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The Crescendo 1 is a dual function device from Prif, not only does it significantly extend your controller’s battery life for a whopping twenty hours. It also acts as a mini amp letting you control game volume and mute your voice, saving you having to navigate the menu to turn down the chat or game volume.

The retail price for Prif´s crescendo 1 box is about £16.99 per unit.

What’s in the Box?
• USB Charger
• Amplifier and Battery Pack.

The Crescendo 1 isn’t a bad accessory. However, it isn’t a great one either. Without a doubt, a major selling point is the fact it can keep your controller charged for a good twenty hours. The amplifier puck is an added bonus letting you have extra control over stereo headsets. Even so, the device as a whole is pretty clunky, uncomfortable and not ideal for certain stereo headsets.

Build Quality is something to be admired. However, the Crescendo 1 is large, bulky and adds additional weight to your controller. I would also like to point out that the battery pack interferer’s with comfort as well. As I found it to be interfering with the trigger buttons. My fingers would hit the battery before even getting a full squeeze, my middle fingers also didn’t sit as comfortable as they normally do underneath the controller. Despite being marketed to give your controller extra life, it’s not comfortable enough for prolonged gaming sessions. It’s also worth noting the amplifier can only work with the battery. It cannot be used as a standalone device.

Prif´s crescendo 1 suffers from a horrible static sound, and it´s rather uncomfortable as well. I hope that Prif will be able to sort this out with their newer models of Crescendo.

The amplifier also falls short of expectations. I tried my Astro A40 headset with them and there was a horrible static sound that simply lingered. Furthermore, It could be heard by party members as well. And was present when sending voice messages. Sure, the mute button worked fine, and the volume wheel does help. However, with the static sound, I couldn’t get along with it and ended up not using it at all.

Prif could certainly do with streamlining the features for the Crescendo 1, while the extra battery life is a bonus; the discomfort while using the device is a disappointment. A downsize is needed, and it would be ideal if it didn’t interfere with the trigger fingers. The amplifier sadly doesn’t add much to the package. However, Crescendo 1 might just be the product for those who are sick of constantly charging their PlayStation 4 controllers. Well, at least as long as they can deal with the minor setbacks that come with it.

Pros:
+ Price
+ 20 hour battery life

Cons:
– Poor amplifier
– Uncomfortable

Sound: 1/5
Comfort: 1/5
Build: 2/5

tgg grade 1.5 out of 5

Verdict: 1.5/5
While cheap, the Crescendo 1 doesn’t leave a good lasting impression, while the added battery life is welcome; the trade-off comes at the cost of comfort and a poor audio experience.

Title: Crescendo 1
Developer: Prif
Format: PS4
Device: Battery, Amplifier
Release date: 2015-12-27
Spent time: 25 hours
Price: £16.99

Credit:
Robin Ek – Editor

***Disclosure***
The review product was provided by Prif.