpriced, but it should be noted that the pricing policy of its main competitors does not differ much from this model of the company. In this connection, we cannot say that the device received a minus in the price category.
Logitech G230 design
So let's take a look at the Logitech G230 from the outside. A gaming headset can really delight its customers with its design. The red and black color suits him.Let's examine the actual elements themselves. We'll start with the ear cushions, which are made of high-quality sports material, which makes it possible to relax the ear area. Immediately I would like to note that they are removable and you can even wash them if the need arose, detailed instructions are in the operating book. The ear cushions really fit perfectly and give a feeling of comfort. Gamers will surely love it.
So, let's see the very design of the speakers. The downside is that the rotation of the structure is only 90 degrees inward. It seems that in this case, the manufacturers did not take this into account.
The left structure houses a microphone and a wire for connecting to a standard 3.5 mm audio jack.
You can also adjust the height, but the metal elements do not allow you to do this quickly, the feeling that there is not enough "lubrication". In this connection, in the clothed state only one side is conveniently controlled, that is, when you try to change the height of the shower, either the right or the left side of the structure is pulled out.
The darling itself is made of plastic, and under it is a special material that should gently lie on your head. However, the element itself is quite rigid, and we will talk about this minus a little later.
The microphone is adjustable, lowered and raised approximately 110 degrees. It is covered with a rubber sheath, which makes it possible to adjust and turn it in different directions.
It should also be noted that the cable has a special control panel with the most necessary capabilities: increase or decrease the volume and turn on / off the microphone. It seems to me that these functions are quite enough for the full operation of the device.
Summing up a small summary of the design of the device, we can say that it received its pros and cons. We will talk about them now. In general, the Logitech G230 is pleasantly pleasing to the eye and for 2,000 rubles, it seems to us that this is a great option for gamers.
Logitech G230 benchmarks
So, after long-term use of the device, we can say that the Logitech G230, despite its excellent performance in sound quality, still received a serious disadvantage. His darling begins to put a lot of pressure on his head and after about an hour of operation, the device begins to create discomfort on the head, which greatly disappointed me. Most likely, this is due to the fact that the plastic of the darling is not flexible enough, in connection with which it presses on the head, although you begin to feel this only with time.
Now let's talk about sound. There is not much maximum volume here. Even if you fully open the sound through the remote control of the device and fully raise it on the device, then there will be no more sound. However, this suggests that the sound characteristics are correctly adjusted on the device, and this is indeed the case. 40mm neodymium cones provide high-quality sound for a truly enjoyable soundtrack in any game. When it comes to listening to music, it is also good enough, but lacks bass. This is due to the fact that the headset is more intended for the gaming industry, and not for listening to music, although this, it seems to me, is a kind of omission, because many gamers still play to their favorite songs, and sometimes the game sounds are not important for them ...
So let's move on to the microphone. The microphone on this device is excellent if we consider it specifically for games and, for example, for communicating on Skype. Noise cancellation allows you to send your interlocutor only what comes out of your mouth, and if you do not want someone to hear you, you just need to turn it off, or raise it up. Here are examples of recorded video where we speak through this microphone:
As for the design of the device itself. In principle, they cannot be called a giant and a heavyweight, however, some elements could still be replaced with a more suitable material. For example, the darling of a device that really puts pressure on your head. Everything else is fine.
Logitech G230 video review
Results for Logitech G230
So, let's summarize the overall result of this device. For a long time, Logitech has been creating various devices specifically for gamers that are really popular and are actively beginning to be recognized in certain circles. The price of 2000 can hardly scare anyone. Excellent performance, good microphone, high-quality sound for games - all this can appeal to many players in the virtual world. We just have to wish you good luck with your choice of devices. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, a group on VKontakte, put your likes, there is still a lot of interesting things ahead. Thank you all, bye everyone.
While testing the new Logitech gaming peripherals, we got to the gaming headsets. This time we are reviewing the Logitech G230 and Logitech G430 models. At first glance, the difference between the devices is imperceptible, and at second glance, too. Only after unpacking it becomes clear that the difference lies in the package bundle - the Logitech G430 also received a separate sound card with a USB interface.
Specifications
Video review of headsets Logitech G230 and G430
Appearance and design
A more detailed study of the models confirmed the initial impression - the headsets themselves are identical and differ only in the color of the finish - for the Logitech G230 it is red, while for the Logitech G430 it is light blue.
