El director ejecutivo de Apple, Tim Cook, reveló detalles sobre el enfoque de la compañía hacia la inteligencia artificial y defendió los auriculares Vision Pro en una amplia entrevista el miércoles. En un estribillo ahora familiar, habló sobre la incursión estratégica de la compañía en la IA generativa mientras abordaba las críticas sobre la respuesta aparentemente tardía de Apple al auge de la IA.
“Nunca hemos hablado de cargarlo”, dijo Cook sobre Apple Intelligence. “Lo vemos como una especie de multitáctil, que ha permitido la revolución moderna de los teléfonos inteligentes y las tabletas”.
Tim Cook habla sobre IA y Vision Pro en una amplia entrevista con cableado revista
Dijo que en lugar de precipitarse al mercado, Apple adoptó su propio enfoque distintivo y reflexivo. La empresa planea integrar capacidades de inteligencia artificial en toda su línea de productos mediante actualizaciones de software. Hizo hincapié en la privacidad. Como tal, la mayor parte del procesamiento de IA se realiza en los dispositivos de los usuarios en lugar de en la nube, y las tareas más complejas se manejan en áreas seguras de los centros de datos de Apple.
Cook Apple señaló En asociación con OpenAI Integrar la funcionalidad ChatGPT en sus productos. Cuando se le preguntó sobre el desarrollo de grandes modelos de lenguaje propios, mantuvo la puerta abierta pero defendió la asociación OpenAI. Dijo que su empresa optó por trabajar con el “pionero” en este campo.
Vision Pro es para los primeros usuarios y la atención médica es un legado que salva vidas
acerca de auriculares visión proCook reconoció su condición de “productor temprano”, pero expresó optimismo sobre su futuro, destacando particularmente el crecimiento exponencial. Ecosistema de aplicaciones. Sugirió que el factor de forma del dispositivo evolucionará con el tiempo, lo que podría conducir a gafas de realidad aumentada más compactas.
Cook también repitió su audaz predicción sobre el legado de Apple, diciendo que la mayor contribución de la compañía eventualmente se hará realidad. Estar en atención médica. él señaló reloj de manzanaUn conjunto cada vez mayor de funciones de seguimiento de la salud reveló que Apple está realizando una investigación sobre el uso de inteligencia artificial para el diagnóstico médico temprano.
La entrevista abordó desafíos legales recientes, ya que Cook defendió a Apple contra la demanda antimonopolio del Departamento de Justicia, calificándola de “completamente engañosa”. Destacó el enfoque de la empresa en la experiencia del usuario y la privacidad.
La privacidad y la seguridad siguen siendo iguales
A lo largo de la conversación, Cook mantuvo la típica postura de Apple de priorizar la privacidad. Destacó cómo la empresa planea integrar la tecnología de inteligencia artificial sin comprometer la seguridad de los datos de los usuarios. Este equilibrio entre innovación y protección de la privacidad parece ser fundamental para la estrategia de Apple al entrar en la era de la inteligencia artificial.
La entrevista presenta una imagen de una empresa que todos conocemos. No es la primera empresa que comercializa funciones de IA, pero está construyendo sistemáticamente lo que espera sea un enfoque más reflexivo e integrado de la IA en todo su ecosistema.
Sennheiser has launched the HD 620S, its latest pair of headphones that try to balance performance, noise isolation, and comfort.
This model is a bit of an odd duck but in a good way. The line that it’s a part of, the HD 600 series, consists entirely of open-back headphones. These are great at outputting high-quality audio. However, they’re not so good at blocking outside noise, making them a poor fit for travel. The HD 620S is swimming against the current by being a pair of closed-back headphones. Devices with this design are much better at stopping noise from leaking in.
