Austrian Audio PG16 is a relatively unknown brand in the UK, being only established in Vienna in 2017. Since then, the company has mostly focused on the more serious hi-fi sector, producing high-end headphones for audiophiles. Austrian Audio, like many other hi-fi companies, is now dabbling in the too-big-to-ignore gaming market. However, rather than going to aim for the luxury end of the market, as rivals including Bang & Olufsen’s Portal do, Austrian Audio’s new PG16 Wired Stereo Headphones tends to take a more straightforward approach, aiming to provide high-quality audio at a reasonable price.
What you will see here?
Short Review
The PG16 shows Austrian Audio’s hi-fi lineage, with the same 44mm drivers as the company’s high-end Hi-X65 headphones and a 12Hz – 24KHz frequency range that gives highly clear and concise sound quality.
The PG16 Austrian Wired Stereo Headphones is only 265g, making it comfortable to wear for long periods. Whether you’re gaming or just listening to music. The headset’s body is constructed of plastic. However, the customizable headband & hinges are made of metal. That allows users to fold the earpieces flat and store them in the supplied carrying bag when traveling.
The boom microphone isn’t removable, but it’s elastic enough that you can place it in a comfortable position while playing or just move out of the side when you’re through. You may also mute the microphone by simply pulling it up in the upright direction.
However, because of its low price, the PG16 does not include many extra functions. It’s a wired headset with a 1.4-meter cable and a 3.5mm audio connector that’ll work with any PC, console, or even another audio device with a standard audio port. However, there is no Bluetooth, no active noise cancellation (ANC), and no volume or other settings on the earpieces.
Other Added Features
The only other bonus item is a voucher for a number plate to download Spatial Sound Card L, a simulated 7.1 surround sound program. This program has been developed by a third-party firm named New Audio Technology. But it’s also independent of any particular app on Steam for $9.99 / £7.19 in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The usefulness of its audio system features has received mostly positive’ Steam reviews. Albeit the application can be a little cumbersome to set it up at first. If you want to try it out first, you can get a trial version from New Audio’s website. However, because the Spatial Sound Card L program is only for Windows. There is no compatibility between mobile and console games. The software does have a Mac version. But according to New Audio, it’s having issues with the current versions of macOS & Apple hardware, thus Mac gamers. Yes, they do exist – should suggest trying out the trial version first.
Austrian Audio PG16: Price
The Austrian Audio PG16 was released in January in the UK & Australia for £129.00 / AU$238.99. But Austrian Audio has confirmed that in the US it is for $169.00.
Design
Some individuals will prefer the ease of the top wireless headphones. But according to the internet, all the cool kids are currently wearing wired headphones. So the PG16’s wired design shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for many people.
It’s also well-designed, with a 265g headset with memory foam earpieces that are nice and easy enough to use for extended periods, both at home and while listening to music on the go. They’re still rather solid, as well as the red trim just on the black headset looks stylish without being overly garish (though the boom mic may make you feel a little out of place while you’re out and about).
The absence of physical controls here on the headset is unfortunate. As it means you’ll have to modify the volume and other settings using your gaming rig, smartphone, or tablet. While the stereo audio quality is excellent. We find the Spatial Sound app to be useless when it comes to just using surround audio effects. The software thinks you’re familiar with the intricacies of Windows audio drivers. This can be a pain to navigate at the best of times and leaves you to sift through a vast list of menus and settings with little guidance for newcomers.
Audio Performance
Although the PG16 lacks Bluetooth and noise-canceling capabilities, its 12Hz – 24KHz switching frequency is uncommon in headphones in this price range and gives excellent sound quality when listening to music. The heavy electronic bass on Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy strikes like a piledriver. Yet it’s still comfortable and rhythmic enough to have you dancing, and the tense, buzzing percussion has a scary, sharp edge to it.
The massed harmonics of Queen’s Somebody To Love, on the other hand, ring out loud & clear, capturing all the intricacies inside the multi-layered vocals and delivering Roger Taylor’s swooping falsetto with glass-cutting clarity. If you’re searching for a pair of high-quality wired headphones at a reasonable price, the PG16 is difficult to match.
The twittering birds & ambient audio effects of
To be fair, the audio system effects do a good job of creating a much more immersive sense of distance as we travel through the New World upon yet another of the game’s countless fetch quests. The immersive music and ambiance are great for just an open-world MMO such as New World. However, it lacks the feeling of precision that team-based shootings require.
Microphone Quality
Even though it lacks a few of the noise-reducing capabilities found in more costly headsets, the PG16’s microphone is enough. We like how the mic booms can tilt & bend to help you to find a comfortable place. We also enjoy how you can instantly silence the mic by simply pressing it upwards.
The sound quality is excellent, as well as the omnidirectional microphone picks up the sound even if the mic moves away from your face. Because you’re using a wired connection, the sound is always crisp and consistent, with no Bluetooth hiccups, and you don’t have to bother about battery life.
Conclusion
The Austrian Wired Stereo Headphones is essentially a pair of high-quality stereo headphones with a built-in microphone. The big drivers and superb frequency response work well with any type of music and provide excellent value for money. Some people prefer Bluetooth’s simplicity, but it can be unreliable at times. Particularly in high-speed fighting games – so you can’t go wrong with a simple pair of corded headphones. The PG16 Austrian Wired Stereo Headphones have superb stereo sound and song quality. But its surround sound features are dependent just on third-party Spatial Sound Card L software. This program is only available for Windows, and it is complex for those who are unfamiliar with Windows audio drivers & settings.
Although a wired headset, such as the PG16, can deliver superior sound quality than Bluetooth’s compressed audio, many people prefer the flexibility of wireless headsets. The 3.5mm plug on the headset will work for most devices. However, the Spatial Sound Card L program is only for Windows, so console players should leave it out. The surround sound software is only available for Windows, and due to the lack of controls on the headset. You must rely on the settings on your smartphone or tablet to alter the volume and other settings.
