After spending countless hours gaming and reviewing various headsets, I can confidently say that the Alienware Pro Headset has left a lasting impression on me. As someone who appreciates minimalist aesthetics, the clean design of this headset immediately caught my eye. However, what truly impressed me was its exceptional wireless performance, crystal-clear audio quality, and all-day comfort.
Over time, I’ve experimented with various gaming headsets from brands like Razer, HyperX, SteelSeries, Turtle Beach, and others. However, one brand I haven’t tried yet is Alienware – a gaming division of Dell renowned for its custom-built PCs, gaming laptops, and monitors. Eager to explore their offerings, I was excited when presented with the chance to try the new Alienware Pro Headset, given that the company has been expanding its reach in the accessories market.
Without a doubt, the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard and Mouse have been standout successes since their release this year, earning 4.5/5 star ratings from my colleague Zachary Boddy in his reviews. The Alienware Pro Headset rounds out the trio, designed alongside over a hundred esports professionals and Team Liquid legends. After more than 18 months of meticulous development, it’s now available to the public.
After using the headset extensively over the last few weeks, I’m delighted to share that it matches the high standards set by Alienware’s recent keyboard and mouse. In fact, it has surpassed my Razer Kaira Pro, which I purchased earlier this year for wireless use, in terms of sound quality, microphone performance, and comfort. However, as I’ll discuss further in this review, there are some minor issues that prevent it from being perfect. Despite the high price tag, you will certainly receive value for your money.
Alienware Pro Headset review: Price and specs
Contrasting the Razer Kraken V4, which we categorized as an “upper mid-range” gaming headset priced at $179.99, the Alienware Pro Headset positions itself in the luxury or “premium” segment due to its higher price point of $229.99 upon release. This places it slightly above standard choices but below high-end models like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, priced at a hefty $350 and equipped with top-tier features for gamers. The Alienware Pro Headset I reviewed came in white, while black is also available as another color option.
The Alienware Pro Headset offers three ways to connect: wirelessly using a 2.4GHz USB Type-C dongle or Bluetooth 5.3, or wired via USB Type-C. It boasts 50mm graphene-coated drivers and a detachable unidirectional microphone with dual mic system and adjustable mic monitoring. Both the speakers and the microphone utilize noise cancellation technology; the speakers have hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC), while the microphone uses AI noise reduction to minimize background sounds. The latest version of Alienware Command Center software allows you to customize the ANC transparency, mic volume, mic side tone, and a switch for the microphone’s noise cancellation (which is off by default). Additionally, equalization can be adjusted in the Dolby app due to its support for Dolby Atmos.
With the headset comes its wireless 2.4GHz dongle using USB Type-C, an additional USB Type-A adapter for systems without functional USB Type-C ports, a long USB-A to Type-C cable for charging (which can also be used for wired connection), and a comprehensive user manual that guides you through the setup process. Alienware provides all these accessories in the package.
Alienware Pro Headset review: The good
The Alienware Pro Headset stands out for many reasons, but what truly won me over – and caused me to trade in my Razer Kaira Pro HyperSpeed headphones – is the exceptional quality of its microphone. This aspect of headset design has always been a challenge for Razer, with their products delivering good sound input, but not quite reaching ‘excellent’ levels. However, Alienware has managed to create what might be the finest gaming microphone I’ve ever used in this headset.
The audio recording is exceptionally clear and separate, making certain that those you’re gaming with can easily hear you, even amidst game sounds and battles, whether through the game itself or chat platforms like Discord. Despite having noise cancellation turned off, the microphone effectively filters out background distractions; however, you might want to activate it in noisy environments. Additionally, the mic can be removed from the headset for ease of travel.
The audio quality from this mic carries over to the speakers too, providing a full and well-balanced soundscape that encompasses lows, mids, and highs, with Dolby Atmos spatial audio support. Considering it was designed based on feedback from numerous professional esports players, its superior quality isn’t entirely unexpected. However, what did surprise me is just how loud the Alienware Pro Headset can be when you really turn up the volume – a testament to the strength of its 50mm drivers that can be felt as much as heard at maximum volume, even without haptic feedback like the Razer HyperSense motors I’m accustomed to.
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Regarding comfort, the Alienware Pro Headset has a tighter fit around the ears compared to what I’m accustomed to, yet it feels incredibly lightweight. It offers ample adjustability in length and headband flexibility to accommodate various head shapes and sizes. The memory foam leatherette earcups might not be as cool temperature-wise as the thick, ventilated cushions I usually prefer, but they gently touch the skin, offer excellent passive noise cancellation, and never become excessively warm. While I slightly lean towards Razer’s Kraken and Kaiya designs, Alienware’s is equally appealing.
