Turtle Beach launched what the company calls a “world’s first:” a PC gaming headset with DTS Headphone:X 7.1 surround sound. Called the Ear Force Z60, this headset was first introduced during CES 2014 back in January, and it’s now available at online retailers and in local stores for $119.95.
“DTS surround sound represents a new approach to audio that is sweeping across the film and gaming industries and fundamentally changing the way consumers experience sound,” said Bob Picunko, chief marketing officer of Turtle Beach. “At Turtle Beach we are incorporating DTS Headphone:X into our gaming headsets to ensure players have the best possible audio experience.”
According to the company, its engineers created presets so that gamers can better hear their footsteps in the snow, or shell casings that hit the ground. They accomplished this by pulling the center channel in towards the players’ midsection, which supposedly makes those noises sound even more realistic.
The headset includes 60 mm speakers surrounded by “breathable,” around-the-ear mesh cushions. Other features include a microphone monitor so you can hear your voice without having to shout, Dynamic Chat Boost that automatically raises the chat volume when the game volume grows louder and a high-sensitivity microphone mounted on a flexible and removable boom.
The headset also includes an inline control unit, shown above, for controlling the main and chat volumes and the surround sound modes, and it has a button for muting the microphone. This controller connects to any PC with a USB port, and it doesn’t require software to set up.
