Lenovo Y Gaming Surround Sound Headset Review / Test
Today I am reviewing a wired gaming headset that offers surround sound as well as customizable lighting; the Lenovo Y Gaming Surround Sound Headset.
If you are interested in this headset, it will set you back $85 on Amazon
What's In the Box
Gaming Headset (1.8m Cable)
Removable Microphone
Documentation
Specifications
Headphones
Headphone Drivers: 40mm
Frequency Response: 5Hz - 30kHz
Impedance: 32-ohms
Microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid (Uni-directional)
Performance / Features
The construction of this headset is mainly plastic, while maintaining a sturdy feel. The headphones rotate a minimal amount to ensure that the headphones fit whatever head shape you have. The padding on the ear cups is very soft, but it is not breathable which leads to your ears getting hot after a little while of use, the padding on the headband is not soft, and is uncomfortable, and overall the headphones are just a bit too tight which also counts against this headset's comfortability.
The braided cable is 1.8m long and in the middle of the cord you will find a limited control panel which allows you to mute your microphone as well as turn up or down the headphones volume. The cable terminates into a USB and 3.5mm plug. It needs to be noted that you CAN NOT use both at the same time; you either get a USB headset or a 3.5mm headset.
Out of the box, the headphones are a bit too bass heavy and lack a lot of the presence and shine in the high end. If you are on a Windows machine, this is easily fixable with the Lenovo Y software which allows you to enter a custom EQ, or select a preset EQ.
The microphone did decent at background noise rejections, but that's about the only thing good it did. The audio quality is unnatural sounding and shrill, and it was even difficult to listen to while editing the review. The USB connection also introduces a slight digital clicking noise that is not extremely loud, but it still hinders the microphones quality. Lastly, this thing doesn't come with a pop filter or windscreen so it picks up every breath and every plosive which degrades the audio even further.
Pros
Surround Sound
Braided Cable
Customizable EQ
Decent build quality
Cons
Microphone sounds like a typical gaming headset
High line noise on the microphone
No pop filter / windscreen on the headset
Headset uncomfortable
Conclusion
My recommendation for this headset comes with a few caveats. First, if you are interested in buying this headset, wait for the price to drop. $85 is a bit much for a wired gaming headset when the gaming headset market is chock full of cheaper alternatives. Secondly, you have to be okay with crappy microphone quality; you cannot want to record podcasts or voice overs with this thing. Third, you need windows to run the lenovo software, and without the software, the headphones are nothing I would recommend.
If you find these on sale, and you are okay with the second two caveats, then I think this headset will work well for you if you are only planning on using them for short gaming sessions.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy it on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2ilGhZ0
UK: NA