Light on the ears, heavy on value.
My first impressions of the Logitech G321 Lightspeed gaming headset were not positive. It’s a noticeably cheaper-feeling headset than the comparably priced Corsair HS55 (this is before mentioning that Corsair’s offering is older and regularly reduced). It creaks under pressure, and the speakers in the earcups aren’t even padded, meaning you can tap plastic if you poke your finger in there. However, partially due to its choice of materials, the Logitech G321 certainly earns that Lightspeed name by being some of the most breezy cups I’ve wrapped around my ears as of late.
The best way I can think to enunciate what the G321 Lightspeed gets right is to express what I think the Turtle Beach Recon 70 gets wrong. The Recon 70 is a decidedly budget headset at $40, and the headset makes a lot of compromises in regards to build quality and feel. The G321 is $10 more, comes with the same-sized drivers (40 mm), a flip-to-mute microphone, a similar weight, and yet, it feels so much better on the head. It’s also wireless.
At 210 g, it’s not that much lighter than the 231 g Turtle Beach Recon 70 and yet putting both on, a clear winner arises. That’s because the parts of the G321 Lightspeed that have been given extra attention are the fabric earcups and headband. Though between my hands, the top creaks, the cups bend, and I frankly wouldn’t feel comfortable throwing the headset into my backpack.
Those downsides aren’t made up for with the Lightspeed’s comfortable feel and light weight, but at least the compromises made don’t feel all bad. This is clearly a budget pair of headphones, and I can see where cuts are made for that price point.
To compare directly to Corsair’s HS55, the Lightspeed is lighter and wraps less firmly around the head. This means the former offers better passive noise cancelling and a more immersive sound, while the latter is easier to move around in and more comfortable over long days. Neither is bad, but both are unique in what they offer, though the HS55 feels more premium.
The pulse of chants, the metallic ringing of synth drums and the squish (no, I don’t have a better word) of balls (again, I don’t have a better word) in Ball X Pit is as enchanting as I’d hope it would be. The bass doesn’t rumble as I’ve found in more expensive headphones, but it’s certainly noticeable in the mix.
This more subdued bass is at its worst in Doom: The Dark Ages. The thunderous lows and heavy footsteps come through in the mix, but don’t have that thump to them. You will hear bass, but you won’t feel it.
Balatro’s main theme, being surprisingly layered with tonnes of synth, electronic drums, and effects, comes through well.
