Usage Impressions and Conclusion

Sound Quality and 7.1 Surround

The G533 are, at their core, stereo headphones. There are two 40mm Pro-G drivers, and any multi-channel surround effects will be simulated; though, just as with the Artemis Spectrum headsets before them, this effect is pretty convincing. Still, I’ll begin with my standard 2-channel audio quality impressions. I would prefer objective measurements on the order of what Tyll does at Inner Fidelity, rather than just offer my opinion, but tens of thousands of dollars in test equipment is a little beyond my reach. Instead, I will offer my own impressions; which are based on not only years of critical listening, but in direct comparisons with other headphones and gaming headsets on hand.

I didn’t start out listening to anything that qualifies as high-resolution, or by using special audio software, and initial impressions were still pretty good. But before drawing any conclusions I switched to my usual PC setup for audio playback: foobar2000 with the WASAPI plugin. Using WASAPI (Windows Audio Session API) to push the untouched audio from my source files eliminates the possibility of resampling or software enhancements affecting the playback, and at that point I’m up against the practical limits of my sound card. Usually. But the G533 does not allow for an analog connection, so any audio you hear is going to be processed using the built-in DAC and amp in the headset itself. One good thing about an integrated solution is that you get consistency across all devices. The experience I had testing it with my PC will be identical to yours, since the G533 itself is handling audio conversion and amplification.

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All testing was done with a flat EQ

My initial impression was of a warm sound – which is to say, a slight emphasis on lower midrange and bass, though I didn't find the G533 to be bass-heavy. The drivers might be the same (or at least share the same specs) as the Pro-G 40mm drivers from the Artemis Spectrum models, but the housing makes a big difference with headphones as well. I found the G933/G633 to have stronger bass performance from the lowest notes, but I can’t back that up with any objective data. Overall I was very pleased with the sound from the G533, which is rich and full, but still has plenty of detail. I’ve probably mentioned my pair of Audio Technica ATH-AD700X in every headset review, but those are my everyday headphones and their ultra-detailed, but slightly lean, sound does affect my impression of other headphones. Comparing the G533 to other gaming headsets, however (a much more appropriate comparison), I found them to be just below the G933/G633 in overall sound quality (again, the lowest bass was the difference), but above everything else I’ve tried so far. (Warmer and more pronounced bass than the Logitech G231, more detail/clarity than the Fatal1ty by Monster FX100, and better stereo imaging and more detail than the Corsair VOID headset).

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Surround effects were as believeable as those of the Artemis Spectrum headphones, which excelled in that department. If you like a spacious surround experience, DTS sounded 'wider' and had more depth than the Dolby effect to me, and the latter is not present with the G533 so it's a moot point anyway. A purist might argue against 2-driver "7.1 surround" headsets, preferring discrete-driver options; but you do need to at least try a pair of these or something like them to know how convincing the effect can be. The very back of a 7.1-channel mix is the hardest for me to believe, but all of the speakers from a 5.1 mix sound in their right place to me. Front stereo vs. the hard left/right of the surround drivers is very pronounced, while the rear left/right of the 7.1 mix seems just slightly further behind my ears, but this effect is enough to make it feel like real surround, so it certainly gets the job done.

Wireless and Battery Life

Wireless range is outstanding, and better than it was with the G933 in my house. I have a 1920's home with thick plaster walls, and notoriously bad wireless performance as a rule. But I could walk freely around my house without the sound dropout I'm used to once I'm more than one room away. Range is not unlimited, but it is very good – which makes sense considering these are rated for up to 15 meters (49.2 feet). As to battery life, considering I used these for a few longer sessions (2 – 3 hours) before ever charging them once (they were mostly charged out of the box) I found that performance in that area is outstanding. While volume is not mentioned in the specs as it was for the G933 (where the 12-hour life was based on performance at 50% volume and lighting effects disabled), the G533's are rated for 15 hours of use, and I believe it.

Conclusion

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If the $149.99 price is within your budget and you want/need a wireless option, the Logitech G533 gaming headset gets my seal of approval for overall quality and great sound. I am notoriously picky when it comes to fidelity from my headphones (and speakers, but we won’t go down that road here), and I could use these daily for gaming, movies, and music without any complaint. The only thing that limits their usefulness for me is the fact that they are for PC/Mac only, since you need the USB dongle to use them. There is no 3.5 mm wired option, which is fine for anyone looking for the wireless PC/Mac experience they were designed for, but does not allow for portable use with a smartphone (or my PS Vita, for that matter), which I did enjoy from the G633/G933. Compared to a Bluetooth option, which would obviously work for virtually any portable device as well, the advantage of G533 is the lack of latency, as these are indistinguishable from wired in that area to me.

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Between the excellent sound, outstanding wireless range, long battery life, and superior construction, the G533 are an easy recommendation for PC users looking for a wireless gaming headset. If it weren't for the continued availability of the excellent G933 Artemis Spectrum headset at its current ~$135 Amazon price (admittedly, this will be short-lived), the G533 would be my 'editor's choice' for a wireless headset.

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