The design, although far from classic headphones, is still quite discreet for gaming headsets. The body is made of solid, durable and lightweight matte plastic, due to which the headset came out very light. Used an expandable headband with a damping pad.
The hinged earcups allow them to be rotated 90 degrees, which makes the headset easier to use and also provides additional comfort when sliding the headphones around your neck.
The company's extensive experience in creating gaming headsets is visible in the design and materials used to create ear pads. The mesh fabric cover on the ear cushions effectively removes warm air and moisture away from your ears to prevent fogging during extended gaming sessions. At the same time, the large damper depth provides a fairly high level of sound insulation. For more convenience in caring for the headset, it is possible to remove the ear cushions for cleaning or washing.
The microphone in the headset is non-removable, with a swivel mount. In addition, the position of the microphone is adjusted by bending the leg. Although at first glance it seems to be made of the same plastic as the headphone housing, in fact it is partially rubber and easily takes the desired position.
The cable connection in the headset is one-way. The cable is protected by a durable fabric braid to prevent tangling and abrasion. Also on the cable there is a remote control with volume control and a microphone switch, and in order to keep it out of the way during the game, there is a lock for clothes.
The design of the sound card that comes with the Logitech G430 demonstrates the foresight of the engineers at Logitech. Although the dimensions of its case are comparable to the dimensions of flash drives, the developers did not make a built-in USB connector, but placed it on a five-centimeter cable. Thanks to this solution, the risk of breaking the connector itself, or the corresponding socket on the computer, is reduced if, after finishing the game, you get up and forget to remove the headphones - in this case, the headset plugs will simply pop out of their jacks.
Sound
While gaming headsets don't claim audiophile fidelity for sound reproduction, we've done a bit of research on their musical abilities. A diverse selection of rock, jazz, classical and various electronic music was used as a test. In general, the sound of the headset turned out to be detailed, with good soundstage detail. The reproduced range is strongly compressed in the low frequency region, which is especially noticeable on Bassotronic compositions and jazz tracks with double bass. The mids are somewhat bulged, and the highs generally sound even, with a slight blockage in the uppermost limits of the range. Summarizing the results of this test - you can listen to music in a gaming headset, but it is better to buy headphones with a smoother frequency response for this.
But in games, the specific character of the sound of the headset proved to be excellent. The lows weakened in the sub-bass do not allow the sounds of explosions to clog the overall sound panorama, the enhanced mids and smooth highs allow you to better hear the footsteps of the approaching enemy, or the direction from which the shooting is being conducted. High detail audio keeps your surroundings in check, reducing the likelihood of being caught off guard. For even more impressive control on the battlefield, use the sound card that comes with the Logitech G430. By connecting it to a computer, we get some additional customization options available from the firmware interface. In addition to a good equalizer, which still allows you to stretch the musical capabilities of the headset to an acceptable level, the option to turn on the Dolby Surround mode becomes available, providing virtual 7.1 surround sound.
The sound quality received from the headset microphone is sufficient for game chats and voice communication. The accuracy and reliability of voice capture is highly dependent on the position of the microphone, and in case of problems it is worth trying to experiment by bending its stem in different directions. But, truth be told, you still can't get the perfect sound. The situation becomes somewhat better when the headset is connected to a sound card with a USB interface - the sound becomes clearer and louder, yet it has been specially optimized to work with this headset.
In the dry residue
Both models do the job well enough for gaming headsets, delivering crisp, detailed sound. The Logitech G430, thanks to its Dolby Surround sound card, puts its owner in a better position compared to players using headphones in stereo, but you also need to be able to take advantage of this advantage. I was pleased with the high build quality of the headsets and a reasonable approach to the choice of materials, which makes it possible after several hours of playing the game without experiencing the slightest discomfort. But the price of both models puts them at a disadvantage (500-650 hryvnia for the Logitech G230, and 870-1000 hryvnia for the Logitech G430) - there are too many competing products on the market with similar or lower prices. Moreover, the build quality and capabilities of competitors are no worse, since these are products of companies no less famous among gamers - Creative, ASUS, Razer, SteelSeries, Plantronics and others.
Immensely respecting Logitech and severely needing a headset for recording various videos of an entertainment nature, I set a goal for myself - to get a device good enough for my voice to be clear and audible, and my ear for music paired with high-quality sound from the speakers. It so happened that my original desire to get a headset from the Logic was overshadowed by need, so I bought a Sennheiser PC3 Chat headset. But now, a few months later, I came across a Logitech G230, the review of which you will now read under the cut ... I feel like Kashpirovsky when I write this. Like, I give instructions, you will now read the review ... Well, now on the case.
