Our Verdict
Pros
- A gaming and lifestyle combo that works
- Comfortable and durable build
- Impressive sound quality
- Versatile tri-mode connectivity
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- Average microphone and chat quality
- Awkward placement of the main on-board button/dial
- No software support for Bluetooth connections
Should you buy it?
Introduction & Specification Details and Close-up
When it comes to affordable wireless gaming headsets, the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless certainly stands out. And the main reason for this is that it's just as much a pair of lifestyle headphones for on-the-go travel as it is a headset to connect to a gaming PC and fire up Forza Horizon 6 or Capcom's Onimusha: Way of the Sword. In fact, for the $70 USD price point, you'd be hard-pressed to find a wireless gaming headset this versatile, from the inclusion of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to high-resolution audio support and tri-mode connectivity.
Even the physical design looks more like a lifestyle pair of over-the-ear headphones than something from MSI's line-up of gaming gear. Although reviewed here in black, the MAESTRO 500 is also available in navy blue and ivory white colorways, with a compact, foldable design unlike any headset we've seen from MSI. Hybrid gaming and lifestyle headsets are a relatively new phenomenon in the gaming audio space, but one that makes sense with the growing popularity of portable gaming devices like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, as well as the desire to offer a single solution for all things gaming and audio.
Popular Now: Kojima shares details on Sony breakup, says PlayStation abruptly cancelled PHYSINT months agoWhile most wireless gaming headsets are designed to stay at home or near a dedicated gaming setup, the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless is built to go with you for gaming sessions, listening to music, or streaming a movie or show. Of course, having a long list of features means very little if the essential wireless gaming and audio headset fundamentals fall short. That is, audio quality, comfort, and build quality. For the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless, the $70 price tag comes with definite concessions and even some notable shortcomings. However, most of these are more like nice-to-have features found on pricier headsets that are absent here, like simultaneous 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, than deal breakers. Aside from the lackluster microphone and chat quality, the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless punches above its weight in sound quality.
Specifications & Close Up
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless Headset |
| Product Type | Wireless Gaming Headset |
| Interface | 2.4GHz dongle (Type-C), Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm Wired (Audio Only) |
| Compatibility | PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Mac, Mobile |
| Drivers | 40mm High Resolution |
| Headphones Frequency Response | 20 - 40,000Hz |
| Microphone | Omni-directional, Hidden Microphone (Beamforming) |
| Microphone Frequency Response | 100 - 10,000Hz |
| Battery | Up to 90 Hours |
| Spatial Audio | Nahimic for Headset (PC Only) |
| Weight | 280 grams (with dongle) |
| What's In The Box | MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless Headset , 3.5mm Audio Cable, USB Charging Cable, Carrying Pouch |
Best Deals: MSI MAESTRO 500 W Gaming Headset
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Kosta's Test System Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Motherboard | MSI MPG X870E Carbon Wi-Fi (Buy at Amazon) |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (Buy at Amazon) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition (default) (Buy at Amazon) |
| Display | MSI MAG 321UPX QD-OLED 4K 240Hz (Buy at Amazon) |
| Cooler | Corsair iCUE LINK TITAN 360 RX LCD Liquid CPU Cooler (Buy at Amazon) |
| RAM | Corsair VENGEANCE RGB 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 (Buy at Amazon) |
| SSD | Sandisk WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB PCIe Gen5 (Buy at Amazon) |
| Secondary SSD | Patriot Viper VP4300 Lite 4TB PCIe Gen4 (x2) (Buy at Amazon) |
| Power Supply | MSI MEG Ai1300P PCIE5 (Buy at Amazon) |
| Case | Corsair FRAME 4000D Modular Mid-Tower PC Case (Buy at Amazon) |
| Case Fans | Corsair iCUE LINK RX120 MAX RGB 120mm PWM Starter Kit (Buy at Amazon) |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (Buy at Amazon) |
Design & Software Support
Design
Weighing around 280 grams, the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless is a surprisingly robust, well-built headset for the price. Although the mostly plastic build isn't on par with premium wireless offerings, it's flexible, and the hinges let you tilt the earcups and fold them for easy storage and transport. With MSI including a carry bag in the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless packaging, it's clear the physical design was approached with an on-the-go mindset. This is also evident in the outer earcup and headband design, which follows the design language and shape seen in several notable lifestyle headphones from audio-first brands. That said, the smaller earcup size might not be as comfortable for some during lengthy listening or gaming sessions.
