Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Review

Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Review

Out of this World

Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Review
Dell Alienware X51 Review 4

Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

Brutalist Review Style (Version 2)

As a frequent headset user, I believe every time I wear a sound-based peripheral, I should be immersed in a universe of sensory experience, adding auditory depth to the tactile feel of a controller and the visuals of a display. Alienware aims to transport users beyond the ordinary with the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset, a sleek peripheral from a company renowned for quality PC components and for delivering more than “just another pair of headphones.” The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset excels in sound, comfort, and style.

As part of Alienware’s new line of Pro Wireless accessories—alongside the Alienware Pro Wireless Mouse and Keyboard—the Pro Wireless Gaming Headset makes a strong first impression. Straight out of the box, the headset impressed me with its “Dark Side of the Moon” colourway (it’s also available in Lunar White). The matte finish, which appears almost like blue steel, is striking. The stylish Alienware logo on the earcups adds a touch of flair. While Alienware is known for bold design, I appreciated the understated simplicity of this headset. It strikes a balance between professional, casual, and everything in between.

Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Review

The headset is constructed with sturdy plastic and offers flexibility to conform to the user’s head. The metal frame adjusts easily, and despite having a larger-than-average head (somewhere between a cantaloupe and a watermelon), the Pro Wireless Gaming Headset felt like it was tailored to fit. Even during rapid head movements, the headset stayed securely in place. An added bonus is how comfortable it is for glasses wearers, reflecting Alienware’s thoughtful, one-size-fits-all design.

“The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset combines sleek design, exceptional comfort, and superior audio performance to immerse users in a universe of sensory experience.”

The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset comes equipped with everything players need for an exceptional audio experience. Included are a detachable, premium-feeling boom mic, a wireless USB-C dongle designed to avoid blocking adjacent ports, and a USB-A to USB-C cable for direct wired connectivity. While other gaming headsets from companies like Turtle Beach and Monoprice offer swivel earcups for storage, the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset maintains a fixed design. However, the lack of an included protective case means users should exercise caution when travelling with them.

This fixed design can be inconvenient for travel but offers a surprising advantage for users with longer-than-shoulder-length hair. The earcups won’t swivel inward autonomously, avoiding the tangling issue that can occur with “broken-in” swiveling designs. This time, users can truly let their hair down without worry.

Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Review

That said, the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset is the most comfortable headset I’ve tested to date. Weighing just 11 ounces, it’s light enough for extended use during long assignments or gaming sessions—you might even forget you’re wearing it. Leatherette cushions line each earcup, creating an effective seal to prevent disturbing others while enhancing the already impressive active noise cancellation (ANC). The ANC is no joke; during a six-hour flight, it reduced the sound of a crying baby to a faint hum, allowing me to immerse myself in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on the Nintendo Switch.

“Alienware’s active noise cancellation (ANC) is so effective that it reduced the cries of a baby on a six-hour flight to a faint hum, creating an ideal soundscape for gaming and music.”

Remarkably, the Nintendo Switch ran out of battery before the headset did. While I had to shut down the console, my iPhone 14 Pro showed the headset was still at 83 per cent battery. The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset offers exceptional battery life that can outlast most wireless devices—and likely most users. After using it as my primary headset for an entire week, including extensive ANC use, I only had to charge it once. Truly, the battery life is out of this world.

The Alienware Pro Wireless Headset excels at musical layering. While listening to Primus’ Tales from the Punchbowl from start to finish, the depth of Les Claypool’s signature basslines remains as remarkable as ever, with the headset handling the musical complexity exceptionally well. The onboard drivers do an excellent job of isolating instruments, especially when combined with the effective seal created by the leatherette cushions.

Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Review

This level of performance is also evident with classical compositions or Darren Korb’s softer-toned Hades soundtrack. Ashley Barrett’s vocal track on “Good Riddance” sounds as if the gods themselves intended it, placing the listener right beside her in Asphodel. While the Alienware Pro Wireless Headset was designed as a gaming accessory, it doubles as a phenomenal audio headset. With Bluetooth 5.3 and a detachable microphone, it seamlessly transitions into a premium pair of over-the-ear headphones suitable for nearly any device.

