Choosing a new gaming headset is never and easy task, with a plethora on the market to choose from. Over the past week, Just Push Start has been able to get hands on with Snakebyte’s brand new headset, the Head:Set Pro, designed with PC players in mind. Last time we tried Snakebyte products we were pleased with their performance. However, will the Head:Set Pro truly be the pro choice? Let’s find out!
As soon as gamers put the headset on they will hear that Snakebyte has nailed the most important aspect of a headset, the depth of sound. The directional sounds, from the 7.1 virtual surround sound, help to pinpoint opponents in shooters and also let players get immersed in open world games. Then there is the brilliantly deafening rumbles of bass when in game explosions occur around you. While there is a bass boost button on the in line control unit this seems to make limited to no difference. Nevertheless, the headset is still not lacking – whether it is the roar of an engine or wub from music it is there in full!
The in line remote doesn’t have much on it but does the job that other headsets sometimes include as buttons on the outside of the earcups. A mic mute button, volume control and the pre-mentioned lacklustre bass boost button feature on it, at a reasonable distance from the headset. It isn’t quite as premium as including these as buttons on the earcups but does the job just as well – giving gamers instant access to the options. My only minor concern with the headset for other gamers is the length of the cable. At only 2m it is the ideal length for sat at a desk with the PC directly on the desk next to you but might be on the short side for some.
Comfort is key for a headset to survive a long, many hours, gaming session. Taking one for the team I played many, many continuous hours with the Head:Set Pro on. Not once did the headset feel too warm, nor did it feel too heavy or tight – thanks in part to the flexibility of the headset. The stand out design feature, which lets a lot of headsets down, is the cushioned earcups. Often these sit on the ear but the Head:Set Pro’s are big enough to sit around your ear. To only further the comfort they are made from memory foam. Not only does this decrease the pressure on your ear, thus improving the comfort, it also adds to the noise cancelling the headset provides.
Another feature with PC gamers in mind is the built in microphone, not just a plug in mic. This provides crystal clear audio, that doesn’t capture lots of background sounds. Despite being clear, it is on the quiet side. Therefore, in the likes of Discord you may want to up the input volume so your friends can hear the clear audio. Thankfully, doing so doesn’t decrease the quality. The mic isn’t locked in a single position either, with the adjustable boom allowing you to get it in the perfect position or move it out of the way to eat/drink whilst continuing to game.
The Head:Set Pro comes in Snakebyte’s signature yellow colouring, and as a result the headset is striking. It even has elements that glow yellow: on the outside of the earcups, the end of the mic (to visually depict if the mic is muted) and the in line control unit. When wearing the headset you almost have a halo effect, with the yellow oversized headband structure above your head. It commits to the colour and the look. The headset should be commended for that, not being watered down. However, I fear by going down this route it will alienate some gamers – whom would have been more interested in a plainer coloured headset.
There isn’t much more to setting up the Head:Set Pro than unboxing and plugging it in, ideal for getting into straight into the action. It manages to perfectly balance comfort with a robust feel that means you don’t worry about the headset. The audio quality is phenomenal, and makes wearing the headset a pleasure to wear when gaming, and this is only improved with the crystal clear mic. Snakebyte set out to deliver a high quality gaming headset without a luxury price. Priced at £36.63 the Head:Set Pro smashes their aim and delivers more, becoming my day to day go to gaming headset!
[Editor’s Note: The Head:Set Pro was provided to us by Snakebyte for the review.]
