The Syn Max Air has RGB to match the Roccat theme, but a wireless headset with a charging dock is something new for the gaming brand. The space is severely lacking in options for PC gamers, and this sleek headset promises a combination of luxurious comfort and high-quality audio. You should benefit from various audio enhancements to get you off to a healthy start.
Whether Roccat has found the right balance between affordability and cool tech is a big question, and we set out to answer that question in our review of the Syn Max Air. made a lasting impression on me, so my expectations were high when this intriguing wireless headset was announced.
Roccat Syn Max Air: Pricing, Availability and Specs
Roccat sells the Syn Max Air wireless gaming headset for a suggested retail price of $250 through their official website and third-party retailers, including Amazon. The headset includes a charging dock, detachable microphone, USB-C to USB-A cable, USB-C to USB-C cable, 2.4GHz USB-A receiver and quick start guide.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Roccat Syn Max Air |
|---|---|
| connectivity | 2.4GHz USB-A transmitter Wireless via charging dock bluetooth |
| speaker | 50mm neodymium |
| frequency | 20Hz to 20,000Hz |
| battery | Rechargeable 16h |
| Control | power switch master volume wheel microphone monitor wheel microphone mute button |
| microphone | Removable one-way flip-up |
| compatibility | computer PlayStation 4/5 nintendo switch android iOS |
| weight | 354g (with mic) |
Roccat Syn Max Air: first impressions and setup
First impressions of the Syn Max Air were great. Roccat’s efforts to deliver quality presentations were commended.From the bendable mic to the super-soft cushions that surround the ear cups, nothing was fragile or flimsy. gave (opens in new tab) For our TikTok channel.
The two included USB cables aren’t hard to figure out without reading the quick start guide, but one is a double-edged USB-C and the other has a traditional USB-A connector. I’m here. We found this to be a thoughtful option for those whose motherboards don’t maintain a USB port when the PC is off, as a second cable can be plugged into the AC adapter and the Syn Max Air can continue to charge. increase.
A small rubber plug covers the microphone mounting port. This is convenient enough for those who want to use this chunky option as a regular set of headphones or opt for a dedicated mic.Roccat also includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter. , perfect for people like me who haven’t yet replaced their collection of plugs and sockets. Older motherboards don’t have headers for the front panel USB-C ports, and adapters are perfect until you upgrade, so it would be greatly appreciated if the manufacturer offered one of these options.
Connecting everything to your PC means downloading the Roccat Swarm companion app and updating the firmware. In the meantime, I tested the Bluetooth connection to my iPhone and it worked fine. Whatever the Syn Max Air defaults to without an equalizer seems to lean towards bass.
Place the headset on the charging dock to complete the installation and it will be illuminated with vibrant RGB colors to highlight its unique features. Few competitors offer charging bases for wireless headsets, usually sticking to a regular stand with a separate cable. It detected both without issue and triggered a firmware update.
Roccat Syn Max Air: Charging Dock
The fast charging dock is Roccat’s pride and joy with the Syn Max Air, and it’s easy to see why. Since this wireless headset is clearly aimed at gamers, it usually means RGB lighting and sci-fi aesthetics for manufacturers. Luckily, the colors emanating from the headphones and dock are subtle, so they won’t distract you on your desk and look great while charging.
Unfortunately, we had a few slight issues connecting the headset after extended use. It’s not that easy to get it to connect properly with the two gold pins. I walked away without noticing that it wasn’t there.
You can also plug USB-C directly into the headset to charge it when needed, but the dock is arguably the most attractive feature. It’s useful in a pinch, especially if you’re traveling with the Syn Max Air and didn’t have room to pack the dock.
Roccat Syn Max Air: Speaker Quality
The Syn Max Air’s 50mm neodymium drivers are surrounded by thick memory foam pads infused with cooling gel to create a cushy enclosure around your ears for a decent sound with a default bass lean generate.
Roccat’s Swarm companion app has an audio tab with an equalizer with presets, but separate settings for game sounds and chat let you customize each level to your liking.
The ear cups are very comfortable, but the “perfect fit” headband isn’t as tight as you’d like, even at its shortest position. If you turn your head quickly or lean forward to pick up something off the floor, it feels precariously loose.
