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Review: Logitech G330

The good

Adjustable headband provides very good comfort
In-line volume control
3.5mm connectors

The bad

Non-replaceable ear pads
Pricey
Mediocre performance when not connected via USB

The computer mouse was the product that made Logitech a well-known brand in tech accessories, but in August 2008, the company announced that it would be acquiring Ultimate Ears, a company known for its professional in-ear headphones. Sadly, we are yet to see Ultimate Ears technology in Logitech's range of 'phones, but nevertheless we still had a go with the G330 to see how good it is.

Design and features

The headset itself is mostly grey with the colour monotony lifted by the red highlights. The ear pads are made of soft foam and can pivot in any direction, but unfortunately they are not designed to be replaceable. On the plus side and unlike other behind-the-head headsets, the G330 features a width-adjustable headband to cater to larger head sizes.

The headset's boom mic is mounted on the left side and can be rotated back when not needed. The boom can be bent and adjusted to fit most face shapes. The cable is a generous 240cm long, more than enough to reach the audio output port on the back of our PC. The in-line Velcro cable tie was a welcome addition when we were hooking the G330 to our laptop, when the additional cable length was not needed.

The in-line control box comes with a handy volume control and a microphone mute toggle switch. It also has a clip on the back so you can attach it to your clothing. The headset offers standard 3.5mm connectors for both mic and audio inputs. Logitech also included a USB sound card that you can connect to the headset.

Performance

Thanks to the adjustable headband, this headset sat on our ears for hours of non-stop gaming and we definitely did not run into the "hot ear" effect.

The G330 sounded mediocre when plugged directly into the PC. There was a lack of bass response from these cans without using the USB sound card. The sound quality wasn't poor - it was just missing the necessary kick that discerning gamers usually like to hear in their games. However, due to its semi-open back and on-ear design, the stereo imaging was impressive.

Using the USB sound card will add some EQ enhancements. With the sound card connected, the headset delivered bass with aplomb, giving the headset a necessary bass boost to make it sound more lively. Overall, we preferred to have the USB sound card connected, especially when gaming or watching movies.

The noise-cancelling mic does a decent job of reducing noise thanks to its dual-sensing mics. During our tests, the noise cancelling was able to reduce the ambient drones of air-conditioning units, but didn't eliminate the wind noise generated by our fan. It wasn't that bad, but we wished it could have been better.

Conclusion

Priced at AU$99.95, we find it hard to recommend the Logitech G330 headset as a good buy. Though it includes a USB sound card, the actual performance of this headset leaves a lot to be desired. Comfort and the performance gained when using the USB sound card are its redeeming features. Nonetheless, it's still worth looking at if you're looking for a headset that won't mess up your spiky hairstyle.

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