PDP Level 50 Headset Review
PDP Level 50 Headset
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PEGI: ,PDP,
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Our friends at PDP have one of the most impressive and underrated lineups of accessories in the entire world of gaming. Seriously, I had hardly even heard of PDP before I began reviewing their products and now I frequently peruse their site looking for any new and exciting products. So, when I got the opportunity to review their new line of Level 50 stereo headsets, I could hardly wait to set them up and start playing!
One of the most impressive things about PDP is that their prices are so reasonable. Almost too reasonable. Perhaps that is just because in our world, we often equate cost to performance. Sort of an ‘If this product is more expensive, that must mean it’s better’ mentality. This is of course not the case.
Starting at just $50 USD for the wired versions ($80 for the wireless), the Level 50 headsets should, by the previous theory, simply be second-rate on their price point alone.
Heavily to the contrary, I was blown away the first time I hooked this headset up to my console. The sound is loud, crisp and the dynamic range is quite impressive. I even hot-swapped a couple of my other headsets in and out while gaming to test the relative performance and, to be quite honest, did not find one whose sound was noticeaby better than my Level 50.
The lightweight design of the Level 50 series is a welcome addition, as it does not require pressure-reduction headbands to maintain comfort, it simply does create much pressure as the entire headset weighs less than 1lb!
For the wireless versions, there was no loss in either sound or microphone quality, and I was able to move freely within the 40ft wireless range without dropping connection, and honestly there is no practical reason you would need a longer range.
Speaking of the Level 50 wireless editions, their 16 hour battery life is head and shoulders above the competition. My wireless PC gaming headset battery life is usually somewhere in the 6-7 hour range. As you can imagine there are marathon gaming days when that doesn’t cut it and I end up having to plug it in anyway. No such issues whatsoever with the Level 50.
While I did encounter one bug with the audio being reversed at one point, one quick google search later revealed this as a rare but known issue which simply requires an unplug and re-plug of the headset. Has not happened again since.
Sound Quality: 5/5 The dynamic range and crisp quality of sound is a real treat for a headset in this price bracket. You will be hard-pressed to find better value here.
Mic Quality: 4.5/5 While not as clean as some microphones, there was certainly not enough distortion to be a distraction. In addition, the lack of drop-off on mic qualtiy for the wireless versions was very impressive.
Comfort: 4.5/5 Even though the headset does not come with some of the comfort features of more expensive headsets, it turns out the reason behind that is just that they aren’t necessary. With such a lightweight design, comfort comes naturally.
Durability: 4.5/5 For such a light headset, the Level 50 is surprisingly durable. While carrying/adjusting the headset, it never feels fragile or cheaply made, which can be a serious issue with light or affordable accessories. Sturdy and reliable are the words that come to mind with the Level 50.
Compatibility: 3/5 I had a difficult time judging compatibility here, as there are headsets for both PS4 and Xbox One, but neither of them is compatible with both. This means that if you wanted to enjoy the Level 50 with both consoles, you would need to purchase two.
Overall Value: 4.5/5 This headset suits the casual gamer just as much as the hardcore marathon gamer. It’s affordability and lightweight design will appeal heavily to casual users, while the lasting comfort and long battery-life will check all the boxes for marathon gaming sessions and of course the superb sound and mic quality will be enjoyed by all!
Visit PDP.com, Amazon or Best Buy to grab your PDP Level 50 Headset today! Available for Xbox One or PS4 in both wired and wireless models.