2019-03-01_PC_Gamer

HARDWARE

Group Test

5

Arctis Pro + GameDAC

STEELSERIES £230

High-res audio is on the
up thanks to lossless
streaming from Tidal et
al, and games such as
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
offering full support. The Arctis
Pro GameDAC makes full use of
that crystalline high-resolution
sound with a 5Hz-40KHz
frequency response range – a
spec that also makes the drivers
sound great for everyday
compressed audio usage. So, if
you’re planning to use a gaming
headset for watching videos, TV,
or listening to music on your PC,
this is a great choice.
The GameDAC itself is a
combination of a digital-to-
analogue converter that takes the
strain away from your CPU, a

preamp and a control centre.

With a press of its button and a

roll of the dial, DTS Headphone-X

surround can be enabled or

disabled, chat/game mix

tweaked, and EQ settings

perfected. The subtle ring around

each earcup on these cans ticks

the RGB box without ruining the

overall aesthetic. My only

reservations with the GameDAC

model are that it requires an

adapter for smartphone usage,

and that its cables feel cheaper

than a £230 headset should.

Ta s tef u l RG B li g h ti n g

Handy GameDAC controls

Cables feel fragile

Slightly overpriced

VERDICT

SPECS WIRELESS: NO / DRIVERS: 40 MM NEODYMIUM / CONNECTIVITY: USB, OPTICAL, 3.5MM ANALOGUE /
FREQUENCY: 1 0HZ-40,000HZ / FEATURES: NOISE-CANCELLING MIC, DTS HEADPHONE:X 2.0, RGB

6

G Pro

LOGITECH £80

Logitech designed

these cans with the help

of esports athletes, with

a view to stripping away all the

unneccesary cruft that passes for

a gaming headset feature list. The

aim is to offer a lean and

reasonably priced package that

focuses in on offering high-

performance essentials.

Generally speaking, the G Pro

delivers on that goal: there’s not a

flame decal or RBG lighting strip

in sight, and that functional

aesthetic is matched by a

barebones feature set. Looking to

complete your RGB hellscape?

You don’t get that here.

The design is so barebones, in

fact, that it might take some by

surprise. As well as foregoing the

adolescent aesthetic, the G Pro

also skips features like virtual

surround, and provides only a mic

mute and volume scroll wheel by

way of controls. I like the overall

sound produced by the drivers,

even if it’s a bit more pronounced

towards the low end than I’d

normally choose. If you can live

with that, you get an otherwise

attractive package with no extra

flab all for under £100. It’s comfy

to wear and, despite the basic

build, feels sturdy and likely to last

you for years.

Clean, no-fuss design

Breathable, comfy earcups

Abitbass-heavy

Basic build materials

VERDICT

SPECS WIRELESS: NO / DRIVERS: ‘HYBRID MESH PRO-G’ NEODYMIUM / CONNECTIVITY: 3.5MM ANALOGUE /

FREQUENCY: 20 HZ-20,000HZ / FEATURES: DETACHABLE MIC

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