Cougar Phontum Gaming Headset review - Final words and conclusion

Final words and conclusion

Now, unless you hadn't already garnered this, I like this headset. For $54.99, the sound it is able to produce (when compared to suitably high quality music) is very impressive, and - for that - Cougar must be commended. The pairing of 2x 53mm drivers with stereo is a timeless one, and given the availability of 3rd party or inbuilt EQ's nowadays, tuning the headset to your liking is easier than it has ever been. Cougar have released a headset that closely follows the ideals of the aforementioned HS50. Analogue only, no RGB, no frills. I actually prefer this approach, oddly enough, as it gives me more granular control without the need for any additional vendor software. As we have said before, giving you an opinion on something so subjective as a headset is very difficult. The Phontum's have exactly what I am looking for in a unit. Little to no distortion, a nice depth of sound, and clarity across the range. For 54.99, I would argue strongly that the sound delivery of this unit is truly excellent. Would it be enough to satisfy a true audiophile? No, I strongly doubt it. Then again, if you're an audiophile, why are you looking at a 54 dollar headset that is absolutely marketed toward gamers? All I know is that I had next to no complaints about the listening experience.

Wearing Comfort

Some may see my original gripes with the comfort (or, more accurately, tightness) of this headset and be immediately put off. However, do not be. For one, I have an unnaturally large head. This I freely admit. I have not yet found a single hat or piece of headwear (ever) that I have actually enjoyed having on my head for an extended period of time. To that end, I do wish there were more customisation (e.g. in the headband itself). It is fairly limited and likely stopped me from being 100% comfortable in wearing the headset, despite the unit's exceptional ability to stretch even over my outsized bonce. To be clear, the discomfort I faced did not come from the headband. It came from the ear cups, and how they rested on my ears. However, once I did find the correct 'sit' of the unit on my head, I was more than happy with the level of wearing comfort they provided. They were still a little tight, maybe, but nothing I would call a deal breaker. And, please remember, this reviewer has a big head.

Conclusion

If you have a very large head, perhaps look elsewhere. That is the 'elephant in the room' out of the way quickly. If, however, you're possessing a more normal sized head, then I would strongly suggest you give the Phontums a look. Why? Well, they are superbly built, weighty, and the giant cups encase your ears without any issue. They stretch well, and - for what it's worth - their comfort was enough that I was at least able to wear the unit for extended periods of time without being driven mad. For me, that is saying something. As a reference, the only headset I have found tolerable for an infinite amount of time also cost over £300, and that was the now ubiquitous Bose QuietComfort 35's. Cougar, a job well done for making a sub 60 USD headset that I could wear for nearly 3 hours! And, to that end, it was actually a happy three hours. I would have little issue in recommending this unit to a gamer, or even someone who likes their audio. I think the listening experience is exceptional, truth be told. The default audio experience is fine, but it definitely needs tweaking with an EQ, or by using an audio add in card (yes, even in 2018, they still have a market). The one year warranty is, admittedly, a little disappointing, especially when Corsair offers 2 years for their slightly cheaper HS50 unit. The microphone must also - again - be mentioned as being 'fine.' Certainly not stellar, but entirely adequate as a detachable and non 'dedicated' solution. With that said, I have little issue in giving this unit the 'Great Value' nod. The balance Cougar seems to have found with this unit is admirable, for sure, between audio, comfort, and value. There is nothing 'extra' with this unit, but that's ok. For 54.99 MSRP, I really fail to see how the majority of people could even begin to complain. 

• Sign up to receive a notice when we publish a new article
• Or go back to Guru3D's front page