I’ll be trustworthy, I didn’t suppose Alienware had that canine in them when it got here to gaming headsets, however I used to be pleasantly incorrect — the Alienware AW720H is an absolute hit.
For a aggressive $159, the Alienware AW720H comes after mid-range gaming headsets with a fury. Its glossy and cozy chassis is backed by immersive sound from Dolby Atmos, lengthy battery life, and connectivity with virtually each platform. It has just one flaw, and it’s an enormous one. The microphone is horrible — and that’s an enormous a part of a gaming headset. However I’d argue that almost all gaming headset microphones aren’t superb anyway, so it’s best to simply spend money on an inexpensive USB microphone.
Not counting its obvious microphone problem, the Alienware AW720H is among the finest gaming headsets on the market.
Alienware AW720H value and configurations
The Alienware AW720H gaming headset that I reviewed price $159 and got here within the Darkish Facet of the Moon palette. You too can buy it within the Lunar Gentle colour scheme.
This headset comes with a two-year restricted guarantee.
Alienware AW720H design
Carrying over its alien aesthetic and infinity loop design from its laptops, the Alienware AW720H appears to be like prefer it got here from a galaxy far, far-off. The outer cups are neatly spherical and have a glossy matte black paint with RGB-lit Alienware logos on the heart. The inside encompasses a pair of soppy cushions with a easy black design.
That roundness closes out with an infinity loop on both sides, one housing the USB Sort-C energy port and the opposite housing the retractable microphone. On the left cup there’s a headphone jack, a sport/chat change/button, and a mute button. In the meantime, the fitting cup holds room for the quantity slider and the ability button. It is a main enchancment over the Alienware Tri-Mode gaming headset, which had horrible contact controls.
Curving out of the headset are the items that tie it collectively to the scarf. One factor I’ll say about that normally unremarkable piece is that it has a tender underside, so when the cups bend towards it they don’t get scratched. It’s value noting, nevertheless, that these cups don’t fold — they’re static.
Alienware takes a couple of cues from SteelSeries, particularly regarding its head strap, which is separated from the scarf and adjustable by way of notches. Oddly, the scarf is wrapped up in a skinny material to cover all of the bits beneath as a substitute of going for a metallic band — however that’s doubtless to avoid wasting cash.
Within the field, you’ll discover a 2.4-GHz USB Sort-C receiver, a feminine USB Sort-C to male USB Sort-A adapter, a USB Sort-A-to-USB Sort-C cable for charging, and a 3.5mm audio cable with a mute button hooked up to it (bonus factors for that).
Alienware AW720H consolation
Alienware’s reminiscence foam cushions are tremendous snug, however I’m undecided that I’m a fan of the round design. It’s overlaying extra space than it has to, and whereas the headset is snug, in actuality, I need good sound with out having to consciously really feel it crawling down my neck.
Nonetheless, the match is cosy, and I like the brand new head strap changes. I truly favor it over the SteelSeries’ ski goggle straps, as Alienware offers you extra decisive management over the positioning. I wore the AW720H all through a whole workday after which some whereas questing for divine weapons in Octopath Traveler 2 with out problem.
The Alienware AW720H weighs 350 grams, or 12.3 ounces, which is lighter than headsets just like the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ (12.9 ounces).
Alienware AW720H gaming efficiency
The Alienware AW720H packs in 40-millimeter Hello-Res licensed drivers. What does Hello-Res imply? Nicely, all that basically means is that it’s meant to sound higher than CD-quality audio. However let’s truly check it.
I skipped my means throughout the Lands Between, hungering for that good ol’ Elden Ring. What caught me off guard was the dynamic sound of the backstab, which felt prefer it crawled throughout my ears with a meaty hack and slash. Stealthing by the forest, the crunch of the grass beneath my ft was so loud that I assumed an enormous schmuck was going to identify me. Each little sound was certain to set me off. Immersive and terrifying.