The company states the cup covers are reinforced with steel that acts as “an efficient isolator”. Each one houses a 42mm dynamic transducer with a 38mm diaphragm engulfing the listener in a bubble of sound. Alongside them are 150-ohm aluminum voice coils ensuring clear vocal clarity and accurate output. The result is a pair of high-performing headphones able to cover a wide range of audio. Sennheiser even boasts they have a louder bass response than the HD 600, a pair of headphones that reportedly can reproduce “true-to-life sound”.
(Image credit: Sennheiser)
A comfortable fit
One of the issues with closed-ear headphones is they can be uncomfortable to wear. Their isolative design means air isn’t flowing which can lead to hot and sweaty ears. The HD 620S, however, is also focused on delivering a comfortable experience more akin to open-ear headphones. Sennheiser says the combination of “spacious ear cup covers and the supple ear pads” enables good ventilation so heat isn’t trapped. Like the cup covers, the headband is made of reinforced steel for long-term durability. They’re also lightweight with the whole package clocking in at 670g (about 1.5 pounds).
(Image credit: Sennheiser)
Preorders for the Sennheiser HD 620S are currently open. You can purchase a pair for $349.95/£299.99/AU$599.95. The shipping date is set for June 6. With a purchase, you’ll receive a six-foot cable (1.8 meters). In the next couple of months, all you audiophiles out there can buy an optional 4.4mm balanced cable for even better audio fidelity.
Analysis: Good first impression
You can think of these headphones as a jack of all trades. In the announcement, Sennheiser mentions how the HD 620S “combines the DNA of the HD 600 and 500 series, bringing the best of both” worlds together. But will it be good enough to be a Master of All? Could it herald in a new era of headphones fusing the best aspects of open and closed-ear designs into one? Maybe. At the very least, it’ll come close.
TechRadar’s Audio Editor Becky Scarrott recently had the opportunity to try out the HD 620S and her first impressions were positive. She stated, “They feel incredibly light to hold and [wear]”, saying the padding on the headband “is exceptional.” Regarding its performance, Becky said the “detail levels are also excellent”. They’re on the same level as the HD 600. She concludes by saying, “Early signs are good!”
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So far, they’ve made a good first impression on Becky. Whether or not the HD 620S are the start of a new trend remains to be seen. In the meantime, check out TechRadar’s list of the best headphones for 2024.
Italian hi-fi maker Volumio has just launched a new audio device called the Motivo Streamer, Transport & Headphone Amplifier, which is best described as a high-res music streamer and iPad rolled into one compact and stylish package.
To control the device, Volumio has combined a sleek-looking 8-inch touchscreen with a retro-styled haptic control dial to make the whole entertainment experience feel more immersive. It boasts a range of software and hardware connectivity options, which means you can use it with any of the best music streaming services. It’ll also play nicely with your current home entertainment set up and a pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones, thanks to wide connectivity options.
Under the hood, you’ll find a Sabre ES9038 DAC (that’s a digital to analogue converter), which supports all of the best-quality high-resolution music files. It also boasts dual-output analogue XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced outputs.
With Volumio’s Premium software, which is included as part of the device, you’ll be able to access any of your favorite streaming services, including Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz and more. In short, the Volumio Motivo is built for audiophiles and with wireless streaming compatibility to the best Sonos speakers and Google Cast speakers, it can fit seamlessly into wired or wireless setups.
(Image credit: Volumio)
Slick styling and Smart suggestions
We’ve covered Volumio’s products before, and we always fall for its blend of state-of-the-art audio that’s housed in modern designs with artisanal touches. But new technology from Volumio makes its latest products even more appealing because they bring AI smarts to your listening experience.
When we first wrote about Supersearch we did say that, of course, you can just use the ChatGPT app and ask it for music recommendations, but this experience is much slicker and more straightforward. The Motivo also comes with Volumio’s ‘Infinity Playback’ tool, which continues to bring you music you’ll like once you reach the end of the recommendations. Sure this all sounds similar to the experience you’ll already get from the likes of Spotify and Tidal, but again, having all of these features built directly into one product makes it infinitely easier.
