Over the last few years the RIG brand have run a variety of headset ranges. They go from the 300 series (entry level for those just wanting noise thrust to their ears), right up to the 800 and – now – 900 series. Those headsets cost considerably more but, like we found in the RIG 900 MAX HX, are full of top-end features, ensuring you’re getting one of the best audio experiences available.
But what about those gamers looking for something in between? RIG have previously provided both the 500 and 700 series for just those occasions. And now they are focusing on a space between those two with the RIG 600 PRO HX. Replacing the sunsetted 700 range, RIG are pushing the 600 to market with the usual audio staples, new little features and a cracking price. We’ve been somewhat spoiled by the opportunity to game with the 900 MAX HX in recent times, but that’s not to say we aren’t fully onboard with the ideas behind the 600 too.
There’s no mistaking the 600 PRO HX is a RIG headset. Anyone familiar with the brand will know the routes the Nacon and RIG teams take with their products and everything is fully on show here.
That means you’re getting a plastic skeletal outer frame that is not just super lightweight, but massively flexible. In fact, the 600 PRO HX is happy to have a bit of twist thrown into it, perfect for those times when you may accidentally sit on the thing. Sold with a ‘virtually-indestructible’ headband (we’d probably question that ‘virtually-indestructible’ shout), there’s no doubt that it’s capable of holding up well under the intense strain of gaming sessions more than other brands. We’ve certainly not had any issue in years of using RIG headsets and wouldn’t expect anything less from the 600 PRO HX.
That frame also incorporates three push and pull adjustments, ensuring that once you have a fit for the RIG 600 PRO HX, it will be perfect for your head every time. It may mean that it is not quite as adjustable in sizing when passing the headset from player to player, with a sliding headband much easier to shift, but for those who primarily game alone, the RIG system is nigh perfect. And honestly, do you really want to pass a headset from sweaty head to sweaty head?
From there, oval ear-encompassing cups are found with 40mm drivers inside. On the whole, we’ve found that these earcups allow for some decent squish, surrounding the ears nicely. But at the same time we have found ourselves crying out for just a tad more padding. Granted, we’ve come from the dual-materialed RIG 900 PRO HX – the range topper – moving down to this mid-level point, but just occasionally we’ve found a bit of pressure on our ears from the internal drivers. It’s not a problem for short, sharp gaming sessions, but has seen us want to remove the headset for a few moments whenever taking in anything too lengthy.
But the sound delivered is, as usual, of good quality. Again, we’re preferring top-end RIG audio, but for a headset that – whisper it – comes in at under £100, then the audio is pretty much out of this world. It’s always clear and concise, more than capable of handling a variety of situations and soundscapes. There’s not a hint of distortion, no matter how far up the volume ladder you push things, and getting fully immersed in your games is a cinch with the 600 PRO HX on your head.
That said, out of the box we’ve found this to be a little bit tinny for our liking. That is easily amended via the 600 PRO Navigator App (we’ve been using the Google Play Store version on our Android phone), and so working through equaliser settings and the like has ensured a sound to our liking. Honestly, once we upped the bass levels a little, we found the 600 PRO HX sounding just as we like it. Full, rich, deep audio.
There’s some decent mic usage on the 600 PRO HX too. We very much like the flip-to-mute mic that is found encased in the left earcup, and it slides away to almost nothing in a matter of seconds. A solid piece of plastic, you may think it is a little short for decent comms, but through testing with party members and friends, have been told that communication going out is about as good as you’re going to get.
My only real wish is that the mic would be a little easier to grab in a hurry. There’s a bit of a knack to dropping the mic down into play, pushing on the bottom of it in order to release. But that action isn’t always immediate. We’ve pressed left earcup situated buttons by mistake when trying to locate the mic itself.
And as is pretty much standard across the board, the RIG 600 PRO HX comes with all the buttonry you will ever need, all kicking around on that left cup. There’s a power switch for, well, switching the headset on and off, a volume dial for audio controls, and a multi-function button that doubles with that dial to adjust game/chat balances. There’s also a USB-C port for charging, with RIG promising that this will go some eighteen hours between juice calls.
And there’s also a Bluetooth button situated on the top of the earcup. You see, the RIG 600 PRO HX runs dual connectivity, not just partnering up with your Xbox console, but also via Bluetooth to a laptop or phone.
The gaming console side of things is covered with a teeny tiny little USB dongle, running a USB-C end. That is obviously no use to us Xbox players, with just a USB-A port sitting front and centre on the console. Thankfully RIG have included a short USB-C to USB-A cable for such matters.
Connection to console has been solid throughout, easy to initially pair and then perfectly stable from there on out. We’ve not witnessed a single drop in the tens of hours of use either. Not that we would expect anything different to be honest; modern wireless connections are extremely reliable.
And connecting the RIG 600 PRO HX to mobile via Bluetooth is equally easy. With Dual, Game Only and Bluetooth Only audio modes, no matter how you wish to game, you can. We personally prefer the Dual audio mode, ensuring that we are at least kept in touch with the outside world as we game away, but situations will differ depending on the user.
For a sub-£100 gaming headset, the RIG 600 PRO HX for Xbox is a no-brainer. But if there is the opportunity for you to splash out a little more, we’d probably point you towards the 800 PRO HX or 900 ranges instead. The docking stations that they come with have proven to be killer for us, ensuring that the headset is always charged, no matter the occasion. That’s not to say the 600 PRO HX isn’t capable, for it is, but remembering to plug this one in via USB-C has proven to be our own downfall. Minor nitpicks surrounding ear cup cushioning and grabbing that flip-to-mute mic shouldn’t be enough to knock this new RIG mid-ranger from an above-average perch.
Huge thanks go out to RIG for providing us with the 600 PRO HX for Xbox for review. Grab one for yourself from Nacon’s page.
