Tritton AXPC USB surround sound headphones -- Xtreme?

Sorry Tritton, but whenever you slap the "Xtreme" moniker onto any product (Audio Xtreme PC), we're required by law to point and laugh at you. That aside, we're sure these new TRI-UA512 AXPC USB headphones are just peachy. It's always rather dubious to hear we're going to get "true" 5.1 surround sound out of a pair of cans, but with four speakers in each ear, things are going to get at least a tad bit directional. There's a removable mic included for VoIP or game chat on the quick, and an in-line volume adjustment doohickey has controls for all four speaker sets. Looks like you can grab one of these sets for $60-$80 at various online outlets, which isn't bad for what you're getting -- just don't expect to be blown away here, we won't.

[Via I4U]

[a @ Apr 23rd 2007 11:19PM]

thats pretty cheap for a surround sound. guess it doesn't do much noise canceling.

[HoodOrnament @ Apr 23rd 2007 11:23PM]

Rahhh, I guess I should have waited a little longer then.

I own a set of Tritton AX360 headphones and they work wonders. A little glitchy with my PC but that is my own fault with my audio drivers. With my Xbox 360 they are amazing. Surprising really how well they work.

[chuuchdizzle @ Apr 24th 2007 12:05AM]

geeze they cant even spell linux right.

[Rubén Calvo @ Apr 24th 2007 1:33AM]

This headphones are fantastic, because Tritton is good. Also this prize is cheap.

Bye!

http://www.rubencalvo.com

[The Flying Pig @ Apr 24th 2007 2:03AM]

I heard these headphones at CES 2007, and they sounded very nice. The rumble feature is interesting, but not for everybody.

[Jotek @ Apr 24th 2007 3:15AM]

Actually, these are just a rebrand. I own a pair of headphones made by Ozaki (probably another rebrand of the same thing) that are EXACTLY like these Tritens. Only difference is, the Ozaki's come with a controller box that you plug the headphones into and that plugs into the sound card. On this one they put a USB connection.
I have actually seen these same ones in brick and mortar stores with different branding as well.....

[XpacTa @ Apr 24th 2007 3:27AM]

These look like rebranded Speed-Link Medusas.

http://www.speed-link.de/prod.php?lang=en&sys_id=8&pb_id=8&prod_num=SL-8790

[Shur @ Apr 24th 2007 7:31AM]

The only difference is the color and the material on the pads. (And the USB).
I've got a pair of Medusas and love 'em. Very comfortable and sound great.

[Kayj @ Apr 24th 2007 5:54AM]

It always seems bizarre to me that people question getting 'surround sound' from any less than four speakers with a pair of cans.

You only have two ears so your brain is quite capable of calculating where a sound is coming from from only two sources. Anyone who has listened to a binaural recording will know how accurately your brain can position a sound when presented with a source from a pair only.

Its all to do with phase and frequency content and nothing to do with how many speakers you stuff into each cup.

[mattclarkie @ Apr 24th 2007 11:28AM]

"...but with four speakers in each ear, things are going to get at least a tad bit directional"

Don't assume. I am not going to pass judgement. But often squeezing 4 small speakers in gives worse sound quality that one high quality speaker controlled by a decent algorithm. I am not saying these are rubbish, but just because they have 4 speakers doesn't mean they work.

[Josh @ Apr 24th 2007 2:25PM]

I have a pair of this set's predecessor at home, I think its TRI-UA501. They're very good for gaming, and decent for music as well. I kinda like being able to replace a sound card in my PC with a USB device. The only problems are they aren't 2-year-old-proof (there's a generous helping of epoxy holding mine together), and as of the last time I checked there weren't proper Vista drivers for them, but that may have changed by now.

The Vista driver issue just means the mic is always picking up sound and playing them through the speakers whereas in XP the mic only clicked on when I hit a voicechat button in-game or used Skype. It took me a while to get used to hearing all of the sounds in the room via the mic.

Very comfortable to wear for however long you decide to play Counter-Strike.

[Anonymous @ Apr 25th 2007 2:38PM]

If these aren't rebranded Medusa's, then I will eat my hat. This isn't the first company to rebrand the Medusa's either (it's more like the 5th).

If these turn out to be the Medusa's, then you are better off just buying from the original source, because you get a controller box (amplifier) for your troubles (although they are a little bit more pricey).

I own Medusa's, and while they are bad for listening to music, they are absolutely amazing when it comes to games. When someone comes up behind you (or from the side) you know it immediately, and that little bit of an advantage can be make or break in a fast paced FPS game like UT2004 or Rainbow Six.

[Larry J @ Apr 26th 2007 11:02AM]

Ha, I still think my LTB's true 5.1 Magnums (Not remarketed) with Chambered emitters will blow these away and priced as low as $59.

[Mark Dockery @ May 13th 2007 7:40PM]

They ARE rebranded Medusas, but this doesn't make them any better or worse.

I am glad they are out, since it makes it easier to find a pair of good quality 5.1 headsets. With that said, I am using their prior 5.1 USB headset which is the UA501. Basically it is also a rebranded Medusa, but doesn't feature the removable mic and some other features.

Plus it doesn't look as cool ;(

[rijst @ Jul 8th 2007 2:59PM]

Comments on my Medusa:
the plastic part just above the hinge broke off within a year :/ (just by simply placing it gently on my desk)
+ not much elesticity left in the overall headphone.

Next headset i'm gonna buy will have to last me more then a year....