RIG launches the R8 SPECTRE PRO gaming headset lineup for PS5 and Xbox
Nacon has officially launched the RIG R8 SPECTRE PRO, the latest premium headset in the brand’s R-Series lineup and an evolution of the popular 800 PRO headset. Available in two models — the R8 PRO HS for PlayStation and the R8 PRO HX for Xbox — the headset is built around 40mm graphene-coated drivers, dual-wireless connectivity, and a dedicated RGB charging base station. Here’s everything you need to know about this gaming headset that aims to bring sound quality tuned specifically for competitive gaming scenarios.
Graphene coated-drivers for low distortion
The new R8 PRO lineup brings graphene-coated drivers. In these 40mm drivers, a layer of graphene is applied to a high-quality mylar diaphragm, which reinforces the material’s tensile strength and rigidity. The result, according to RIG, is a driver that moves in a more controlled motion and eliminates virtually all audible distortion.
In practical terms, RIG claims the R8 PRO achieves less than 0.5% total harmonic distortion (THD) across the full frequency spectrum. Lower THD means the headset introduces fewer unwanted artifacts into the audio signal, which should translate to cleaner separation between overlapping sounds — a meaningful advantage in fast-paced multiplayer games where you need to distinguish footsteps from gunfire and from voice chat simultaneously.
Unlike most headsets, the RIG R8 PRO HX has the microphone on the right side.
The frequency response spans 20 Hz to 40 kHz, which extends well beyond the standard 20 kHz upper limit of most gaming headsets. Combined with an impedance of 32 ohms, the R8 PRO should be easy to drive from a console or PC without needing additional amplification.
RIG has also custom-tuned the R8 PRO’s sound signature for first-person shooters specifically. The headset is designed to boost upper mid-range frequencies to emphasize critical audio cues like footsteps, reloads, and environmental sounds that competitive players rely on for positional awareness.
Dual-wireless connectivity for chatting and gaming
You can connect the R8 PRO to a low-latency 2.4 GHz link via the included USB-C adapter, and Bluetooth 5.2. The 2.4 GHz connection handles game audio with minimal latency, while the Bluetooth connection lets you pair the headset with a phone or other device at the same time.
This dual-wireless setup enables audio mixing on the fly. You can take a phone call or listen to a Discord conversation over Bluetooth while your game audio continues playing through the 2.4 GHz connection — no need to pause your session or switch inputs. It’s a feature that addresses one of the more common pain points for console gamers who rely on their phone for voice chat outside of the game’s built-in systems.
RIG R8 PRO HX won’t run out of battery any time soon.
The headset also supports multi-system switching. You can register up to four USB-C adapters (additional adapters sold separately) and switch between connected devices at the push of a button on the headset. If you game across multiple consoles — say, a PS5 and a PC, or multiple Xbox consoles in a household — you can move between them without re-pairing.
Boom microphone for quality voice chats
The R8 PRO features a 6mm boom microphone with a cardioid polar pattern, which means it’s designed to pick up sound primarily from the front while rejecting noise from the sides and rear. This is the standard directional pattern for gaming headset mics, and it should help keep background noise out of your team chat.
The RIG R8 PRO HX has a flip to mute microphone.
What sets the R8 PRO’s mic apart from most gaming headsets is its full-bandwidth audio resolution. The wireless microphone uplink operates at 16-bit/48 kHz. This makes the R8 PRO suitable not just for in-game communication but also for streaming and content creation. The microphone is positionable and features a flip-to-mute function for quick muting.
All-day battery life
RIG rates the R8 PRO at over 60 hours of battery life on a single charge from its 1,180 mAh lithium-ion battery. That’s a substantial figure, and it means most players won’t need to charge more than once every few weeks of regular gaming sessions.
Speaking of charging, the dedicated charging base station ensures you never forget to power up the headset. It serves as both a docking cradle and a display stand, and it features fully customizable RGB lighting with more than 100 color and effect combinations. The base station connects via USB-C and includes a passthrough port: you can plug the 2.4 GHz adapter into the base station itself, which then connects to your console, so a single cable handles both charging and wireless connectivity.
The RIG R8 PRO HX base station is charging only, but works as a passthrough.
Alternatively, you can use the base station purely as a charger by placing it elsewhere on your desk, separate from your console. In that configuration, the USB-C adapter plugs directly into the console while the base station charges the headset independently.
Comfortable and customizable design
At 364 grams, the R8 PRO is a mid-weight headset designed with both comfort and customizability in mind. It features memory foam ear cushions and a memory foam-lined headband, along with adjustable earcup sliders for sizing. The headset also supports a lay-flat design for storage.
Customization comes through RIG’s SNAP+LOCK mod system. The ear cushions and earcup Mod-Plates attach magnetically and can be swapped out without tools. RIG is offering limited-edition “AAA” (Audio Above All) Mod-Plates at launch, and the company has also published 3D print files for the Mod-Plates on its website, so you can design and print your own.
The RIG R8 PRO HX has a sleek design.
On-ear controls on the right earcup handle power, volume, game/chat mix, transmitter switching, Bluetooth pairing, and microphone mute. The RIG Navigator mobile app (available on iOS and Android) adds further control over EQ settings, mic gain, sidetone levels, and custom audio profiles that can be saved per game.
Console and spatial audio support
The R8 PRO HS is optimized for PlayStation, while the R8 PRO HX is designed for Xbox. The two models are largely identical in terms of hardware, but they differ in platform licensing and 3D audio support.
The R8 PRO HS is optimized for PlayStation’s Tempest 3D Audio engine, which uses head-related transfer functions (HRTF) to simulate three-dimensional soundscapes through headphones. Tempest 3D Audio is enabled through the PS5’s system settings and works on a game-by-game basis where supported.
The R8 PRO HX is designed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows. It ships with a lifetime subscription to Dolby Atmos for Headphones, activated through the USB-C transmitter. Dolby Atmos provides a similar spatial audio experience to Tempest 3D Audio, simulating overhead and surround sound channels through stereo headphones. The license is tied to the adapter, so it activates automatically when you plug it in.
Both models are also compatible cross-platform. The HS model works on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, and any device with USB-C audio or Bluetooth 5.2 support. The HX model adds PlayStation 5 compatibility in addition to its native Xbox support, along with PC, Mac, handheld devices like the ROG Ally X, and Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices.
Pricing and availability
The RIG R8 SPECTRE PRO HS and HX are both priced at $179.99 USD and are available now through Amazon and BestBuy.com in the United States.
