Roccat Syn Pro Air

In the Box

Inside the box, you will find the headphones, and there is also a clip-on unidirectional microphone that attaches to the left ear cup. When it is not needed, the port for the microphone can be covered with an enclosed rubber lid to protect the connection from dust. But it’s neater if you simply flip the microphone up, which automatically mutes it.

The package also includes a USB-C cable for charging or updates, the USB transmitter type-A for transmitting the signals and a USB-C adapter in case there is a lack of type-A connections. The corresponding software is not included in the box but can be found on the Roccat website. This provides the control centre for all sound and lighting settings. However, if you connect the transmitter to a Playstation or Switch, you will have to do without these functions.

Neon software

The Syn Pro Air’s lighting design looks unusual, but at the same time, it is tremendously appealing. Of course, such things are always a matter of taste, but while other headsets like to limit themselves to oversized, illuminated logos, the Syn Pro Air has a great-looking transparency gradient with a visible honeycomb structure at the lower edge of the two earpieces, behind each of which a combination of up to two colours can be set. Unfortunately, the effects are limited to a colour wave, i.e. a colour change whose tempo can be determined, or a continuous light. Otherwise, effects or pre-sets are not offered, which is a pity. More is probably possible with the AIMO system, and this is compatible with the Syn Pro Air. If you have several devices, you can set up a little light show with a matching mouse and keyboard.

The equaliser doesn’t have any pre-sets either. It is divided into ten bands, which can be boosted or reduced as the mood takes you. The headset remembers the settings, but unfortunately, it is not possible to save profiles. In the general settings, in addition to the master volume for headphones and microphone, some additional functions can be switched on. First of all, there is the so-called “Superhuman Hearing”. You can only hear how exactly this is done because the bass range is distinctly reduced here. In addition to the default pre-set, there is one for footsteps and another for gunshots. However, if you want to use this acoustic advantage to better locate your opponents, you will have to put up with a deterioration in the sound.

Next, there is the “3D Audio” function which provides an immersive, virtual surround sound. Low frequencies are likewise lost here, but the sound becomes broader and higher, as if “coming from all directions”. You can choose between Game, Music and Movie.

The Game Spatializer comes without pre-sets and is a feature familiar to Turtle Beach. It’s hard to tell what it actually does, but it’s basically a kind of 3D surround function for stereo sources. Information about the functions within the software (or on the homepage, on the package, in the manual) would have been very welcome because, without it, you have to find out for yourself what changes in the sound image in each mode, which is quite awkward to do when playing. Nevertheless, the software is very clear and modern overall, but it lacks some functions, such as being able to save your own profiles.

Sound

Sound-wise, the Syn Pro Air is powered by Turtle Beach’s 50 mm Nanoclear drivers and does a good job. If you spend some time listening to the EQ, there’s hardly anything left to be desired. The sound is punchy, clear and generally does without all the extra features, which should be considered more of an asset that can help with playing but degrade the sound.

Microphone

As is so often the case, the microphone is just along for the ride. What the person at the other end of the line hears is intelligible, but not enhanced. It’s as if all the frequencies have been turned down except for the mids. But at least this has the advantage of letting very little background noise through. If that’s not enough, an additional noise gate can be activated via the software.

Comfort

While it is visually impressive and the sound is on a good level, the wearing comfort is somewhat unbalanced. On the one hand, the breathable textile covers with memory foam feel very good and look great, but on the other hand, you should not move your head too much – or the headset will quickly slip off your head. If you sit still, however, you will continue to enjoy the 390-gram headset even after prolonged use.