However, the headset. A game room, costing 1,700 hryvnia (4,400 rubles), which I will have to compare with my Sennheisers for 1,300 rubles. It would seem that the spread in quality should be huge, and my ears should sing heavenly serenades, sweet notes on golden harps, and my voice should be heard even better than I sound in reality. In practice, it happened a little differently.
The G320 itself is part of the line of gaming headsets from Logitech, and is the cheapest model among the colleagues "in the shop". Despite this, it was clearly designed with an emphasis on maximum reliability, while taking into account the needs of gamers. As usual, I dilute my stream of letters with the technical characteristics of the device:
- Headphone type: closed / wired
- Cord length: 2.33 m
- Net weight: 267 grams
- Net weight on Mars: 100 grams
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Connection interface: 2 x 3.5 mm)
- Headphone impedance: 32 ohm
- Headphone sensitivity: 90dB
- Active noise cancellation: no
- Microphone type: condenser / swivel / omnidirectional
- Microphone frequency range: 100 Hz - 20 kHz
- Microphone sensitivity: -40dB
- Additional features: volume control and microphone toggle button
- Complete set: headset, manual, warranty
- Warranty: 36 months
From a reliability point of view, the G320 is all chocolatey to diabetes. It has "sports cloth ear pads" with leather trim around the circumference. The ear pads are easy to remove, easy to put on and even wash (!) Easily with warm water. The second factor in the reliability of the headset is the ability of the headphones to rotate up to 100 degrees along the vertical axis and 15-20 degrees along the horizontal. This will be a little strange at first, especially if you, like me, are used to headsets where the headphones don't move at all. Due to this, the G320 fit snugly to the head, which is achieved, among other things, by a cloth pad on the crown. Well, you shouldn't forget the rag wire either.
Now for the technical details. Not characteristics, but details. These include the fact that the G320 has 40mm neodymium cones that provide high quality stereo sound. The microphone of the headset is very original made - most of it is made of a kind of rubberized material that bends back and forth without any problems. Once you understand how it works, you wildly want to check how good it is at bending, but at the same time it is somehow creepy to test the vaunted Logitech quality for strength. And you want something like that! ..
Now - about the disadvantages. As an entry-class gaming headset, the Logitech G320 is capable of stereo sound, but not full surround sound. The next device in the line, the G430, can, but it also costs 2,500 rubles more. Next is the density of the headset. Perhaps I picked a slightly wrong word, but this is how this indicator feels. Density. Feeling of weight on the head. The G320 is positioned as a lightweight solution for gamers that doesn't compromise on quality. Perhaps my impressions are based on habit, but after the lightest Sennheiser PC3 Chat the weight of the Logic is felt very clearly.
The tight-fitting ear cushions provide good sound isolation - just like in vacuum headphones - which, however, does not affect the bass. The entire frequency range is transmitted well, evenly, the sound is clear and without audible flaws. For such sound insulation you have to pay with increased pressure on the skull, including by means of that very cloth pad on the crown. It is very clearly felt, it presses perceptibly, and personally I had unpleasant sensations from it, as if it was crushing blood vessels - such a terrible chill along its entire length. I don't know if this is a matter of habit, or if the top of my head is doomed, but during the game it is the wildest distraction.
Now - regarding the microphone. From the Logitech G320, I expected voice transmission, if not divine, then clearly better than that of the inexpensive PC3 Chat. In practice, without any additional processing, my voice turned out to be quite low, and the amount of noise was depressingly large. Noise reduction was not noticed - if anyone sees it, let him say that I am waiting, and its absence spoils the impression of a very good product. With the Reaper, I finally managed to achieve the voice quality of ... my Sennheiser headset. That is, they are equal. Considering that the quality of voice recording was the main criterion for me - yes, I was not satisfied. To put it mildly.
On the way out, I can say that the Logitech G320 is a contradictory thing. Yes, I am 100% confident in the quality of the company, and the headset will serve me for many years. 36 months of a guarantee - this is not for you huhry-muhry! For good sound, unexpectedly high-quality sound insulation and reliable materials you have to pay with pressure on the skull (this is a matter of habit), an openly budget microphone (albeit well-made technically), and the lack of surround sound can play a cruel joke in determining the location of the enemy, albeit not always ... In total, I can hardly call the Logitech G320 an excellent solution, and personally it did not meet my expectations. But for a gamer who respects vitality, the hero of the article is what you need!
