Deal | RIG 500 Pro HC is one of the least expensive headsets with Dolby Atmos support

NACON announced earlier this month a slew of new gaming accessories including the RIG Pro Compact XBox controller with Dolby Atmos and the 500 Pro HC headset. The manufacturer was kind enough to send us the headphones for our honest impressions.

After using the 500 Pro HC for several days, we can describe the headset as a no-frills experience with solid basic features. Users won't be getting any flashy LED RGBs, rotating cups, or wireless capabilities, but the long cable, removable microphone, removable cups, volume controller, metal headband ring, and adjustable height are all a step up from the cheaper alternatives in the market. We particularly like the flip-to-mute feature of the microphone to where it will automatically mute when the arm is flipped up the full 90 degrees.

Though these features sound great on paper, they could have been implemented better on the 500 Pro HC. The earcups, for example, are quite difficult to remove without some sort of plastic edge or lever. The headband and height of the cups are also tricky to adjust without needing to manhandle the whole headset with a lot of force. Ideally, these small adjustments shouldn't have any learning curve to them at all especially if you intend on sharing the headset with others.

Another complaint involves the volume adjuster. Unlike on most other headsets, the volume adjuster on the 500 Pro HC is a short slider instead of a wheel. Finer volume adjustments are therefore more difficult on this headset because moving the slider up and down in small increments is not as easy as a regular wheel adjuster. The 3.5 mm cable is also not detachable and it feels somewhat flimsy especially if you accidentally tug on it.

And lastly, the flip-to-mute microphone feels janky in practice. The microphone arm is rather stiff meaning that any adjustments to it will inevitably move the rest of the headset. You'll likely have to readjust the headset to a more comfortable position each time you flip the mic to mute or unmute. Smoothing the arm rotation or making it easier to move would help make this feature more seamless.

One of the best aspects of the 500 Pro HC is therefore its affordable price of just $69 USD. More comfortable headsets like the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Pro retail for almost twice the price but with similar 50 mm drivers. The NACON headset feels relatively durable for what you're paying, but any small adjustments to comfort or volume may feel a bit inconvenient to perform.

The NACON RIG 500 Pro Gen 2 is now available on Gamestop alongside the new XBox Dolby Atmos controller.