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The Logitech G432 is a long-awaited update to the G430 that has everything its predecessor made worthwhile, plus quite better music performance. But it also feels and looks very much like a four-year-old accessory. The G432 is worth a look because of its strong audio performance, versatile connections, and reasonable price. On the other hand, the physical design of the gadget is not that outdated, and you can get much better devices if you’re willing to spend a little more. This is our Logitech G432 Review.
Logitech G432 Review: Design and Comfort
Remember the Logitech G430: with loud blue accents and a flexible steel headband? The Logitech G432 is just a slightly updated version of that. The auricles are more pliable than foam, and the blue bloom is much more restrained. Furthermore, it has the same plastic feel and a slightly inaccurately carved headband.
At the front of the left auricle is a flexible, non-detachable boom microphone and at the back a volume control. Nothing is going on here, but the G432 has missed an opportunity to keep up with rounder, sturdier, more modern designs.
More interesting is the wide variety of connections that the G432 offers. By default, you connect the device via a single, 3.5-mm audio cable. But it also comes with a splitter for mic/audio connections, along with a USB adapter. I’m not sure it was strictly required to include both of these connections, as the splitter and USB adapter both work well for gaming PCs, but it’s always nice to have more options.
The G432 feels snug enough, but a few adjustments would have made it better. The pleated ear shells don’t press too hard on the ears, but they do get hot, especially after wearing the headset for a couple of hours. The first time I took the Logitech G432 off my head, I was surprised that there were not only sweat grains on the earpieces but also the foam headband. The auricles also feel a bit on the loose side.
I handed the G432 to a colleague, who agreed with my assessment, especially about the loose feeling of the auricles. However, he found the plaster to be pleasantly supple and said the headset was generally comfortable to wear.
Features
If you connect the G432 to a computer via USB, you can customize the sound profile options in the Logitech G Hub software. Besides, DTS 7.1 surround sound, you get equalizer sliders, noise cancellation, and a handful of other features. In my knowledge, the surround sound was a little muddy and muffled, while the stereo sound was loud and direct, so there wasn’t much reason to switch. But the options are good to have if you want to experiment with different settings, or you have content optimized for surround sound.
The microphone is also perfect for multiplayer games, although it is certainly not one of the most passionate models on the market. Use it to communicate with teammates; do not use it for any kind of professional audio recording.
Logitech G432 Review: Performance
One area where the G432 was fully delivered was in-game performance – at least when connected via USB. The headset provided rich sound for PC games such as Destiny 2, World of Warcraft, and StarCraft: Remastered, with excellent bass/treble balance and a soundscape that felt near rather than far. Gunfire in Destiny 2, the music in StarCraft, and the sounds of battle in World of Warcraft all came through crisp and clear.
However, I had a more mixed experience with the 3.5-mm cable itself. The sound wasn’t as loud or nuanced on a PC compared to the USB adapter, even if I played the same game. On a Nintendo Switch, however, the sound came through well, so there was a reasonable balance between vocals, sound effects, and music. The G432 can offer high-quality sound across the board, but you get the best experience on a gaming PC. Keep this in mind if your primary system is a console of your choice.
You can squeeze some impressive music performance out of the G432 if you’re willing to tweak the audio options on a PC. But even without those tweaks, music sounds great. The re’s a clear distinction between highs and lows, and high frequencies don’t cause distortion. The sound isn’t as rich as anything you’d get from a particular audio headset, but for an $80 gaming headset, it’s about as good as these things get.
On the other hand, the G432 won’t quickly become your everyday go-to-the-headset. It’s big and somewhat bulky, and the microphone is stuck where it is. However, the ear cups are rotatable, so if you need to store this stuff in a backpack on your way to a tournament, you can certainly do that.
Logitech G432 Review: Conclusion
The G432 is a better product than its predecessor, with many improved audio drivers and a few smart design changes. But many of the same drawbacks are present, including a cheap feel and an imperfect fit. Overall, however, I think the G432 has more for than against. Both the music and game audio sound good, and it works right out of the box with any gaming system you own. Its USB connectivity gives it a substantial boost over some of its competitors.
If you can pay more, the $100 HyperX’s Cloud Alpha sounds a little better and is just as functional. If you wish to save a little, the $70 SteelSeries’ Arctis 3 is comparable in both sound quality and versatility. Otherwise, the G432 might be the right headset for the right price. For more options, check our list of Best Wireless Gaming Headsets