Hardware Review: RIG R5 Spear Pro HS – Entry Level PS5 Headset Has Surprisingly Great Audio

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We’ve recently tested the Nacon RIG R5 Spear Pro HS, a reasonably priced pair of wired headphones officially made for PlayStation. At just $69.99, the big question is: do they deliver good sound quality?

What Is The RIG R5 Spear Pro HS?

The RIG R5 Spear Pro HS is a wired gaming headset – we’ll just call it the Spear – with 40mm graphene drivers for great sound. It connects using a standard 3.5mm audio jack, so it works with PS4, PS5, and any other device that has a headphone jack.

This headset is designed for gaming, featuring a microphone you can easily flip up to mute, a comfortable and lightweight build perfect for long gaming sessions, and customizable ear cup covers. It’s available for £69.90 in the UK and $69.99 in the US.

​What’s In The Box?

The Spear headset is simple to set up. As a wired model, there’s no complicated unpacking process – it’s ready to use right away, with the cable neatly secured behind a plastic piece.

The PlayStation version of the headset includes two extra ear covers, letting you customize the look beyond the standard design. It doesn’t come with a carrying bag or case, which is typical for a headset at this price point.

Build Quality and Hardware Features

The Spear headset, similar to the higher-end RIG 900 MAX HS, is designed to be lightweight.

The headset is made entirely of plastic and features memory foam padding on the headband and earcups, all covered in a soft fabric. While the cushioning isn’t exceptional, using fabric instead of leather should make the headset last longer.

If you’re worried about the headset wearing out, the Spear has ear cushions that can be easily replaced. They attach with a simple Snap+Lock system, so if the cushions get damaged or worn from a lot of use, you can just swap them out instead of needing to buy a completely new headset.

The ear covers easily snap on and off thanks to magnets, letting you change their look. This model includes two covers featuring the PlayStation logo.

While these additions do make the headset a bit bulkier, we think it’s mostly a novelty. We doubt many people will be interested in collecting them.

We appreciate the Spear’s stylish and understated design. Its combination of matte and glossy black finishes creates a clean look that doesn’t loudly advertise itself as a gaming headset – and we think that’s a positive quality.

Unlike many other racing headsets, the Spear has an adjustable headband that slides to help you find a comfortable fit. While the adjustment range isn’t extensive, and it might run a little small for some users, it’s a definite improvement.

The earcups aren’t very flexible, but that actually helps them stay securely on your head, even if you move a lot. Combined with its light weight, the headset remains comfortable to wear for extended periods.

I was really surprised by the Spear headset! Even though it’s more affordable, the mic quality is seriously impressive – it actually sounds better than some of the pricier headsets we’ve tried out. Nacon says it’s a broadcast-quality mic, and I can believe it! It does a great job of blocking out background noise and has this cool little mesh filter that stops those harsh popping sounds.

We found the sound quality noticeably clearer when using this headset with friends at parties, even compared to more expensive options like the Sony INZONE H9 or JBL Quantum 910P. That’s impressive for a headset that costs around seventy pounds.

Okay, let’s be real – the wire is something a lot of us are thinking about with the Spear. It’s not wireless, it has a 1.5-meter cord with a standard headphone jack. Honestly, I was a little worried about it being annoying and getting caught on things, but it’s actually pretty flexible, so that’s a relief. And the best part? I never have to think about charging it!

The cable has a volume slider, but it’s a bit fiddly to use. It’s pretty small, so it can be hard to set the volume exactly how you like it. We found it much simpler to control the volume directly on the PlayStation 5.

Whether or not the wired connection is a problem depends on the player. We enjoy chatting with friends during breaks between games, like when getting a drink. While you can still do that with the Spear controller, you’ll also need to carry your DualSense controller with you.

The Audio Experience

The best feature of the Spear headphones is definitely the sound quality – and that’s exactly what you’d want from a good pair of headphones.

The Spear gaming headset uses 40mm drivers with a special graphene coating to deliver clear, 3D audio with minimal distortion. It’s tuned to handle low frequencies – from 20Hz to 40Hz – which is great for fast-paced online games. Overall, the audio quality is remarkably good, especially considering the price.

Even though the Spear headphones don’t block out noise, their comfortable cushions and surprisingly loud volume (reaching up to 117.5dB) help you stay focused.

The Spear headset delivers impressive audio quality in PS5 games like Ghost of Yotei, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and The Callisto Protocol, significantly boosting the feeling of being truly inside the game.

The sound design truly brings environments to life, whether it’s the wind in Yotei or the creatures on Pandora. While it doesn’t have quite the same rich, full sound as higher-end headsets, it offers impressive quality for a much lower price – about a third of the cost.

Honestly, with headsets in this price range, you usually sacrifice those really deep, rumbling bass sounds. But I was totally surprised – the Spear actually delivers! Explosions and all the action in games like Battlefield 6 really hit thanks to the strong bass. It adds a lot to the experience.

While light machine guns sound a little less powerful, the Spear still delivers impactful explosions and realistic bullet sounds.

If you’re serious about sound quality, you won’t find any fancy apps or equalizers to adjust the audio. Everything is already built into the PlayStation 5, so the Spear device connects and works instantly – it’s truly plug-and-play.

Should You Buy The RIG R5 Spear Pro HS?

Honestly, I think the RIG R5 Spear Pro HS is a great option – if you’re okay with a wired headset. It’s definitely worth checking out!

Considering the cost, this headset is remarkably comfortable and delivers rich, high-quality sound. Plus, the microphone is surprisingly good – even better than those found on some pricier models.

While wired headsets don’t offer the same freedom as wireless options, the RIG R5 Spear Pro HS is a great choice if sound quality is most important to you and you’re looking for a headset that doesn’t break the bank.

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2025-10-28 22:08