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We don’t have pricing or availability details about the Volumio Motivo just yet, but it’s not going to be cheap. The Volumio Integro launched for around $1,400 / £1,025 / AU$2,499 and although it’s a different sort of device, it should give you a rough idea about what to expect.
The Final Audio VR500 are among the Japanese specialist’s most affordable headphones – but that doesn’t mean they’ve missed out on the customary Final Audio attention to detail. The company wants to make the VR500 the default affordable wired headphone for gamers and music-lovers alike – and it’s given them every chance to succeed in the best wired headphones arena.
Specification is good, inasmuch as the VR500 are fitted with proven full-range dynamic drivers. Build quality is solid, thanks to their neat ABS resin construction. The 1.2m cable a) is long enough for most scenarios, and b) features a one-button in-line remote with mic.
And in practice, the VR500 work very well indeed. Some listeners might hanker after more outright punch, but where detail retrieval, spaciousness, precision and fidelity are concerned, the Final Audio outperform their asking price quite comfortably. In fact, the VR500 are good enough that they give the established go-to affordable wired in-ears from SoundMagic (namely the SoundMagic E11C) plenty to think about.
Demure build, but the Final VR500 aren’t shy about sound (Image credit: Future)
Final VR500 review: Price & release date
Released February 20, 2024
$34.99 / £29.99 / AU$49.99
The Final Audio VR500 wired in-ear headphones have been on sale since February 20, 2024, and in the United Kingdom they’re a penny under £30. In America they’re a touch less than $35, and in Australia you get a tiny amount of change from AU$50.
This, it hardly needs pointing out, is not very much money for a pair of headphones from a company as auspicious and high-achieving as Final Audio – you only have to look at the price of the sort of headphones TechRadar routinely reviews to realise that.
But everything’s relative, of course; there’s no point in spending this sort of money on a pair of wired earbuds if they don’t represent decent value for money. So let’s get to that…
Final VR500 review: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Drivers
6.4mm dynamic
Weight
15g
Sensitivity
98dB
Controls
one-button in-line with mic
Cable length
1.2m
The level of care Final has delivered at this price point is unmatched (Image credit: Future)
Final VR500 review: Features
6.4mm dynamic drivers
Oxygen-free copper cable
Five sizes of eartip included
Final Audio is keen to present the VR500 as ideal for gaming, and consequently has plenty to say about the earbuds’ ability to create a big, three-dimensional soundstage and place sound effects precisely on it. I’ll discuss the veracity of these claims in the ‘sound quality’ section, but what’s already for certain is that Final Audio has definitely specified the VR500 to do the business.
The cable connecting the earbuds to the three-pole 3.5mm jack is of oxygen-free copper. The earbuds themselves house a couple of 6.4mm dynamic drivers – they’re the same high-precision devices that feature in a couple of the company’s more expensive in-ear designs and offer full-range frequency response. And by including five different sizes of high-quality silicone eartip in the packaging, Final Audio has done its utmost to ensure your VR500 fit snugly and comfortably.
The single button in-line remote feels good to use (Image credit: Future)
Final VR500 review: Sound quality
Open, spacious sound
Impressive levels of detail
Not the outright punch you might be after
In almost every respect, Final Audio has it the bull’s-eye where the sound of the VR500 is concerned. Its drive for clarity, spaciousness and good location of effects when gaming has been a complete success. By the standards of profoundly affordable wired in-ear headphones, the VR500 are basically as good as it currently gets.
In ultimate terms they’re fractionally lightweight, and short of the sort of low-frequency heft and impact that some genres of music can rely on. The bass presence they generate is swift and detailed, which allows rhythms good expression and keeps the sensation of momentum high – but if it’s out-and-out wallop you’re after, you may find the VR500 just slightly tentative.
In every other respect, though, they’re a straightforward pleasure to listen to. The soundstage they generate is big and well-organised, so both music and games are convincingly laid out. They retain and contextualise an impressive amount of detail, locate every element of a recording or a soundtrack confidently in respect to every other element, and unify even complex information into a persuasive whole.
