Turtle Beach is a popular maker of accessories for video game consoles, most known for their high end headsets for PlayStation and Xbox One. Speaking to investors in a recent earnings call, Turtle Beach’s CEO, Juergen Stark expressed the belief that the introduction of the Xbox One X and the PS4 Pro should allow for cheaper base models for both consoles.

“While not accounted for in our outlook explicitly, we think new hardware launches could also boost sales, particularly because they enable lower pricing of the economy models of Xbox One and PlayStation 4”, the CEO said. “All-in-all, assuming good sales of marquee game titles, we see a very strong holiday season for our headset business.”

Which is a reasonable supposition- and indeed, a cheaper price for PS4 Slim and Xbox One S should mean that more of those are sold, and that they can each achieve a higher install base than they would otherwise have managed.

On Turtle Beach’s end, it makes sense why they are so excited as well, because naturally, more consoles sold means there is a wider pool of players and consumers for them to sell their products to as well.

Take a look at the specifications and it reads like the wishlist of a very demanding gamer: 7.1 channel surround sound – with specific settings for games, movies and music; a wireless range of up to 30ft; breathable, noise-isolating around ear mesh cushions, a sensitive, omni-directional mic, a single battery charge that lasts up to 15 hours and mic monitoring. To top it off, the 500X also includes a mobile cable for making calls, receiving texts while playing or mobile gaming.

Open up the box and the white Turtle Beach-branded packaging itself suggests this is a premium product.

"The only minor criticism is the springiness of the headband and the around ear cups, which don’t seem snug enough. I’ve a fairly small head and when I turn or tilt, it sometimes feels like there’s not enough grip and the headset could fall off. It’s not a big deal – and perhaps it’s just because they feel so light – but it was initially a little disconcerting."

Nestling inside the moulded plastic container is the stylish Ear force Stealth 500X headset with black trim, and green highlights around its swivelling cups, with several buttons on each. A connector for the mic protrudes slightly on the left earpiece, alongside separate volume and voice chat controls, a mic monitor and mute button.

Considering the small stature of the headset, it manages to conceal a generous amount of technology. It boasts 50mm speakers with neodymium magnets, 16 audio preset settings and a frequency response of 20hz-20khz. Also tucked in the box is a slimline black transmitter that plugs into the back of the console via the attached USB connector. No external power source is necessary.

A quick start guide explains the set up and operating instructions to get you up and running in minutes. A separate cable box contains a detachable microphone, mobile connector, optical cable and a two-foot charging cable. The headset and transmitter are already paired, and I didn’t even need to charge anything out of the box. The only requirement was to boot up the console and navigate from the Home Screen to change a few of the audio settings. Simple.

The Stealth 500X is surprisingly lightweight, and feels far smaller than the XO SEVEN headset we reviewed a few months back – which really starts to take its toll after a few hours of solid gameplay. The adjustable headband is suitably plush and comfortable, nicely padded and stitched, with the words “Turtle Beach” etched upon its surface.

They cut out external sound nicely and don’t prove uncomfortable or too sweaty after playing a while. They’re pretty stylish atop your head too and aren’t so large that they make you look like a tank commander either!

The only minor criticism is the springiness of the headband and the around ear cups, which don’t seem snug enough. I’ve a fairly small head and when I turn or tilt, it sometimes feels like there’s not enough grip and the headset could fall off. It’s not a big deal – and perhaps it’s just because they feel so light – but it was initially a little disconcerting. There was one occasion during a very heated semi-final match in FIFA 15 when a slightly enthusiastic celebration briefly parted them from my ears.

Voicechat is crystal clear and I had no problems talking or communicating over Xbox Live with friends. In fact, one who didn’t know I was writing this review specifically asked me if I’d done something to my usual headset as I sounded far better. Mic monitoring is a send and a feature that is missing from so many headsets these days. The Stealth 500X includes a button on the left earcup that cycles through various settings to adjust the volume so you don’t need to shout to hear yourself. Another nifty feature is the “dynamic chat boost”, which automatically adjusts chat volume during loud gameplay.

"Retailing at £199.99, these are hardly going to be an impulse buy. But while there are obviously other, cheaper alternatives on the market, very few of them come close to offering the same features and performance."

