Tag: headset

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C headset review

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date May 9, 2024
No Comments on Cyber Acoustics AC-304C headset review

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Cyber Acoustics AC-304C: 30-second review

The Cyber Acoustics AC-304C promises to be the ideal headset for call center workers or anyone who works from a busy home environment, all while keeping reasonably priced for what it offers.

We’ve tested out loads of the best headphones with mics and best headsets for conference calls, with the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C fitting squarely into the work-focused category. These won’t be headphones for listening to music and enjoying anything other than a neutral experience. However, for taking calls and being heard clearly even if chaos is reigning around you, the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C are exceptional. In particular, the headset is a good option for anyone who works from home and has the challenges that come with that.

Inline controls make it simple to adjust the volume or mute your mic without having to fumble for it. There’s also a long cable for ensuring there’s a bit of flexibility with how you move although it won’t compete with wireless options, of course.

The Cyber Acoustics AC-304C is also very lightweight so you hardly notice it on your head during the working day. However, we did find the earcups a tad uncomfy after extended periods of use and a little adjustment was needed. It’s no deal-breaker but if you’re used to memory foam cushioning your ears, you may want to spend more. In this price range though, it’s hard to fault the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C as we’ll soon see.

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C: Price & availability

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C during our test and review process

(Image credit: Cyber Acoustics)

$99.99/£99.99
Available now

The Cyber Acoustics AC-304C is available directly from the Cyber Acoustics website or you can buy it on third-party retailers like Amazon US. It’s available both in the US and UK with seemingly no stock issues right now.

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C: Design & fit

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C during our test and review process

(Image credit: Cyber Acoustics)

Lightweight build
Inline controls
Leatherette material

Specs

What’s in the box:
1 x Cyber Acoustics AC-304C
1 x USB-C to USB-A adapter
1 x carry bag

Weight: 72g

Dimensions: 6.1 x 2 x 6.7 inches

Cable length: 8 foot cable

The Cyber Acoustics AC-304C headset looks fairly unassuming. We’re talking super lightweight headset with a drop-down mic on one side and soft leatherette earcups to keep your head snug. The headset is sufficiently slender, one would think it would be fragile but it seems fairly robust when tossed around a little or simply plonked on a desk frequently.

Inline controls reside about three feet down. There are two volume adjust buttons with a large mic mute button in the middle. It changes between red and green depending on if the mic has been muted or not. It’s also suitably large enough that you can easily tap it even while midway through a call or video chat. The only extra it’s missing is that while the buttons are divided up, there’s no tactile feeling to help remind you of what you’re about to tap without looking. In particular, that can be problematic when trying to find the volume up or down button while not looking down.

Five feet further down the line is the USB-C connection with the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C coming with a USB-C to USB-A adapter if you prefer or need to use an USB-A port.

The mic can be swung up or down depending on if you need to be heard, while the headset overall can be adjusted to accommodate larger heads.

The fit is simple but mostly effective. Easy to slip on with adjustable parts on the headset, the only issue arises with the earcups. These start out comfortable but over time, can start to press on your ears a tad. I found moving the earcups around did help so some of it comes down to the size of your ears and arrangement, rather than deliberate clamping force.

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C: Sound quality

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C during our test and review process

(Image credit: Cyber Acoustics)

Environmental noise cancellation
Neutral sound profile
No sidetone

Designed with video conferencing and work in mind, the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C focus on providing a neutral sound profile rather than elevating bass or similar like your regular headphones may do so. That means that you get a crisp and clear experience each step of the way but not one that lends itself to listening to music during your breaks.

Crucially, the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C uses AI-based microphone noise cancellation to eliminate background noise around you. Appropriately, it sounds too good to be true but in our time using it among construction noises nearby and a yelling cat, anyone we spoke to didn’t hear what was going on in the background. It works far better than your average microphone and perhaps more importantly, provides good peace of mind as you don’t have to worry about disruptions. It’s professional and due to it being tied into the headset, it works with all the audio and video conferencing tools you could plan on using it with.

With home working remaining popular for at least some of the week, the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C instantly proves more useful than in the past. For regular calls such as call center support, there’s no sidetone. Sidetone allows you to hear some of your own voice to check that you’re connected but also potentially proving irritating too. So, the lack of the feature is going to be good and bad news depending on how you feel about it. It’s also a feature we’d typically see on pricier headsets so it’s hardly surprising that the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C lacks it.

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C: Final verdict

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C during our test and review process

(Image credit: Cyber Acoustics)

The Cyber Acoustics AC-304C gets straight to the point and is a useful USB-C headset. With its environmental noise cancellation, it easily blocks out irritants around you while you’re trying to speak. More importantly, you don’t need to install separate software to do so which is timesaving as well as practical for anyone using a heavily locked down work machine.

The inline controls cover all your needs while being clearly laid out. If only, they were a little more tactile and the headset itself was a touch more comfortable. Minor quibbles aside however, and the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C is a well-priced option for anyone taking many calls.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C: Scorecard
Row 0 – Cell 0	Row 0 – Cell 1	Row 0 – Cell 2
Price	Well priced in a competitive field that often goes higher	5
Design	The Cyber Acoustics AC-304C could be a little comfier over extended periods but it’s lightweight and practical	4
Sound quality	Crisp and neutral in the right way, the standout here is how clear you’ll sound on calls	4

Should I buy the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C?

Cyber Acoustics AC-304C during our test and review process

(Image credit: Cyber Acoustics)

How I tested the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C

I reviewed the Cyber Acoustics AC-304C over a period of 10 days. In that time, I predominantly used the headset on Microsoft Teams and Zoom calls. I also used it to record audio for personal projects. For testing the audio in other contexts, I watched Twitch streams and YouTube videos, as well as listened to music through Spotify. During my time with the headset, I had to handle a noisy cat and near constant construction noises going on nearby.

