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How good is Turtle Beach’s Recon 70 gaming headset?
is this $35 wired headset great for gaming?
Turtle Beach buys Roccat to create a gaming accessory empire
Competition in the gaming gear space might just heat up -- Turtle Beach, best known for its gaming headsets, is buying game accessory maker Roccat for $14.8 million. The company isn't shy about its plans. It's snapping up Roccat to add keyboards, mice and other gaming peripherals to its catalog in a bid to create a "$100 million PC gaming accessories business." Both sides are betting this will help them expand into regions where they're historically weak. You'll be more likely to see Roccat gear in North America, for example.
The best headphones to give as gifts
A good set of headphones is one of those things you don't realize you need until you own them. If you have friends or family still using the crummy pack-in headphones that came with their phone, it's time to gift them an upgrade -- and our holiday gift guide can help you pick the perfect pair. For the audiophile in your life who loves to get lost in music, hook them up (figuratively) with the Skullcandy Venue, a set of wireless noise-canceling headphones. Gamers rely on sound to get an edge on their opponents, and you can give an advantage with the Turtle Beach Recon 200. The Under Armour Sport Wireless Train headphones, meanwhile, are a great option for anyone who loves a soundtrack to their workout. For the person in your life who is always on the go, the Jabra Elite 65t work with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant so they can go hands-free all day. Find all that and lots of other excellent options in our full guide.
Microsoft is launching a white Xbox One X console and controller
Today, Microsoft announced that, for the first time, its Xbox One X console and Elite Wireless Controller are available in white. You can pick them up as a part of the Xbox One X Robot White Special Edition Fallout 76 Bundle, which comes bundled with a full-game download of Fallout 76. It's available for pre-order now at the Microsoft Store and GameStop in the US and around the world at participating retailers. You can snag the bundle for $500, and it will ship to retailers starting November 14th.
Turtle Beach's new headsets have solid audio and won't break the bank
With the rise of games like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite, headsets have become essential gear. Like any other personal audio purchase, there are a range of options, offering loads of features and levels of sound quality -- depending on how much you're willing to pay. At E3, Turtle Beach announced two new wired headsets that offer solid audio and decent features without breaking the bank.
Turtle Beach starts selling its wireless Xbox headset
The biggest pain when it comes to wireless Xbox One headsets is that they all require some sort of adapter or base station to connect to your console. Add to that the hefty price tag (most models can cost upwards of $150) and the appeal wears thin. That's why the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 caught our eye earlier this year. The headset is the first to utilize Microsoft's wireless tech to connect directly to its console (dongles and wires begone). What's more, you can also hook it up to the upcoming Xbox One X. And, all for just $99.95. The headset drops today, in limited quantities, in the US via the Turtle Beach website. Retailers will get the model on September 4.
The best VR headsets and accessories for dorms
We'll be the first to admit that a virtual-reality session isn't terribly conducive to bonding with new friends in the dorm. But, hey, a few of us here at Engadget are introverts, so you don't need to explain to us the value of strapping on a headset and momentarily blocking out the stress of classes and meeting new people. Included in our back-to-school guide are many of the usual suspects, like the Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and Daydream View. We also recommend the optional Rift and Gear VR controllers, as well as games like Rock Band VR and Farpoint. Enjoy your escape from the real world, but remember to take a social break from time to time.
Turtle Beach’s new headsets pair seamlessly with Xbox One
When we think of gaming headsets, our minds run screaming toward Turtle Beach, the clear leader in the space. In the run up to E3, the company is wheeling out a pair of new headsets that are compatible with both the Xbox One(s) and PlayStation 4. It's people in the former camp who may be more inclined to check out these products, since they ship with Microsoft's relatively new Xbox Wireless connection tech. Because of that, these cans can easily pair with your XBox One, S or (whatever they wind up calling) the upcoming "Scorpio" console.
Turtle Beach's glass speaker fires a focused 'beam' of audio
Turtle Beach's HyperSound Glass is one of the most impressive tech demos I've seen in years. The broad pitch used to sell the concept is pretty easy to grasp. With traditional speakers, sound travels out like light from a lamp: It's directed, for sure, but not focused. HyperSound is more like a flashlight: a concentrated "beam" of sound, which is only fully audible in front of the "speaker," a piece of glass.