The right earpiece plays host to the Surround Sound and Preset buttons, as well as a connector for the USB charger. Controlling the sound effects couldn’t be easier, with the aforementioned buttons allowing you to cycle through the various options. A tone sounds to let you know a setting has changed. A single press on the Surround Mode button cycles between Game, Movie, Music and Surround Off modes, while each push of the Preset button switches between setups suited to shooters, sports games, racers, action movies and so on… It’s all very easy to grasp and adjust.

We put the Stealth 500Xs through their paces and it performed superbly with whatever we threw at it.

As an ardent FIFA gamer I’ve played the game to death yet I still noticed sound effects I’d never heard before. Some elements of crowd noise, net ripples and the league table making a swoosh sound when you’re awarded points were all new to me with these on my head. Fantastic. Switching to the Sports preset really makes a noticeable difference too and adds to the in-game atmosphere.

Assassin’s Creed Unity is similarly impressive, and really enhances the clash of sword on sword and the subtle background noises you could hear when passing through the vast crowds in Revolution-hit Paris. As expected, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare provides a cacophony of explosions and suitably futuristic-sounding gunfire but the headset really provided a sense of depth, allowing you to judge the direction of incoming enemies and shellfire. The game’s production value is such that with these on your ears, it sounds like you’re immersed in a big budget movie.

And speaking of films, after switching to Movie mode, we booted up Netflix. While dialogue and music is nice and crisp, a film such as Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol provided a fantastic experience. Not only was the sound crystal clear but the fact you could recline back on your sofa on the other side of the room, wire free, emphasised just how restrictive other cable-based headsets are. The Stealth 500Xs should definitely appeal to fans of movies as much as gamers.

Retailing at £199.99, these are hardly going to be an impulse buy. But while there are obviously other, cheaper alternatives on the market, very few of them come close to offering the same features and performance. If it’s a wireless headset you fancy, which boasts 7.1 channel Surround Sound and has all the other bells and whistles like voice monitoring and presets designed to suit all game, movie or music tastes, the Stealth 500Xs are certainly a worthwhile investment.

A fully licensed headset made specifically for Microsoft’s console, this wireless stereo headset connects to your controller without the need for a decoder box or a nest of cables.

Turtle Beach headsets are synonymous with both build and audio quality – the XO Seven’s don’t disappoint and certainly feel like a premium product, right down to the packaging.

"Hidden inside the ear cups are large 50mm Neodymium speaker drivers, which pack a fair punch and provide crisp, clear sound. Memory foam cushions provide a nice comfy fit around the ears, shielding you from external noise."

This box of aural goodness conceals the headset, two separate cords (one for the console, another for a mobile device), a USB cable, detachable mic, controller adaptor, quick start guide and a Turtle Beach sticker(!)

Pull off the outer sheathe and you’ll reveal a pure white box emblazoned with the Turtle Beach logo. Class. Lifting the magnetic book-like flap on its side reveals a sleek-looking headset nestling in a cocoon of moulded plastic. The headset itself is pure black, with a dash of trademark Xbox green circling each of the cups. I challenge you not to keep squeezing the super smooth heavily-padded headband, which is stitched along its length and has the words “Turtle Beach” etched on its surface. The band can be extended to accommodate your headsize and the earcups swivel freely and rotate for comfort to rest around the neck when not in use. And if you don’t fancy the all-black look, simply pop off the speaker plates and swap them with alternative brightly coloured decorative decals (not included in the box but available online).

Hidden inside the ear cups are large 50mm Neodymium speaker drivers, which pack a fair punch and provide crisp, clear sound. Memory foam cushions provide a nice comfy fit around the ears, shielding you from external noise.

At the base of the left earcup is a short cord measuring roughly five inches long with a pin connector attached at the end. Into this you can plug in one of the longer cables found in the box – one is used to attach the headset either to the Xbox controller adaptor, while the other makes the XO Seven’s usable with any tablet or mobile device. The long braided cord is durable and retains its shape nicely; try as I might, I couldn’t get it to coil up and get in a tangle – a personal bugbear with other headsets.

"From the moment you deploy onto the TitanFall battlefield, the yells of comrades and the rasp of gunfire resonate through your earcups. Every sound, no matter how insignificant is captured by the headset, from the lumbering clank of the Titans’ footsteps to the launch of a rocket salvo."

