Logitech G433 7.1 Wired Surround Gaming Headset Review

Fit, Sound Quality, and Conclusion

Three important functions of headphone comfort are clamping force (how tight they fit against the sides of your head), padding level, and weight, and in all three categories the G433 was excellent. Another aspect of comfort is related to the flexibility of the earcups, and these can swivel in both directions to sit comfortably against the head.

The G433 have the same level of adjustability as previous Logitech models, with a full inward rotation (they fold flat) and a slight outward rotation.

I don't like a heavy clamping force myself, and these were just tight enough to feel secure on my head, without creating any unwanted feeling of pressure. Not every head is the same, of course, but I was able to wear the headset for long periods without fatigue, thanks in part to their light weight and the comfortable padding/clamping force.

The ear pads are removable, and a choice between a breathable mesh and pads of a suede-like material is provided in the box. The default mesh pads felt a little softer to me, and I preferred these – though having a choice is a nice touch.

I like to bend and twist gaming headphones to see if I hear any pronounced ‘creaking’ sounds from the plastic, and here I can report the best result I've encountered to date. In fact, the only way could force any noise was by twisting the headband, stressing the plastic panels covering the metal band. That's it. These raise the bar as far as build quality is concerned, as to some extent every previous gaming headset I've reviewed has creaked to some extent, though generally it is minor and I have always given a certain allowance for this. After the G433 I am going to be much more particular about this.

Sound Quality

Without expensive (and I mean expensive) testing equipment I’m left to provide you with my own impressions, which are based on years of critical listening with myriad audio gear of every price range. Here goes!

What I can say immediately about the sound from the G433 is that these are able to produce a level of detail that is generally found on more expensive "audiophile" headphones. Logitech certainly has an advantage with their Pro-G drivers, and once again these 40 mm wonders deliver fantastic sound. The sound is clear and generally flat (true to the source) – though perhaps with a hint of “warmth” (slight bass emphasis, less high treble brightness). I found these to sound a little narrow when listening casually with my phone until I realized that these were detailed enough to reveal the limitations of my phone’s headphone amp, and the source material. That is saying something about a “gaming” headset that retails for $99. The added functionality (and immediate, audible difference) when listening via the USB DAC connected to a PC and engaging any of the EQ and surround effects just adds to the value, and these were excellent for gaming and movies with plenty of dynamic punch.

Surround Effects

I could almost copy and paste my impressions from the previous Logitech gaming headset review here, and that makes sense considering the G533 Wireless uses the same Pro-G drivers and DTS Headphone:X surround effects. This time the effects arrive via a USB dongle, as these are a wired pair that functions as analog headphones until attached with this included DAC/amp.

Effects are controlled with Logitech’s Gaming Software, and the process is exactly the same as the previous Logi headsets we’ve tested. DTS Headphone:X can be tailored for a more straightforward simulated speaker setup (“Super Stereo Front”) or a more spacious (“Super Stereo Wide” sound, and the channel levels from the virtual 7.1 speakers can be adjusted as well. EQ adjustments are also made via the software, allowing users to tailor the sound from the headphones to their liking, with some presets available as well.

Microphone

Previously I have compared the sound from the G433 to other Logitech Pro-G driver-equipped models, but the removable boom microphone is something of a revelation. Comparing this new design to previous Logitech headset microphones (in particular the G633 and G533) and those of recent competitors is startling, as the characteristically weak sound has been replaced with one so full, that it actually sounds like a dedicated microphone. Background noise suppression is also well above average, which lowers the noise floor and further enhances clarity. Logitech emphasized how much better this design is, down to the grounding and shielding of the cables, and it makes a difference that is anything but subtle. To sum it up, the mic is fantastic.

Conclusion

• Logitech G433 7.1 Wired Gaming Headset – $99.99, Amazon.com

With clear, accurate sound, great comfort and build quality, light weight, and versatile application from the 3.5 mm and USB connections, the Logitech G433 Gaming Headset is my new favorite wired model, surpassing even the excellent G633 from 2016. Even better, they have an MSRP of $99, which makes them a solid choice even if you never use the included USB DAC/amp for surround effects! To me the only question is, which color do you choose? (While I like the red of the review unit, I think I would buy black, myself.) These are easily my new benchmark for a wired gaming headset.