I have extensive experience in making video and voice calls through my PC and I’ve used many headphones and headsets over the years.

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Tags AC304C, Acoustics, Cyber, headset, Review

Featured

Trust Adya USB PC Headset review

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date May 9, 2024
No Comments on Trust Adya USB PC Headset review

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The Trust USB Headset is a good and honest, plain and simple, salt-of-the-earth wired headset. If you or your staff are joining a few video calls a day and need an inexpensive pair of headphones and mic, this pretty much fits the bill in every way.

You could call the wired USB headset basic. It is. That’s not a bad thing here. This is about making video calls as easy as possible. No switches and flashing lights, no pressing and holding buttons to perform a series of convoluted tasks. Just plug it into your computer – it’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS – and you’re done.

Driving this point home is the user guide. It may be our favorite one yet. Imagine the untold relief at the sheer simplicity opening this up. Plug in headset. Twist right cup for volume. Flip mic to mute and unmute. What more needs to be said?

For comparison, we generally use the Jabra Evolve 2 65 Flex. More or less flawless in design, sound quality, and our overall pick for best Bluetooth headset. But it’s a high-end headset that’s difficult to justify for those not spending all day on calls. The Adya headset from the long-standing Trust is its mirror image in almost every conceivable way. But don’t let that fool you.

Trust Adya: Pricing & availability

The Adya retails for around £20 – which makes it about right for budget wired headsets, which tend to hover around the fifteen to thirty mark.

A slightly expensive, sustainably designed model is available, which features noise-canceling mic and Type-C adapter. A better fit for those who do more talking, but it’s otherwise the same headset design.

You can buy the standard 3.5mm version from Amazon and Argos in the UK, and it’s widely available elsewhere in Europe, but not – as far as we could see – the US.

Trust Adya: Design & features

Trust Adya USB PC headset during our test and review process

(Image credit: Trust)

We found the Trust Adya is thoughtfully designed. The pleasing circle-within-circle of the cups mellows the stark, no-nonsense black. A flat, slender, rubbery microphone arm blooms into a shaped foam windscreen. The podgy foam pads are compact, minimizing the profile, with another padded strip along a band made of stiff, tight plastic. In the hand it feels substantial and relatively lightweight, clocking in at 165kg.

There are two essential features built into the Trust Adya USB headset: a volume dial on the right ear-cup and the ability to mute and unmute the mic by flipping the arm. In design, both are well-executed. The microphone arm softly slots into place with a satisfying click, letting you know it’s now muted. The dial confidently turns in place, not wildly spinning like some cheap piece of plastic, which gave us a feeling of real control over the volume. And aside from the discreet labeling, the function blends so seamlessly into the design, you wouldn’t know it was there.

Trust Adya: Performance

Trust Adya USB PC headset during our test and review process

(Image credit: Trust)

When it comes to budget headphones with mic, it can sometimes feel like a bit of a dice roll. Often, the sound is tinny, lacking in bass. The volume so low you’re straining to hear, and worried that even if you do know how to respond to that half-heard question, the microphone will make you sound like a robot and ruin the rest of the day.

If it is a dice roll, though, the Adya headset is coming up sixes. We experienced no issues with the overall performance of the unit. During our tests, both in meetings, and through our own sound recordings, we found both audio and mic quality to be deep, crisp, clear. The volume dial complementing the set-up, because, as anyone in a large video call with lots of speakers knows, not all microphones are equal.

And the mute function on the mic worked very well. For us, it’s always a concern that, without pressing the on-screen mute, any physical button or switch may not really work, catching that unguarded slurp of tea or the start of an urgent call. But we can say, with the mic arm snug in the mute position, there wasn’t a single complaint about The Boys Are Back in Town playing during our last video call (although, in fairness, who would complain about that anyway?).

However, this is a budget model, so there are some compromises here. Without the ENC noise-canceling microphone found on the higher-range model, background noise and chatter was noticeable in our test recordings. Not enough to disrupt or derail a meeting, but present nonetheless, making them better suited if you can make calls in a quiet space or you work from home.

While we really like the overall design and construction, you definitely know when you’re wearing this headset. They may be lightweight in hand, but after longer meetings, they do start to feel heavy, and the initial comfortable tightness becomes wearing. Admittedly, that may be a consequence of a relatively new headset that hasn’t had time to somewhat slacken – and we prefer this over flimsy, creaking plastic headsets that threaten to break if you breathe too hard.

Trust Adya: Final verdict

Trust Adya USB PC headset during our test and review process

(Image credit: Trust)

The Trust Adya USB PC headset is a really good choice if you want something with absolutely minimal fuss. If you’re making casual video calls, either for home, work or school, it does a fine job, with a pleasing audio quality and a crackle-free microphone.

We like the addition of the volume dial and mute function built into the headset. Performance is here smooth, uncomplicated, the required actions discreet even when you can’t see what you’re doing. We did find the mic picks up background chatter, which the more advanced model mitigates with its noise-canceling mic. For busy offices where that matters, this is a must. While comfortable, we also found the on-ear cups can get wearing after longer meetings, making them a better option for those not sitting in all-day meetings.

Overall, we were confident using this for any standard day-to-day meetings, whether as a viewer or speaker. This is a solidly designed wired headset for PC, Mac, and Chromebooks that doesn’t feel like a budget choice, working exactly as intended and expected.

Should I buy?