The detachable boom mic attaches to the left earcup by aligning a couple of discreet green dots, and is enormously flexible meaning it can be moulded into whatever position you desire. The noise-cancelling mic provides crystal clear voice chat without being too sensitive so it doesn’t pick up every minute sound in the background. The ability to independently adjust both the voice and game volume through the bundled controller adaptor is fantastic too.

The weight of the XO Seven’s is not insignificant but feels sturdy rather than cumbersome. With these perched atop my head for lengthy periods, besides getting slightly sweaty ears, they’re hugely comfortable. In fact, my ears now feel a little bare when I’m not wearing them.

Setup is ridiculously simple and no power source is required. Insert the mic, connect the cord to the controller and you’re good to go. First time round you’ll have to update the control pad to make sure everything functions properly but the process takes a matter of minutes – just attach the headset to the controller, connect that to the console via the include USB cable and follow the onscreen prompts.

So what’s the verdict? Rest assured, audio quality is superb with nice rich tones and deep bass.

We put the headset through its paces with a few popular – and varied – titles and were impressed by the results.

From the moment you deploy onto the TitanFall battlefield, the yells of comrades and the rasp of gunfire resonate through your earcups. Every sound, no matter how insignificant is captured by the headset, from the lumbering clank of the Titans’ footsteps to the launch of a rocket salvo. Impressive. It should be noted, however, that these won’t much help you pinpoint the direction of your attackers or hear people approaching behind you.

Next up was FIFA 14 – and stepping onto the hallowed turf is an altogether nicer experience with these on your head. The crowd noise erupts around the stadium after a goal, and every kick of the ball delivers a solid-sounding thud. Having played FIFA more than any other game since the console’s launch and knowing my way around the football pitch quite comfortably after all that time, I must admit to have been a little surprised by the number of subtle sounds I was able to hear through the XO Sevens. The satisfying ripple of the net when the ball glides into the top corner is sublime.

Similarly dense rich sound was enjoyed with Forza 5, with its orchestral soundtrack punctuated by the rasp of the engines and screech of the tyres. You’d be hard pushed not to enjoy the well-defined sound of your wheels travelling over the track edge or the scrape of bodywork as you edge past a rival too!

"So what are the downsides? Well, there aren't many - but there’s nothing that allows you to tweak settings to determine whether people are creeping up behind you... and perhaps the biggest flaw is the lack of voice monitoring."

But it’s not just games where the XO Sevens excel; they’re equally adept to capturing sounds when watching movies. Booting up Netflix, they coped very nicely indeed with explosive effects, dialogue and pretty much everything else that my range of film tastes threw up. Perfect for lounging back on the sofa and enjoying the latest blockbuster with the volume ramped up without disturbing others.

So what are the downsides? Well, there aren’t many – but there’s nothing that allows you to tweak settings to determine whether people are creeping up behind you… and perhaps the biggest flaw is the lack of voice monitoring. Chat may be crisp and clear but you can’t hear your own voice while speaking, which is a real shame. Sure it’s great that the earcups cut out all the external noise but it’s very easy to find yourself bellowing down the mic at people and inadvertently disturbing those nearby – particularly annoying for late night gaming sessions!

Connection directly through the controller means batteries will drain a little more quickly too – but this is still preferable to having a raft of cables and having to find a separate power supply… a fair compromise in my opinion.

The XO Sevens are a pleasure to wear, deliver great sound and definitely enhance your gaming enjoyment. If you truly want to fully experience the next gen with the Xbox One, you should seriously consider investing in a pair of these. Sound good? Hell yeah.

Editor’s note: The lack of voice monitoring is due to limitations with Microsoft’s audio adaptor, which does not currently offer the option, and not the headset itself.

When Xbox One was revealed on Tuesday, Microsoft hasn’t mentioned anything about a first-party headset being included with the system. Meanwhile, the company confirmed that Kinect 2.0 will be packaged with every Xbox One, so what is going on with the headsets?

Turtle Beach announced earlier today that they’re parterning up with Microsoft for licensed headset support for Xbox One. This suggests that other companies will also partner up with Microsoft to develop third-party headsets for the next-generation platform.

Microsoft hasn’t released any information regarding the price of Xbox One, launch date, first-party headsets and the number of SKUs that will be available at launch. Majority of journalists and consumers are still in the dark on what will be available on the first day and how much it will cost.

