Logitech G522 Lightspeed overview: A gaming headset with an outstanding mic

Finest Costs At the moment: Logitech G522 Lightspeed

The Logitech G522 Lightspeed wi-fi gaming headset guarantees premium options at a reasonable value, and that in a classy white shade variant (along with basic black). This mannequin is the successor to the G733 and goals to impress PC and PS5 avid gamers with wi-fi Lightspeed expertise, Bluetooth connectivity and excellent sound. You’ll be able to stay up for immersive gaming sound, an honest microphone and lengthy battery life, all with none cable muddle.

One factor is evident from the outset: the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is geared toward avid gamers who need each consolation and efficiency with out paying a high-end value. Beneath, we make clear whether or not the headset lives as much as this declare and whether or not it will possibly impress technically in addition to visually. For much more nice picks try our roundup of one of the best wi-fi gaming headsets.

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Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Design and luxury

The white model of the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is an actual eye-catcher. With its slim, trendy design and side-aligned Lightsync RGB lighting (eight zones, 16.8 million colours), it makes a visible assertion.

The configurable shade results are notably spectacular on the white housing. Regardless of its predominantly plastic development, the headset doesn’t look low-cost in any respect. Quite the opposite: the workmanship is powerful and high-quality.

As an alternative choice to the white model examined right here, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed can also be out there in black, however the white model clearly emphasizes the gaming look.

Logitech has made noticeable enhancements to consolation in comparison with its predecessor. Generously sized ear cups with mushy dual-layer reminiscence foam padding utterly enclose the ear and go away sufficient room even for glasses wearers or avid gamers with ear jewelry.

The very comfy match is especially noteworthy: even after hours of use, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed stays some of the comfy headsets we now have ever examined. One cause for that is its low weight of round 290 grams, mixed with the versatile, padded headband system.

The scarf makes use of an elastic suspension band (made from washable cloth) beneath the inflexible body, just like earlier Logitech G headsets. It may be hooked into two positions to accommodate completely different head sizes.

Many customers with regular to giant heads will discover the contact strain good: agency sufficient for a safe match, however by no means too tight. The breathable cloth protecting the padding and grooves within the headband additionally be certain that you sweat much less and hardly really feel the headset.

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Nonetheless, avid gamers with small heads must be conscious that the headset will most likely sit a bit loosely even at its tightest setting and that their ears may bump in opposition to the within.

Due to its beneficiant design, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed additionally seems fairly cumbersome on the top. These on the lookout for a petite headset could discover its clunky look distracting. In regular use, nonetheless, the scale is hardly noticeable. It’s because in video calls, the “gaming headset look” is barely visually noticeable; consolation stays unaffected.

A possible drawback of the white model is that mud and filth are extra seen than on darkish headsets. Common cleansing helps right here, as the whole lot white exhibits filth extra clearly.

Logitech focuses on sustainability in the case of supplies: the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is made partly from recycled plastic and even low-carbon aluminium, which doesn’t detract from its sturdy impression.

In abstract, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed impresses with its excessive degree of consolation and trendy design. The white shade variant is a refreshing eye-catcher within the gaming nook and matches completely with Logitech’s G5 sequence in the identical shade, such because the G502 X Plus gaming mouse and the G515 TKL keyboard, permitting you to rearrange a harmonious setup in your desk. So that you’ll be entertained not solely acoustically, but in addition visually.

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Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Expertise and options

In terms of options, the producer has pulled out all of the stops with the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, in a constructive sense. The wi-fi gaming headset presents tri-mode connectivity, i.e. wi-fi 2.4 GHz Lightspeed operation, Bluetooth and wired USB mode.

The included USB-A dongle permits lag-free 2.4 GHz connections on PC, Mac and PlayStation 5; nonetheless, Microsoft’s Xbox just isn’t supported. Alternatively, the G522 will be paired through Bluetooth 5.3. That is notably useful for smartphones, tablets or the Nintendo Change when on the go.

The headset already helps the brand new Bluetooth LE Audio customary (LC3 codec) for low latency and higher audio high quality, supplied that playback units assist this. In Bluetooth mode, it must be famous that the microphone high quality is barely decrease than in Lightspeed or USB cable mode because of the system.

Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless adequate for listening to music on the go or utilizing Discord in your cell phone. For important voice recordings, it’s higher to make use of the dongle or USB cable anyway. The latter is included as a USB-A to USB-C cable and serves each as a charging cable and an audio cable (USB class-compliant sound card). Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a analogue 3.5-millimeter jack connection, which implies that the Logitech G522 Lightspeed can’t be used purely in analog mode.

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Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Battery life

One spotlight of the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is its huge battery life. Logitech guarantees as much as 40 hours with RGB lighting activated and a formidable 90 hours with out lighting. We had been capable of verify these values in apply:

In Lightspeed mode with the lighting switched on repeatedly, the battery lasted round 38 hours. This is a superb worth, far exceeding that of its predecessor, the G733 (round 20 hours with RGB). With out lighting results, you possibly can get pleasure from a number of days of gaming marathons earlier than the battery runs out.

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Though there are competing headsets with even longer runtimes (such because the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wi-fi with round 300 hours of runtime; see overview), the Logitech G522 Lightspeed units the usual within the mid-range.

A sensible characteristic that will increase the battery’s longevity: Logitech’s G‑Hub software program means that you can optionally activate a charging restrict of 80 p.c to preserve the battery. And if the battery does break down after years of use, it may be changed with just a bit ability. Logitech is collaborating with iFixit and plans to supply substitute batteries and directions. This exhibits that sustainability and longevity have been taken into consideration right here.

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Sound high quality

For the audio drivers of the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, the producer depends on each tried-and-tested and new expertise. 40-millimetre Professional-G audio system guarantee good sound high quality. Nonetheless, these are embedded in a brand new acoustic module: utterly enclosed within the ear cups, which is designed to reduce resonance-related distortion and produce a extra symmetrical sound.

In accordance with Logitech, this has improved bass response and readability whereas decreasing energy consumption by round 35 p.c. The frequency response stays basic at 20 Hz to twenty kHz. In apply, the drivers do certainly ship a strong, low-distortion sound, however extra on that within the sound take a look at under.

A constructive characteristic is that the headset helps DTS Headphone:X 2.0 for digital encompass sound (license through the Home windows app “DTS Sound Unbound”) in addition to native spatial sounds equivalent to Home windows Sonic or PS5 Tempest 3D on consoles and PCs. This implies you’re outfitted to find your opponents acoustically with pinpoint accuracy for aggressive gaming.

The Logitech G522 Lightspeed is simple to make use of and nicely designed. All controls are simply accessible on the left ear cup: an influence slide swap (with LED standing indicator), under which is a recessed button for switching between Lightspeed and Bluetooth mode, adopted by an easy-to-use quantity wheel and a two-stage microphone mute button.

The latter is especially intelligent: if you press it to mute, it extends barely and a crimson ring turns into seen – so you possibly can instantly see and really feel that you simply’re muted. As well as, a small crimson LED lights up on the tip of the microphone as quickly because the mic is deactivated.

So should you neglect to “unmute” your self, embarrassing silences in voice chat are a factor of the previous. The removable microphone connects through a trapezoidal 3.5-millimeter plug and will be flexibly adjusted.

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Final however not least, Logitech presents exemplary software program assist. In Logitech G Hub (PC/Mac) and the Logitech G cell app, you possibly can configure the headset extensively: the whole lot is accessible, from RGB lighting management (numerous results or synchronization with different Logitech units) to the 10-band equalizer and “Blue VO!CE” microphone filters.

Additionally, as much as three audio profiles will be conveniently saved straight on the headset. As soon as arrange, it can save you a gaming, music and chat profile, amongst others, and use them on one other console or system with out having to restart the software program.

This device-independent profile storage is a good characteristic, particularly for cross-platform customers. All in all, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed excels in versatility and user-friendliness. From connectivity choices to battery and audio expertise, just about the whole lot that demanding avid gamers respect has been considered.

Sound high quality overview

Let’s get to an important factor: how does the Logitech G522 Lightspeed sound? The quick reply: excellent, particularly for gaming, with slight compromises for music within the manufacturing facility settings. In gaming mode, the headset impresses with a transparent, spatial sound picture.

Footsteps, gunshots and ambient noises will be exactly positioned; monitoring down opponents in FPS video games is simple because of the clear stereo stage and spatial sound capabilities.

