Tag Archives: VirtualSurroundSound

Tritton’s $150 720+ gaming headset helps you pwn newbs with 7.1 virtual surround sound

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Tritton's 720 gaming headset helps you pwn newbs with 71 virtual surround sound for $150

Lately, it seems like few weeks go by without Tritton announcing a new gaming headset. Now that its full range of Xbox-licensed cans has reached shelves, the company seems focused on updating its former corded stars. Following the recently announced Ax Pro+ "true 5.1" headset ($200), Tritton has unveiled the 720+ 7.1 surround sound headset ($150) -- the successor to the venerable AX 720. Aside from sporting the Pro+'s edgier aesthetics, the 720+ has been gifted with beefier 50mm drivers (up from 40 on the 720) for improved fidelity and the same selective microphone monitoring found on the Warhead. As expected, an included Dolby decoder box handles the audio processing and connections, while an inline remote lets you set your levels. Rather than having multiple drivers dedicated for each audio channel crammed in both earcups like the Pro+, the 720+ takes a virtual route with Dolby Headphone -- a method that's generally produced better results to our ears for owning, and clearly hearing the virtual battlefield. The 720+ is set to arrive this September, and it's currently up pre-order direct from Tritton.

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Tritton's $150 720+ gaming headset helps you pwn newbs with 7.1 virtual surround sound originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 23:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro Gaming’s firmware update v1.1 for A50 wireless headset fixes ‘audio bug,’ enhances functionality

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We generally enjoyed the virtual surround sound prowess of Astro Gaming's A50 wireless headset when we reviewed it back in July, but you'll recall it had one especially glaring issue: the audio would frequently cut out. At the time, the company informed us that a fix was on the way via a firmware update, and now it's recently arrived with a few other goodies. To refresh your memory, the A50 headset relies on a MixAmp TXD wireless transmitter, so you'll actually be dealing with a duo of updates to get your system on the straight and narrow: A50 Headset Firmware v1.1 (Build 2856) and A50 MixAmp Tx Firmware v1.1 (Build 2855).

On the headset side, notable changes include "various audio and volume leveling tweaks," a decrease in background noise and enhancements to the noise-gate for voice chat across platforms. Better yet, volume and game / voice chat balance levels will now stay as you left them upon powering it down. The Tx itself haa been deemed the culprit behind the audio problem, as Astro notes that it's "fixed [the] occasional optical audio drop" -- where "occasional" is putting it nicely. Beyond that, both units should now have better success pairing up, and further compatibility with KleerNet-enabled wireless devices.

We tried out the firmware refreshes with a few sessions of MW3 and can happily report that the audio issues do seem to be resolved. Now, installing the update is simple, if a bit tedious. First we had to hook up the headset via USB into the TXD, which itself connects your computer via USB as well. From there, we downloaded and ran Astro's Device Manager for OS X and 32 bit Windows (available at the source below), prompting us to install the updates. Lastly, we re-paired the two and were back to our virtual fragging sans the audio hiccups -- hopefully you'll have the same results. Need all the details? Hit up the source link below.

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Astro Gaming's firmware update v1.1 for A50 wireless headset fixes 'audio bug,' enhances functionality originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tritton Warhead 7.1 two-way headset for Xbox 360 now shipping

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Mad Catz TRITTON Warhead 71 headphones make twoway chat a wireless Xbox 360 affair

Companies are no strangers to superlatives where new kit is concerned and Mad Catz is definitely no exception. With the release of its newest flagship, the Tritton Warhead 7.1, the outfit's claiming a novelty in the Xbox 360 space, labeling these cans as the "first... to deliver two-way communication" without the need for wires or controller adapters. Made specifically for Microsoft's green X gaming platform, the pair of 50mm drivers pump out Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound over a 5.8GHz channel for up to 33ft of interference-free smack talk. The headset also offers gamers the ability to monitor their in-ear voice levels (SVM), control the volume of other players, as well as select EQ presets for a variety of media playback. And just so you never have to press pause to keep the friendly banter (read: cusses) flowing, the company's bundled in a dock and pair of of Li-ion batteries for "hot-swappable" recharging. These over-ears are available now for a cool $299 at BestBuy and the company's own site, so if you take your first-person action seriously, prepare to part with a few Benjamins. Official presser after the break.

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Tritton Warhead 7.1 two-way headset for Xbox 360 now shipping originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 05:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tritton Warhead 7.1 Wireless Surround Sound Headset for Xbox 360 review

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DRAFT Tritton Warhead 71 Wireless Surround Sound Headset for Xbox 360 review Boom!

This is for sure: if you're a gamer seeking a primo wireless surround sound headset, now is a very good time to buy. It's been less than two weeks since Astro Gaming's A50 wireless surround headset impressively traversed the Engadget review gauntlet, and now the crazy kitties that are Mad Catz and Tritton are up for a turn. It's taken the duo well over a year and a half to get its full range of Microsoft-licensed Xbox 360 headsets off the ground, with the flagship Warhead 7.1 Wireless Surround Sound Headset set to hit shelves in just a few days.

