Logitech G930 Review

Logitech is a brand well-known for producing quality peripherals aimed at enhancing the experience of gamers, professionals, and casual users alike. The Logitech G930 Wireless Gaming Headset, released several years ago, became one of their flagship products in the gaming headset market. Even though newer models have since hit the shelves, the G930 remains relevant for its value, feature set, and performance.

This in-depth review will explore the Logitech G930’s design, build quality, comfort, sound performance, wireless capabilities, software integration, battery life, and value proposition. By the end of this review, you should have a comprehensive understanding of whether the Logitech G930 is a good fit for your gaming and multimedia needs.

Design and Build Quality

Design and Build Quality

Aesthetic Design

The Logitech G930 has a design that balances between sleek modernity and a rugged, practical look. The black and red color scheme, with subtle chrome accents, makes the headset visually appealing without being overly flashy. While it doesn’t aim for the extravagant “gamer aesthetic” some other models are known for, its simplicity might actually appeal to users who prefer something a bit more subtle but still professional.

The ear cups are large and over-ear, designed to envelop your ears fully. On the left earcup, you’ll find a few controls, including volume adjustment, a mute button, and programmable G-keys (which will be discussed later). This makes controlling in-game audio or muting your microphone during intense gaming sessions a breeze.

Build Durability

When it comes to build quality, the G930 excels for a mid-range gaming headset. It is primarily constructed from sturdy plastic, which feels solid in hand and resists cracking or flexing even under moderate stress. The adjustable headband is reinforced with a metal strip, enhancing the structural integrity, especially important for gamers who may use the headset for hours on end.

The ear cushions are covered in synthetic leather, which gives them a premium feel while also being durable. While synthetic leather can peel over time with wear and tear, the Logitech G930 holds up well in this regard, and many users report using the headset for years before seeing any significant degradation in material quality.

The only downside with the design might be the weight, as it tips the scales at around 372 grams. While it isn’t the heaviest headset on the market, it’s slightly heavier than some competing wireless models. However, this is mitigated by the headset’s excellent weight distribution, which ensures that it doesn’t feel overly cumbersome during extended use.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort and Fit

Headband Adjustability and Padding

Comfort is an essential feature for any gaming headset, especially for long gaming sessions, and the Logitech G930 delivers admirably in this department. The headband is highly adjustable and features a padded cushion to reduce pressure on the top of your head. The adjustability accommodates a wide range of head sizes, ensuring a snug yet comfortable fit.

The memory foam padding in the ear cups is another major selling point. It conforms well to the shape of your ears and head, helping to maintain comfort over long hours. Even though the padding is covered in synthetic leather, it doesn’t tend to trap heat too much, although it can become a bit warm after extended play.

Over-Ear Cup Design

The over-ear design is perfect for gamers looking for immersive audio without external distractions. The large cups fully encompass the ears, providing decent passive noise isolation. This makes the G930 suitable not just for gaming, but also for watching movies or listening to music in environments where external noise could be an issue.

The ear cups can also swivel to some degree, allowing for a more customized fit. This flexibility helps to prevent unnecessary strain on your ears, even after hours of continuous use. Some users have noted, though, that the G930 can feel tight for people with larger heads or ears, so it might not be a universal fit.

Audio Performance

Sound Quality

The sound performance of the Logitech G930 is quite impressive, particularly given its age. It features 40mm neodymium drivers, which deliver a well-balanced sound signature with good highs, mids, and lows. For gamers, the positional audio and surround sound capabilities (more on this in the next section) make it a strong performer in competitive settings, where identifying audio cues like footsteps, gunshots, or enemy movements is crucial.

When playing games like “Call of Duty”, the headset’s clarity in delivering impactful sounds, from explosions to subtle in-game ambiance, is apparent. The bass response is decent but not overwhelming, so it won’t drown out the mids or highs. However, bass-heavy sound effects, such as gunfire or explosions, still have enough punch to feel immersive.

Surround Sound

One of the key features of the G930 is its support for Dolby 7.1 surround sound, which greatly enhances the immersion for gamers. This virtual surround sound technology allows for a more directional audio experience, making it easier to pinpoint the source of in-game sounds.

The surround sound feature works well in titles that support positional audio, such as first-person shooters or open-world games. Whether you’re hearing enemies sneaking up from behind or getting immersed in the environmental sounds of a vast RPG world, the G930 performs admirably. For users who enjoy single-player immersive games or competitive multiplayer titles, this feature alone makes the G930 a valuable addition to their gaming setup.

The 7.1 surround sound is managed through the Logitech Gaming Software (LGS), which allows you to tweak audio profiles to your liking. This customization feature ensures you get the exact sound balance you prefer for each game or activity, whether it’s increased clarity for voice communication or more depth in the bass.

Music and Multimedia

While the G930 is tailored for gaming, its audio performance extends well into other multimedia experiences. For music lovers, the sound quality is good, with crisp treble, balanced mids, and adequate bass. Although audiophiles might find some room for improvement, the overall experience is well-rounded for most users.

For movies and video content, the headset’s surround sound capabilities are a significant asset. The clarity of dialogue and the impact of cinematic effects shine through, providing an engaging movie-watching experience, especially for action-heavy films.