There’s plenty of drive and attack available when it’s required, and more than enough headroom to give dynamics decent expression. But they’re also able to do ‘small-scale’ and ‘quiet’ very well too, keeping silences nice and dark while giving as much emphasis to spaces as is required.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
Bijou branding and a compact design (Image credit: Future)
Final VR500 review: Design
15g
ABS resin housing
1.2m cable
I’m going to say it for the umpteenth time during the course of this review: everything’s relative. So while there’s nothing, really nothing, unusual about the design of the Final Audio VR500, it’s nevertheless a considered product where design is concerned and all the better for it.
An all-in weight of just 15g is a strong indication of how comfortable the earbuds are when they’re in position. The cable is tangle-resistant, and at 1.2m is long enough for all likely applications. The ABS resin the earbud- and 3.5mm jack housings are built from is smooth, nicely finished and seems helpfully resistant to scratching. The single button of the in-line mic feels positive in its action.
That’s it as far as ‘design’ is concerned, and I’m tempted to ask “what else were you expecting?”, because there’s nothing about the VR500 to suggest Final Audio has paid anything less than full attention.
Final VR500 review: Value
Properly built and finished
Impressively specified at the money
Enjoyable sound quality
There aren’t many products on the pages of techradar.com that cost less than £30, and fewer still that don’t feel like they’ve been overtly built down to a price. The care Final Audio has taken with the physical and performance aspects of the VR500 is really quite impressive.
Should I buy the Final VR500?
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Section
Notes
Score
Features
Final Audio has specified the VR500 to do the business – and they deliver
5/5
Sound quality
Superb in almost every aspect sonically; just fractionally low on bass clout
4.5/5
Design
A considered product for design – and all the better for it
5/5
Value
The care taken here is unparalleled at the level
5/5
Buy them if…
Don’t buy them if…
Final VR500 review: Also consider
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell – Column 0
Final VR500
SoundMagic E11C
1More Triple Driver
Price
$34.99 / £29.99 / AU$49.99
$50 / £49 / AU$90
Price now: $39 / £49 (approx. AU$95)
Drivers
6.4mm
Dynamic 10mm Neodymium
Dual balanced armatures, one dynamic driver
Sensitivity
98dB
112dB at 1kHz/mW
104 dB
Weight
15g
15g
18g
Cable length
1.2m
1.2m
1.35m
How I tested the Final VR500
Plugged into a laptop…
…and a smartphone
Used for games and for music
I used the VR500 for well over a week, and in a variety of situations. At home, connected to a laptop and a smartphone, where I listened to music and played a few games. And on an aeroplane, where they were again attached to my laptop but also to the in-flight entertainment system.
And at no point was I anything less than impressed.
Google’s wired Nest security camera has dropped to its lowest price to date. The second-gen device is for indoor use and it’s motion sensitive. It’s capable of capturing 1080p HDR video. You can , which is $30 or 30 percent off the regular price of $100, at Amazon if you opt for the fog or linen colorway. However, if you go for the snow variant you can save a little more. That one is , or 32 percent off.
Google
Google’s second-gen wired Nest security camera has dropped to its lowest price ever.
The Nest Cam uses AI to discern between people, animals and vehicles. It can send you alerts via the Google Home app, and you won’t need a subscription for that. You will need a Nest Aware plan if you want up to 60 days of video history. Otherwise, Google will offer three free hours of event video history. Handily, if you have a Wi-Fi outage, up to an hour of event recordings will be stored on the device itself.
There’s a two-way audio function, so you can chat with house guests if you’re not home. In the event of an unwanted visitor, you can contact emergency services directly from the Google Home app if you’re a Nest Aware member who is perhaps using a tablet instead of a phone. You’ll be able to view live video feeds on compatible smart displays and smart TVs too.
Nest Aware subscribers can receive notifications when familiar faces are recognized. There’s also the option to set up home and away routines so the camera doesn’t capture video while you’re at your place.