It would be a silly move for Microsoft too not include a headset with a brand new system. I deeply hope that the company will not be forcing consumers to buy additional hardware in order to enjoy the next-generation platform to its full potential.

Let us know your opinion regarding headsets on Xbox One in the comments below.

Check back on GamingBolt for more updates.

Elmsford, N.Y., August 9, 2011 – Beginning today, Turtle Beach, pioneers and market-leaders of the gaming headset category, will unveil additional details on the recently announced limited edition Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3 Ear Force headsets.  Starting with the Ear Force FOXTROT, Turtle Beach will update their website each day with detailed web pages for each of the limited edition models. The final unveil will be on Friday with the Ear Force DELTA. These new pages will feature new photos, detailed specs and other information about the headsets and can be accessed by visiting: TurtleBeach.com/MW3.

Fans of Turtle Beach and MW3 will find updated information daily at 1:00 PM PT. Please see below for the schedule of updates:

• Tuesday Aug 9 – Ear Force FOXTROT
• Wednesday Aug 10 – Ear Force CHARLIE
• Thursday Aug 11 – Ear Force BRAVO
• Friday Aug 12 – Ear Force DELTA

These truly Limited Editions Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3 headsets will deliver enhanced experiences for the year’s most anticipated entertainment launch.  An example of the information fans will find updated throughout the week will include:

• The Ear Force DELTA headset ships with custom voice prompts by Lt. Col. Hank Keirsey (ret.). Army Ranger, master parachutist and decorated combat veteran, Keirsey served 24 years with the US Army and now serves as the principal military advisor for Call of Duty®. It’s his voice that will lead you into battle, and inform you on your preset choices in the field.

• The Ear Force DELTA and Ear Force BRAVO wireless models feature Turtle Beach’s proprietary DSP headset technology that elevates these headsets beyond mere accessories with the inclusion of custom-designed presets.  These settings are specific to Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3 and come stored in the headsets right out of the box. Developed by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer, these presets are tailored to Modern Warfare 3 gameplay, so by utilizing these presets, DELTA and BRAVO owners will hear and experience Modern Warfare 3 the way the developers intended. No other headsets in the world can provide such a complete and immersive Modern Warfare® 3 experience.
• All of Turtle Beach’s Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3 headsets feature special packaging.  The wireless DELTA and BRAVO models come packed in rugged hard plastic field cases for transport and storage or to showcase and protect your headset. The stylized design ID will match the military theme of the headsets and it will serve as the perfect carrying case for your headset.
• Delivering additional value, each package will also include access to special DLC, provided exclusively for Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3 headsets owners. Specific details about the DLC will be released at a later date.

Pre-sale orders for the Turtle Beach Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3 headsets are underway at many of Turtle Beach’s top retail partners’ online stores in the North America, Europe, Australia and elsewhere, including but not limited to: BestBuy.com, GameStop.com, Amazon.com, WalMart.com and others.  For listings of additional retail

Turtle Beach revolutionized game audio with the industry’s first truly customizable headset, the acclaimed PX5, earlier this year and is the only brand capable of this offering.  Gamers interested in learning more about Turtle Beach’s lineup of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 headsets should visit www.turtlebeach.com/MW3, and sign up for ongoing updates about special content, additional product details, on-sale info and other special news and alerts.

The full lineup of Turtle Beach’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 gaming headsets will ship to major retailers in October, 2011.

Peripheral manufacturer Turtle Beach have signed a deal with Activision to launch a line of branded headsets to tie in with the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Among many planned features, these new premium headsets will be distinguished by unique sets of audio presets designed specifically by the audio teams at developers Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games. Not too sure what this means, but it can only be a good thing.

The headsets will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Some of the headset types include:

• Ear Force DELTA (EFD) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3-Optimized Programmable Wireless Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headset with Bluetooth Chat. The top-of-the-line EFD headset comes packaged in a specially-themed carrying case and is pre-loaded with unique custom Modern Warfare 3 presets and voice prompts.  Ear Force Delta is the ultimate Xbox 360 and PS3 weapon for the most avid Modern Warfare 3 players .  MSRP: $299.95.

