Pro features, not quite as good sound quality: The Logitech G Pro X tested
14.12.2019
Translation: machine translated
The Logitech G Pro X is a solid headset that impresses above all with its great workmanship and features. However, the headset has weaknesses when it comes to music playback and the surround function.
Logitech has developed the Pro-X headset with e-sports professionals. Let's see if the part is actually Pro.
Design, scope of delivery and technical data
With its open cables and imitation leather, the Pro X is reminiscent of headphones from the 70s. This makes the headset stand out from the crowd of gamer headsets with a mostly futuristic design. A bold design decision by Logitech, which I really like. The round plates in a brushed aluminium look on the sides are striking.
The Pro X can be adjusted to different head sizes in twelve stages. The ear cups cannot be swivelled, only tilted. On my very small head, they fit like a glove on the smallest setting. They don't pinch even after several hours of wear.
The headset has a high-quality finish thanks to the aluminium fork and the steel headband. There is nothing to criticise about the workmanship and the scope of delivery. In addition to the leatherette ear pads, Logitech also supplies velour ear pads. Also included in the scope of delivery are:
- External USB sound card (see picture)
- Removable microphone
- Cable (2 m) with integrated volume control and mute function
- Cable for travelling
- Y-splitter for separate microphone and headphone sockets
- Carrying case
The headset looks extremely compact, although at 138 × 94 × 195 millimetres it is not really smaller than other headphones. At 320 grams, it is relatively light for so much steel and aluminium. Logitech can save weight on the headset because it has neither a 2.4 GHz nor Bluetooth connection. The other technical data:
- Impedance: 35 Ohm
- Headphone frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Microphone frequency range: 100 Hz - 10 kHz
Sound quality and operation
Logitech saves on the controls and reduces them to the essentials: The headset itself only has the connections for the cable and microphone. The volume can be adjusted and muted on the cable. The headset hardly insulates against the outside. I can talk to my colleagues at a medium volume while gaming.
The Pro X is primarily intended for gaming, which is why I test it first. Thanks to DTS Headphones:X 2.0, 7.1-channel surround sound is supposed to be delivered. To me, however, the whole thing sounds like glorified stereo. Neither with Surround activated in the G-Hub software nor with Windows Sonic activated do I have the impression that the sound reaches my ears via more than two channels. However, I have this impression with every surround headset.
I can still hear noises in the room when gaming. However, I don't really hear a difference whether a sound comes from the front left, the left or the back left. This only becomes clear to me in combination with the image. In contrast to listening to music (more on this in a moment), I can hear voices clearly when gaming - the mids are well balanced. Explosions sound bombastic - in the truest sense of the word - and when the soundtrack starts at the beginning of "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order", the hairs on my forearms stand on end and I really feel like I'm in Star Wars.
To assess the sound quality, I first listen to music from my smartphone. After a few seconds of "Run Boy Run" by Woodkid, I activate my equaliser: the Pro X sounds very flat. Although the headphones have almost no bass, the mids are completely drowned out. Even after minutes of experimenting with the sound settings, it doesn't get any better.
Maybe the external USB sound card can fix it. But here too: I don't like the music playback at all. The Pro X is nothing for my ears when it comes to music. I make various equaliser settings in the G-Hub software. I don't notice much difference. I also find it disappointing that I can only make adjustments from 80 Hz upwards. Even though the frequency range of the Pro X starts at 20 Hz.
The microphone
Logitech uses Blue Voice microphone technology for the microphone. This allows real-time speech filters to be created to suppress noise and equalise the volume. It works really well. My voice comes across clearly and it's less disconcerting for me to hear myself speak. The quality of the microphone is simply brilliant. It's by far the best feature of the headset.
In the G-Hub software, you have access to various settings such as high-pass filter, noise reduction, voice equaliser, limiter and more. I've never seen so many options in software before. I really have to give Logitech credit for that.
Conclusion:
The Pro X leaves me somewhat perplexed. I think the headset is great in terms of comfort, design and configuration options. Above all, the countless options in G Hub are unrivalled. The sound quality when gaming is also impressive, with the exception of the surround function.
On the other hand, the headset is poorly insulated from the outside and therefore unusable in noisy environments. I sometimes couldn't even hear the sound in a noisy open-plan office and had to turn it up all the way. I find the advertised surround function to be better than stereo and for my hearing, the headset is not suitable for listening to music.
If music on your PC is important to you and you don't need a microphone for gaming, the Pro X is not for you. The sound quality for listening to music is too poor for me. However, if you are looking for a wired headset with an excellent microphone and good sound quality for gaming, then the new Logitech G is the right choice. However, just under 140 francs, or just under 120 euros (as of 11 December 2019), is rather expensive for a wired headset.
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
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