Aside from packing some innovative and exclusive features for Xbox 360 users, it stands as the only totally integrated wireless headset for the system -- for the first time you won't need a pesky controller-to-headset cable or a controller-mounted Bluetooth dongle for voice chat. We've been fortunate enough to get an early look at this $300 Dolby Headphone-enabled headset, so join us past the break and we'll let you know whether it's been worth the wait -- or whether it's too much, too late.

Gallery: Tritton Warhead 7.1 review

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Tritton Warhead 7.1 Wireless Surround Sound Headset for Xbox 360 review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony PlayStation Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition hands-on

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Sony PlayStation Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition handson

Aside from the PlayStation Move Racing Wheel and Wonderbook, Sony has one more accessory to show off at E3 -- the Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition. Naturally, we hunted down this peripheral aimed at all-things audio to check it out for ourselves. The PWSHEE is the company's second full-on PS3 headset to date, expanding on what it offered with its Wireless Stereo Headset from last year. As we're told, the headset is also ushering in a new Pulse moniker for its PlayStation oriented ear-blasters, although there's no word on what we can expect down the line. For now, this unit packs a lot on paper for its $150 price, touting key features like 7.1 virtual surround sound, PS Vita and cellphone compatibility (thanks to a detachable cable with inline remote / mic), BassImpact technology for massive low-end pulse (get it?), audio profiles, higher-fidelity drivers than the WSH and hidden noise-cancelling microphones for chatting. Does it have the potential to live up to its hype and one-up its $80 predecessor? Join us past the break for our initial impressions.

Gallery: Sony PlayStation Wireless Stereo Headset Pulse Edition

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Sony PlayStation Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turtle Beach unveiling more headsets at E3, Black Ops II and Wii U licensed gear in tow (update: photos)

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Turtle Beach unveiling more headsets at E3, limited edition Black Ops II and Wii U licensed gear in tow

If you thought Turtle Beach was only announcing its MLG-approved gaming headsets at E3, let us tell you that those are only a sliver of everything it plans to offer this fall. As per usual with most Call of Duty releases, you can expect a barrage of Black Ops II headsets from the company when it hits shelves, including the Ear Force Earbuds, Tango, Sierra, X-ray and Kilo and priced $80 to $300. You can expect LED lights, Bluetooth functionality, and virtual surround sound on some of the more expensive models. Moving along, TB has partnered with Nintendo to created licensed headsets for the Wii U that'll also work for the 3DS, and a we're told prototype model will be on display at the show floor.

As if that weren't enough, a new series of smaller "La" ear-blasters have also been detailed. You'll have choice between the USB-powered PLa (PS3) XLa (Xbox) which feature 40mm drivers, independent game and chat controls, microphone monitoring and bass boost functionality for when you need more wub. A computer version dubbed XLa will also be available, stripping away most of the aforementioned features in favor of 4-pole 3.5mm jack for easy compatibility between your devices. Lastly, the M7 has been added to the company's lifestyle lineup, featuring 50mm drivers, an inline remote / mic, a faux-leather headband and memory foam earcup pads for noise isolation. There's no word on pricing or availability for the LA and M-series headsets -- nor are any images available yet for the Black Ops II headsets -- but you'll find more details on everything mentioned in the press release after the break. We'll be sure to update you with more info when we have it.

Update: We've added a gallery of photos just below.

Gallery: Turtle Beach Black Ops II La and Series Headsets

Continue reading Turtle Beach unveiling more headsets at E3, Black Ops II and Wii U licensed gear in tow (update: photos)

Turtle Beach unveiling more headsets at E3, Black Ops II and Wii U licensed gear in tow (update: photos) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro Gaming’s A50 wireless headset: the A40 and Mixamp 5.8 become one for $300

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Astro announces A50 wireless headset,

Turtle Beach may have acquired the MLG-endorsement crown that Astro Gaming used to solely hold for its headsets, but it's no matter as Astro has something else up its sleeve: the A50 wireless headset. Announced here at E3, the A50 is essentially the result of embedding the Mixamp 5.8's wireless chops into its flagship A40, finally sparing users of any pesky wiring and external beltpacks. Naturally, the stereo headset is compatible with Xbox 360, PS3 and computers, and it features Dolby virtual 7.1 surround sound -- not to mention Astro's signature game and voice chat mixing control (built into the earcup) so you can dial your game audio in the way you want. The A50 sports an internal battery that recharges over USB and a stand is included for storage that also houses its Mixamp 5.8 TX-esque wireless transmitter. That transmitter can also send sound to multiple A50s, although there is currently no word on exactly how many. Notably, the headset uses Kleer lossless audio technology and you'll have a choice between three EQ presets to shape overall voicing of the sound -- both firsts for Astro. The A50 is slated to hit shelves soon priced at $300, and we'll be sure to bring you our impressions as once we check it out here on the show floor. For now, you'll find a closeup of the headset itself after the break.

Continue reading Astro Gaming's A50 wireless headset: the A40 and Mixamp 5.8 become one for $300

Astro Gaming's A50 wireless headset: the A40 and Mixamp 5.8 become one for $300 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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