This would have been the year of streamer culture hitting the mainstream even without the pandemic. The rise of TikTok as the de facto social media platform of teenagers, VSCO girls, weebs, and creepy old men everywhere started things into motion. The fact that we’ve all been stuck inside for six months and reassessing our hobbies and life choices has led many to think about the act of streaming and online content creation as less a hobby and more a potential career track.
If any or all of those phrases sound like gibberish, just know one thing: A 2019 poll conducted by the Harris Group on behalf of LEGO found that kids age 8 to 12 overwhelmingly said their future career of choice would be vlogger or streamer, beating out the likes of astronaut, musician, and whatever it is that Ted Cruz pretends to do all day. And why wouldn’t kids want to be online?
The new generation of tweens live out their entire existence online. Their celebrities are online. It’s where they go to bully one another, leaving many an unshoved nerd to never know what it’s like to be forced into a locker. And with that generational shift comes a change in marketing, buyer habits, and style. For gamers, that means bright colors and LED lights placed on whatever isn’t nailed down.
I am not immune to this internet influence. My home office has more LED strip lights and glowy gamer accessories than TikTok’s biggest egirl. This room is so bright that the cottegecore side of TikTok is filing a formal complaint with my non-existent homeowners association. So, of course I jumped at the chance to fling Logitech’s new G-series RGB headset onto my noggin and add yet another synchable light to my setup.
The 733 isn’t just a chance for Logitech to attach some RGB lights and increase the price of an older model of headset. This new addition to the G-Series line is Logitech’s newest wave of headsets to take advantage of the company’s recent buyout of microphone manufacturer Blue. For the 733, this means an improved microphone over the 2017’s G533 model, which is also my gaming headset for everyday use.
Despite a $20 difference between the two headsets, the cheaper 733 model — coming in at $129.99 — features a number of improvements over the quality, but bulky 533s. This new RGB headset comes in four colors, including a lilac shade that seems like it was made specifically for TikTok. It’s also a slimmer headset, and perhaps the lightest set of cans I’ve worn at this price point for gamers. The 733s lack the adjustability of other headsets, but makes up for it with an elastic head-strap for a secure fit.
In the sound department, the new headset features the same Pro-G 40mm driver as the 533s while having double the battery life off a full charge. The 733s also have a slightly longer range, as well as featuring USB-C connections. Besides the 533’s higher sensitivity range, most of the other specs are identical, though I found in head-to-head testing that the 733s while lacking as pronounced a bass profile, has a more nuanced depth of sound that’s fantastic for gaming on PC.
Speaking of differences: This is a small, weird thing to mention, but the 733’s wireless dongle is much improved over Logitech’s previous models. It’s shorter in length, as well as themed to the headset, meaning you’re less likely to lose it in the cable jungle behind your PC tower.
If you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned the two RGB LED strips on the front of the headset it’s because I was mildly let down. I mean, lights are lights and these two strips feature the same synching tech found in the other G-Series accessories. However, it lacks the satisfaction of something like Logitech’s G560 RGB desktop speakers that we reviewed here a few years ago.
Those speakers project impressive amounts of light, whereas the aesthetic of the 733 appears to be merely for those streaming or with a mirror nearby. Luckily, a true upgrade in sound quality over previous models makes up for somewhat lackluster lights. It’s certainly not a deal breaker, especially when the vibrant color choices for the 733 already make this headset stand out.
If you’re in need of an upgrade or looking for a gaming headset with style and functionality in a lightweight build the G733 from Logitech is a clear winner. In a world where your set-up is just as important as what hardware you have inside your computer, these new light-up headphones are stylish enough to fool just about anyone into thinking that you have a drink named after you at Dunkin Donuts.
The Logitech G733s are out now and a review unit was provided to The Blade by Logitech.
Contact Will Harrison at: DoubleUHarrison@gmail.com or on Twitter @DoubleUHarrison.
First Published September 17, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