The Alienware Command Center app installs automatically when the headset’s 2.4GHz audio receiver is connected to a PC. While the automatic installation is convenient—eliminating the need to search for software (looking at you, Logi+)—the app’s limited functionality is disappointing. Audio presets and customization options are sparse, though there are features like disabling ANC when the battery dips below a certain percentage and manually adjusting microphone background noise and transparency.

For more advanced audio settings, the headset can be used with Dolby Atmos, which can be downloaded through the Alienware Command Center. However, toggling between the two applications can be cumbersome. The free Dolby Atmos trial allows users to delve deeper into audio customization, including refining music and game sound with preset toggles to suit individual preferences. After the trial ends, users must pay to continue using Dolby Atmos functionality.

Considering the headset’s premium $229.99 USD price, some audiophiles may feel burdened by the additional cost to unlock its full potential, particularly since the Alienware Command Center is only available for PC users.

Using the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset during any game—single-player or multiplayer—delivers a level of immersion that surpasses most other audio devices on the market. Jumping into a chaotic Helldivers II mission on Malevelon Creek is seamless, with reloading a fellow Diver’s weaponry sounding crisp and impactful. Spraying an LMG at the new Illuminate threat is equally satisfying, especially as your character starts maniacally screaming midway through the clip.

Explosions in-game deliver serious impact, and Alienware’s spatial audio capabilities provide a slight edge by isolating enemy noise or background sounds. In a round of Marvel Rivals, for instance, you can hear an opposing team’s Hulk through walls, with his heavy breathing and noisy movements giving away his approach. While Marvel Rivals is far from a stealth game, it’s useful to know when a green wrecking ball is about to wreak havoc.

Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Review

The headset excels in single-player games as well, offering exceptional immersion when revisiting the desolate city of Yharnam in Bloodborne on PlayStation 5. The cold, hostile atmosphere engulfs the Hunter, with FromSoftware’s signature hidden enemies sometimes detectable through subtle audio cues. Weapon clashes ring through with piercing clarity, while the monstrous Cleric Beast’s roars send shivers down even the hardiest adventurer’s spine. The sparse, melancholic music of the Hunter’s Dream offers a comforting respite after a particularly grueling encounter. The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset is built for both multiplayer and solo experiences.

“From the hostile roars of the Cleric Beast in Bloodborne to the melancholic respite of the Hunter’s Dream, the headset amplifies every detail to enhance immersion.”

The headset is compatible with virtually every gaming device, including the ROG Ally, the Steam Deck, and the Nintendo Switch. However, it’s puzzling that it does not support Xbox Series S/X consoles, even when wired directly. I was able to use Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to play Halo Infinite on the Acer Predator Helios Neos 16 platform and join Xbox Party Chat to cross-play with console-using friends. With all its onboard functionality and wide compatibility, the lack of support for Xbox consoles remains baffling.

The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset might be my new favourite audio solution. Alienware has gone back to basics with its Pro line, focusing on performance over bold aesthetic statements. The headset delivers excellent ANC capabilities, long-lasting battery life, and unparalleled comfort. However, the premium price point, lack of a protective case, the additional cost to access full audio controls after the Dolby Atmos trial, and the complete absence of Xbox console support hold it back from being a true jack-of-all-trades. For those who can afford it and don’t rely on the Xbox platform, it’s hard to find a headset better suited for the long haul than the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset.

Sale
Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset – Wired/Wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, 15 Minute Fast Charging, Audio Output 20 Hz, Battery Talk Time (ANC on) Up to 24 Hrs (Bluetooth), Lunar Light
  • Endorsed by champions. Engineered by experts. A professional-grade gaming headset designed with input and expertise from Team Liquid, and 100+ other esports athletes.
  • 50mm Graphene-Coated Drivers: High-fidelity audio tuned for gaming delivers a more immersive audio experience.

Final Thoughts

REVIEW SCORE
Philip Watson
Philip Watson

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