Hardware Review: Afterglow Universal Headset
I recently picked up a wireless Afterglow Universal Headset by PDP for $89.99 to try out, and if you’re looking for a fully universal headset, this is the one. (If you aren’t too concerned about distance, you can also get the wired Universal Afterglows for $59.99.) It supports Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, Wii U, and even smart phone and mp3 players. This level of compatibility is unbeatable for a value gaming headset. With such a great range of compatible devices available, the real question becomes how good the quality and sound of this headset is.
When I set it up, it was relatively simple to understand, and I finished quickly. The quality of audio is actually quite impressive. They use 50mm Neodymium® Speakers to provide a quality experience that matches up with some of the Turtle Beach or Astro headsets on the market. The headset has three settings for you to choose from, to decide what audio experience you prefer, and others listening to you through your mic can hear you loud and clear. The advertised battery, a 900mAh rechargeable Lithium Polymer, is said to last for over 10 hours; in testing this, I found this to be right on the mark, as mine does not make it much past 13 hours on a full charge.
The main issue that some might have with this headset is how big and bright it is. In terms of size, it actually only looks heavy. It’s relatively light in weight, and sits on your head comfortably, though it does make your head look bigger. The padding for the ears is shaped to cup them, and adds a noise canceling element. As for the brightness, you can set it to have no glow, full glow, or only have certain parts light up. These all make it comfortable for long gaming sessions.
When it comes down to it, this headset is a steal when you look at all the systems and devices you can use it for. It is high quality and not as bank-breaking as some others can be. Despite some issues I might have had with its size and brightness, I found the overall experience with it to be enjoyable. I recommend it if you are looking for a new headset; it’s definitely worth picking up.