Excellent audio is let down by issues with the fit
- Manufacturer: Logitech
- Model: G432
- Supported platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, Mobile
- Price when reviewed: £69.99
- Supplied by: Manufacturer
Design and build
The Logitech G432 is essentially an updated version of the very popular G430. It has a slightly more mature design, but for the most part, it shares a lot of the styling cues. The squared-off edges and oversized headband of the G430 are carried over, and you still get the light-blue highlights, but it’s restricted to a more tasteful accent strip at the base and inside of the ear pads, while on the outside of the earcups is a silver Logitech G logo. They have done a good job of cleaning up the design, and it’s a definite improvement on the G430.
The earcups swivel through a full 90 degrees, so you can take them off your head and they’ll lie flat on your chest without digging in, and they are easy to slip into a backpack or laptop bag if you need to take them out with you.
Rather than fitting an in-line volume control, there’s a dial on the back of the left ear cup that’s easy to locate. The rigid microphone has a flip-to-mute system that works well, but it’s very big, unremovable and doesn’t fold into the headset like on the G635. This is a pure gaming headset, and certainly not one you could wear out and about without drawing attention to yourself.
For what is quite a chunky headset, it’s very light, weighing just 280 g. Build quality is a little bit lacking, though, with quite a lot of creaking when you pick up the headset and open it out to fit over your head. The earcups themselves feel like very thin plastic, and almost sound hollow if you give them a tap.
While this may have been a deliberate design choice to reduce weight, it has the unfortunate effect of making the G432 feel a little cheap. The fit of the panels is good, and it certainly doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall apart, but I think I may have been spoiled by the build quality of Logitech’s other headsets.
Disappointing fit
I am a little disappointed by the fit. The extra-wide headband has room for a lot of padding, but instead, there is just a thin strip. Thanks to the lightness it wasn’t problematic, and while it could be better, it was the earpads that caused problems for me.
While most headsets have soft memory foam in their ear-pads, the padding in the G432 is very rigid and it placed significant pressure on my temples. I managed to solve this by opening up the headband a few more notches, but this meant they felt very loose on my head.
Even worse, during the evening I wear glasses and I couldn’t wear the headset for more than an hour without discomfort and a mild headache. The lack of suppleness to the padding and leatherette covering also meant it was difficult to get a decent seal around my glasses, affecting the sound quality.
Connectivity
The G432 works best connected through the included USB DAC, which will give you full control over the settings and EQ through Logitech G HUB software when connected to a PC.
The USB DAC is also compatible with PS4 and docked Nintendo Switch consoles, although DTS X only works when connected to PCs.
Wired connections are through a 3.5mm TRRS connection that combines headphone input with microphone output. If you are on a PC that uses separate input/output for audio, there is an included splitter cable. This gives you compatibility with the vast majority of devices available, from PCs and laptops to most consoles and mobile devices, too.
Sound quality
Even if the build quality is let down by the cheap feel, the G432 more than makes up for it with excellent sound quality.
The G432 has DTS Headphone:X virtual surround sound functionality, and like other headsets in the Logitech range, it’s enabled when you plug in the included USB DAC. I actually really like the surround processing, but with the G432 you do have to tweak the EQ to get the best out of it. At its default setting, the sound becomes very bass-heavy, which introduces a lot of reverb and a little distortion. This can sound overbearing, and it muffles and drowns out the mid and high frequencies.
Lower the bass a touch, and adjust the balance to your taste, and it provides clear directional audio with a nice warmth to the sound. Weapon reports ring in your ears, and accurately placing footsteps behind you is far easier than with a stereo mix.
Running the G432 connected in stereo through the 3.5mm jack, the audio tune is still well suited to competitive gaming, but it lacks the richness you get through the USB connection. Unlike many headsets that crank up the bass, the G432 has very subdued bass representation.
Gaming focused
There is a clear focus to the audio tune that brings footsteps and gunfire to the forefront. The soundstage is about average, but there is clarity to the sound, and separation between the dynamic elements of gameplay is clear and precise.
This is a double-edged sword, though, and the gaming audio tune means that performance when listening to music or movies isn’t as dramatic or dynamic as through a more balanced EQ. The G432 is a gaming headset, of course, so you can’t complain that listening to music isn’t as impressive. It’s only likely to bother you if you are used to the fuller, richer bass of other headsets, and with a tweak of the EQ, you can still get a very enjoyable sound.
Voice clarity through the integrated boom mic is crystal clear. It’s a far cry from broadcast quality, but my friends commented on how clear my voice comms were coming through without me having to prompt them on their opinion. There is a clear emphasis on the mid to high frequencies that allows your voice to cut through the background noise, and it’s ideal for competitive gaming. It may not sound completely natural, but clarity is more important than authenticity in the world of eSports.
Summary
Although the MSRP of the Logitech G432 is £69.99, you can pick one up for under £60 if you shop around. It has excellent audio and mic capabilities, which makes this a great offer, but you have to be prepared to accept the creaky construction and cheap feel. The firm foam of the ear pads, unfortunately, means these aren’t suitable if you need to wear glasses.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!