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How to buy a gaming headset
Today's games boast stirring orchestral scores, realistic-sounding weaponry and high-caliber voice acting. But none of it means anything if your headset is crap. Same goes for well-laid plans in co-op games: You draw up the best tactics with your teammates, but if they can't hear you because of a bad mic, it all goes to waste. So the headset you buy is key to getting the most out of your game. But with so many companies getting into the market, how do you find the one that best suits your cranium?
HyperX's new 7.1 headset gets even more immersive with head tracking
Games these days are getting serious about their audio. It's not just tinny MIDI tunes and beeps anymore; we're talking realistic gunfire, explosions and stirring orchestral scores worthy of grand concert halls. So it's only natural that gaming headsets have to step up a bit — we've seen companies like SteelSeries deliver sound worthy of the most high-end audio equipment, with design to match. Now HyperX is teaming up with Audeze to raise the bar even more, delivering crystal clear, immersive audio that's responsive; turn your head and it gets louder. It's like you're not even wearing a headset.
Facebook snags exclusive VR games for Oculus headsets
Facebook wants to give Oculus a boost by acquiring game studios and signing exclusive deals for VR versions of well-known games. According to The Information, Facebook plans to bring Assassin's Creed and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell to Oculus Quest and Rift S. Facebook will reportedly invest less than $1 billion in this approach, but The Information claims Mark Zuckerberg is personally involved.
HP's 'Reverb' is the sharpest Windows VR headset yet
HP is ready to outdo the HTC Vive Pro and Samsung Odyssey with its latest VR headset, the Reverb. Confirming a February leak, it features an astoundingly sharp resolution of 2,160 by 2,160 pixels per eye, while those other headsets have around half as much. It's sometimes tough to see the benefits of more pixels on monitors and TVs, but VR headsets are another story, since your eyes are practically right up against the displays. That's something commercial customers will likely appreciate, since it makes things like workplace simulators even more realistic.
LG's wireless Tone headphones have a Google Assistant button
With the G7 ThinQ smartphone, LG cemented its commitment to Google's AI, and now it's doing the same with its neck-worn Tone headphone lineup. The LG Tone Platinum SE supports Google Assistant via a dedicated button, letting you get information or a translation without the need to pull out your smartphone or say "OK Google." LG didn't specify, but it appears to be just a button and not full Google Assistant integration like you'll find on certain Sony headphone models, for example.
The ugly history of strapping screens to our faces
2017 isn't the first time that VR, or any face-worn gadget for that matter, has attempted to make it in the mainstream. And yet, the hardware itself, be it a Daydream View or a HTC Vive, is still a pretty intimidating thing to attach to your face. But looking at some of the headsets that didn't make it over the years, we're in a much better position than we were two decades ago.
AMD is spending money to 'solve' the wireless VR problem
AMD is a company best-known for its computer processors and graphics cards. Now, it wants to help build the next generation of virtual reality headsets. Today, it announced it's acquired intellectual property and key engineering talent from Austin-based startup Nitero, a company that builds 60GHz wireless chips for VR and AR.
Logitech's new headset brings cinematic sound to your games
Gaming headsets have gotten a lot more stylish in the past year, with companies like SteelSeries and LucidSound packing cinema-quality sound into catwalk-ready cans. Now, peripheral giant Logitech is taking them on with its newest release, the G533. This $150 headset boasts 7.1 surround sound, a simple-but-classy design and, most important to gamers, wireless capability without lag or interruption.
SteelSeries keeps it classy with its new gaming headsets
Any gamer can benefit from a good headset, whether to stay in clear contact with their teammates during an intense raid or to keep the noise down while their spouse is asleep. But some cans are loud in a different way, boasting garish designs or cheap plastic builds that you might not feel comfortable wearing outside your home. Newcomers like LucidSound have taken a stab at building headgear on the more stylish side, but now industry vet SteelSeries enters the arena with its own line of fashionable gaming headsets.
Oculus stops preventing VR games from working with HTC's Vive
In a big move for openness in the VR landscape, Oculus has stepped back from its position of blocking its games from working on the HTC Vive. The company quietly issued an update for its desktop software today which strips away the headset exclusivity check that has caused VR fans so much consternation, Ars Technica reports. That limitation pushed the developers of the Revive tool, which lets Vive owners play Oculus games, to completely crack Oculus's DRM last month. But in response to today's news, the Revive devs have dumped their DRM cracking technology.