One confusing aspect of the physical design, and something we haven't seen elsewhere, is the placement of the Multi-function Button (MFB). This button and knob combo, which also acts as the volume dial, is placed so high on the left earcup that it's a little awkward to use, and it's an eyesore that distracts from the rest of the minimal design. The MFB has a wide range of functions; in wireless mode it powers the device and rotates to control the volume, and in Bluetooth mode it can answer calls and control media. In addition, the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless has a dedicated ANC button to switch between its three modes: ANC On, ANC Off, and Transparency Mode.
With its dedicated 3.5mm port (audio-only; it doesn't support chat), the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless's tri-mode connectivity is fairly straightforward. When you connect via the USB-C dongle (which you can neatly store in the headset's right earcup), you're in low-latency audio mode. Disconnect that, and now you can connect to a wide range of devices via Bluetooth. And finally, once you plug in the 3.5mm audio cable, you're in wired mode. Although it lacks simultaneous audio streaming over multiple connections and the ability to pair and switch between multiple devices and modes, we weren't expecting that level of connectivity at the MSI MAESTRO 500's price.
We also weren't expecting ANC, which is rare on a wireless gaming headset under $100. The reason very few gaming headsets add ANC is simple: it requires a beamforming microphone and on-board processing to analyze and process nearby sounds, which adds to the cost. Although the strength and quality of the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless's ANC isn't on par with some of the more premium headsets and headphones we've tested, it does a decent job of muting background sounds like a gaming PC or laptop's fans while also taking the edge off sharper sounds like keypresses on a tactile mechanical keyboard. It falls short in noisy environments like a train or plane, but it still does enough in these sorts of locations to help keep you immersed in the audio experience, which is what you want in any lifestyle headset.
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The most "gaming" aspect of the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless design is the flip-to-mute microphone. It's a functional solution to keep the overall cost down; however, the microphone doesn't quite fully retract into the headset. Also, the microphone quality is fairly middling, which is the one area where the MAESTRO 500 Wireless lives up to its affordable price tag. On the flip side, the high-resolution 40mm drivers punch above their weight, with support for a wider frequency range than most sub-$100 headsets and a neutral out-of-the-box tuning that suits action-heavy gaming, music, and streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Open a question for an answer from TweakTown's coverage of this review, or ask your own below.
Does the MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless work properly with Nintendo Switch and mobile devices over Bluetooth?
What can you actually customize in Nahimic for Windows on the MAESTRO 500 Wireless?
How long does the battery last with ANC or Bluetooth use compared with the 2.4GHz dongle?
Is the MAESTRO 500 Wireless comfortable for long gaming sessions despite its smaller earcups?
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Software Support
Unfortunately, for a gaming headset that doubles as lifestyle headphones, only the former offers software support to tune and adjust the sound. And even there, only on PC. Being able to customize Bluetooth audio with dedicated software is always a plus, but since this is one of the first gaming headsets from MSI that goes all in on iOS- and Android-powered mobile audio, not having a dedicated app isn't unusual. If MSI were to create a more premium version of the MAESTRO 500, say the MAESTRO 700, it would make sense to invest in a mobile app, since it adds value to any pair of headphones. Basically, this means that the MAESTRO 500 delivers its best when connected to a PC.