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Tags Adya, headset, Review, Trust, USB

Featured

A cheaper Apple Vision Pro might not land until 2026 – and Samsung’s XR/VR headset could steal its lunch

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 29, 2024
No Comments on A cheaper Apple Vision Pro might not land until 2026 – and Samsung’s XR/VR headset could steal its lunch

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The current Apple Vision Pro is a fantastic bit of mixed reality kit, blending impressive hardware and an innovative user interface. But as you’ll see in our Apple Visio Pro review, it’s far from perfect; throw in a $3,499 price tag and other early-adopter woes, and the headset isn’t something for most people.

As such, Apple has been tipped to be working on next-generation and potentially cheaper versions of the Vision Pro. But Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who’s a renowned and accurate Apple tipster, has said the Cupertino crew is some 18 months away from releasing a ‘Vision Pro 2’, with a roadmap that reportedly won’t see a second-generation model ready until the end of 2026.

Apparently, Apple will try and bring the cheaper version to the market before then, but Gurman says, per his sources, that Apple is “flummoxed” about how exactly to bring the headset’s cost down.

So that arguably leaves a gap in the mixed reality (or XR for extended reality) market, one that Apple has injected interest into for others to join in. Enter Samsung.

Samsung, Sony and Snapdragon

The South Korean tech giant is working on an XR headset that’s likely to come with some impressive specs. We’re talking about a Sony-made micro-OLED display with a resolution of 3,840 x 3,552 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,000-nits; those are Vision Pro-challenging screen specs. A Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chipset is set to power the Samsung XR/VR headset, which could arrive at some point this year.

While Apple has a knack for creating slick interconnected product ecosystems, Samsung has got a lot better at building out its device ecosystem, in addition to having its phones, tablets and other gadgets play nice with Windows 11. So it could make an impressive XR headset that arguably has more flexibility that the Vision Pro by working with more devices and a wider range of laptops.

Now that’s all speculation on my part, but Samsung has made VR headsets in the past and worked closely with Microsoft, which could give it an ace up the sleeve by working well with Microsoft MR platform and perhaps Steam VR; the latter would arguably give it a gaming advantage over the Vision Pro.

The Samsung Gear VR headset on a red desk

The Samsung Gear VR – you needed a phone to operate it (Image credit: samsung)

Working with a more open-ended platform like Windows 11 could potentially make it easier for more developers to get on board with making XR/MR apps and services. That would make jumping into XR a more appealing prospect if would-be buyers could be assured of plenty of apps and software compatibility.

Furthermore, Samsung is potentially closer to supply chains than Apple – not least of all because it has its own display arm – so could stand to make a high-end XR headset that undercuts the Vision Pro.

While I need to be convinced that extended and mixed reality (which blends virtual and augmented reality) has a viable spot in the future of computing, I’m keen to see Apple have some clear competition in the area – there are other MR headsets but they haven’t really grabbed the limelight or developed a system to compete with Apple’s visionOS; that’s not counting the likes of the Meta Quest 3.

Samsung basically competes with Apple in the smartphone arena, so I see no reason why it can’t lock horns in the XR world, and with a reported wait for a next-gen Vision Pro, Samsung could take a bite out of the MR pie for itself.

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Tags Apple, Cheaper, headset, Land, lunch, Pro, Samsungs, steal, vision, XRVR

Business Industry

Samsung XR headset to face stiff competition as Meta opens Horizon OS for other brands

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 23, 2024
No Comments on Samsung XR headset to face stiff competition as Meta opens Horizon OS for other brands

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Apple was the first big-name consumer electronics brand to launch a mixed-reality headset. Samsung is expected to launch its own mixed-reality headset later this year. However, by the time Samsung launches its device, it might face stiff competition from brands like ASUS, Lenovo, and even Microsoft.

Meta opens up Horizon OS for third-party AR/MR/VR headsets

In a major move, Facebook owner Meta has renamed the Android-based operating system used on its Quest MR/VR headsets to Horizon OS. Moreover, it has opened up the operating system to third-party brands. Horizon OS will now be used on MR/VR headsets from ASUS ROG, Lenovo, and Microsoft.

ASUS is building multiple performance gaming headsets, while Lenovo is developing a mixed-reality headset for entertainment, learning, and productivity. Meta is collaborating with Microsoft to build a Quest headset inspired by Xbox.

Meta is also calling Google to bring the Play Store to Horizon OS. Moreover, it plans to promote apps made using Quest App Lab on the Horizon Store. Meta is also building a spatial framework to let mobile app developers build mixed-reality apps for headsets using Horizon OS.

Samsung’s XR headset could use Android OS optimized for mixed-reality

Samsung has already announced that it is building an XR device (likely a mixed-reality headset) in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. It will likely use a version of Android that is optimized for mixed-reality headsets and a Qualcomm processor from the Snapdragon XR series.

It is said to feature the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor. It is a 4nm chip with an octa-core CPU and a powerful Adreno 740 GPU that can drive two 4.3K screens at 90Hz. It can handle up to 12 cameras simultaneously. It has 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity.

Author’s Note: Some rumors claimed that Samsung’s XR headset is a high-end device that is priced lower than Apple’s Vision Pro. Its success will depend on the number of apps and games that are available on the platform and how well it integrates with Android smartphones, tablets, and Windows-based computers and laptops.

In comparison, Meta’s Horizon Store already has plenty of games, and it is already a great gaming platform. So, headsets from ASUS and Lenovo will have access to all those games on launch day. Samsung and Google have an uphill task ahead of them.