Those who prefer a snug fit in their headset, or who have smaller skulls overall, may find it saggy, but still comfortable. , immediately scores more points than a stiff headset that uncomfortably shoves my specs into my head.
The speakers sound good enough on their own, matching the quality you’d expect from a headset in this price range, but the real star of the show is the inclusion of Turtle Beach’s superhuman hearing technology. The headset giant owns Roccat, so it shares this awesome post-processing tech that boosts certain frequencies depending on which mode you choose.
Turtle Beach’s Super Human Hearing Mode, paired with chunky earcups with cooling gel, keeps you immersed in games all day long. Enhanced with stunning equalizer presets and color controls within the Roccat Swarm desktop app.
Our review of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 also made it clear how much of an impact these effects had on gameplay. Choose from boosted footsteps, gunshots, or mixed legacy modes to process effects that completely change the sound of certain games. As you run around in an atmospheric shooter, raindrops are amplified and bullets in the air hit the ground, standing out in the chaos.
This is a great set of effects that you can incorporate into any headset and never get tired of. I was thrilled when I found it on the Syn Max Air. If you plan to play competitive shooters or games that require you to hear the sound of pins dropping, you’ll love Superhuman Hearing.
Roccat Syn Max Air: Microphone Quality
The Syn Max Air’s recording quality is good, not award-winning, but I’ve heard worse. The maximum input volume isn’t picked up as sensitively as I’d like, as you need to speak in a clear, firm tone to maintain your level.My partner plays World of Warcraft cooperatively with a friend Sometimes, they tend to speak at roughly the same level as a mouse whisper, so similarly quiet-spoken people may need to boost their mics further with software like Discord.
The flip-mute mic is described as using Roccat’s “TruSpeak” technology, but it’s unremarkable in voice recordings, as it clearly lacks bass. To its credit, it’s fairly far from the mouth, so there’s little sign of plosives or clipping when pronouncing certain syllables, and the mic itself is flexible enough to be brought closer if needed. It’s pretty average performance for its more expensive headsets, but when paired with the Swarm app’s comprehensive equalizer, it’s not bad.
One of the major drawbacks of the Syn Max Air mic is sidetone, also known as monitoring feedback. As long as you use the mic pointing down, you’ll hear a constant faint growl coming from the speaker. It was subtle and could only be heard when no other sound was playing at all, but it’s still annoying after a while. It can be too frustrating if you plan to use it for internal communication.
Roccat Syn Max Air: Competition
Roccat has no serious competitor to the Syn Max Air. They’ve achieved something spectacular by hunting down a unique category in their charging docks, with base station Chroma requiring you to plug a cable into the headset you want to use, so even Razer’s real RGB there is no equivalent.
The closest current comparison is the Astro A50, which scored highly in a review by Editor-in-Chief Jez Corden. The big difference in price means the A50 will set you back $300, and cost you $50 more from the Syn Max Air. Neither would be considered a budget option, but the Roccat’s aesthetic could appeal to a wide range of gaming audiences, and the low price tag is a bonus.
However, Astro gets some points for its Xbox compatibility. Roccat skipped something in favor of focusing Syn Max Air on PC and putting PlayStation and Switch support aside.
Roccat Syn Max Air: Should You Buy It?
You should buy this…
- You need a comfortable wireless PC gaming headset.
- I prefer wireless charging over long cables.
- Are you a fan of RGB gaming aesthetics?
Do not buy this if…
- I need a high end mic.
- Requires a headset compatible with your Xbox console.
- I have a petite head size and prefer a tight headset.
Roccat has managed to create a unique wireless PC gaming headset by offering a wireless charging dock powered by RGB. The lack of Xbox support is a huge disappointment, but the Syn Max Air is still a very comfortable choice, in contrast to the mediocre mic that outperforms some of the best PC gaming headsets.
Turtle Beach’s Super Human Hearing Mode, paired with chunky earcups with cooling gel, keeps you immersed in games all day long. Enhanced with stunning equalizer presets and color controls within the Roccat Swarm desktop app. It’s not perfect, but nothing beats the Syn Max Air at this price point. Buy it if you’re happy to stick with PC gaming or use Bluetooth occasionally for some other platform, but don’t if you’re an avid Xbox user.
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Roccat offers the cheapest option for a PC gaming headset with a wireless charging dock, combined with Turtle Beach audio enhancements and rich RGB to suit every gamer.