In my journey to finish Octopath Traveler 2, the suspenseful music in Ku blended properly with my footsteps pitter pattering throughout to get data out of a neighborhood service provider. The dialogue was crisp and full of life — it gave the impression of I used to be chatting with a good friend, if that good friend had a Shure SM7B microphone. What I liked probably the most was breaking an enemy and listening to that tumbler shattering impact in all of its bassy glory.
I ran round Fort Dimitrescu in Resident Evil Village for the umpteenth time to see mommy— I imply, Woman D, however I used to be ambushed by one of many icky, sticky daughters. She bit my neck and I preferred it— the sound, I imply. The bass and treble had been so… nice. Anyway, I shot some witches within the subsequent scene, and the pistol sounded a bit of too shallow for my liking. Even the sniper rifle was overshadowed by the rumbly results of the monsters that surrounded me.
Alienware AW720H music efficiency
So how does the Alienware AW720H deal with music if it’s all about gaming? Fairly darn properly truly.
The primary observe I listened to was Nxdia’s “what’s it like?” and the bassy beats captivated me within the opening, complementing the crispy and rhythmic vocals. Making use of bilateral sounds, the background vocals had been deep and enhanced the refrain in addition to the percussion. There have been little particulars that I hadn’t observed earlier than, particularly regarding the drums.
My newest fixation is “Only a Man” by Jorge Rivera-Herrans, which pops off with a melodic guitar and soothing vocals that the Alienware AW720H carry relatively properly. The stringed devices get a bit of misplaced within the background, nevertheless. However the refrain completely slaps with the background synths that raise every vocal to new heights.
A pleasantly echoey electrical guitar bursts open “Hollywood Child” by 100 gecs adopted by bassy percussion that introduces us to the tender vocals, all well-balanced by the AW720H. Then the observe explodes, and the headset follows, juggling thick synths with the auto-tuned vocals. The drums get a bit of misplaced right here and there, however you may nonetheless catch them within the background.
Alienware AW720H microphone
This Alienware AW720H would have been good if its microphone wasn’t such scorching trash (sorry not sorry).
I’ve by no means hated the sound of my very own voice greater than listening to the playback of my check recording. It gave the impression of a practice announcer telling you which of them cease is subsequent, however actually you don’t have any concept what they’re saying. Or like a type of airplane headsets that make the speaker sound breathy and virtually inaudible. The microphone peaked so typically that I gave myself a literal headache listening to it.
It is a nice headset, so don’t let it’s ruined by its crappy microphone. Take a look at our finest USB microphones web page.
Alienware AW720H options
The Alienware AW720H is suitable with principally every little thing due to its USB Sort-C 2.4GHZ dongle and its headphone jack. Which means you may join wi-fi to your smartphone, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Change, whereas additionally connecting bodily to your Xbox Sequence X.
Regardless of its aggressive value level, the Alienware AW720H gives a Dolby Atmos license, so you may obtain the Dolby Entry app and get entry to a slew of EQ settings. There’s presets for Sport, Film, Music, and Voice in addition to customized settings. Sport additionally has a efficiency mode, which prioritizes positional accuracy for aggressive gaming. I had it on efficiency mode for many of my testing, and it didn’t sacrifice high quality.
Alienware claims that the AW720H can last as long as 30 hours, which appears correct based mostly by myself utilization. Alienware additionally claims that the headset can present as much as 6 hours of play after a 15-minute quick cost. There’s no handy means for me to check that, however that appears fairly cool if correct.
Backside line
In search of a sub-$200 gaming headset and don’t care concerning the microphone? Purchase the Alienware AW720H. It’s that easy. From its consolation and sound to its battery life and seemingly limitless connectivity, it’s arduous to argue with such a well-rounded headset.
Nonetheless, if that microphone is actually a difficulty for you, contemplate selecting up the SteelSeries Arctis 9, or actually any SteelSeries headset, which have a lot better microphone options.
Have already got a discrete microphone? Good, now purchase Alienware AW720H.
