These little bad boys pack a punch. Right away I want to point out that these are digital stereo headsets, so you won’t be getting any 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. But I can let that stop how much I love these things on top of the fact that Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound is great for a speaker system but in my opinion can feel like too much when they are packed into a headset. The best part about the NOX Headset is that they are small but as soon as you put them on, even with out any sound playing it’s hard to hear things going on around you, which is hard to pull off with such a small headset. As an added feature you can also get your own personally embroidered NOX Dog Tags also.
These headset can be used with you Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC, iPod, iPhone and other portable devices. You also can let the size fool you as these bad boys can get loud, I mean easily blowout your ear drums loud. All this in a headset that weighs less than half a pound (0.30 pounds to be exact). For the headsets to be used with the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 you must make sure your get the Specialist Bundle, which can also be purchased separately. They come with a case that is super small as the headsets fold up and make it easy to travel with. Even without the case, while not as protected, I could literally fold these up and put them in my pocket.
The headset has a flexible boom microphone that can re-tract right back into the headset making them nearly invisible which is nice if you just want to listen while your gaming or using an iPod, etc. You can bring this great quality bad boys with you anywhere making it easy to use Skype or other computer software requiring a mic. Another great thing about the NOX Specialist is that they are very comfortable even after wearing them for a long period of time. Something that I can say the same for headsets that are Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound as well as traveling with headsets with that feature.
One thing that was a small pain in the ass was getting the headset hooked up as well as properly working with the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. They are wired which is bottom line a personal preference in my opinion as oppose to a wireless headset, but you will use a USB port to power it and an optical cable that usually can’t even be used on some Xbox 360’s while using an HDMI cable, forcing you to use an HDMI component cable. After some quick thinking and using some older Xbox components I did actual manage to set it up using an HDMI cable simultaneously with the optical cable with the NOX Specialist. Now you have to mess with you audio settings on you console or PC making sure it is setup for Digital Stereo. The other downside is that there are no separate controls for the voice chat volume and game volume your hear, although you can move the volume dial in different directions to controls this, just to simply change the volume settings on your console or PC to get it to where you are satisfied. So these are all issues that although inconvenient they can be tweaked to your liking.
Aside from those minor issues the only thing that differs from other gaming headsets is that it does not have Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, which to be fair many other gaming headsets don’t have. Now the digital stereo quality of the NOX Specialist is excellent, once again with such a small size is very impressive. The headset has two custom 26mm Mylar drivers providing high quality bass and volume that you will never want to crank to the top unless to never want to hear anything for the rest of your life. That is a good thing having that kind of range as well as quality. You can even choose the NOX Specialist in different colors as well. Once you know how to setup the headset to your devices they are easy to switch back and forth. For an all around headset these bad boys are something you are really going to want especially if you travel. on top of the fact that buying other headsets restricts you to a certain console, platform, etc. I would high recommend this headset to anyone regardless of any of these factors.
NOX Specialist Headset Bundle Including All of the Below Retail Price: $99.99
Specialist Headset Retail Price: $79.99
Includes:
Stereo Headset, 3.5mm Detachable Cable, PC Splitter, User Manual and Warranty Card
Negotiator Universal Optical Audio Gaming Adapter Retail Price: $59.99 (For Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 capability)
Includes:
Negotiator Audio Adapter, 12 ft. Specialist Audio Controller Cable, 2 ft. Optical Cable, Standard PC Headset Adapter
Specialist headset Specifications:
Drivers: Dual 26mm Mylar
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Noise Reduction: 6 dB @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity: 104 dBSPL @ 1 kHz
THD: <0.5% @ 1 kHz; <2% from 40 Hz to 20 kHz
Input impedance: 32-ohms
Microphone: 4mm Omnidirectional
Weight: 0.30 lbs
Negotiator Adapter Specifications:
Frequency Response: 20 to 20 KHz
THD: < 0.5%
SNR: 95 dB
USB 2.0 Compliant
FCC/CE Certified
THE GOOD
Small, compact including clam-shell case that pack a powerful punch with high quality digital stereo sound. You can use them with virtually any platform, Xbox 360, PS3, PC, iPod, iPhone amd more.
THE BAD
Digital Stereo and no 5.2 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. Can be a pain setting up to consoles/PC for the first time and adjusting settings to your likings.
Final Verdict
Great headset that are super compact and comfortable that pack a mean sound that is impressive in it digital stereo quality. Being compatible with Xbox 360, PS3, PC, iPod, iPhone and more with its optical cable input with the Negotiator Adapter or 3.5mm standard jack.