Continue reading Turtle Beach unveils limited edition Modern Warfare 3 headsets, Simon Riley would’ve approved

Turtle Beach unveils limited edition Modern Warfare 3 headsets, Simon Riley would’ve approved originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Turtle Beach  | Email this | Comments
Engadget

Few gaming peripherals possess the reassuring utility of a wireless headset. Turtle Beach’s PX5 surround-sound cans give you an extra tactical advantage.

Wired Top Stories

My complete High Definition Review video of the Astro Gaming A40 BxR (Military Green) Edition Gaming Headset and Audio System! This right here is considered the premiere top of the line Surround Sound Gaming Headset on the market, being used at all of the major gaming events, including MLG. It’s compatible with all mainstream gaming systems, such as the PC or computer, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3. But, at it’s whopping 0 price point, will this bad boy be worth the cash? Watch to find out my full take on this, and see how it compares to some of the other rivals such as the Turtle Beach X41. Also, be sure to Subscribe! Follow me on Twitter for live updates and news at: www.twitter.com

The Astro A40 is the premier chat-ready 5.1 surround sound gaming headset on the market, compatible with Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. But unlike the Turtle Beach X41, it’s wired.

Price

$250 with mixamp needed to combine chatting and surround sound.

Verdict

I still vastly prefer the convenience of Turtle Beach’s wireless X41 headset, but I have to admit, the Astro A40 sounds better.
Playing Borderlands, everything from the growls of skaggs to the cadence of machine gun fire sounded richer and rounder on the A40s than my X41s. Maybe the sounds weren’t always as distinct, but especially when cranking the volume on each headset, I realized the general listenability—the whole package of sound—was more pleasant with Atro’s product, making me long for hearing loss. It’s a difference in mid range that, while not absolutely Earth-shattering, will probably be noticeable to most in a side-by-side test.

Both headsets have extremely similar sound localization. And chatting, on both, is an equal joy.

But there’s one, huge, horrible, despicable Achilles’ heel to the Astro A40s. To connect the headset to an Xbox 360 (or PS3/PC), wires will invade your entire living room because the console needs to plug twice into a mixamp (the big, retro box you see in the lead photo), then the mixamp connects your headphones and controller. That’s confusing, I know. Here’s the full workflow:

Xbox 360 optical out and USB cord => A40 Mixamp => Headphones/Mic and Xbox 360 controller.
Ultimately, not only are you negotiating four wires for this one headset, but you’ll still be tethered close to your console because of one, generally short/inflexible wire: the optical cord from your Xbox to the Mixamp (you can always opt for stereo plugs, but that sort of spoils the fun).

So while I knew the A40s sounded a bit better than my X41s, I couldn’t kick back and enjoy the game in the same way. For one long cord or tight quarters PC gaming, I might opt for the A40s. For four cords sprawled across my living room, I’m sticking with the X41s—especially since they’re $50+ less.

Maybe you’ll feel differently.

Excellent sound


Headphones work with any 3.5mm source, too


Wiring gets obnoxious

By Shane McGlaun

Turtle Beach has been making nice gaming headphones for the PC and the Xbox for a while. The line has been a bit scant on headphones for the PS3 though. I have used several of Turtle Beach’s PC surround sound headphones and they work pretty well.

The company has now announced a new set of gaming headphones called the P21 for the Sony PS3 console. The P21’s feature a USB powered inline amp to provide deep bass. A mic boom allows players to take advantage of in game chat functions.

The amp features independent control for volume levels of the chat and game audio. Bass boost allows for deeper explosions and better music in movies. The P21 will also work with a PC when used with the optional RCA to 3.5mm adapter. Turtle Beach will sell the P21 headphones for $79.95 online and in major retail outlets.

[ Turtle Beach ]