The Logitech G432 is another another midrange wired gaming headset to enter the fray. This $79.99 model comes with a 7.1-channel USB sound card and has good high-end performance, but it has a stiff fit, a permanently connected wire, and lacklustre bass response. The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition or Logitech's own G Pro headset are both superior to the G432.
Design
From a design standpoint, the G432 is similar to Logitech's other numbered G series headsets, having bulky, trapezoidal black plastic earcups. It doesn't have customizable illumination like the Logitech wireless G935, but it does offer a pop of colour in the shape of blue fake leather sandwiched between the black, fabric-covered foam earpads and the black plastic earcup shells.
On the left earcup is a huge, flexible rubber flip-down boom mic. On the rear edge of the earcup is a volume dial, as well as a six-foot headset cable with a four-pole 3.5mm connection. Unlike the G Pro, which has a retractable mic and cord, the cable and boom mike are permanently connected.
The earcups are attached to a robust metal headband with a black plastic shell on the underside that has extra fabric-wrapped foam cushioning. The headset is light at 10.1 ounces, but the scant padding and mesh fabric make the fit rigid and unpleasant when compared to the PDP Gaming LVL50 Wireless and the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition, which have plenty of memory foam cushioning.
Connectivity
The G432 works with any current game console, as well as any phone or tablet with a headphone port, as a stereo headset with a 3.5mm connection. The accompanying USB sound card allows it to function with any PC, and this is where the "7.1-channel" portion comes in.
A basic black converter with a USB socket, a short piece of wire, and a plastic container with a 3.5mm port serves as the sound card. By connecting it to your PC, you may listen to simulated 7.1-channel surround sound through your headset, which is blended by the adapter rather than by software (which is the simulated surround sound you can get on the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One).
Microphone
For a wired gaming headset that costs so little, the microphone sounds great. My speech sounded mainly clear in test recordings, however the mic picked up a little bit of hiss from my breathing on occasion. It's clear enough for voice chat and calls, but a foam pop filter on top of the capsule would have helped.
A more costly headset, such as the HyperX Cloud Mix or the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2, will deliver a higher-quality boom for streaming or recording podcasts. If you're serious about sharing your voice with the world, you can acquire a dedicated USB microphone.
Performance of Music
With minimal low-end oomph, the G432 provides a decent but uninspiring listening experience for music. The kick drum beats and bass synth notes on our bass test track, The Knife's "Silent Shout," sound quite powerful and don't distort even at maximum volume, but they lack weight. With this headset, you don't get a strong feeling of low-frequency response.
The G432 is surprisingly competent at handling higher frequencies, despite its lacklustre bass output. The beginning acoustic guitar plucks in Yes' "Roundabout" have more richness than they do on the G935. When the electric bass kicks in, it has enough presence to stay at the forefront of the mix, but it also allows the guitar strums and high-hat to stand out in the mix rather than being pushed to the background. When compared to the more bass-heavy G935, the voices lose a little of their punch, but it's a better balanced sound signature for music.
Gaming Capabilities
When used with a gaming console, the headset functions as a 3.5mm stereo device, therefore any simulated surround capabilities are dependent on the game and platform. On a PlayStation 4, I played Apex Legends, and the sounds of battle were rich and powerful, with bullets resonating with plenty of power despite the absence of bass response. The stereo mixing in the game was enough for determining combat direction, and the excellent high-mid and high-frequency response allowed me to discern footfall in the grass when I was ambushed.
Overwatch sounds a little lacklustre on the PC, thanks to the USB sound card. The game's huge, grandiose music lacks bass, making the action feel a little empty. The sound of gunshots and explosions is audible, but there isn't much power behind them.
Consider Your Alternatives
The Logitech G432 Wired Gaming Headset is a respectable wired gaming headset in a crowded market, but it falls short of distinguishing itself from the competition. It's well-made, has good higher-frequency response, and includes a 7.1-channel USB sound card, but it's not as comfortable or powerful as the slightly more expensive Razer Kraken Tournament Edition or Logitech's G Pro headsets, which both have removable cables and the latter has a removable boom mic. The Astro Gaming A10 remains a choice for those on a budget, while the PDP LVL50 Wireless offers a wireless alternative with surprisingly high performance for the same price as the G432.
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