Microsoft: no third party Xbox One headsets until 2014
The Xbox One may come with its own beefed up audio accessories, but audiophiles waiting on Turtle Beach's XO Ear Force headsets will have to wait: Microsoft won't support them until 2014. According to a statement confirmed by Microsoft, the Xbox One Headset Adapter that enables the use of third party audio accessories will ship early next year, leaving early adopters to make due with the official pack-ins. Redmond says it'll use the spare time to help manufactures "create new headsets that will take full advantage of the Xbox One technology," also noting that the console's included headset is free, after all.
Turtle Beach outs Xbox One headsets, Call of Duty: Ghosts- and Marvel-branded cans
In May, Turtle Beach shouted from the hilltops that it snagged Microsoft's blessing to craft Xbox One headsets, and now it's ready to show off the actual hardware. Based on the outfit's Seven Series, the pair of XO Ear Force cans will be available at the console's launch and feature 3.5mm jacks, detachable boom mics and deliver surround sound through wired connections to controller adapters. At $149, the XO Seven boasts a "premium finish," on-ear cups with noise-isolating memory foam cushions, interchangeable speaker plates and a breakaway cable with an in-line mic for use with mobile devices. Liberating $99 from your wallet, however, will net you the more budget-friendly XO Four, which can also be used with devices outfitted with 3.5mm ports. Bringing other platforms into the mix, Turtle Beach unveiled a trio of Call of Duty: Ghosts-branded headsets, but remained mum on pricing. The wireless Ear Force Phantom boasts dual-band WiFi, rechargeable batteries and compatibility with the Xbox 360, PS3 and mobile devices. The wired Spectre and Shadow are presumably less pricey, and play nice with PC and Mac as well. Sure, E3 may be a video game bonanza, but comic fans are getting some love with an Ear Force Seven headset embellished with Marvel branding, a red accent and swappable speaker covers with different characters.
Turtle Beach gets Microsoft stamp of approval to build Xbox One headsets
Microsoft's new Xbox comes with a console, controller and Kinect, but even if you pre-order One for yourself, you may choose to go elsewhere to pick up a matching headset. And, Turtle Beach will be one of the first next-gen headset providers, as it's just signed a license with Microsoft to build them for the One. Turtle Beach isn't sharing any more info on the forthcoming headsets, but we'll be telling you all about them when they're revealed at E3 in a few weeks. Oh, and before you go thinking that you can save yourself some cash by using your trusty Xbox 360 cans, remember that the One's controllers have a new proprietary port on them that's incompatible with your old gear. You were looking for an excuse to upgrade your over-ear gaming audio anyway, right?
The Daily Roundup for 03.18.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Turtle Beach XP Seven Series headset review: a new era of tournament-grade gaming audio
Get out of your seat -- okay, you don't really have to do that. Turtle Beach, however, is certainly hoping its new headset won't have you stuck there. After months of teasing, it's finally here. This is the Seven Series, the company's first set officially bred for Major League Gaming tournaments. It's a contractual title that's already been bestowed upon Astro's well-performing Mixamp and A40 systems. But for Turtle Beach, this is a first: we've never seen the company go after a demographic quite this wide, one that demands not just cross-platform gaming support, but a design versatile enough for everyday listening. The Seven Series lineup includes the computer-focused Z, the mobile-geared M and the cross-platform XP. For this review, we'll be focusing on the XP bundle ($280), which includes a headset, a virtual 5.1 surround-sound-enabling Audio Control Unit and a console adapter dubbed the Console Interface. (For the time being, those last two pieces won't be sold as standalone products.) While the headset itself might seem like the star of the show, in our eyes the ACU and CI offer the most exciting prospects. Together, they allow for virtual surround sound and voice chat with any set of wired headphones on any platform (much like the Mixamp) while also putting Turtle Beach's tried-and-tested custom audio presets at your fingertips. So what's it like to use? Join us past the break where we'll lay it all out.%Gallery-183126%
Turtle Beach highlights latest Ear Force gaming headsets for 2013, prices tournament flagship Seven Series
While Astro Gaming and Mad Catz like to announce stuff in a controlled drip, Turtle Beach -- as usual -- is going ahead with a tactical blitz of new gaming headsets at CES. Just as we've come to expect from the company, CES 2013 looks no different and no less exciting for audio-concerned gamers. While the headset veteran isn't showing anything with a major wow factor (think back to the PX5 from CES 2011), it's made some welcome updates to its Ear Force lineup, and finally announced concrete pricing info for its soon-to-be flagship Seven Series tournament models. We'll likely see some major announcements come E3, but for now, join us past the break -- especially if you're hoping to replace the likes that old PX21 (and its not-so sturdy earcups) of yours.
