Logitech today announces a new G Pro X 2 Lightspeed gaming headset that features graphene audio drivers. You’ve probably heard of graphene, the miraculous form of carbon that has been promised by many over the past 20 years to change the world of technology. While we haven’t yet seen graphene used to create space elevators or make the internet work faster, Logitech is using it to create headphone drivers that are lightweight.
“With our use of graphene, we are able to create a driver that is incredibly rigid and at the same time incredibly light,” says Chris Pate, senior product manager for the Logitech G Pro series of products. “This delivers high-fidelity sound with extremely low distortion, giving professionals the performance they need to play to their full potential.”
Logitech is using a 50mm graphene diaphragm for the audio driver inside the G Pro X 2. It’s designed to make sound more immersive along with a 25g weight reduction compared to the original Pro X. I’ve been testing the G Pro X 2 headset for the past few days, and while sound reproduction is excellent in games, I haven’t noticed a huge difference from my everyday SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro.
Having said that, the DTS and surround sound support sounds fantastic in first person shooters where you need to hear footsteps clearly, and I definitely noticed that I can more easily hear which way a grenade is being thrown or the sound of a gun.
Logitech believes that this implementation of graphene should result in more accurate decision making for professional gamers and give them a competitive advantage. As I’m 39 and still trying to compete in first-person shooters, I think I lost my competitive edge almost 20 years ago, so anything that might help is music (or gunshots) to my ears.
Beyond the graphene, what I really like here is that Logitech has added Bluetooth support and even 3.5mm aux cable connectivity. Bluetooth is great if you want to use this gaming headset connected to your phone on the go or if you put the headset away and forget the dongle that enables Lightspeed wireless.
Logitech has also more than doubled the battery life of the original Pro X gaming headset. Now it lasts up to 50 hours on a single charge via USB-C. That’s more than the original X Pro’s 20 hours, and I’ve yet to charge the Pro X 2 after a few days of hands-on testing.
There are also some subtle and welcome changes to the design of the Pro X 2. Swivel hinges have been added for added comfort or just to make it easier to hang around your neck. I’ve been wearing the Pro X 2 for over eight hours a day and they’re super comfortable every time. There are interchangeable ear cushions in synthetic leather or velor, depending on what you prefer. Both are included in the box along with a simple carrying case and the detachable microphone.
The microphone hasn’t changed at all from the original Pro X, which is pretty disappointing. I’m not a fan of headset mics anyway, so I’ve mostly been using the Pro X 2 paired with an XLR mic.
Logitech’s move to DTS surround sound audio in the Pro X 2 over Microsoft’s Windows Sonic surround sound is definitely welcome. You can set the multi-channel surround sound modes to be optimized for gaming, entertainment, or sports, and each virtual surround sound element can also be controlled individually with an overall bass level.
However, Logitech’s G Hub is pretty basic for audio controls. The EQ is super basic, and while there are options to create new EQ presets, it lacks the customization found in SteelSeries Sonar features.
Logitech will start selling the G Pro X 2 gaming headset on May 30, priced at $249 in the US and €269 across Europe. That’s $20 more than the original G Pro X, but it’s probably worth the extra coin for the improved battery life alone, along with the lighter frame, swiveling ear cups, and the ability to confuse or impress your friends in Discord telling them that his headset is powered by graphene.
