RIG 900 MAX HS Review: Super Comfortable But Where’s The Power?

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For the past several weeks, we’ve been putting the Nacon RIG 900 MAX HS, a high-end gaming headset designed for seamless connection with your PlayStation 5, through its paces. With a retail price of $250, what impressive features does it offer to justify the cost?

What Is the RIG 900 MAX HS?

The RIG 900 MAX HS, which we’ll refer to as RIGs for simplicity, is a dual-purpose wireless headset that offers Bluetooth compatibility for both PC and mobile devices, along with a USB-A adapter for connecting to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and Nintendo Switch. This versatile headset provides 2.4GHz low latency wireless connectivity, a flip-up microphone that mutes when flipped, an ultralight design for comfort, up to 60 hours of battery life through the dongle connection, and a charging stand for convenience.

The RIGs retails for £213.75 here in the UK, and $249.99 in the US.

What’s in the Box?

The unpacking of RIGs isn’t elaborate. First, you’ll find a charging stand (which we’ll discuss further), followed by the headset itself, some standard documentation, and a USB-A to C charging cable. Unfortunately, there’s no storage bag or case for your headphones included in this package.

Remarkably, the RIGs do not come with a traditional 3.5mm audio jack. Instead, you will need to connect it either through Bluetooth or using the provided dongle.

Build Quality and Hardware Features

Upon handling the RIGs for the first time, you’ll notice its lightweight feel immediately. Contrary to what some premium headphones might suggest, heftiness does not equate to quality in this instance.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the RIGs are designed to be lightweight and agile. Sporting a sturdy metal headband, elastic support, ventilated cushioning, and durable plastic ear cups. There’s no built-in rail for size adjustment here; instead, you simply detach the ear cup and slide it into one of the three available positions to fit perfectly.

Straight from the get-go, the RIGs appear quite stylish and trendy, boasting a blend of black plastic and metal. Yet, upon use, it feels somewhat lightweight which may give off a cheap impression, and its padding pales in comparison to something like the JBL Quantum 910P.

After prolonged gaming sessions, I find that the RIG headphones stand out in terms of comfort. Unlike other headphones that can get a tad uncomfortable on top of my head or make my ears feel sweaty and hot, these are remarkably breezy. In fact, I wore them for as long as eight hours without any discomfort at all. Their lightweight design not only makes them comfortable but also ensures they stay put on my head much better than some bulky headsets.

The headset’s internal components are quite basic. For computer users, there are Bluetooth and call management buttons, but for console users, it only includes a power button, a mute microphone switch, and a volume control knob. You’ll have to manually adjust the balance between party and game audio within the PS5 settings instead.

As a devoted fan, let me share my excitement about the incredible RIGs! To begin with, I was thoroughly impressed by its setup and battery, which are truly standout features. On the first try, I managed to get these RIGs up and running on my PlayStation 5 Pro in less than a minute. The process is remarkably straightforward – simply plug the dongle into your console, switch on the headset, and voila! It’s that easy.

As a fan, I find the charging stand particularly impressive because it not only serves as an elegant spot for my headset, but it also includes a USB-A slot for the dongle. This is a game-changer since it allows me to charge and connect my headset using just one USB slot on my PS5. It’s a well-designed feature that I believe DualSense charger users and external hard drive owners are going to find very useful!

The stand will gradually power up your headphones, and a light will show if it’s charging or fully charged. In case of an emergency, the headphones offer quick charging through their USB-C port.

Speaking as a devoted fan, I must say that this device barely gives you a reason to worry about battery life. Upon our initial power-up, it surprisingly reported having “medium battery”, but astonishingly, it lasted an impressive fortnight, handling anything from two to eight hours of usage daily before finally needing a recharge. If you also set up the charging stand, I’m confident that managing battery life would be the last thing on your mind with this fantastic RIG.

The Audio Experience

The RIG offers versatile audio performance across various sound frequencies. Its high-frequency sounds are impressive, although it may not deliver a powerful bass on its standard settings. However, with the RIG 900 Max mobile app, you can customize its sound profile to your liking. This app is straightforward, which means it might not be the best fit for audiophiles, but connecting the headset to a PS5 and setting it up is a breeze, and you can even create profiles that you can quickly switch between on demand.

Despite its other positive aspects, one major issue we encountered is that the RIGs aren’t particularly loud. The absence of noise-cancelling technology and the use of quieter 40mm drivers make it challenging to block out external noise. Even at maximum volume, it didn’t seem sufficiently loud for many games, and we found it disconcerting to hear our voices so clearly when gaming online with friends.

While noise-cancelling features may not appeal to everyone, we personally prefer to be fully engrossed in the audio environment of a game. Unfortunately, the RIGs didn’t quite satisfy our desire for immersive sound quality.

Should You Buy the RIG MAX 900 HS?

In summary, although there are issues we have with the RIG MAX 900 HS, it’s a headset we would still endorse, particularly for those who prioritize comfort and practicality over premium audio quality. This headset stands out if you seek effortless setup and customization, boasting an attractive charging stand option and exceptional battery life. Moreover, the RIG MAX 900 HS comes equipped with a call control button suitable for both PC and mobile devices, making it a perfect choice if you require a headset for work calls as well.

If you prioritize an immersive audio experience, the RIGs might not be suitable for many. It tends to be less loud, lacks noise cancellation, and doesn’t deliver the powerful sound quality that some headphones in its price range offer, such as the Sony INZONE H9s.

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2025-05-06 22:26