Microsoft has encouraged us to “Immerse yourself in the game” with the announcement of a sleek new Xbox wireless headset. Hitting shelves – and the Microsoft Store – on the 16th of March for $149.95 (AUD), the new headset promises “best-in-class audio performance”, “comfortable and intuitive design”, and “crystal clear chat”, among a host of other cool features.
At first glance, the headset hasn’t exactly changed the game from a design point of view, it looks, well… like a gaming headset. However, it does look incredibly comfortable. With its foam cupped ear cushions, well-padded headband, and minimalist looks, there’s a lot to like. One thing that is bound to be a hit is the easily-accessible volume control dials on either ear cup. However, once we look beyond the simple yet pleasing aesthetics, we start to see some real bang for your buck from Microsoft.
Sporting all of the standard features you would want to see from a wireless headset, gamers can also expect to see more in the way of customisation. When connected to an Xbox console or Windows PC, the headset can be controlled via the Xbox Accessories App, giving the user full control over equaliser settings, bass boost, auto-mute, LED brightness, and mic monitoring. When the auto-mute function is turned on, the microphone will automatically mute when you aren’t talking (heavy breathers rejoice!) and an LED light will be able to tell you whether the mic is muted or not.
The new headset also supports Spatial Sound technologies such as Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos and DTS Headphone: X when used on the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, meaning you’ll hear things as they move around you, creating a further sense of immersion. In terms of battery life, Microsoft is boasting up to 15 hours of use per charge. Thirty minutes of charging will give you around 4 hours of battery life, so a full charge will cost you 3 hours of charging when the headset is not in use.
For a full list of specifications and features, head on over to the Microsoft product page.
Let us know your thoughts on the new Xbox Wireless Headset. Will you be picking one up?