Microphone Performance

Microphone Performance

Microphone Quality

The G930 is equipped with a noise-canceling, foldable boom microphone located on the left ear cup. This mic delivers decent voice clarity and is more than sufficient for gaming and VoIP communications. Whether you’re communicating with teammates during competitive play or chatting with friends over Discord, your voice will come through clearly without distortion or excessive background noise.

The noise-canceling feature works effectively, filtering out most ambient sounds like keyboard clicks, fan noise, or background chatter, which is important during team-based online games. The microphone’s foldable design allows it to be stowed away when not in use, adding a layer of convenience.

However, while it performs well for voice communication, the mic is not as high-quality as some standalone or studio-grade mics. For those planning to use the headset for streaming or professional voiceovers, you might want to consider an external microphone setup for superior voice clarity.

Mute and LED Indicator

One convenient feature of the microphone is its auto-mute functionality. Simply flipping the boom arm upwards will mute the microphone, which is particularly handy when you need to quickly cut off communication. There’s also a red LED indicator on the microphone itself that lights up when muted, so you’ll never be left wondering whether your mic is on or off.

Wireless Capabilities

Wireless Range

One of the main reasons gamers are drawn to the G930 is its wireless functionality, providing freedom of movement without compromising sound quality. The G930 operates on a 2.4GHz wireless band, delivering a stable connection with a range of up to 40 feet (12 meters). This means you can move around your room or home without losing connection, which is useful during breaks in long gaming sessions or if you need to grab a snack without removing the headset.

In practice, the wireless range holds up quite well, although walls and other obstructions can slightly reduce it. The connection remains stable even when moving between rooms, and there’s no noticeable audio lag, which is a crucial factor for competitive gaming where split-second timing is everything.

Lag-Free Experience

Wireless headsets are often criticized for introducing latency, but the G930 provides a virtually lag-free experience. This is particularly important for gamers, as even a small audio delay can disrupt gameplay, especially in fast-paced games. The G930 manages to deliver sound in real time, maintaining synchronization between in-game actions and their corresponding audio cues.

Logitech Gaming Software Integration

Customization and Control

Logitech’s Gaming Software (LGS) is integral to unlocking the G930’s full potential. Through LGS, you can access a host of customization options that allow you to fine-tune the audio experience according to your preferences.

The software lets you adjust the 7.1 surround sound settings, equalizer profiles, and even the behavior of the programmable G-keys on the left ear cup. These G-keys can be configured to perform specific actions in games or apps, like launching macros, adjusting specific settings, or controlling media playback.

For users who like to tweak and personalize their audio experience, LGS provides a user-friendly interface that’s simple to navigate. It also allows you to save profiles for different games or applications, ensuring that your preferred settings are just a click away whenever you launch a specific game.

Software Limitations

Although LGS is powerful, it’s not without its quirks. Some users have reported occasional issues with the software not recognizing the headset, requiring a restart of the program or system to resolve the problem. Additionally, it lacks a few advanced features that competing headset software platforms offer, such as deeper microphone processing options or more sophisticated noise-gating controls.

That said, for most users, LGS will provide more than enough flexibility to get the best performance out of the G930.

Battery Life

Usage Time

The Logitech G930 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, offering up to 10 hours of use on a full charge. This is fairly standard for wireless gaming headsets, but depending on your usage, battery life may vary. For gaming sessions or casual multimedia use, the 10-hour window should suffice for a day’s worth of play or work.

Charging and Battery Management

The headset charges via a standard USB cable, and it can still be used while charging, so you’re never stuck without audio. The charge time from empty to full takes approximately two and a half hours, which is reasonable for a device of this caliber. There’s also a battery level indicator in the Logitech Gaming Software, so you can monitor your power levels and avoid interruptions.

One minor gripe is that after prolonged use over the years, battery life may degrade slightly, requiring more frequent charges. However, replacement batteries can be installed if needed.

Pricing and Value

Initial Price and Market Competition

When the Logitech G930 was first released, it was priced around $130 to $150. At that price, it represented an excellent balance of features, performance, and wireless freedom. Even today, the G930 remains a competitive option, especially when found at discounted rates in second-hand markets or from retailers clearing old stock.

Alternatives to Consider

In today’s market, the G930 faces competition from headsets such as the Corsair Void Pro RGB or SteelSeries Arctis 7, which offer similarly robust feature sets at competitive price points. These alternatives often come with modern refinements like better software integration, lighter designs, or longer battery life. However, for gamers on a budget, the G930 still provides tremendous value, especially if wireless connectivity is a priority.

Conclusion

The Logitech G930 is a well-rounded wireless gaming headset that delivers on multiple fronts. Its combination of solid build quality, excellent sound performance, and immersive 7.1 surround sound makes it an appealing choice for gamers seeking wireless freedom. Although some aspects like battery life and software integration may show their age in comparison to newer models, the G930 remains a reliable and cost-effective option for both casual and competitive gamers.

Whether you’re deeply entrenched in competitive multiplayer games or enjoy immersive single-player titles, the Logitech G930 is a solid investment. Despite newer models entering the market, it continues to hold its own thanks to its blend of comfort, performance, and value.

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