Logitech has spent the last couple of years trying to bring the cost of gaming down to mere mortals. The "G" line of gamer's gear has branched out from aspirational keyboards and mice to more pocketbook friendly devices. The G433 provides excellent value by providing good sound, advanced technology and stylish design to the (just) sub-one-hundred dollar price range.
I tried a pair of red G433s. These surprisingly light 'phones are also availble in blue, black, and blue camo. Unlike the higher end of Logitech phones, there are no lighs on the G433, but I never understood who those lights were for; you can't see them when you're wearing them, so no great loss in ditching them if it brings the price down. The mostly plastic headset has some parts wrapped in a fabric like material that gives texture and a bit of pizaz. Two fabric covered earcups match the color of the headphones, and an extra set, of the same color, but a different material, are included to help adjust the set to your taste.
Speaking of accessories, the box is chock full: There are two cables (one for mobile, the other for console use, a removable boom mike with pop filter, pouch, and even an adapter/splitter for use with PCs that require separate jacks for mike input and audio output.
The most unusual feature is a USB soundcard that gives the phones the ability to play back a simulated 7.1 3D sound stage with the 7.1 DTS Headphone-X software. Most wired headphones only play stereo, so this feature is a real bonus. However, I can't say that the 3D effect was overwhelming in most games I tested on the PC. I tend to like my audio as unaltered as possible, so for most testing I just used the 3.5mm jack on my soundcard and stuck to stero sound.
The sound stage is unusually wide for a headset in this price range. even in stereo mode. Many headphones place the drivers almost directly against the ear, but in these the semi-rigid foam cups holds them a bit away. I found that listening fatigue was diminished and the sound enhanced by the design.
The headphones use a hidden port, similar to the kind you'd find in high end speakers. My fear was that these would produce an artificial boomy bass response. That isn't something I like in music or gaming, as it can coverup important components of the audio at higher frequencies.
The overall sound was balanced in favor of gaming, appropriate for the design of this headset for gamers. Depending on your tastes, the G433 may be a bit weighted to getting the audio data to your ears that could affect the outcome of a match, rather than an absolute flat sound, or even a bass heavy frequency curve that some might prefer. You'll hear the crackling of gunfire, the sound of footsteps clearly, and that is what is paramount in a gaming headphone. By the way, the software includes an equalizer, so you can adjust the sound to fit your preferences.
My only gripe is that the headsets were too tight on my admitedly large head. the put a lot of pressure, particularly at the base of the ear. So, as the saying goes, "Your milage may differ."
I suggest you take the G433 for a spin if you'r in the market for a headset. There are a lot of excellent details in these phones that come from having been in the business of catering to gamers for almost as long as there have been computer games. The fact that they won't make you look ridiculous with flashing lights on your ears when you decide to use them in mobile-mode is a plus, their otherwise stylish design even more so.
