Nacon’s RIG R5 Spear PRO HS recently launched in Europe and will soon be available in the US. This officially licensed PlayStation headset presents itself as an affordable audio companion with customisable hardware that does not compromise on sound quality. We’ll take a closer look at it in this review.
Contents and specs
The Nacon RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is priced at US$69.99 / EU€79.99 / £69.99 and comes with the following items:
Specs of the headset are as follows:
Official PlayStation licensed wired headset
40 mm graphene drivers for ultra-precise, high-quality sound (<0.5% THD)
Optimized for Tempest 3D AudioTech on PlayStation
Flip-to-mute microphone for crystal-clear voice chat (50 Hz – 15 kHz)
On-ear volume controls for quick adjustments
Snap+Lock magnetic customization: swap plates & cushions instantly
Memory foam comfort on headband and ear cushions
Lightweight, fold-flat earcups for portability
Universal 3.5 mm jack — PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC & mobile ready
RIG R5 Spear PRO HS hardware impressions
Nacon has a solid track record when it comes to the build of its headsets, and the company doesn’t disappoint with the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS. Despite packing a plastic frame, it doesn’t feel cheap. In fact, it is very sturdy and features Nacon’s iconic highly bendable (unbreakable?) headband.
It’s also remarkably comfortable to use. This is thanks to it being lightweight and the memory foam-padded ear cushions and headband. A nice touch is the flat-folding earcups, which make resting the headset around the neck more comfortable, especially if you are taking it on the go.
With the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS, Nacon introduces its magnetic Snap+Lock system. This is a magnetic mechanism that lets you instantly swap out modular plates and ear cushions. The company has currently released modular plates and plans for future ear cushions. The modular plates are mostly nice-to-haves as a customisation option (they also made the STL files available), but aren’t that functional. The swappable, magnetic ear cushions, on the other hand, make them more easily replaceable and washable.
For its cost, the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is well built. However, it lacks a few premium touches you’d find on higher-tier (and pricier) headsets. For instance, the cable and mic are not detachable, and there is no wireless option. These nagging limitations, especially with the microphone and cable being fixed, impact its versatility and longevity.
Being a wired headset, it would be handy to have more physical controls on the device itself. The RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is limited in this regard as it only has an inline volume slider. But I am not a fan of this option as the controls are not as granular as a dial or volume rocker. The latter would be more intuitive options, and I wouldn’t have to rely on my system’s volume controls as much.
The RIG R5 Spear PRO HS audio performance
While the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is affordably priced for an entry-level gaming headset, the audio quality is more than entry-level. The 40 mm graphene drivers deliver extremely clear sound with minimal distortion. The audio fidelity stands out whether it’s for playing single-player games or multiplayer ones.
Being custom-tuned for first-person shooters and benefiting from PlayStation Tempest 3D AudioTech optimisation, I found it to be a great companion for games like The Outer Worlds 2. Footsteps, reloads and subtle ambient cues are well defined. I could gauge direction and distance of movement better than I expected in this price range.
The 6mm flip-to-mute boom mic, with its 50Hz–15kHz frequency range, captures voice clearly. This is enhanced by the “bendy” mic arm that you can position closer to your mouth so that it picks up your voice better over ambient noise.
As a wired headset, it is also compatible with other systems. It fleshes out atmospheric soundtracks in games like Keeper. And you can also put the quality audio output to good use with your Spotify playlist.
At its price point, some concessions have been made on the audio side. The main one is that there is no companion software for the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS. This means that you don’t have granular EQ control and are stuck with it being custom-tuned for first-person shooters. It can be a benefit if you prefer a plug-and-play experience, but audiophiles looking for more audio-level customisation, this headset will leave them wanting.
Closing thoughts
In its price range, the Nacon RIG R5 Spear PRO HS delivers some of the best audio value out there. If you prioritise sound clarity, comfort for extended gaming sessions, and a plug-and-play experience, this headset is a strong contender for your next audio accessory. But don’t expect features and versatility of higher-end headsets, as some concessions have been made to keep the price affordable.
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