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Tags brands, competition, Face, headset, horizon, Meta, opens, Samsung, stiff

Entertainment

Meta teases a limited-edition Quest headset inspired by Xbox

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 23, 2024
No Comments on Meta teases a limited-edition Quest headset inspired by Xbox

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Meta announced it’s opening up the Quest’s operating system to third-party companies, allowing them to build headsets of their own. The Quest OS is being rebranded to Meta Horizon OS and already has two companies interested.

ASUS’ Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand is working on new “performance gaming” headsets, while Lenovo’s focus is on devices for “productivity, learning and entertainment.” However, most intriguingly, perhaps, Meta says it’s also working on a limited-edition Xbox “inspired” Quest headset. (Microsoft and Meta also worked together recently to bring Xbox cloud gaming to the Quest.) While this could just be a reskinned Quest 3, this collaboration could lead to future headsets made entirely for Microsoft’s consoles. If PlayStation can have VR, then surely Xbox can too.

— Mat Smith

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This follows a more comprehensive probe from February.

The European Union (EU) has opened a second formal investigation into TikTok. The probe involves the addictive nature of TikTok Lite, a smaller version of the app that takes up less memory and was built to perform over slower internet connections. The wrinkle might be a design aspect that allows users to earn points by watching and liking videos. These points can be exchanged for TikTok’s proprietary digital currency and even Amazon vouchers. The EU’s Commission has expressed concern that this type of “task and reward” design language could impact the mental health of young users by “stimulating addictive behavior.”

Continue reading.

Andy Stone was convicted after ‘publicly defending terrorism.’

A few months after Russian officials placed Meta spokesperson Andy Stone on a wanted list and started a criminal investigation, a Moscow court has issued an arrest warrant for him on several terrorism-related charges in February. It cited Stone’s alleged “promotion of terrorist activities, public calls for terrorist activities, public justification of terrorism or propaganda of terrorism and public calls for extremist activities.”

Russia’s investigative committee opened a probe into Meta in March 2022. It claimed Stone had incited extremist activity after lifting “a ban on calls for violence against the Russian military on its platforms.” Stone said Meta was “temporarily” allowing some posts to stay on its platforms that would have previously been taken down for inciting violence, but noted the company would still outlaw “credible calls for violence against Russian civilians.”

Continue reading.

They’ll specialize in AAA, tabletop and indie titles.

The company has announced plans to split into three separate parts. The first is Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends, specializing in AAA games like Tomb Raider and Dead Island – and, of course, anything Lord of the Rings. Asmodee will handle the tabletop gaming segment, which includes Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, Azul, CATAN, Dobble and Exploding Kittens. Coffee Stain & Friends will be the company’s indie-centric group, with properties including Deep Rock Galactic and Goat Simulator.

Continue reading.

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Tags headset, inspired, limitededition, Meta, Quest, Teases, Xbox

Featured

Turtle Beach is releasing an open back gaming headset, plus new additions to the Stealth line

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 19, 2024
No Comments on Turtle Beach is releasing an open back gaming headset, plus new additions to the Stealth line

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Gaming accessory manufacturer Turtle Beach has revealed a range of upcoming wireless gaming headsets, including the open back Atlas Air, a redesigned Stealth 600, and a more affordable Stealth 500. Pre-orders for each of these products are available now via the Turtle Beach website, with all three models set to release on May 19 this year.

As the name would suggest, the Atlas Air is a wireless gaming headset that Turtle Beach claims is designed to be lightweight and comfortable. Despite being geared specifically for gaming, the Atlas Air is an open-back headset, a characteristic that is much more commonly found on high-end music listening headphones. An open-back design often creates a more immersive and natural soundstage, but comes at the cost of a lower background noise reduction.

The Atlas Air will be compatible with PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and mobile. While this is a wireless model, it’s worth noting that it is only compatible with those Xbox systems through a wired 3.5mm connection. Those playing on PC will also benefit from an exclusive high-fidelity audio mode, enabling higher-quality 24-bit audio at a 96kHz sampling rate, so it’s clear that platform is the focus. The headset is set to cost $179.99 / £159.99, with cosmetic ‘mod packs’ containing new headband straps and ear cushions available for $24.99 / £29.99.

The redesigned Stealth 600, also referred to as the Stealth 600 Gen 3, is the third iteration of the Stealth 600 headset. It offers an improved sound, an impressive 80-hour battery life, and AI-driven microphone noise reduction. There are distinct PC, Xbox, and PlayStation models depending on your choice of platform, each costing $99.99 / £99.99.

The most affordable new arrival is the Stealth 500, a $79.99 / £79.99 wireless gaming headset with a 40-hour battery life. Like the Stealth 600, the Stealth 500 comes in three distinct configurations: PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.

Pimax’s new VR headset can swap between QLED and OLED displays – but the Vision Pro beats it in one important way

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 16, 2024
No Comments on Pimax’s new VR headset can swap between QLED and OLED displays – but the Vision Pro beats it in one important way

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Pimax has unveiled two new VR headsets with the top of the line Pimax Crystal Super seemingly set to put the best VR headsets to shame – even the Apple Vision Pro – with some phenomenal specs. It also has one of most unique display features we’ve ever seen: you can swap between an OLED and QLED display engine to get the most out of your virtual experience.

Are you playing a frightening horror adventure that has you exploring dark spaces filled with monsters? Then an OLED screen’s excellent dark contrast will be just what you need. If you’re instead kicking back with a vibrant VR social app then you could swap in the QLED screen to be dazzled by the colors it can produce.

No matter which screen type you choose, the Pimax Crystal Super will deliver 29.5 million pixels across its dual, 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye displays, each with 200 nits of brightness. The QLED display system has a max refresh rate of 120Hz and uses glass aspheric lenses, while the OLED one has a 90Hz max refresh rate and uses less bulky pancake lenses.

