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Plantronics is a California-based electronics hardware company that is renowned for its electronic communication headsets, known for their dexterity and portability. You might not have heard of Plantronics, but the famous words “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” said by Neil Armstrong were transmitted through a Plantronics headset. Plantronics equipped the first astronaut to land on the moon with their advanced lightweight headset. As such, it would not be unreasonable to expect quality sound and performance from its Gamecom 1 Gaming Headset.

When I first got the Plantronics Gamecom 1 Gaming Headset, I had high hopes for it, since Plantronics is a global market leader in audio peripheral. The looks itself certainly did not disappoint. The Gamecom 1 has a sleek metallic and matte finishing, with large ear cups surrounded by generous rubber padding. It is equipped with a very basic volume control that allows adjusting of volume and a simplistic bass control. Although nothing as refined as a Razer or Logitech product, this headset is still pleasing to the eye. Also, wearing the headset is rather comfortable, with an adjustable double head strap.

The most immediate feature about the Gamecom 1 you will realize after donning one is how remarkably lightweight it is. After using the Razer Barracuda for some time, this headset felt almost weightless. It fits snugly and provides satisfactory noise-reducing capabilities from the background. Due to it being so lightweight, it is very comfortable to wear. Sometimes, during gaming, I do not even recall that I am actually wearing a headset. The headset features a microphone that is fully extended. I actually prefer this over shorter versions of microphones found in other headsets, as I do want that reassuring feel that the mic is directly in front of my mouth so I would not have to yell unnecessarily.

For a headset that costs only about US$20, the Gamecom 1 produces a surprisingly good quality of sound. Under normal usage conditions, sounds are clear and crisp and I was pleasantly surprised to note that there was not much discernible difference in quality with expensive headsets like the Barracuda (a good US$100 more). However, unlike the multiple drivers present in the Barracuda, the Gamecom 1 sounds distorted and scratchy at high levels of volume. Furthermore, the bass sounds weak and lacks the resounding quality that a good bass should possess. The microphone, though, transmits clearly and audible, much thanks to the noise-cancellation feature as well. Do note though, that the microphone has known compatibility issues with games like Battlefield 2. Installation is a breeze; it’s simply plug-and-play via one USB port. The Gamecom 1 however, is not compatible with most sound cards as it is considered a plug-and-play headset.

For a price of S$20, this counts as one of the best in the market of budget gaming/music headsets. Sound quality is sufficient for light gaming and music that is not bass-intensive. However, this headset is not high on versatility and should be used solely for light gaming/music purposes. Do not bother trying to watch an action movie with the Plantronics Gamecom 1 Gaming Headset.

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