Ear Force AXT Headphones

Sound freaks will find the Ear Force AXT an affordable surround sound headset that still packs quite a punch.

Turtle Beach has been long known for their excellent sound cards that have been pumping out impressive audio on the PC for many years. Now the company is trying its hand at creating a series of surround-sound headphones. One such headset is the Turtle Beach Ear Force AXT. The headset features four-speaker surround sound and even has a built in microphone for XBox Live support. While the headset doesn’t have actual 5.1 surround (only simulated) and the microphone only supports XBox Live (sorry PC gamers), with a price tag set at $79.99, the Ear Force AXT still offers great immersive sound at a price that won’t break the bank.

First thing, the Ear Force AXT is quite comfortable. The padded headphones not only block out nearly all outside sound, but also feel very nice and light. The unit conforms to any size of head, so anyone with the largest or smallest of noggins can apply. It may seem a little unwieldy at first glance, but the bulk of the package doesn’t become a factor when playing games. There are quite a lot of cords going in and out of the headset, but given the comfort and conformity of the unit, you’ll forget you’re wearing it five minutes into a game.

Next, the sound quality is very good. The headset is very clear and loud without any noticeable distortion. The bass of the unit doesn’t pack a lot of punch, but the overall quality of the sound is great. The simulated 5.1 sounds great especially when playing a game like Battlefield 2, where you’ll (pardon the cliché) actually feel like you are in the thick of the action.

The microphone is also very good. While you’ll still need the XBox Communicator to plug the headset into, the experience is great and feels as natural as ever, even more so give the fact that you get communication from your teammates from all around, not just one ear like in most headsets.

However, there are some problems with the package. While the package does include simulated 5.1 Dolby Digital, it still doesn’t have actual 5.1 decoding capabilities, something that becomes apparent while watching movies with the headset. Also, the lack of PC support is frustrating, especially if you’re into programs like Teamspeak or fancy playing Battlefield 2 with the headset.

At $79.99, the Turtle Beach Ear Force AXT (http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/products/earforce/axt/) is a nice package at a great price. While PC gamers (or PS2 gamers for that matter) may feel a little left in the cold with the lack of microphone support, XBox Live gamers should find this the headset to pick up.

Pros:
Clear sound and great microphone support for XBox Live; comfortable. Nice price.

Cons:
Bass doesn’t pack a lot of wallop. Plus, the lack of PC microphone support blows.

Verdict: 8.5
A great headset for those who want immersive, quality surround sound without spending a couple hundred bucks.