Esports welcomes PRO graphene headset

Introducing the next generation of audio experience, global computer accessory and software company Logitech recently revealed its Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED wireless gaming headset. What sets these headphones apart from the rest? Graphene.

"The core philosophy of the Logitech G PRO series is about creating gear that meets the demanding needs of professional esports athletes and competitive gamers," said Chris Pate, principal product manager, Logitech G PRO Series. "With PRO X 2, we've achieved a groundbreaking level of performance by redesigning our PRO-G drivers with graphene audio technology."

Already considered the strongest and most highly conductive material known to man, turns out, graphene is also really effective for speakers.

Still relatively uncharted land for usage, graphene in speakers has already been employed through an innovative startup based out of Canada.

You can read about graphene headphone company Ora and some of the challenges developing a well-known technology with cutting-edge materials at Ora makes striking music with graphene in the May 20, 2020 edition of Metal Tech News.

With the near limitless potential that graphene provides, it's a small wonder it has taken so long to implement into a technology so perfectly suited for the extremely lightweight and durable 2D material.

Makeup of the driver

To understand the differences in what graphene could provide as opposed to typical headphone drivers, you must get an idea of how a microphone functions.

While several types of headphone drivers exist, the most common are called dynamic drivers – not to be confused with the software needed to use computer accessories – headphone drivers literally drive the sound into your ear.

Composed of a magnet, coil, suspension, and diaphragm, these parts comprise the driver and work in tandem to vibrate out your favorite tunes. Where the graphene enters would be a kind of coating on the diaphragm (the cone of the speaker).

Good headphones make their diaphragms sturdy yet flexible. Too flexible, and it could distort and create nasty buzzing sounds like wrinkling plastic; too sturdy and your audio quality sounds muffled or stiff. Thus, a material that is thin and strong would be ideal.

What is stronger than the molecular bonds of graphene, considered the strongest material on Earth, and is thin as a single atom and lighter than air?

Headphones designed for pros

In esports, clarity of sound and communications are critical factors that influence winning. Being able to hear the slightest audio cue, such as footsteps, as well as fidelity in the spoken word over the sounds of in-game battle, is often the difference between victory and defeat.

Precision engineered with a 50-millimeter graphene diaphragm and backed by one of the best magnetic materials on the market, neodymium, the latest graphene driver aims to deliver immersive soundscapes like never before, with the most cutting-edge of materials to date.

Utilizing a tried-and-true headphone design, Logitech reconstructed the new driver to deliver improvements in sound reproduction accuracy, time-to-signal accuracy, and distortion reduction, allowing players to identify audio cues more clearly, and more quickly discern their audio-spatial surroundings in relation to their character.

In addition to the all-new graphene driver, the PRO X 2 features major enhancements over the current PRO X wireless gaming headset on which its design was based; these include:

• Robust connections – employing its LIGHTSPEED wireless, Bluetooth, and wired connection (3.5 mm aux. cable), LIGHTSPEED now delivers professional-grade wireless with up to 50 hours of use on a single charge with a consistent wireless connection up to 100 feet (30 meters).

• Award-winning design – designed for, and in collaboration with, pro gamers, the PRO X 2 features a durable yet lightweight aluminum and steel frame and supreme comfort with a rotating, durable hinge and swappable earpads in leatherette (synthetic leather) and valour (velvet).

• Solid comms – a six-millimeter cardioid microphone on a detachable boom arm with advanced Blue VO!CE software filters through Logitech's own G HUB, these headphones were made for talking, and that's just what they'll do.

• DTS Headphone: X 2.0 Surround Sound – bringing the surroundings to your ears, this precision surround sound aims to help gamers know exactly where their opponents are before they find you.

Developed under a unique collaboration program that brought together some of the world's top esport competitors, these headphones are truly the start of the next generation of audio quality.

"I have always felt Logitech G values my feedback and opinion for product development, that's why their gear is the highest performing and most popular among top esports athletes," said Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyljev, Counter-Strike, Natus Vincere (esports team). "During the development of the G PRO X 2 gaming headset, I enjoyed the improved comfort and excellent mic. In-game, I found the new graphene driver a game-changer, it really made me feel I got a new advantage to win against my competition."

From the beginning of the design process, Logitech G engages with Esports Pros to obtain feedback, make key decisions, and test to refine the features and design of the products. By implementing their feedback into new tools and solutions, Logitech G has become the de facto standard and leader in professional quality esports gaming gear.