Great audio design can add a dimension to a game and really make you feel like you’re there. When the music swells as you reach an epic set piece for a giant battle. When you can hear a babbling brook before you see it. When NPCs have such interesting gossip that you have to pause and eavesdrop (and sometimes get called out for it!). In a recent Punished Podcast conversation, Sam Martinelli told me off-mic how noticeable it was when a game DIDN’T have sound effects when hitting enemies, giving him no indication if he’d landed a sword swing or not.
A few years ago, I started gaming more with headphones, both while traveling (yay, Switch!) and at home, to be respectful of the people I was living with who had different sleep schedules than mine. Add in a healthy dosage of Destiny 2 with my best friend or Star Wars Battlefront II with my family, and I started to need a headset with a mic.
Unfortunately, the options over the years have not been great. Most headsets are either too expensive for the quality (or lack thereof), or incompatible with my console of choice (I’m looking at you, Xbox). As a result, I tend to just call people over the phone while playing. The biggest downside, of course, is that I can’t hear the game audio when I’m doing so. So, when our site got the opportunity to review the FIFINE AmpliGame H6 USB Gaming Headset, I jumped at the chance.
Smile!
The official name is the “FIFINE AmpliGame H6 USB Headset for PC Gaming with RGB In-line Controls of 7.1.” Luckily, the product is easier to wear than it is to say.
The FIFINE AmpliGame H6 looks the part of a gaming headset. It has big over-the-ear coverage with large, soft, comfy earpads. The headband is adjustable, and so is the microphone (which is also detachable). The mic and volume controls are handily built into a control bar on the cable; there’s even a handy equalizer setting to help you fine-tune your audio experience to your liking.
The AmpliGame H6 comes in three colors—black, white, and pink. When offered a choice of colors by FIFINE, I couldn’t help but pick pink—it just looked so fun in the photos. The pink is adorable in person, and someone who saw me in it affirmed the instinct, saying, “That’s cute!”
Regardless of color, each version of the headset lights up in a rotating set of rainbow colors, accentuated by a little smiley face on either side. I felt really basic by how happy this detail made me.
Let’s Connect
The AmpliGame H6 arrived via Amazon; it shipped well and was packaged in an efficient box. I noticed zero damage in transit, and the headset itself was durable in my playtesting—it worked great even after my dog’s big waggy tail knocked it off the coffee table.
This sturdiness comes at a slight cost. After about half an hour, the headphones started to feel heavy on the top of my head, especially the tips of my ears. However, they’re still far more comfortable than the free airplane earbuds I’ve been wearing up until now.
As the name states, the AmpliGame has a USB connector, which you can plug into a PlayStation or PC with relative ease (the headset is notably incompatible with Xbox). The USB port likely helps improve the audio quality (and power the lights in the headset), but I do wish it was an aux cable for ease of use. I would’ve loved to plug the headset directly into my PS5 controller, rather than the console itself.
At 6.6 feet, the braided USB cord is generously long. There’s plenty of cable to spare for anyone sitting at a computer or near a monitor. I tried it with both my Mac and my PlayStation 5. It was almost long enough for me to comfortably sit on my couch and play my console; instead, I ended up sitting on a cushion on the floor.
Can You Hear Me Now?
Probably the most important thing for a gaming headset—how’s the sound? I was impressed by the audio quality of the FIFINE AmpliGame H6 Headset. It’s much richer than I thought it would be for its MSRP of $41.99 (the black is two dollars cheaper!).
I noted that in single-player games, the sound is slightly tinny compared to other over-the-ear headphones. However, for online multiplayer games where you’re actively using the microphone, it’s not as much of a concern. The equalizer does help—it’s a simple three-button selector that gamers can quickly click through to see (or hear, more accurately) what feels good.
The microphone itself worked great and was easy to adjust angle-wise. Although the mic is detachable, it creates an added downside in the form of connectivity issues. Another gamer couldn’t hear me at first, and I had to fiddle with my mic for a minute to make sure it was really squished in. Thankfully, it worked great from then on!
Is the FIFINE AmpliGame H6 Gaming Headset Worth It?
If you’re looking for an affordable gamer headset, especially as a beginner, this is a great pick. I see the FIFINE AmpliGame H6 USB Headset being particularly appealing to two audiences: 1) streamers who like the colorful lights, and 2) anyone who wants a gaming headset but doesn’t want to splurge on an expensive set.
I have bought four gaming headsets in my lifetime, and this is easily the best option for the relative price point. My last PlayStation-compatible USB headset was $120, and the mic stopped working after a few months.
For $39.99, the FIFINE AmpliGame H6 USB Headset is unbeatable in terms of affordability for relative quality. You will, whether you want to or not, be able to hear Chadley loud and clear.
Score: 8.5/10
Disclaimer: This headset was provided complimentary by FIFINE for review.