You’ll also find neat features like eye-tracking, dynamic foveated rendering, and inside-out tracking – so there’s no need for lighthouses.

As you’d expect, this swappable display design doesn’t come cheap. If you want a Pimax Crystal Super with both the OLED and QLED display engines you’ll be paying $2,399 (around £1,925 / AU$3,700) for the headset. Alternatively if you’d rather get just one type of display the QLED model will set you back $1,799 (around £1,450 / AU$2,800 ) while the OLED version costs $1,999 (around £1,600 / AU$3,100).

No precise release date has been given yet but Pimax estimates the Crystal super will launch in Q4 2024 (so October, November or December).

The Pimax Crystal Light in a purple and blue room, it's lying on the floor, switched off

The Pimax Crystal Light (Image credit: Pimax)

If this is all still too much to pay for a VR headset – especially one that requires you to have a similarly high-end PC gaming rig so you can get the most out of your headset’s capabilities – or you want a headset that’ll arrive sooner, you could instead opt for the Crystal Light.

The crystal light boasts less sharp displays – boasting just 2,880 x 2,880 pixels per eye – though its QLED screen can get up to 120Hz. However, it uses aspheric lenses so will be bulkier than headsets using pancake lenses, and it lacks eye-tracking, and dynamic foveated rendering capabilities.

The upshot is it’s a heck of a lot cheaper starting at just $699 (around £550 / AU$1,100) and it should launch in May according to Pimax.

As impressive as these news Pimax headsets sound, I’m disappointed that they’re locked into the PCVR ecosystem, and aren’t at least adopting Pimax’s own wireless tech.

Analysis: Several steps forward, several steps back

A big issue with PCVR headsets are the cables that tether you to a PC – or a console in the case of PSVR 2 – that limit your movement, and that you can catch yourself on as your flail about in virtual reality.

However, as we’ve seen from the displays in Pimax’s headset, the advantage of PCVR is you can enjoy a super high level of graphics and performance that outshines standalone devices – like the Meta Quest 3 and even Apple Vision Pro (provided you have a great PC, that is).

This is where a wireless module can come in like the Pimax Crystal 60G Airlink device as they allow you to enjoy PCVR without being tethered. We’ve known that this device has been coming for a while – it was demoed at CES 2024 already – but we finally know exactly what the Crystal 60G can do with official specs straight from Pimax.

Specifically it boasts wireless PCVR with a 2,880 x 2,880 pixel resolution per eye, 90Hz max refresh rate, and “ultra low latency” – though exactly what this means hasn’t been revealed.

The Pimax Crystal 60G Airlink system including a module for your PC and another for your headset

The Pimax Crystal 60G Airlink module (Image credit: Pimax)

Unfortunately, neither of Pimax’s new headsets – the Crystal Super or Crystal Light – will support the 60G Airlink module.

What’s more, they strip out the batteries and Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chipset that the base Pimax Crystal headset included, which allowed it to support both wireless PCVR and a standalone VR experience.

To this end, you might find the base Crystal model is the better option for you – or a non-Pimax model like a Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro – thanks to the versatility offered by a standalone headset. Not only are you freer to use the headset wherever you want but also, with the exception of the Vision Pro, you can very easily use these headsets for wireless VR and for wired PCVR – giving you the best of both worlds.

This versatility is one of the reasons why Quest headsets have been topping the Steam VR usage charts for years.

Considering how impressive Pimax’s machines are I’d love for it to have kept pushing into the world of standalone VR. Improving its software catalogue or partnering with a company with a great VR OS to jumpstart its app store – ideally the amazing Quest ecosystem, though are others out there from the likes of HTC – would also have been great.

I’ll have to try the latest Pimax headset out for myself before giving my final verdict, but as it stands I don’t think these are VR gadgets I can see most people using – nor do I think most people should use them. Which is a real shame because otherwise I feel Pimax’s machines could be a slam dunk on pricey competitors like the Vision Pro – for now, though, I feel relative newcomer Apple has Pimax’s Crystal Super beat, on paper.

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Tags beats, Displays, headset, Important, OLED, Pimaxs, Pro, QLED, swap, vision

Featured

Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headset review

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 5, 2024
No Comments on Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headset review

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Sony INZONE H9: One-minute review

Sony, without a doubt, has a reputation as an exceptional manufacturer of products. It’s a company that’s seriously made a name for itself, building one of the most successful console series we’ve seen in the last two decades.

Its DualSense controllers, PlayStation handhelds, and general hardware ecosystem over the years have been nothing short of outstanding, so, going into testing the $250 plus Inzone H9 wireless noise-canceling headset, a blend of both that PS5 design and ecosystem, combined with Sony’s legendary audio and noise-canceling prowess, I had high hopes that it was going to be an absolute killer piece of kit, easily making its way onto our best PC gaming headsets list and beyond.

After all, as I’ve mentioned, this is a company that already has an impressive audio subsection of its brand. Just grab some of those engineers, give them a design IP and a bit of budget, chuck a full-fledged microphone on the beating heart of a unit like the Sony WH1000XM5 or its predecessors and they’d be off to the races.

So, is that the case? Is the Sony Inzone H9 wireless noise-cancelling gaming headset, a pair of WH1000XM5s disguised as a PS5 headset? Well, no, not quite. They’re expensive, stylish, and well-designed – but the audio performance doesn’t really line up with the price tag.