Whether or not aggressive shooters like CS2 or cinematic single-player epics, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed delivers clearly outlined particulars and convincing encompass sound. Activating DTS Headphone:X in your PC provides much more depth to the sound—the ambiance turns into much more immersive, which is especially noticeable in story-driven video games or movies. Even at excessive volumes, the sound stays distortion-free and nice. Explosions rumble, voices are clear, and even the slightest sounds are usually not misplaced.

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Though the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is clearly designed for gaming, many people naturally need to use our headset for music and multimedia as nicely. Right here, the G522 is considerably idiosyncratic in its default settings.

The bass sounds a bit flat and restrained, whereas the mids are a bit too outstanding and the highs a bit too mushy. Which means music initially lacks a little bit of punch and brilliance. Nonetheless, there’s no want to fret: with just a few equalizer changes, the sound will be improved enormously.

Logitech G Hub presents a complete equalizer and quite a few presets for this goal. So should you subtly enhance the decrease frequencies (20 to 125 hertz) and treble, you’ll get a way more balanced sound.

Bass lovers ought to take a second to regulate the settings, after which the Logitech G522 Lightspeed will purr proper alongside when listening to songs and movie soundtracks. On a constructive notice, the drivers reply excellently to EQ with out distorting – presumably because of the brand new acoustic modules.

Conclusion concerning sound: avid gamers will instantly get pleasure from themselves, and those that prefer to hearken to music can obtain a well-rounded sound with only a few clicks. Contemplating its value, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed delivers respectable audio efficiency that comes dangerously near some way more costly headsets.

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Microphone high quality

The microphone on the Logitech G522 Lightspeed deserves a particular point out, as Logitech has actually delivered right here. The removable growth mic is boldly marketed by the producer as “one of the best microphone within the gaming world”, and we are able to certainly attest to the wi-fi gaming headset’s surprisingly excessive voice high quality.

The microphone data at 48 kHz/16 bit, covers a large frequency vary (70 Hz to twenty kHz) and sounds very clear, pure and with low-noise in apply. In on-line rounds and Discord chats, you’ll be understood crystal clear with the G522 – your voice comes throughout as current and in close to broadcast high quality.

Streamers and frequent chatters specifically profit from not needing an exterior desk microphone arm to realize respectable voice transmission.

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The “Blue VO!CE” expertise additionally provides you extra instruments to enhance your voice through software program. Noise discount, compressor, de-esser (to scale back sharp S sounds) and EQ profiles will be activated to mute background noise or regulate the sound of your voice.

In our take a look at, the uncooked sign from the microphone was already excellent, however considerably delicate to ambient noise (mechanical keyboard strokes could possibly be heard quietly). However that is precisely the place Blue VO!CE and the G-Hub filters are available, successfully cleansing up the enter. After that, all that continues to be is the voice, clear and distinct.

The microphone thus additionally meets semi-professional necessities for streaming or podcast recording. The one draw back: throughout testing, we seen that the microphone generally swallows the primary letters of a brand new speech passage.

This could possibly be because of the computerized speech recognition or a sensitivity threshold – nonetheless, the noise gate will be adjusted in G Hub to treatment this conduct.

Is the Logitech G522 price it?

The Swiss producer has scored a serious success with the Logitech G522 Lightspeed. The white model reviewed right here combines expertise and elegance to create a sexy general package deal. The G522 delivers nearly the whole lot you’ll anticipate from a contemporary gaming headset, and at a really affordable value of solely $130. In our take a look at, the G522 impressed us with its excessive degree of consolation, first-class sound for video games and an impressive microphone that transmits your voice so clearly that it’s arduous to consider you’re speaking by a wi-fi headset. The battery life is respectable – the headset can deal with lengthy gaming nights or streaming periods while not having to be recharged.

After all, not the whole lot is ideal: audiophile music lovers might want to fine-tune the equalizer, and the massive headset feels a bit free on smaller heads. However these are minor flaws contemplating the general efficiency. All in all, we may give the Logitech G522 Lightspeed a transparent suggestion. For PC and PS5 avid gamers on the lookout for a snug wi-fi headset with versatile options, the G522 is at the moment a really enticing possibility. It simply retains up with dearer premium fashions and surpasses its direct predecessor in all respects.