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Wireless headphones and headsets have come a long way. Most recently, we’ve seen improvements in wireless range and audio performance. The 7.1 A50 Wireless from Astro Gaming and the recently reviewed Skullcandy PLYR2 headphones are prime examples of long strides being taken in these areas. While Astro is the far better performer, the PLYR2 from Skullcandy can sustain a strong signal from further away.
Read: Find the Best Gaming Headset by Console
Today we have a newcomer to the GR tech labs. Performance Designed Products has drawn the gate on their Afterglow AG 9 Universal Wireless (Blue) headphones. This PDP Afterglow unit is quite versatile and plays nicely with your PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 (also, you can count this as the best Xbox One headset), as well as mobile devices such as tablets and Smartphones. There is a retractable mic inside the left earpiece for voice chat and phone calls. So on the audio yardstick, how does the PDP’s Afterglow AG 9 Universal Wireless headset measure up to our other wireless cans? And how does it stack up against the best gaming headset?
These large over-ear gaming headphones with ample padding and nice cobalt blue illumination add some nice color in a few places. The borders of the outer headband light up, along with the outer section of the ear pieces and the tip of the retractable microphone. The Afterglow AG 9 cans are really cool looking, and I love the way the illumination kicks in when you turn them on. Some headphones with lights aren’t that easy though so be sure to read our article on how to turn on a gaming headset LED light. Additionally, read our Mad Catz Gears of War 3 Dolby 7.1 surround sound headset review if you like headphones that light up. These are big, and I advise against catching yourself in the mirror. The sight is not pretty. Though, sizeable and unseemly, they are comfortable and lightweight with all the controls you may need right there on the headphones.
Related: If you prefer something lightweight and more attractive, check out our Microsoft Xbox Stereo Headset review.
The unit has a familiar assortment of cords for easy connectivity to your myriad media devices and game consoles. You get an Xbox chat cable, a 3.5mm audio cable, USB transmitter that is connected to a detachable RCA audio cable. When disconnected, a 3.5mm tip is revealed for wireless transmission from a corresponding connection, most likely found on the back of a PC, keyboard audio connection, or similar. One thing that bugs me is the lack of instruction. I’m not sure the way the unit shipped to me is the way it goes out on a typical retail sale. The box was all black with no marketing copy or imagery and did not come with instructions. You can download a PDF from their website. Those are very detailed, with complete instructions on how to connect the Afterglow cans to various systems and mobile devices. So you grab these for PS3 or Xbox 360, it may be nice to have a computer on hand to download the PDF manual.
For connection with your Xbox One, you simply plug the AG 9 USB transmitter into your console, press and hold the power button on your headset, and when both the lights on the USB transmitter and headset turn blue, you’re set.
Related: Want a headset designed for playing on different platforms? Check out the Plantronics Rig Flex Review Roundup.
Once it’s all set up, the PDP Afterglow Wireless headphones work pretty darn well. They are lightweight with ample padding and a nice expandable padded strap. Power the unit on by pressing the mic mute button on the left earpiece. Hold this button until the illumination dies and the unit is powered off. The two dials for game volume and voice chat communication sound are both easy to use and work well. These are stereo cans, so no surround sound. So while the audio is quite good over the 50mm Neodymium drivers. It doesn’t compare to the 7.1 surround of the Astro Gaming A50. But regardless, the bass is full and rich, highs and midrange sounds are also nice on the ears upon playback. Although it’s not a surround sound gaming headset, the audio overall is rich and pleasant in games, movies, and music. There is even a mode switch button like that found on the Skullcandy PLYR2 and the A50 set. There are three different modes in all, one for each of the aforementioned media types. Again, we have no concrete documentation on the exact supported range, but it is similar to the Skullcandy PLYR2 and outdistances the A50 with no breakup in communication on both the mic and audio playback. While this model has a retractable mic, if you prefer a detachable option, check out Psyko Carbon 5.1 review or our Mad Catz Tritton Katana HD review.
The biggest issue with Afterglow Wireless is in their PC use. The signal was lost a few times, which was not the wireless signal. I could plug the 3.5mm cord in for direct connection, and the sound would still be absent unless I restarted. So switching between various playback devices on a PC is severely hampered if a restart is required in most cases. What if you’re in the middle of a game or work? Lame!
At a sub $100, these are more than worth a look. They are stylish, if a bit bulky, with great stereo audio playback while maintaining a consistent wireless signal. There are some definite issues, more so with PC use. But if this is for your mobile device or game console, you could easily do worse than this wireless solution. For another great wireless option, read our Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum review.
Bottom Line: The Afterglow AG 9 Wireless Headset is a versatile set of cans that performs well in the stereo spectrum and measures up well to the competition in raw performance. But a few issues may keep this one from center stage.
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