INSTALLATION
Installation is very simple. Since the G430 doesn’t have any CD driver installer, you have to download the Logitech Gaming software at their support website. Another thing to take note of is that the surround sound is disabled by default and you have to install the Logitech Gaming Software to enable it.
The software is pretty friendly user and this is what makes Logitech awesome. They have a single software to customize all of their G-Series product which includes the drivers and led control. No more single software per peripheral and this is premium for me personally.
The Logitech Gaming Software gives you the equalizer option for the G430. From the basic bass and treble adjustment from -12db up to +12db to advance option like adjusting the 32hz up to 16khz preamp.
The other feature that the Logitech Gaming Software lets you customize is the surround sound mixer. Adjust the levels of all 7 channel to your hearing desire to have the real life like sound effects. In this UI, you can disable and enable the Dolby surround sound.
TESTING
Since G430 is a 7.1 surround sound gaming headset, we have to test if it is true to its feature. For our test, we used the ultimate headset test provided online by audiocheck.net. This test is composed of Frequency Response, Dynamic Range, Quality, Driver Matching, Wiring, and Binaural Test.
The Logitech G430 has 40mm drivers and 32 Ohms of impedance, with a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 KHz and a sensitivity rating of 90 dB SPL/mW so it should be able to prove itself on our test. Let’s start.
First test was a 10hz to 200hz frequency response of the bass extension. By how God created me, it’s only natural that I couldn’t here the frequency of 10hz but I started hearing the frequency from 20hz up to 200hz. Our next test is a 22,000hz down to 8,000hz. By design, it’s only natural that you wouldn’t hear anything from 22,000hz and 21,000hz since the G430 only support up to 20,000hz. Also, it’s fairly common for people who are over 25 years of age to not be able to hear above 15kHz but from this test, I was able to start hearing the frequency at 16khz.
Next, the Dynamic Range test. In this test, we can find out if the G430 is good in isolation. The G430 was set on default and without any audio enhancement, it was tough to hear anything from 36 db below full scale. This test was conducted in a quiet bedroom and that’s pretty much it.
Our last set of test is for quality, driver matching, wiring and binaural test. Quality test will test the G430’s deep bass capability by running a bass shaker. If it’s a poorly built headset, we will hear rattling and buzz during this test…
Result: The sweeping tone remained pure and clear at all frequencies, without any parasitic buzz or rattle.
The next test is driver matching, this will test the tolerance of the G430’s driver as well as responsiveness.
Result: The driver was consistent from simultaneously shifting the frequency from left channel to right channel then vice versa per Hz and it was stable up to 10khz.
The wiring test will test if the G430 is wired properly. If we play the left tone, the left tone should only be played and same goes for the right tone. Also, this test will also test the polarity of the G430.
Result: There wasn’t any issues with the wiring but for the polarity, I’m not quite sure if it’s just me or the its the headset itself because when the center polarity is played, the audio should be played at the center while the twister polarity should be played randomly. However, playing both polarity gave me the same audio.
Last test is the Binaural test. This test ensures that each of the listener’s ears get the exact same signal as originally captured.
Result: The knocks on a wood sound are very realistic and by instinct I involuntarily looked behind me as I thought someone was really knocking.
From our test, the G430 proved itself as a true 7.1 gaming headset built for quality.