Sony INZONE H9: Price and availability

How much does it cost? $300 / £269 / AU$450 – but now available cheaper
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available worldwide

Sony INZONE H9: SPECS

Interface: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4/5, mobile devices
Mic: Bidirectional noise-cancelling
Surround sound: Sony 360 Spatial Sound for Gaming
Weight: 330g

So let’s talk price: what are we looking at here? Well, the Inzone H9 wireless clocks in at a fairly steep $300 in the US, £269 in the UK, and AU$450 for our friends down under. However, you can pick it up cheaper from most major retailers – the best bet for stateside shoppers is Amazon or Bestbuy, for the UK, Currys or Amazon are the best picks here too. Likewise, you’ll also find these floating around in Europe at Amazon.de, and Australia as well, although stock there is far more limited.

The Inzone H9 Wireless is a costly piece of kit, and slapping that kind of price tag on a headset of this caliber makes it fair game for comparison against a whole swathe of top-tier competition from the likes of Logitech, Razer, Corsair, and more.

In fact, its retail price in the US actually did sit at $300 until fairly recently, and even at its reduced price, that puts it in spitting distance of the excellent Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed headset, or even the likes of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro. In other words, the competition is fierce. Both those sets of cans do miss out on one key feature, namely the ANC, but more on that later.

The Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Sony INZONE H9: Design

Stylish aesthetic
Very comfortable to wear
Multiple on-headset controls

One quick look at the Inzone H9 Wireless and you’ll immediately fall under its spell. Particularly if you’re already heavily invested in the Sony PS5 ecosystem, and pick up a white version of this little beauty. It’s got an incredibly clean style to it, complete with that sandblasted white plastic we’ve come to expect, paired with a high contrast black shiny plastic mixed with matt touches, along with perhaps not-so-subtle Sony branding on the ear-cups.

The Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headset.

(Image credit: Future)

The microphone in particular looks exceptionally clean, with its swivel mechanism, and the overall ergonomic inclusions Sony has integrated into the Inzone H9 are nothing to be smirked at. The earcups are big circumaural affairs that easily coffer your entire ear, and it has a similar feel to a helicopter pilot’s cans. Perhaps not something you’d want to wear around town, but it does lend itself to a classy overall look, and some top-tier comfort.

Speaking of, the headband is much improved over the more affordable Inzone H5 wireless, and the earcups equally feature a softer faux leather finish (although it does feel a little “crisp” which is weird for a headset). The padding is a lot more plush than its cheaper siblings too. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s memory foam (and that’s not something Sony has in its marketing materials either), but it’s comfortable for long-term use, and that’s what’s important here.

The Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Aside from the physicality of the thing, the Inzone H9 features only two connection standards, Bluetooth 5.0 and your standard Wireless 2.4 GHz dongle affair. Unlike the Inzone H5, the H9 doesn’t feature an analog connection, although it does have USB-C connectivity.

There are a number of buttons integrated into the headset as well, including power, Bluetooth, game/chat volume adjustments, a volume wheel, and a noise-canceling button, allowing you to swap between different presets on the fly.

The Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Sony INZONE H9: Performance

Sound quality is only middling
Mic doesn’t perform well
Good battery life

The one thing that will make or break a good gaming headset is the quality of its audio. It doesn’t matter what extra features it comes with, what noise-canceling it has, or what spatial audio AI sound control gimmickry is baked into its marketing language: if it can’t produce good audio, comparatively to the products in its price bracket, it’s going to get hammered.

So then. Sony’s Inzone H9 wireless noise cancelling headset. Audio? Not great. Nope, sadly, these are the exact same drivers found in the far cheaper Inzone H5 wireless gaming headset, the same 5 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, and to cap it off the same confused EQ tuning has been applied straight out of the gate. The bass, although potent, seems muted and muffled, there’s no punch to it, the mids seem to be lacking their top-end, and overall clarity re-inforced by the treble, like its H5 cousin, is just absent, which is a really sad thing to report given the high price of this headset.

I tested the Inzone H9 wireless for a few weeks, comparing it to several cheaper and more expensive headsets, and it just fails to make an impact in contrast to the likes of offerings from Audiotechnica, Corsair, and Razer. This is sad, because Sony is a company that already has such a prestigious audio pedigree behind it. Music is just okay; it’s an okay headset. In-game it’s enjoyable enough, sure, but again: you don’t just want “okay” when you’re spending this much cash on a gaming headset.

The Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Then we get to the microphone. Now this is different compared to the likes of the Inzone H5 – by which I mean it’s somehow more muffled and less clear, and again, when you consider products like Corsair’s HS80 or HyperX’s Cloud Alpha, and how potent they are in that department, it’s just not a good feeling.

The noise-cancelling however is somewhat of a saving grace. It’s there, it’s powerful, and it’s good at cutting out hum and vibrations, fan noise from your PC, or the drone of a washer-dryer, although it’s not capable of cutting out all noise in the vicinity. If someone’s playing loud music in the next room, or shouting your name, you’re still going to hear them. Similarly, there are very few ANC gaming headsets out there at this price point (after all, it’s a lot easier to control the ambient sound of your gaming environment than it is outside your home). That said, the real killer piece of tech is (somewhat ironically) the ambient sound mode. It’s generally quite a nice touch, and performs well, giving the Inzone H9 wireless an impressive open-backed feeling to it.

The Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Connectivity is fine. 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C are enough in this day and age, and the USB dongle included has a switch allowing you to swap between PS5 and PC mode depending on what you’re plugging it into. I found that the battery life was solid; Sony advertises up to 32 hours of playback with ANC turned off, and while I don’t think it lasts quite that long in practice, it certainly holds charge well enough to not need plugging every other day. There’s quick charge via USB-C too, giving you an hour of game time after 10 minutes of charging.

