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Bang & Olufsen's wireless Xbox headset offers Dolby Atmos and ANC
Bang & Olufsen's $499 Beoplay Portal headphones are designed to work seamlessly with Xbox consoles.
Razer updates its BlackShark headset with THX spatial audio
BlackShark V2 and the entry-level V2 X are out now.
SteelSeries' $50 Arctis headset is for gamers on a budget
SteelSeries has released an Arctis headset aimed at more budget-conscious gamers, though it uses many of the same components as the Arctis 3, 5, 7 and 9X. The Arctis 1 has the same design, speaker drivers, cushions and noise-canceling microphone as its siblings. The latter is detachable rather than retractable to help convert it from headset to headphones.
HyperX's Bluetooth gaming headset is built for audiophiles
Kingston's HyperX division already has a popular, long-lasting Bluetooth headset with the $160 Cloud Flight, but it's aiming for the Hi-Fi set with its latest model. The HyperX Cloud MIX headset meets the hi-res audio spec by delivering sound from 10 Hz all the way up to 40,000 KHz (when plugged in). At the same time, it still delivers 20 hours of battery life while in Bluetooth mode, compared to 30 hours for the Cloud Flight.
Razer's new headset frees your beautiful face while streaming games
If you're into streaming games on the likes of Twitch, YouTube or Mixer and you'd like to showcase more of your beautiful face to your viewers, Razer's Ifrit headset might be worth your consideration. Instead of bulky over-ear headphones (which might mess up your magnificent mane too), it combines earbuds with a mounted "broadcaster-grade" condenser mic.
The best PS4 headset
By Dennis Burger This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full PS4 headset guide here. If you're looking for a gaming headset for PlayStation 4 that delivers the best balance of performance, comfort, and bang for your buck, we think the Kingston HyperX Cloud Alpha is the one to get. It's beautifully built, based on a proven design, and features a punchy, bass-forward sound that works great with the low-powered output of the DualShock 4 controller.
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.
Audeze’s ambitious Mobius is more than a gaming headset
Tucked inside an unassuming office park just south of LA, there's a modest factory where some of the best audiophile-grade headphones are assembled on a daily basis. Audeze has built its reputation on planar magnetic technology, drivers that produce a more natural sound thanks to better frequency response and super thin components. During my visit, the company was making its final preparations to launch Mobius, a gaming headset that packs in audiophile sound and 3D audio to create a more immersive experience, especially for gamers. The company's headquarters is just under an hour from LA in Santa Ana. Here, all of the Audeze headphones are assembled. The company even makes its planar magnetic drivers in the modest production facility, a setup that allows it to put together everything by hand, closely monitor quality control and maintain a steady R&D pace.
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.
Sony's new PlayStation headset is premium in name alone
There's no shortage of gaming headsets on the market, and in an effort to distinguish themselves, manufacturers are turning to gimmicks to stand out from the competition. Sony, for example, has several PlayStation-branded pairs, and now it's adding another to the mix, in hopes that 3D audio will be enough to earn your $150. After spending some time with the new PlayStation Platinum Wireless Headset, though, I'm not sure it deserves its asking price.
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.
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!"
The best gaming headset (for most people)
By Dennis BurgerThis post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here.After more than 100 hours spent researching and testing 37 gaming headsets in all, plus more hours of long-term comfort testing than could reasonably be counted, we think the Kingston HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset is the best gaming headset for most people. It's beautifully built, comfortable on a wide variety of heads, and excellent in sound performance, especially for the price. In fact, you won't get find much improvement unless you spend more than double what the HyperX Cloud costs. This model is also incredibly comfortable—you can easily wear it for hours on end without any appreciable cranial distress. It's a clear winner.
This is how Astro does Xbox One headphones
It wasn't long ago you needed to buy a set of purpose-made cans if you wanted a pair of gaming headphones. Thanks to how the PlayStation 4's and Xbox One's controllers are designed, though, that isn't the case anymore. For Xbox, all you need to use your favorite pair of headphones with Microsoft's latest console is a $35 adapter. So how does a company known for its high-end gaming headsets like Astro compete? With the A40 Xbox One Edition. This $200 headset bests its adversaries, but faces stiff competition from an unexpected place: other Astro headphones.
SteelSeries to unveil line of gaming headsets at E3 2013
Gaming accessory maker SteelSeries has a tradition of showcasing new products during conventions, and the firm will uphold it by unveiling the H-Series headset line at E3 2013. First in the series is the "tournament-grade" 9H headset with Dolby technology, a USB soundcard, and padded ear cushions that feature sound isolation technology. Next is the 5Hv3 headset that boasts a retractable microphone and the same sound isolation technology the 9H has. Finally, there's the compact and foldable 3Hv2 with its own retractable mic. All three are intended for use on Macs and PCs, but they have swappable ends or adaptors for use with mobile devices. Slated to be available by fall this year, the 9H is the priciest of the trio at $159.99. If you're not quite keen on paying that much for a pair of gaming cans though, you can grab the 5Hv3 and the 3Hv2 this summer for $79.99 and $39.99, respectively.%Gallery-190497%
Astro Gaming officially unleashes A30 & A40 PC editions, drops prices to $100 & $150
Astro Gaming's A40 headset and Mixamp Pro have generally gotten yearly revisions, but the portability-inclined A30 hasn't received the same love since its inception. That's officially changed this week, as the company's announced its 2013 PC editions (standalone versions) of the A30 and A40 stereo headsets are now available. Although the new units began shipping with the company's Mixamp-packing Audio System bundles last November, this is the first time it's really blasting the airwaves about the A30's revision. Both editions feature re-tuned drivers touting better response for bass and cleaner output, along with a re-tooled approach to the quick disconnect cables and a new media cable with a revised inline remote and mic. The revised cabling setup allows 3.5mm cables to plug directly into the headsets, making for easier replacements and swapping (previous versions had you connect to a short cable hung from the earcup, with a dual-pole connector). Perhaps best of all, the A30 is now priced thirty bucks less at $100 (finally!), while the A40's been reduced to $149 (down from $199). If you recently purchased one, don't fret either -- Astro also let us know that orders placed the 11th of this month have shipped out with the 2013 editions. Hit up the press release after the break for more info while deciding if one of 'em might be your new ticket to supreme gaming sound.
Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 7 gaming headset hands-on
Mad Catz announced the F.R.E.Q. 7 gaming headset last week, and the company has the $200 cans on hand here at Mobile World Congress. As you may recall, the marquee spec is Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing, which expands 5.1-channel audio to 7.1 channels for a richer aural experience. Another cool feature: these over-ears come bundled with both a standard stereo connector and a cord with USB for connecting directly to your computer (both have mini-USB on one end). The F.R.E.Q. 7 wasn't plugged in so we can't speak to sound quality, but they feel lightweight, and the red color really pops in real life. (There's also a matte black option.) The devices are currently available for pre-order, but you can get a hands-on look now in our gallery. Zach Honig contributed to this report.
Astro to offer Dead Space 3-themed A30 and A40 headsets on February 5th
Just in time for the release of EA's ultra-creepy Dead Space 3, Skullcandy subsidiary Astro Gaming is introducing themed versions of its A30 and A40 gaming headsets. While the headgear remains virtually unchanged, the news here is the addition of six custom magnetic speaker tags that feature tricked-out artwork taken directly from the game. Available on February 5th for $210 (A30) and $260 (A40), both headsets feature Dolby 7.1 virtual surround, a swappable cable system and cross-platform support for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. However, if you already own this eargear and are just looking to spruce up your cups, you can pick up the tags as a standalone purchase for $20 (A30) and $25 (A40) each.
AblePlanet preps a gaming headset with smart haptics, we preview the tech inside (hands-on)
Headsets with vibrating haptics aren't exactly novel -- we've already seen such offerings from Skullcandy as well as Sony. Now AblePlanet is coming out with something similar, but the underlying technology makes it considerably smarter than anything currently on the market. The company recently announced it's pairing up with haptics firm ViviTouch to make a gaming headset that offers different-feeling vibrations depending on what kind of music you're listening to, or what's happening in the game. The as-yet-unnamed headset will go on sale within the next six to nine months, according to AblePlanet, with pricing to be announced at a later date. Additionally, the companies plan to team up on other projects, including ear canal devices for field workers (firefighters, etc.) and even products for the hearing impaired. Before we get ahead of ourselves, though, we want to give you a quick preview of the headset, which we tested for a few minutes here at CES. Unfortunately, the set we tested today was merely a retrofitted NC1000CH plugged into a control box. Still, it gave us a good sense of what we can expect when the final product drops later this year. Meet us after the break to learn more.
Sennheiser gets back in the (video)game, refreshes renowned PC360, PC350 headsets (update)
Sure, many gamers will choose between the likes of Turtle Beach, Astro and Tritton for their headset needs, but let's not forget about Sennheiser. While the German headphone-maker hasn't announced anything too exciting for audiophile gamers in last few years, that's changed here at CES 2013. The ever-popular, and impressive sounding, PC350 and PC360 have finally been refreshed with features for times as the P350 Special Edition and the PC363D -- keep reading for the juicy details. Aside from some aesthetic tweaks, the two headsets continue to sport the look found on its HD500 series audiophile headphones. As such, both units are still wired, stereo headsets at their cores, loaded with swiveling boom microphones -- although non-removeable, placing the booms in the up position serves to mute the mics. The PC350 Special Edition features a closed back design with folding earcups for travel like the original, but with improved sound. Sennheiser claims it's enhanced the audio using "Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement," which aims the drivers more precisely at your ear canals. "What about the PC363D," you ask? The headset has the same velour pads as the PC360, but the back of the earcups have vents instead of grills. The big news, however, is that the headset comes bundled with a Dolby decoder box for virtual 7.1 surround sound that hooks in through your USB port. Essentially, this spares you the need to pick up the likes of a pricey Astro MixAmp or Turtle Beach DSS. (Correction: looks like this is going to be computer-only, folks.) The headsets will be available this month, with no word on pricing as of this writing. Check out the press release after the break for more in the meantime. Update: Despite Sennheiser claiming that these headsets officially launched at CES, some of our readers pointed out that both have been quietly available for at least some weeks now. Currently, Amazon US has the PC350 SE priced at $350, while its UK site has the PC363D set at £209.99 (roughly $337). We've pinged the company for clarification. Update 2: A rep from the company confirmed that Amazon has had a quiet exclusive on the headsets for about the past two months, noting they'll now be released to retailers in general.