Turtle Beach Ear Force NLa and N11 stereo Wii U headsets hands-on (video)
Nintendo may be MIA at TGS this year (as usual), but that hasn't stopped Turtle Beach -- it brought a pair of Wii U headsets to the show anyway. We dropped by the outfit's booth to take a peek, finding seemingly empty boxes in lieu of product. Turns out they weren't so empty -- the Ear Force N11 and NLa headsets are so lightweight, we didn't even notice they were there. After a brief unboxing, this editor wrapped each set around his head, finding the headband tension of both the over-ear N11 and the on-ear NLa to be just as light as the accessories themselves, squeezing my skull with only the gentlest of pressure. The sets' earmuffs seemed built for comfort as well, soft, and not the least bit irritating. Staff on hand told us that the internals weren't quite final, but sound quality aside, we could easily see settling in with either of these products for a long, comfortable gaming session. Both sets arrive later this year -- $35 for the white, on-ear Ear Force NLa cans, and $50 for its black over-ear cousin. See our impressions for yourself in the video after the break.
Turtle Beach releasing entry-level Ear Force NLa, N11 stereo headsets for the Wii U faithful
Turtle Beach, the company that builds high-end audio gear for gamers immaterial of their bank balance is pushing out a pair of headsets for Nintendo's latest baby. The Ear Force NLa is an entry-level headset that's been customized to work with the Wii U GamePad, while the EarForce N11 is a little more serious -- with angled 50mm speakers with extended bass. Both units are also compatible with the company's DS and 3DS handhelds and will arrive in Q4 of this year, with the NLa setting you back $35 and the N11 a marginally heftier $50. Update: We've also heard that the NLa will be available in the UK in November, costing £40, while the N11 arrives in early 2013.
Official Black Ops II gaming headsets unveiled by Turtle Beach, coming 'weeks' ahead of game release (hands-on)
The crowds that filed towards the hulking Call of Duty: Black Ops II stand at Gamescom prove it deserved all that floor space and nearby, Turtle Beach was finally showing off its range of companion gaming headphones, ranging from in-ear buds to top-of-the-range wireless gaming cans with some heavy-duty audio customization options in tow. We managed to take a look at the whole selection (which repackages several models from the XP series and the incoming Seven series). While these were still developmental models (the Call of Duty decals will be painted on, not the stickers seen here), it should give you a good idea how the headphones will appear when they arrive in the next few months. We've got details on all the headsets (and the press release) after the break. %Gallery-162533% %Gallery-162520%
IRL: Linksys E4200, Twelve South BookBook and Turtle Beach's XP400 headphones
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Happy Saturday, kids. This week in IRL Dana and Darren each plunk down their hard-earned cash on some new gadgets, including a dual-band router for Dana, and BookBook's iPhone case for Mr. Murph. Rounding out the trio, Dan Cooper, a casual gamer at best, offers an informal mini-review of Turtle Beach's XP400 headset following some long-term testing.
Turtle Beach unveils Black Ops II, La series headsets at E3, announces Wii U licensing (update: photos)
If you thought Turtle Beach was only announcing its MLG-approved gaming headsets at E3, let us tell you that those are only a sliver of everything it plans to offer this fall. For the second time with a Call of Duty release, you can expect a barrage of co-branded headsets from the company when Black Ops II hits shelves, including the Ear Force Earbuds, Tango, Sierra, X-ray and Kilo and priced $70 to $300. You can expect LED lights, Bluetooth functionality, and virtual surround sound on some of the more expensive models. Moving along, TB has partnered with Nintendo to created licensed headsets for the Wii U that'll also work for the 3DS, and a we're told prototype model will be on display at the show floor. As if that weren't enough, a new series of smaller "La" ear-blasters have also been detailed. You'll have choice between the USB-powered PLa (PS3) and XLa (Xbox) which feature 40mm drivers, independent game and chat controls, microphone monitoring and bass boost functionality for when you need more wub. A computer version dubbed ZLa will also be available, stripping away most of the aforementioned features in favor of 4-pole 3.5mm jack for easy compatibility between your devices. Lastly, the M7 has been added to the company's lifestyle lineup, featuring 50mm drivers, an inline remote / mic, a faux-leather headband and memory foam earcup pads for noise isolation. There's no word on pricing or availability for the La and M-series headsets -- nor are any images available yet for the Black Ops II headsets -- but you'll find more details on everything mentioned in the press release after the break. We'll be sure to update you with more info when we have it. Update: We've added a gallery of photos just below. %Gallery-157222%