Sony’s Inzone hub software suite is pretty slick too, and impressively easy to use – which is good, because you’ll want to adjust the wonky factory EQ settings. You’ll still be handicapped by those audio drivers though, sadly.

The Sony Inzone H9 isn’t a bad headset, not at its heart. In isolation, it’s a decent experience. If you pick one of these up, you’ll have an alright time with it. But really, you’re going to be buying this headset if you want that “Sony” badge clout, and for your cans to match your PS5 DualSense controller, and in that regard, it’s highly difficult for me to recommend it. The audio just isn’t up to scratch compared to the competition (and Sony’s own cheaper Inzone cans), and that’s a real problem.

Should I buy the Sony INZONE H9?

The Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

Sony INZONE H9: Report card

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Value	At this sort of price point, I’d strongly expect better audio quality. I want to like the Inzone H9, but it’s overpriced for what it offers.	2 / 5
Design	One of the best-looking and best-feeling headsets I’ve put atop my head.	4.5 / 5
Performance	Sound quality is lacklustre and the microphone is inexplicably worse than Sony’s cheaper model, but at least the battery life is good.	2.5 / 5
Total	While it’s a well-designed and perfectly functional headset, the Sony Inzone H9 simply doesn’t perform well enough to justify its high asking price.	3 / 5

First reviewed April 2024

How we test

I spent four weeks testing the Inzone H9 wireless noise-canceling gaming headset, along with its H5 cousin, while comparing it to some competitor headsets at the same price point. I was testing mostly on PC but also used my PS5 to check the software and to see if there were any major changes to audio quality. I’ve used it playing Dark Souls III, Elden Ring, Total War: Warhammer III, and World of Warcraft -really taking advantage of a multitude of high-quality soundstages to get the most out of those audio drivers.

I also used the Inzone H9 wireless extensively while listening to music on Spotify Premium and while consuming endless content on YouTube Premium as well, listening and watching a vast array of different videos from multiple genres. For microphone testing, I cranked it up in Windows 11’s in-built sound recorder program for my own internal comparison tests and passively used it in Discord calls as well.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained – regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it’s on our radar.

Meta is cutting off support for the original Quest headset at the end of April

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 2, 2024
No Comments on Meta is cutting off support for the original Quest headset at the end of April

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Support for the original Oculus Quest headset will soon end as Meta has sent out emails to developers informing them of the company’s future plans for the device. Forbes managed to get their hands on the details, and according to their report, the tech giant is going to be strict. They really do not want the headset to stick around.

Developers have until April 30 to roll out any “app updates for the Quest 1 to the Meta Quest store.” Past that date, nothing will be allowed to be released even if dev teams want to continue catering to users of the older model. Meta will outright block the patch.

If an app is available on other Quest devices, the update can roll out to those headsets, but the Quest 1 support will be denied. New apps that come out after April 30 are not going to appear on the online store nor will owners even be allowed to buy them. They’ll be stuck in limbo.

The email continues by saying Meta will maintain the Quest 1 by releasing “critical bug fixes and security patches” until August of this year. Once the summer is over, the company will be wiping its hands clean, marking the official end of its first mainline headset. Users who want to continue on the platform will need to upgrade to either a Quest 2 or Quest 3.

Depreciation

The depreciation of the Quest 1, as sudden as it may seem, has been a long time coming. Meta originally announced the end of the headset back in January 2023. Soon after, it began to periodically pull the plug on certain features. Upgrades eventually grinded to a halt, people lost the ability to create parties, and lost access to the social aspects of Horizon Home.

Meta is turning the Quest 1 into a plastic brick as it cuts off support without any wiggle room. However, it’s possible that the headset could see new life among niche online communities or platforms like SideQuest. No one is stopping independent developers from sideloading apps. If you plan on joining these groups, keep in mind the software you download from unofficial spaces could come with malware. Meta isn’t going to come in and save you. You’re on your own.

Analysis: is the Quest 2 next?

Despite knowing all this would happen ahead of time, the Quest 1 cutoff is harsh to say the least especially when you compare it to gaming consoles. The headset didn’t even reach its fifth birthday before getting the ax. Consoles, on the other hand, often see many more years of support, sometimes a full decade’s worth. Seeing the shutdown makes us wonder what’s going to happen to the Quest 2.

The second-gen model was released about a year-and-a-half after the original headset. Although it brought many improvements at launch, the performance of the Quest 2 has been eclipsed by other headsets. It could potentially see a similar end, although we think it’s unlikely. The Quest 2 has proven itself to be much more popular than the original, so a sudden cutoff likely won’t happen any time soon. It should exist as the brand’s mid-range option moving forward.

If you’re affected by the shutoff and want a new device, check out TechRadar’s list of the best VR headsets for 2024.

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Tags April, cutting, headset, Meta, Original, Quest, Support

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Wired vs wireless gaming headset – which is best for you?

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 30, 2024
No Comments on Wired vs wireless gaming headset – which is best for you?

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Knowing which way to go when it comes to the wired gaming headset vs wireless gaming headset matchup will come down to a handful of key factors. These are important all things to consider and could well prove critical in making a purchasing decision between the two if you’re weighing up the two options.

Gone are the days when wired headsets were simply the best for audio quality; as are the days when wireless headsets were just prohibitively expensive by default. The gaps between the headset types are getting narrower than ever, so you might find yourself looking for some help choosing between them.

That’s where we come in. We’ve been testing gaming headsets for years and definitely know a thing or two about what both types can offer you. We also know the best broad characteristics to consider when choosing a headset to buy. Whether you’re looking for a PS5 headset, PC headset, or Xbox Series X headset, we’ll help you get to where you need to be when it comes to the connectivity choice. Let’s get into it.

