Alienware AW920H headset review

Trade in Alienware AW920H headset

(Image credit: Future)

Recognized for their forward-looking designs and high-end craftsmanship, Alienware peripherals usually don’t disrupt the setups of professional gamers. Instead, they attract everyday gamers seeking a touch of luxury and a distinctive appearance.

Introducing the $179 AW920H headset – brimming with features and a futuristic vibe, priced accordingly. However, it has yet to streamline an elegant integration of its various components.

The standout feature is its ‘tri-mode’ combination, providing active noise canceling, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. Additionally, there are touch controls, an optional 3.5mm connection, and Dolby Atmos support. These features are generally well-executed and come packaged with the brand’s characteristic high-quality construction materials.

However, stick around as I share how a couple of minor hitches prevent an otherwise fantastic headset from soaring to greater heights.

ALIENWARE AW920H: DESIGN AND COMFORT

(Image credit: Future)

If there’s one thing you can count on Alienware for, it’s a striking design. Transforming functional items like headsets into sci-fi-inspired objects isn’t an easy task, but the unique shape of the AW920H might make you think of flying saucers with jet engines along the bottom. It embraces a certain level of cheesiness, which is to be expected from a brand with an alien head as its logo, yet it exudes an enjoyable and endearing charm.

Craftsmanship is of a very high standard. The matte finish on my Lunar Light sample is impeccably uniform and has a pleasing touch, while the RGB Alienware logos on each ear cup appear sharp and vibrant.

The pleather used for the ear cup cushions and inner headband also feels premium. Although it might get a bit sweaty in warmer conditions, it’s remarkably comfortable and crucial for creating a proper seal for effective active noise canceling (ANC). Despite its predominantly plastic construction, there’s no creaking around any of the adjustment points, giving it a sturdy feel befitting its price tag.

However, the ear cups are relatively small, impacting comfort levels for those with larger ears as they may extend beyond the interior of the cushioned pads. Given the headset’s substantial clamping force, you wouldn’t want your ears pressed against the cushions for extended periods.

Nevertheless, I managed to find a suitable fit even with slightly larger ears. Despite feeling heavy and having a firm grip initially, the AW920H doesn’t cause discomfort over time and stays securely in place.

ALIENWARE AW920H: FEATURES AND CONTROLS

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There’s quite a bit to cover here, and the spotlight must be on the active noise cancellation (ANC) implementation, a feature not commonly found on gaming headsets, especially those priced under $200. While some users may not appreciate how noise cancellation affects the natural sound, the implementation here is subtle and maintains a relatively neutral tone. It’s akin to Bose’s QC45s but slightly less effective in dampening ambient lows.

The AW920H offers three connection options: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.2, and the traditional 3.5mm wired connection. Additionally, there’s a choice of dongles for connectivity – USB or USB-C. This flexibility is noteworthy, addressing the common issue of limited USB slots. It’s a thoughtful touch from Alienware to provide users with choices.

However, it’s important to note that wireless and Bluetooth connectivity cannot work simultaneously. This means you can’t mix sources, such as taking calls from your smartphone while gaming or using Discord chat from another device. While this limitation is disappointing, some other headset brands like Steelseries’ Arctis series have been able to achieve simultaneous connectivity for years. At least, you can switch to smartphone use after shutting off your PC.

Despite its sleek and minimal design, the AW920H surprisingly hosts a generous number of physical controls. The right ear cup features the power button, accompanied by a light indicator – green for on and yellow for charging.

(Image credit: Future)

On the left side, you’ll find a toggle switch for switching between wireless and Bluetooth connections, a mic mute button, and an ANC toggle. The close proximity of these three controls, especially with the tiny nub of the mute button, can be a bit challenging to locate accurately at first. After a week of use, muscle memory starts to kick in, but it does feel like a design quirk that could have been avoided.

The headset also incorporates touch controls for handling volume, media playback, lighting adjustments, and ANC activation. Surprisingly, there’s no touch gesture for mic mute, but the precision of swipes and taps makes it a viable method for adjusting volume mid-game.

The detachable mic is a practical feature, especially for those wanting to use the headset with a smartphone in public. It connects via the 3.5mm input jack. However, since there’s only one input, users need to choose between connecting a mic or plugging the headset into a PC. While this might not be a significant inconvenience for most wireless headset users, it does leave an impression that there are some design aspects that could be refined.

ALIENWARE AW920H: SOUND QUALITY

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The sound quality of the AW920H headset is multifaceted. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is effective without significantly altering the audio profile, although it introduces a noticeable high-end “fizz” in quiet environments, a common trait among ANC headphones.

The Dolby Atmos support is subjective, as virtual surround sound features can often add artificial effects. However, in this case, even for someone typically avoiding such features, Dolby Atmos works well. The 3D sound spaces are broad, and moving audio cues are delivered with impressive precision. While stereo spread is preferred for games requiring precise audio cues, Atmos adds a fun and immersive dimension for movies and solo games.

Moving on to the core sound quality of the 40mm drivers, they perform well, interacting effectively with ANC and Atmos. The tuning is sensible, avoiding excessive emphasis on low frequencies, resulting in a balanced EQ curve. While a slightly more pronounced high-end could be desirable in a perfect scenario, overall audio quality is excellent.

The microphone deserves a quick mention for its remarkable AI-powered noise suppression, effectively eliminating mechanical keyboard clatter. However, the broadcasted voice quality is good but not outstanding, as the AI focuses on noise reduction rather than signal enhancement.

ALIENWARE AW920H: BATTERY LIFE AND CHARGING

The AW920H headset boasts a claimed battery life of 55 hours over Bluetooth and 30 hours via wireless, with these estimates based on turning off the RGB lighting. In real-world usage, with RGB lighting activated and occasional volume exceeding 50%, the headset provides approximately 20-25 hours of usage. This battery life proves sufficient, and the convenience of being able to continue using the AW920H while it’s charging via USB-C ensures no inconvenience. A full charge typically takes between two and three hours.

ALIENWARE AW920H: VERDICT

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The AW920H from Alienware offers a host of futuristic features, with most of them functioning seamlessly and conveniently. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is a notable addition at this price range, and the design maintains Alienware’s strong aesthetic appeal. Surprisingly, Dolby Atmos delivers impressive sound through the 40mm drivers, and the AI-powered noise suppression on the mic is a noteworthy feature.

However, the headset falls short of reaching the top tier due to several small, avoidable issues. Challenges such as sharing a 3.5mm input for either the mic or wired headset connection, the inability to use wireless and Bluetooth simultaneously, and a somewhat tricky-to-locate mute switch all contribute to a sense that this model is one iteration away from being an outstanding headset.

Source: Tom’s Guide