Back once again with with another peripheral review, this time from the company Plantronics and there Budget headset the Gamecom 780. If you missed our first review from Plantronics look no further than clicking here and reading the review for the RIG (http://invisioncommunity.co.uk/2014/08/27/plantronics-rig-gaming-audio-system-review/) There is also something I have been enjoying recently, check out free no deposit slots from 777spinslot casino.
The Box
As always, let’s start off with what we see when you look at it in the shop, the box, from the front there is a clear section, which allows you to view the headset in all its glory. Towards the bottom of the package Plantronics have decided to to showcase the most important information down here, and why not, how else would you sell a product. So what do they have to say, ‘YOU’RE SURROUNDED’, that’s the main thing you will see with Dolby Pro-Logic and something you would never expect from a budget headset 7.1 Dolby Technology.
Moving to the side of the product, they have chosen to show off the 7.1 Dolby Technology that the headset boasts, along with some technical specification. On the back is a load of waffle in different languages, giving a brief description about the headset you are about to, or are interested in purchasing.
Inside the Box
The headset is tightly packaged inside the box and will not be able to move during transport which is good. Inside the box you will find a Software CD and a set of instructions, I found the software CD taped to the side of the box, I did not notice it from the first inspection.
The Design
Retro and Boxy are the words that come to mind when I look at the Gamecom 780 headset, this gives the headset, its own its own unique visual style. The headsets earcups glide up and down a wired framework, there is about 1inch to 1.5inches of movement to adjust around a gamers head. When you have finished using your headset and don’t have a stand for your headset, then the earcups pivot so you can lay your headset down flat. The earcups are well soft to touch and feel nice when wearing, however, they dirty up so fast due to dust buildup.
Keeping with the earcups,you will find all the controls are mounted to the left earpiece instead of a controller box or clip attached to the cable. When looking at the front of the earpiece you will find the Dolby on and off switch that also glows a nice blue, while the back of the earpiece holds the volume up and down and Microphone mute. The volume switch is not so great, as you can not gradually bring down the sound, instead it uses a pre-defined volume click, each click brings the volume down a little more until you down to the final click, which equals silence. The final piece of the puzzle is the microphone which is also attached to the left ear piece, which swivels up and down.
The headband has the words Gamecom imprinted on the top and the underneath it uses the same material used for the earcups, very soft to the touch and comfortable on the head.
The Gamecom 780 comes with a 2m cable with USB port which plug in to your PC, 7.1 Surround sound only works with PC, Mac users tough shit, you’re out of luck it don’t work.
The sound and software
Gamecom 780 comes with a disc, “ A disk what is this old school product” you can also download the software from their website if you wish to. The Dolby is controlled using 2 different settings, gaming/ movie mode, which brings vocal to life and music that brings everything together. You also get a graphic equalizer which allows you to create your own level of sound. Before you turn on 7.1 Surround Sound make sure you have set up the speaker correctly within the windows speaker configuration.
Sound quality is on par with other headsets, but does not pack the punch in the bass sound levels (Low Frequency) everything else though is great. The 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound works as expected and adds that immersion feeling you will love within games. I love using VSS with FPS games, hearing bullets whizzing past you, the lightest of footsteps of the enemy in a certain direction or even that whisper of an enemy, immersion can be elements of a game not available with standard 2.1 sound.
Personal Usage
I have plenty of headsets, I think I might have an addiction or I just want to find the best headset for gaming. Now it’s the time of the 780 Gamecom from Plantronics, and I have the perfect new game to test it out with Evolve from Turtle Rock Studios and 2K Games.
Now the headset is light, feels nice and comfortable to wear, thanks to the material they have chosen to use in the design. The software is basic and what you expect, using the headset is simple, but does the Virtual Surround Sound do what it says on the box? Now before anyone says anything, nothing can beat a true 7.1 surround sound system, and virtual surround sound is a cheaper alternative, it’s more like a simulation.
So loading up Evolve, sound comes through really clear, loading up the game, and playing through one of the scenarios, gamers playing with me did say that the microphone was very clear, however was also very loud, so I had to turn it down a little.
The 7.1 Surround Sound system, was turned on and you can clearly hear the difference between using standard 2.1 and Virtual Surround Sound. It 100% gives the feeling of immersion, all the sounds seem to come from the correct direction and very clear. I can personally say, it does everything they stat on the box, there is nothing more more you can say. Yes, it looks strange, feels a little under designed, need a little refinement and yet, its perfect for what it should do.
Final thoughts
I found the headset very flexible, durable, light and available at a very affordable price, however, I did feel that there was way too much Plastic being used in the design. Even though all headsets are designed with plastic, I just felt it’s just needed a little more effort to make it looks premium, with the same price point. Yes, the headset can be purchased at a great affordable price, but sometimes a sense of premium can be achieved with any price headset.
I also found the speed the earcups and headband got dirty due to dust build up was, a bit of a pain in the butt and was constantly cleaning them. I would of liked a Gold USB Port and a braided cable, however, these are just cosmetic changes, that I feel are needed.
Even with the issues I had with it, it worked well, did 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound perfect, was light and felt comfortable to wear for extended gaming time. Cheap and Cheerful I guess you could call these, if you are on a budget and would like a 7.1 sound experience then grab yourselves one of these.
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