• Ear Force BRAVO (EFB) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Optimized Programmable Wireless Universal Gaming Headset. Featuring the same custom Modern Warfare 3 presets as the EFD, the EFB provides players with the same optimized experience in a universal headset that’s the perfect Call of Duty companion on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.  MSRP $149 . 95.

• Ear Force CHARLIE (EFC) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Optimized Multi-Speaker Surround Sound PC Gaming Headset.With eight amplified, acoustically-angled speakers delivering discrete surround sound, this tournament-grade, Modern Warfare 3 optimized wired headset is the perfect choice for competitive PC gamers.  MSRP $129.95.

• Ear Force FOXTROT (EFF) – Call of Duty:  Modern Warfare 3 Optimized Universal Gaming Headset. For Modern Warfare 3 players seeking effortless cross-platform performance, the EFF provides gamers with high-fidelity amplified audio along with several key features to set it apart. MSRP $99.95.

Turtle Beach will be showing off two new headsets at E3 for the Playstation 3 and PC.  The PX3 which you may have heard of comes preloaded with 18 interchangeable, fully customizable presets. The PX3 is also the first Turtle Beach headset to have a rechargeable battery pack. The other headset to be revealed is the Z6A Multi-Speaker Surround Sound Headset which has eight amplified speakers in it and is powered by a 5.1 channel amplifier with bass enhancement.  Check out the full press release below including the retail prices for these bad boys.

Elmsford, N.Y., June 1, 2011 – Turtle Beach, the gaming headset category pioneers and market leader, today announced today their latest innovations for 2011; the PX3 Programmable Wireless Stereo Headset and the Z6A Multi-Speaker Surround Sound Headset. Both new headsets will make their debuts at the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, California, from June 7-9, 2011 at the Turtle Beach booth #435 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Turtle Beach Ear Force PX3 Programmable Wireless Gaming Headset

Engineered primarily for use with PlayStation 3 – and also compatible with Xbox 360 and PC/Mac gaming – the PX3 is the “kid brother” to the highly acclaimed Ear Force PX5 programmable wireless surround sound headset launched earlier this year. Like the PX5, the PX3 comes preloaded with 18 interchangeable audio presets that allow gamers to select their desired audio experience. Additional stereo audio presets will also be made available for download from the Turtle Beach website for easy installation into the PX3; letting users enjoy a personalized assortment of in-game audio experiences. The PX3 is also Turtle Beach’s first headset to feature a rechargeable battery pack, providing over 10 hours of uninterrupted game play and an auxiliary input so you can listen to your favorite music while gaming.  In addition, like the PX5, the PX3 has an impressive set of audio features, including Sonic Lens with Sound Field Expander that widens or narrows the sound field to focus on specific frequencies and Ear Guard™ with Blast Limiter technology, which limits the intensity of deafening sounds.

MSRP: $149.95

Availability: Summer 2011

URL: www.turtlebeach.com/PX3

 

Turtle Beach Ear Force Z6A Multi-Speaker Surround Sound Headset

Powered by a 5.1 channel amplifier with bass enhancement, the Ear Force Z6A combines the audio quality and comfort of a professional-grade gaming headset. The Z6A comes complete with eight amplified speakers including dual subwoofers, delivering realistic directional audio for a more immersive audio experience. The speakers are acoustically angled toward the user’s ears, allowing gamers to pinpoint critical sound cues from every direction, such as the sound of approaching footsteps, incoming enemy vehicles, or the click of someone reloading in the distance. With oversized mesh ear cushions and a lightweight design, the Z6A is perfect for long gaming sessions, and with a quick disconnect cable and USB power, it is the ideal solution for LAN tournaments and parties. The Z6A is also features XBOX 360 compatibility with an optional cable kit.

MSRP: $99.95

Availability: Summer 2011

URL: www.turtlebeach.com/Z6A

“We are the category leader because we are the only headset maker solely focused on gamers’ unique audio needs,” said Carmine Bonanno, President and CEO of Turtle Beach. We redefined what a gaming headset could do when we introduced the PX5 earlier this year.  One message we have heard from gamers load and clear is that they want to control their gaming experience as much as possible. The PX3 allows us to bring many of the PX5’s amazing innovations to an even broader audience, while the Z6A offers PC gamers a competitive edge with a flexible multi-driver surround sound experience that provides the comfort needed for long gaming sessions.”