The LucidSound LS30 is a gaming headset for the style conscious
Last month when I was putting together a list of gaming headsets worth buying, I spent a lot of time reading about audio quality. Which headsets delivered the best highs and lows for music, how clear were the sound effects and how immersive was the surround sound? There was also plenty of talk of how each headset looked and, though plenty were deemed passable, "beautiful" and "gorgeous" are words I didn't hear often. Although there's a plethora of attractive high-end headphones on the market, the same can't really be said for gaming headsets. LucidSound, the new company from the founders of headset-maker Tritton, is aiming to change that. Its $150 LS30 headset packs clear, balanced sound into a pair of gorgeous cans that don't scream "LAN party at my house!"
Which gaming headsets are worth buying?
We may call them "video games," but audio plays a big part in the experience too. Good music and sound effects can set the mood, immerse us in the story and alert us to impending danger. But all of this could easily be hampered by crappy speakers or a surfeit of background noise, making a quality headset key to an ideal gaming experience. Do you need surround sound, or can stereo do the job just fine? And how much is good audio quality worth? We've scoured the market to find the best headsets available now to fit the needs of both hard-core and casual gamers.
Xbox One multiplayer update rolling out today
The Xbox One will see another update starting this evening, Microsoft says, with several promised enhancements coming to the console's multiplayer suite, audio output and livestreaming capabilities. As we reported earlier, these changes mean to highlight your online friends faster, let you invite them to parties quicker, open party chat by default, and pave the way for a new Twitch app launching on March 11. Microsoft has also highlighted some other Xbox One operating system tweaks that aren't quite as glamorous, but no less overdue: Dolby Digital will be supported through Optical and HDMI connections – good news for setups or headsets that don't play well with uncompressed audio – and the Xbox One will be able to output to televisions (mostly in Europe) at 50Hz. The March update also marks the end of spending an entire episode of Futurama saying, "Xbox, Volume Up" over and over. You can now adjust the number of volume increments per command, according to Microsoft. Sure, you could just reach for the remote, but it's so far and you just sat down. [Image: Microsoft]
PS4 firmware update to unlock use of 7.1 surround sound Pulse headsets
A new system software update for the PS4 will open the range of options for compatible headsets for the console, Sony announced. Firmware version 1.60 will add support for Sony's Pulse and Pulse Elite Edition wireless stereo headsets for PS3, which feature 7.1 virtual surround sound and voice chat. The update is expected to land "late tonight." Sony also mentioned that its next PS4 and Vita-compatible headset, the Gold Wireless Headset, will arrive early this month for $99. The headset also includes 7.1 virtual surround sound in addition to "custom sound profiles" created by PlayStation developers. One of the developers to optimize a sound profile for the headset is Infamous: Second Son creators Sucker Punch. Sony will offer a Headset Companion App on PS4 for free, so players with either Pulse headset can access the sound profiles. Sony's description of the Gold Wireless Headset notes that it uses a wireless adapter, which makes sense given the PS4's limited recognition of bluetooth devices. It also includes a folding design and customizable face plates, which is pretty nifty. [Image: Sony]
Turtle Beach crafting accessories for Xbox One
We haven't even seen what the Xbox One's first-party headset looks like yet, but Turtle Beach is already hoping folks will opt for its premium alternatives. The headset manufacturer announced today that it will be "among the first to market with Microsoft-licensed gaming headsets for the Xbox One." Further details with regards to specific models, price points or expected release windows were not given, though we can assume from Turtle Beach's current Xbox 360 lineup that the SKUs will be plentiful and the price disparities vast. In related news, we're still disappointed that "Turtle Beach" isn't the name of a company that makes tiny folding chairs and miniature parasols for reptile terrariums.
Creative launches NFC wireless speakers, colorful Hitz headsets
Creative may hope to rival Jawbone's Jambox with its new colorfully geometric Bluetooth speakers, the Airwave and Airwave HD. NFC-enabled Bluetooth speakers aren't exactly news, so Creative is playing catch-up with its NFC-capable Airwave series. Users can pair NFC-equipped devices to the Airwave by simply tapping the phone against the speaker, while an integrated microphone allows for use as a speakerphone -- devices not packing NFC can connect via Bluetooth manually. The Airwave HD can support two NFC-connected devices but it sacrifices about five hours of playback compared to the less powerful Airwave, which can go 12 hours between charges. Creative is taking a fresh approach with its styling by offering the Airwave line in a variety of colors including pink, blue, green, and red. This new design theme is echoed in Creative's Hitz headsets, which will feature an in-line microphone housing playback and volume controls. Though there's no word yet on a stateside release, the Airwave and Airwave HD will be available in Singapore in June for SG$129 (US$103) and SG$199 (US$160) respectively and the Hitz line will launch in July, with prices ranging from SG$49 (US$39) to SG$89 (US$72). For more information, see the full press release after the break.