Wired vs wireless gaming headset – Design & features

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

In terms of form and design, there’s nothing really to differentiate a wired or wireless gaming headset. Both will offer two earcups, finished with some form of soft material, connected by a headband, often made of plastic or metal or even a combination of the two.

As price tags start to climb on both types, however, you’ll start to see more features added, be that detachable or retractable microphones, extra onboard controls, larger or higher-grade drivers, or even bespoke brand-specific features like specific audio profiles or extra customization.

Companion apps and software, be it on mobile or PC, are also more common than ever across the two types of headset. I’ve had positive experiences with the Astro A30 Wireless headset being augmented by the Logitech mobile app, for example, as well as using Razer’s Synapse app and THX Spatial settings with the BlackShark V2 wired headset.

Thus, as with many gaming peripherals, you’ll often get more features as your budget grows. As a result, it’s a good idea to think about which features are must-haves for you, as well as which ones you can do without.

Wired vs wireless gaming headset – Performance & Use cases

Razer Barracuda headphones against a textured white background.

(Image credit: Razer)

In 2024, the base performance of a wireless or wired headset is going to be extremely similar. What we mean by that is, both will be acceptable performers across games and most will offer robust audio quality. Even a lot of brands cheapest headsets have drivers and audio designs that are inspired by or have features found in the more premium models, often sharing the same tech. The same is true of the headsets’ microphones too.

If you want to rule out any latency, perhaps for competitive play, then wired headsets will always be the best performers in that respect. A wired connection will offer as close to zero latency than any wireless headset can get near. Now, I personally think that wireless headsets are good enough nowadays that latency is not an issue for most players. Brands have now devised their own proprietary wireless connections (Razer’s Hyperspeed connection or Sony’s new PlayStation Link tech, for example) to cut down delay even further. But if you want to remove even the slim chance of latency, a wired headset is the one to go for.

Logitech G335

(Image credit: Future)

Wired headsets also won’t require charging, so they’ll never run out of juice when you want to play. Offsetting that is the fact that wireless headsets in 2024 have more than enough battery life to last for the longest of gaming sessions – the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless claims to offer up to 300 hours of battery life! (In my review of that headset for sister-site GamesRadar, I had to stop counting after the 110-hour mark.) We’re also seeing ingenious battery solutions provided by the likes of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Turtle Beach Stealth Pro that offer swappable battery packs, ensuring you’re even less likely to run out of power.

Where there remains a clearer difference however is in use case, versatility, and compatibility. In short, wired headsets still have it over wireless sets when it comes to sheer versatility and also multiplatform use. There’s nothing simpler than unplugging an audio jack from a DualSense on PS5 and then attaching it to an Xbox controller, PC, or Nintendo Switch. Wired headsets still offer this and it’s a great advantage.

While the barriers are coming down for wireless multiplatform headsets, we’re only just starting to see mainstream models offer this, such as the Astro A50 X, for example – but such headsets are often premium models and certainly cost more than wired alternatives. If you game on a couple of platforms – like PS5, Xbox, and PC – then such choices will be sound, but there are very few headsets that will serve a multiplatform setup from Nintendo Switch to PC, from mobile to console, perfectly seamlessly.

Wired vs wireless gaming headset – Price & value

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P

(Image credit: Future)

Broadly speaking, the price divide between wireless and wired gaming headsets has traditionally been that wireless sets will cost more than wired ones. The extra tech required to go wireless just costs more to produce, leading to higher prices. While this divide has become less black and white in recent years, it’s still present – and certainly enough to help guide purchasing decisions.

The most premium gaming headsets are still those that offer wireless connectivity, often featuring the broadest array of features. Headsets like the aforementioned Astro A50 X and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are some of the best in the business but both have list prices that easily clear the $300 / £300 mark – even though both are from the small pool of genuinely multi-platform wireless headsets. Whereas the cheapest headsets are still the simpler, wired sets. Budget audio givers like the Turtle Beach Recon 70s or the Razer Kaira X headsets are solid and robust wired units that are around, or under, the $50 / £50 level.

Pulse 3D headset

(Image credit: Future)

However, in recent years, we have seen some substantial progress and offerings made in the mid-range and affordable wireless headset category. Sony’s PS5 Pulse 3D headset and Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless headset are two great examples of this, with both offering excellent quality, and great value wireless experiences for less than $100 / £100. It’s a trend we’re seeing more now too with the likes of Turtle Beach’s Stealth 600 and 700 Gen 2 lines often dropping below that threshold, particularly during sales events.

Value for money is a little more nuanced given that when you pay for a premium headset, you really do get some world-beating features such as proper noise cancellation, a digital to analogue converter (DAC) with equalizer (EQs) to customize, companion software, ingenious battery solutions, and so on. You can get some of these features on expensive wired sets, but many, in helping to keep the cost down, won’t offer them – but will still offer simple and robust sets with good audio. And sometimes that’s all you need; a simple headset that can just plug in and go for any platform.

Gaming headset vs gaming earbuds – Verdict

The best Xbox Series X headsets

(Image credit: Future)

On balance, both kinds of gaming headsets are still great options. While it does feel as if the general direction of travel is for the majority of gaming peripherals to be going wireless, there’s still a place for a wired connection in 2024.

Personally, I favor the wireless headsets for a tidier setup and because the options are just so good nowadays; almost all connectivity problems or latency issues are no longer present and there are even great-value cord-free sets now. But on the other hand, wired sets still offer a lot, and their multiplatform versatility can’t really be matched by their wireless counterparts, and certainly not at the same great price points.

Buy a wired gaming headset if…

Buy a wireless gaming headset if…

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