The headset’s design is quite minimalist, as it lacks RGB or neon green gaming accents commonly found in similar products. However, the Alienware logo, gleaming in silver, adorns each earcup, ensuring it remains recognizable as a gaming headset. Some might find the all-plastic construction a bit disappointing at this price point, but its durability is undeniable, holding up well under stretching and twisting.
Regarding the wireless connectivity, I found it perfect during my tests, and using it with the Alienware Pro Headset’s USB-A to Type-C charging cable has also been seamless. As stated, the claimed battery life of 70-75 hours without ANC is accurate, though you might need to recharge it after approximately 25-35 hours if you use noise cancellation. A point worth noting is that the headset automatically turns off after 30 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery; however, this setting can be adjusted or disabled entirely via Alienware Command Center.
Alienware Pro Headset review: The bad
The Alienware Pro Headset generally works well for me, except for its moderate active noise cancellation feature. To be honest, I don’t have a significant problem with this since I prefer not to use ANC, as the continuous low-frequency sound waves it emits often cause discomfort and headaches for me. However, if you are someone who highly values active noise cancellation, it’s worth noting that it may struggle with louder sounds. It effectively muffles quieter noises like whispers or fan sounds, but it can falter under more intense volumes.
The microphone’s noise-cancellation feature sometimes overcompensates, removing more of your voice than intended during recordings. Rarely, this results in the mic missing some of my speech entirely, causing friends to ask me to rephrase what I said. However, it’s important to note that without the AI noise reduction, the microphone does a great job at blocking out background sounds. Therefore, unless you believe you really need it, consider turning off the noise cancellation feature.
To note, the incompatibility of the Alienware Pro Headset with Xbox is an issue worth discussing, although this predicament might be more associated with Microsoft rather than Alienware due to its exclusive Xbox Wireless technology restricting compatible accessories for their consoles. This limitation can be quite frustrating for multiplatform gamers who are growing weary of encountering such constraints.
Alienware Pro Headset review: Final thoughts
You should buy this if …
✅You want an excellent wireless gaming headset
The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset boasts superior microphone quality, crystal-clear sound, uninterrupted wireless functionality, the flexibility for wired use, all-day comfort, and an impressive battery life of up to three days. It’s undeniably one of the top PC gaming headsets within the $200 price range, despite its active noise cancellation and microphone noise reduction being slightly less effective compared to some competitors.
✅You’re after a minimalist aesthetic
For those who prefer a more understated aesthetic, rather than the vibrant RGB ‘unicorn throw-up’ style, the Alienware Pro Headset with its sleek and simplistic design will surely appeal.
You should not buy this if …
❌You’re on a budget
As a researcher studying gaming equipment, I must admit that the Alienware Pro Headset, retailing at $229.99, is not an affordable option for those seeking wireless alternatives without draining their budget. If you’re like me, trying to balance cost and convenience in your gaming setup, there are definitely more wallet-friendly choices available on the market.
❌You need Xbox support
Unfortunately, the Alienware Pro Headset doesn’t work with Xbox consoles, which is a common issue with many audio peripherals, so it can’t be considered one of the top-tier options for Xbox gaming.
I wouldn’t have expected my next gaming headset to be from Alienware, but here I am – grooving to a blend of 2000s alternative rock and video game soundtracks while wearing it. Although the company has made headsets before, this one seems like its initial significant foray into the market, demonstrating that it can hold its own in fierce competition.
With that said, premium quality begets a premium price tag, and not everyone can afford a $230 headset — yours truly included (I was only able to get the aforementioned Razer Kaira Pro thanks to a family gift and a deal). I’m lucky to have been sent the Alienware Pro Headset for review purposes, as I’d have probably never ended up with it in my hands otherwise. If you’re on a budget, look to options like the Razer Kaira that’s down to just $69.99 on Amazon right now.
For those who can afford it, though, the Alienware Pro Headset is a stellar option that pairs top-tier audio and mic quality with dependable, versatile connectivity and a minimalistic, yet rugged and comfortable design. It has close competition like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X, but it’s undeniably an amazing headset, even if its noise cancellation features could stand to be better. Just make sure you don’t get it thinking you can use it on Xbox, though, because you can’t; if you’re after an Xbox headset, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox is a great alternative.
I’m here to share some exciting news about a forthcoming gadget – the Alienware Pro Headset. This high-tech audio gear is expected to hit US shelves later in the current month, priced at $229.99. So, keep your eyes peeled and mark your calendars if you’re keen on getting your hands on it!
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2024-10-08 18:09