Jawbone acquires BodyMedia
BodyMedia, the makers of a few fitness trackers that work directly with the iPhone and other smartphones, has announced that it has been acquired by Jawbone, creators of the popular Up motion tracker and other Bluetooth headsets and accessories. Techcrunch's "reliable sources" say the deal was close to US$100 million, which is a substantial price for a company like this. BodyMedia's work has been very impressive so far -- not only has the company been doing very well selling its body and fitness trackers (and an accompanying premium subscription service), but it shared lots of future plans with me a few months ago at CES, including some disposable tracking units and new ways to keep an eye on your health. BodyMedia's also got a number of patents on new devices, which are becoming more and more valuable as the trend of fitness trackers grows. Jawbone is no slouch, either -- their well-built Bluetooth headsets have been very popular for quite a while. BodyMedia says the two companies will join forces to "deliver great things across health and wellness." We'll look forward to seeing exactly what those things are.
What are your gaming peripherals?
Recently Frostheim AKA Brian Wood recommended peripherals for use with playing WoW over on Warcraft Hunters Union. He detailed which mouse, keyboard and headset he uses and why. He eschews anything wireless as a fraction of a delay can mean life or death in certain in-game situations. Personally, I agree with him. Though I dislike the inconvenience of being wired to my computer, I also have a non-wireless mouse, keyboard, and headset -- all of mine Logitech. I'd like to upgrade to trying out Steelseries or Razer, but my pocketbook hasn't allowed for that. I can say that my peripherals have taken a beating over the years and are still working fine, if a bit disheveled. I also concur with Frostheim's opinion that gaming keyboards should be lit, for ease in seeing the keys in low light. If you tend to use keyboards until they fall apart like I do, illuminated keyboards have the added benefit of not having the letters rub off. My daughter's hand-me-down keyboard is missing several letters, and she isn't a touch typist (yet). I guess it's time we upgraded her. How about you? What are your gaming peripherals? Can you recommend them or are you just slumming it until you can afford something better?
Skullcandy takes another shot at gaming headsets, quietly reveals SLYR, PLYR 2 and PLYR 1
Giving you the option to Edit your own Aviator headphones isn't the only news the fashionable folks at Skullcandy had up their sleeve for the end of 2012; with a bit of help from Astro Gaming (a recently acquired asset), it's also taking another stab at gaming headsets. The company's touting three new models: SLYR, PLYR 1 and PLYR 2, all of which were quietly detailed on its site within the last week. While Astro caters its full-on gaming audio systems (A30, A40 and A50) above the $200 mark, these Skullcandy-branded headsets essentially bring the ethos of those models to more wallet-friendly prices point of $80 to $180 -- not to mention in closer competition with the likes of Turtle Beach and Tritton. Most notably, Astro was quick to highlight to us that Skullcandy's new batch of gaming-focused earblasters have been created from the ground-up, unlike its past models which were just tweaks to its existing -- and less than well-received -- headsets. Curious for the initial details on these latest gaming audio aids? Lucky for you, we've got it all listed just past the break.
Plantronics outs Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset with enhanced voice recognition, improved battery life
For the most part, the headsets we've seen from Plantronics this year have been aimed at gamers, but make no mistake, the outfit is still churning out Bluetooth earpieces for road warriors: the company just announced its fifth-generation Voyager headset, the Voyager Legend. In many ways, it's an iterative product, with longer battery life (seven hours, up from six), and more mics (three instead of two). It also has an elongated windscreen and is 25 percent smaller than its predecessor, though Plantronics claims the in-ear fit hasn't changed. Key internals include Bluetooth 3.0, not 4.0, and support for streaming over A2DP. All told, exactly what you'd expect from the latest and greatest BT headset. But even more important than enhanced performance and a more compact design, the headset responds to voice commands in a smarter way. Say, for instance, that you receive an incoming call and happen not to be wearing your headset (maybe you took it out to charge). You can put the earpiece in and the headset will automatically pick up the call. Or, if you're not wearing your headset you can have it route calls to the phone instead. As for answering calls, you can say "answer" or "ignore," and you don't even have to press a button to activate the voice recognition. The earpiece can also announce your caller's name, so long as it's in your phone book. Additionally, the headset responds to about 10 other commands such as "check battery" and "pair me," but in these cases you do have to press a button first. Rounding out the feature list is a new Android-only Find MyHeadset app that uses tones and geolocation to help you figure out where you last saw your earpiece. The headset is available today for $100, and the company is also selling a desktop stand and charging case, both priced at $30.%Gallery-164953%
