Nacon RIG 900 MAX Headset

Written by Elliot Hilderbrand on 10/12/2023 for XBSX  

Headsets are headsets. You put them on, you play the game, you take it off when you’re done. Don’t get me wrong, I know the difference between "cheap" and “normal” headsets. I don’t want something that will fall apart after a few sessions. I remember how cheap the original Xbox Live headset was. I went through three or four of those bad boys in my college days. Terrible, cheap, annoying- that’s what I don’t want. I like to have a nice set, but I never put any more thought into the issue than, hey, I need a new headset. I’ll jump onto the one site we all buy everything from and grab one. I glance at user reviews, but really, I’m looking for something that will get the job done and not much else. That was my old line of thinking, the dark times, before the NACON RIG 900 MAX HX entered my life.

 

I’ve never had an expensive headset; I didn’t see the point. But the moment I put these bad boys on, I knew my life was going to be different going forward. The comfort level alone startled me. While the RIG 900 MAX HX feels solid and hefty in my hands, it doesn’t feel hefty at all when put on my head. I notice it on my head, but there is no discomfort. One side doesn’t feel heavier than the other even though I have a mic on one. Not once did I get the ear cramp feeling that I will get with other headsets; there is plenty of room for my big ears without feeling like they are in the way.

Right out of the gate I was impressed. Setup was a breeze; getting the headset to work using Bluetooth or the USB dongle is simple. You can plug the USB dongle into your system, or plug the charging unit base into the system with the USB plugged into the charging base. If you don’t want to go that route you can use Bluetooth. Simple, and straightforward like most Bluetooth-enabled products. The mobile app added to the overall quality of the headset too. A simple test to help customize my personal experience was worth the effort, I noticed the difference right away. You don’t have to use either of the two apps, but you’d be silly not to spend the extra time to configure the headset. After all the Nacon RIG 900 MAX HX retails for $249.99. The configuration is enormously beneficial to the experience; make sure you get your money’s worth.

I found myself really liking the charging dock. It’s simple and connects to the headset with a magnet. Who knows how magnets work, magic I assume. But the base is stable, and lights up to show your charging progress. It’s nothing crazy, but it feels solid, like you could use it as a weapon if you had to. It does take up some space, so having it on your computer desk might not be the best location, depending on your set-up. I have mine sitting on the bookcase behind my desk. The headset has verbal prompts when you put it on, telling you it’s connecting when you pick it up from the charger. I found that to be cool, I haven’t had a headset that does that till now.

I’ve read about wireless/Bluetooth dual connection headsets before but have never experienced one. I love the idea of being able to play a game, hear it, and also listen to music- or, in my case, podcasts while I play. I’m a big farm sim guy, and that genre just begs to have something like a podcast on while I do my in-game chores. Typically, I sacrifice hearing the game for listening to a podcast, but not the case anymore. I can do both, and it works well. No struggle to find a balance.

The Nacon RIG 900 MAX HX is made with a focus on Xbox, but works with everything. My phone, PlayStation, Switch, PC, doesn’t matter. Setting the headset up to work with anything is just as easy as if it was on the Xbox. I even found myself using it while recording for a podcast and loved how everyone sounded while recording. I did not use the mic to record, but I don’t think the results would be horrible. I’m one of those people who love to listen to podcasts, but I occasionally make them too. I decided to see how my voice sounded when I recorded myself. The quality of my voice recording was not as great as a microphone built to record podcasts. Once I edited the sound and applied a few filters to my voice track, I can say the quality was good enough. I wouldn’t use the RIG 900 MAX HX to record a podcast every time, but in a pinch, it will do more than fine. I’m sure someone who doesn’t delve into the hobby of voice recording might not even notice a difference between the mic on the headset and a traditional microphone.

All of these great things come at a cost though, a financial cost. The Nacon RIG 900 MAX HX retails for $249.99. That isn’t a small amount. That isn’t an impulse buy. That's a much more considered purchase, and though the price might be a bit prohibitive, I'm still comfortable recommending the 900 Max HX. The headset still looks and feels brand new, no visible wear or tear, after a month of nearly daily use. For transparency, I was given the headset for review. A month ago I would have been unsure if I would spend the money needed for this headset. But after a month of steady use, I can say without hesitation that the Nacon RIG 900 MAX HX is worth the price.