The Nacon RIG 800 PRO headset went on sale in Russia quite recently, but the device itself is not completely new. Many may have heard about it under the name Plantronics RIG 800 PRO. The thing is that the French company Nacon acquired the rights to the RIG brand from Plantronics and is now distributing the line.
RIG is a well-known line of gaming headsets that began its journey back in 2012. Since then, many models have been released, differing in design, functionality and sound quality. But what makes the Nacon RIG 800 PRO special? In this review, I will tell you about my impressions of the Nacon RIG 800 PRO, noting its advantages and disadvantages.
Characteristics
As always, for those who opened this review just to look at the numbers, we publish a list of the main characteristics:
- Type: wireless, gaming, headphones with microphone
- Compatibility: PC (HD), Xbox and PC (HX); PlayStation and PC (HS)
- Speaker diameter: 40 mm with bass resonators
- Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 111 dB
- Microphone type: electret, directional
- Microphone sensitivity: -45 dB
- Microphone on/off: flip-to-mute
- Connection type: wireless, via multi-function docking station and USB adapter
- Connection range: up to 10 meters
- Battery life: up to 24 hours
- Volume and sound balance adjustment: on the right earphone
- Weight: 290 grams
- Black color
Equipment and design of the headset
Included with the Nacon RIG 800 PRO headset you will receive the following items:
- The headset itself with microphone
- Multifunctional docking station for wireless connection, storage and charging of the headset
- Wireless USB adapter that plugs into a docking station or PC/console
- Micro-USB cable to connect the docking station to a power source
The Nacon RIG 800 PRO headset has a simple and elegant design, completely made in black. The device is made of fairly durable and flexible plastic and has rubber inserts. The headrest is upholstered in mesh fabric for good ventilation. The ear pads are made of a soft and dense fabric base, pleasant to the touch, and inside there is soft foam that adapts to the contours of the head. The depth of the ear pads is large enough so as not to create discomfort for the ears.
On the left earpiece is a microphone that can be raised and lowered to switch on and off (flip-to-mute). There, at the bottom, there is a wheel for adjusting the overall volume. It does not have end points, which may be a minus for some, but it allows you to more accurately adjust the volume. The function for listening to your own voice looks dubious. Perhaps someone will find permanent use for it, but, for example, in the version from Plantronics, in its place there was a wheel for adjusting the volume balance between the game and voice chat – for a gaming device, in my opinion, this is a more necessary “feature” ” By the way, if we talk about differences from the version of the previous manufacturer, here instead of a toggle switch, a single button is used to connect/disconnect the headset.
The Nacon RIG 800 PRO docking station is a convenient solution that performs several functions. Firstly, when you connect a USB adapter to it, it provides a wireless connection to your headset at a distance of up to 10 meters and without delay. You can move freely around the room without worrying about wires or connection failures. Secondly, the docking station serves to store and charge the device. The only downside is that the connection to the computer occurs via an outdated Micro-USB cable. This is understandable, the original version came out a long time ago, but an update would definitely not hurt.
Sound quality and microphone performance
Nacon RIG 800 PRO has 40mm drivers with bass resonators that enhance bass and reduce distortion. This makes the headset sound rich, powerful and detailed. You’ll be able to hear all the sounds in the game, from gunshots and explosions to footsteps and voices, easily identifying their sources. You can also listen to music quite comfortably in them, but audiophiles are still better off paying attention to devices specialized for this with a wider frequency range.
Nacon RIG 800 PRO has an electret directional microphone, which is located on the left earpiece. It can be raised and lowered to switch on and off (flip-to-mute). The microphone has good recording quality, and your voice will be heard by your interlocutors or teammates. It also has a noise-canceling feature that improves audio clarity by reducing background noise without completely eliminating it. In general, it is excellent for communicating with teammates.
Ease of use and autonomy
The Nacon RIG 800 PRO weighs only 290 grams, making it one of the lightest on the market. The headset does not put much pressure on your head and does not slip, so you can wear it for a long time without discomfort. Thanks to the modular design, you can change the position of the headphones in three positions, choosing the one that best suits your head.
The controls seem awkward at first. In the beginning, I kept missing the volume wheel with my finger, but after a while I got used to its location. In general, as always, it’s a matter of habit. But the flip-to-mute function is just a “must-have” that should be in every gaming headset. Being able to mute the microphone by simply lifting it up is worth a lot.
The battery in Nacon RIG 800 PRO is built-in and provides up to 24 hours of operation without recharging. This is one of the best performance among wireless headsets. As mentioned above, you can charge the device using a docking station, which is connected to a power source using a cable. For this reason, my battery never ran down even half – I simply installed the headphones in the docking station until I used them, so that they were charged at that time.
Version differences
When purchasing a Nacon RIG 800 PRO, it is important not to make a mistake in choosing the version. There are three options in total, which have the same characteristics, but differ in platform support. If you plan to use the headset only on a PC, then the Nacon RIG 800 PRO HD is worth a look as it is a little cheaper. Nacon RIG 800 PRO HX and Nacon RIG 800 PRO HS also work on PC, but they also support Xbox and PlayStation consoles respectively.
The Nacon RIG 800 PRO HD and Nacon RIG 800 PRO HX come with Dolby Atmos, which the Nacon RIG 800 PRO HS does not have because the PlayStation does not support this technology. I just got the latest version, since I play on both PC and PlayStation 5.
Price
The full price of Nacon RIG 800 PRO in retail stores in Russia is 17,999 rubles, which at first glance sounds quite expensive. However, at the time of writing this review, there is a discount on the headset, thanks to which it can be purchased for 12,600 rubles. And this price, in my opinion, is more than justified by the device.
Bottom line
Nacon RIG 800 PRO is a truly great choice for those who love single-player projects or prefer to play multiplayer projects with friends via voice chat. The headset provides high-quality sound, supports surround sound and has a very good microphone. In addition, the device “sits” well on the head and does not cause any discomfort.