RIG 700 Pro HX Headset Review: Rich Sound, But Missing Some Features

Paradoxically, reviewing headsets can feel harder the more you do it. At least, that’s been my experience. As one assesses more and more gaming headsets, the differences can sometimes become subtler, the gaps between mediocre, good, and great becoming ever greater white noise in one’s ears.

But in that process, certain features also have a habit of proving themselves to be vital to any quality headset. I’ve long put a lot of weight into 3D audio. Headsets that use it are immediately a step above those that don’t, and the RIG 700 HX unleashes that important feature.

However, it lacks another feature that I’ve come to understand is just as important: active noise-canceling. Without it, this headset sits firmly in the good territory, but a step below great.

RIG 700 Pro HX Headset Review: Rich Sound, But Missing Some Features

The RIG Pro 700 offers a few SKUs, but the HX I’ve been playing with is compatible with PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S. Out of the box, the RIG 700 Pro HX sports the same exoskeleton design many of the brand’s headsets offer, which gives it a decidedly “gamer” look and feel. I’m fine with that personally, even as it’s not my preference, but it makes up for that with its self-adjusting sizing strap, which elasticizes like basketball shorts to fit many head shapes and sizes.

The frame is plastic, which is a disappointment compared to the much cheaper RIG Pro 500, which includes a metal frame. I did wonder if that’s because the 500 is in its Gen 2 form now, and thus maybe the next iteration of the 700 will get the same material upgrade.

On the cups, the Pro 700 features most of what players would expect. Comfortable and lightweight as they both are, the left cup also features several physical buttons for players to adjust on the fly, saving crucial time that would otherwise have to be spent in the Xbox or in-game menus. 

Players can adjust the game-audio-to-chat-audio mix, turn the volume up or down, and mute the headset, though the last control was a bit annoying to find and, as usual, not as convenient as flipping up the mic.

That mic is removable, which is nice, albeit almost expected these days, and best of all, the headset is wireless and functional up to 30 feet. I’m not joking when I say that’s a helpful range for a bathroom or snack break that keeps you in the party chat. It connects via a USB-A dongle, and the battery lasts 12 hours, according to the team. In my tests, that seemed spot-on. I was really impressed with how long I could play on a single charge and even abandoned my usual policy of charging my device right when I’m done with it, knowing I still had plenty of time to go.

The downside of the headset being wireless is the charger connects via micro-USB, which never felt so sturdy during its time as the go-to port for devices, and now in the USB-C era just feels especially dated. 

Another huge feature is that 3D audio I mentioned. Using Dolby Atmos and the compatible app on Xbox consoles, it’s extremely easy to customize your sound setup, either using different genre defaults or fully customizing your own sound profiles.

A mic that is lightweight, comfortable, and wireless is the foundation of something special, and the inclusion of lifetime Dolby Atmos access really starts to separate the headset from the competition, but sadly, the lack of active noise control reels it back a bit.

RIG intends to position itself as the brand for competitive players, and I always like to put all my reviewed headsets through the battle royale test, playing things like PUBG, Fortnite, and Warzone, to see how it stacks up in games where every step counts so much because it could be your last.

While the 3D audio provides a rich, full soundscape that, on its own, isn’t less advantageous than that of much pricier headsets I’ve tested, the inabiltiy to cancel external noise really got in my way. When you’ve got kids running around and a partner working from home, that noise cancellation is so important, and the Pro 700 HX can’t really help players dealing with similarly busy environments.

I can’t fathom anyone using the Pro 700 HX at a tournament setting, and while few ever sit on stage and play games for cash and glory like that, many more do expect a headset to be as competitive as they are, and this is really where the $120 Pro 700 faulters most.

Still, headsets need to be compared to those in their price range, and among the most ubiquitous brands like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 ($30 more), the RIG Pro 700 outshines the competition. It’s also simply the case that I’ve used cheaper sets that outshine either of them. 

RIG 700 Pro HX Headset Review — The Bottom Line

Pros

• Long-lasting wireless connection
• Lifetime access Dolby Atmos 3D audio
• Plenty of options buttons built onto the left ear cup
• Self-sizing and comfortable

Cons

• Poor noise-cancellation demands a quiet external environment
• Plastic frame feels cheaper than even headsets in its own family of devices
• Mute button can be hard to find due to placement and lack of texturing

While games are a matter of taste, most people reading headset reviews just want to know: is it worth my money? At $120, the RIG Pro 700 HX dips into the competitive price range and offers much of what such a buyer is looking for, even throwing in nice bonuses like the lifetime Dolby Atmos 3D. But it’s not the fully-featured peripheral some will expect at that price.

Without proper noise-cancellation and built into a plastic frame, the Pro 700 HX feels like it has one foot in and one foot out of the market it wants to dominate. This is definitely still a good headset, and a better option than some of its biggest rivals, but for $120, serious players can also find better with money left over for more games too.