Rapoo’s VH510 Virtual 7.1 gaming headset looks like a monster of a pair right out of the box. It’s chunky and pretty imposing at first glance, making you wonder about how much power this
bad boy packs behind its facade. Disclaimer: I didn’t slap the headset, okay?
So let’s talk appearance, shall we? The VH510 is the kind of headset that looks like it was built to stand out. Each individual headphone is about the size of a modest cup that you’d use for
serving rice, and the easily dwarf the other headsets we have on hand here. The dark gray matte finish makes them sleek despite their size. The headphones are tied together by a metal
frame and a moderately comfy synthetic leather headband. And while the set itself is fairly light once you wear it, it doesn’t fit quite as snugly as you’d want it to. Not that we’re expecting you
bob your head like it’s nobody’s business, but just be prepared for it to slide out of place every now and then.
Now while the VH510’s looks definitely put it somewhere in the territory of “imposing”, we sadly can’t say the same about its sound quality. We’ve taken it through its paces in games like
Borderlands 2, Apex Legends, Overwatch, and other games where good positional audio output can give you a leg up on the competition. And while it does its job, it’s not quite as stellar as
you’d want from something that hinges on virtual surround sound as its main hook. The way the headset itself sounds isn’t anything to write home about, either. The bass and treble feel pretty
off, and while not muffled per se, give you the feeling that there’s a plastic party cup in the way between the drivers and your ears.
The VH510’s main saving grace, surprisingly so, is its microphone. While we bemoan the lack of in-line controls placed along the cable and the odd decision to have the switch on the mic itself,
it sounds loud and crisp with minimal ambient noise. We won’t hold it against you if you pick this headset up based solely on this.
It’s also worth mentioning that while it isn’t indicated on the box, this works just fine on PlayStation 4. Just plug it in and go. Volume’s on the low side despite being set to max, but it
gets the job done.
Compared to its contemporaries, the Rapoo VH510 doesn’t quite live up to the standards that have been set over the past couple years or so. It’s a solid headset with a mic that’s way better
than it has any right to be, but when you’re in the market for one within this particular price range, do weigh your choices carefully.