For audio customization on PC, MSI uses the Nahimic for Windows app for the MAESTRO 500, created by SteelSeries. Although it lacks an equalizer to really fine-tune the sound profile, it's still an impressive bit of software, mainly because the four included presets (Music, Movie, Communication, and Gaming) all do a decent job of enhancing the audio without transforming or drastically altering the natural, warm sound profile of the MSI MAESTRO 500. In terms of making changes to the audio, all you've really got are controls over the low, mid-range, and high-end frequencies, and a surround sound toggle.
Nahimic for Windows also offers basic microphone customization, limited to two options: using its audio processing to cut out background noise and a 'Voice Stabilizer,' a compressor of sorts that keeps volume or loudness consistent when you're chatting. As simple as Nahimic for Windows is, switching between presets does make a positive difference to the sound, with some ability to tweak and tune the output. Now, it's not the same as having a parametric equalizer, but it's enough to make the MAESTRO 500 a decent wireless gaming headset for PC gaming, music, and streaming. Ultimately, you've also got access to third-party apps and audio customization tools, as long as they aren't locked to specific hardware or a brand.
Performance & Microphone Quality
Performance
The MSI MAESTRO 500 sound profile is warm and mostly neutral, with impressive bass response and clarity for a sub-$100 gaming headset. The default tuning suits a wide range of genres, with or without Nahimic for Windows. For this review, we played a range of games, including NBA 2K27, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Star Wars Zero Company, and Forza Horizon 6. That said, the sound you get on a $70 wireless headset isn't in the same league as what you'll find with a premium headset. Still, even with that caveat, the MAESTRO 500's clarity and depth are impressive, especially in the mid-range detail that's often lacking at this price point.
Nahimic for Windows, with its Gaming preset and Surround Sound mode, is also more additive than it is transformative - which is a good thing. In the turn-based strategy of Star Wars Zero Company, it helps create a better sense of space while giving things like explosions and in-game chatter between your squad a little more presence. The same goes for Forza Horizon 6, where, on PC, the MAESTRO 500 paired with Nahimic enhances the game's open-world racing and party vibe.
As a lifestyle headset, we also spent plenty of time listening to music on the MAESTRO 500, from electronic to jazz and orchestral/soundtrack music. With ANC enabled, you do get a nice isolated seal that still maintains channel separation and an open soundstage, with no discernible degradation in quality. That said, we did notice that with Nahimic for Windows, music sounds better and punchier on PC than when connected to a mobile device via Bluetooth.
Microphone Quality
Recently, we've seen a few budget or more affordable headsets level up their chat and microphone quality, which is always great, since chat quality can be a major component of a gaming headset for those who play multiplayer titles or simply like to jump into a Discord chat with friends. Unfortunately, that's not the case here, as the MAESTRO 500's microphone lacks quality and is weirdly tuned to emphasize lower frequencies. Now, it has some background noise suppression, and the MAESTRO 500 is pretty good at focusing on your voice over everything else. Still, it's a far cry from broadcast quality or even something you'd consider a go-to for, say, jumping into an important meeting or call.
Final Thoughts
The MSI MAESTRO 500 Wireless Headset is surprising because it's the opposite of what we'd expect from an affordable $70 wireless gaming headset from MSI. That's not a dig at MSI or the MAESTRO 500, because what the company managed to fit into the design is impressive, while still ensuring the sound quality is where it should be. Ultimately, the MAESTRO 500 is a hybrid. It's a wireless gaming headset that you can pair with a gaming PC, laptop, or handheld, with ANC to keep you immersed in whatever digital world you're visiting. It's also a lifestyle headset, a travel-mate, ready to make that commute or trip more manageable with great sound, ANC, and a compact design.
Even with a few notable downsides, like the serviceable, so-so microphone, its ability to fit into both gaming and lifestyle worlds without falling short makes it worth considering. With tri-mode connectivity and a large battery that offers up to 90 hours of listening, there's a lot on offer here, and it might just be one of MSI's best gaming headset releases to date. So, if you're in the market for an everything headset that doesn't break the bank, be sure to check out the MAESTRO 500.