Elsewhere, the Outdoor Nest Cam with Floodlight is on sale too. It has That’s just $10 more than the lowest price we’ve seen for it to date.
In tech, the terms “hotly anticipated” and “long-awaited” are often bandied around with little research into how invested anyone really is over the return of a brand or product. When it comes SoundMagic however, a wired in-ear homecoming is worthy of either phrase.
Why? Because the 2018-issue SoundMagic E11C raised the affordable IEMs bar at the time, quickly becoming the audiophile-on-a-budget go-to. They’re still sitting pretty in our best wired headphones and best earbuds for small ears guides to this day – and the 2019 SoundMagic E11BT built on that, but without the wires.
This time, SoundMagic has taken its flagship E80 model and produced a digital USB-C version to bring us right up to cutting-edge hi-res audio for 2024.
To clarify, where the traditional 3.5mm jack would once have been (see also any soon-to-be-obsolete Lightning-terminated options, now that Apple‘s proprietary iPhone plug has been laid to rest), SoundMagic has designed the E80D to end with a USB-C connector.
DAC’s a great idea
But this is 2024, so that’s not all! The E80D also have a built-in DAC chip capable of supporting 24-bit/96KHz audio files for high-resolution playback, which can easily plug directly into a Mac, PC, or smartphone (including the best iPhone models).
It’s an idea that’s not dissimilar to the Hidizs ST2 Pro Digital, released at CES at the start of the year, although pricing and availability for those has yet to be made official, while they have for SoundMagic’s option – they cost just $45.99 / £39.98 (which is around AU$75) and they’re available from today (April 16) via Amazon or selected retailers.
For the E80D, SoundMagic tells us it’s used the same cable technology as found in the multi-award-winning E11 earphones, involving silver-plated copper. In my experience, the main benefit of this cable design is that it’s both durable and virtually impossible to tangle, even when thrown in my bag in a rush.
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For the audiophile, the ideal companion for the new SoundMagic E80D would probably be one of the best hi-res audio players, but of course, with that USB-C termination and onboard DAC, the E80D are probably going to make the best laptops sound much better, too.
I cannot wait to hear what they can do – watch this space for a full review.
Campfire Audio makes some of the best wired headphones in the business (I still can’t decide whether I ultimately prefer the Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon or the Trifecta; each shines sonically for very different reasons). However, the company’s newest Fathom features a very different driver configuration again, to promise a “detailed presentation with just the right touch of mid-band warmth”.
As we’ve come to expect from Campfire, Fathom headphones are encased in an angular but ergonomic machined aluminum body, anodized this time in a black dip. The highlight here is those little Rainbow PVD fastening halos, which seem to throw subtle rainbows of light against the deep black of the shell.
Looks aside, audiophiles want what’s under the hood and Campfire’s been cooking up a new configuration, namelysix (yes, six) custom-made balanced armature drivers. The setup includes dual custom high-definition “super tweeters” for handling the highs; a pair of custom mid-range drivers for vocals and instruments and dual custom BA woofers to hold down those juicy bass frequencies.
All of this engineering doesn’t come cheap, as they’re priced at a very premium $1,049 / £1,049 (which is around AU$2,012).
‘Sound true to the original recording’ is actually a pretty wild idea for Campfire Audio – but it’s a good one
As mentioned above, I adore select Campfire Audio offerings. Aside from the sound quality, I enjoy it when a company moves to the beat of its own drum. Campfire is proudly based in Portland, Oregon (a city known for its friendly, artsy outlook and “Keep Portland Weird” bumper stickers) and CA often seemingly likes to play with its sound signatures to offer a novel recipe. It’s always a talented sound, it’s just… different across its oeuvre,in terms of the fine-tuning of those various driver setups.
The goal of Fathom’s design? “A sound true to the original recording, allowing you to hear your music with clarity and depth.” So, authenticity is the true aim here – not a sonic curve that is novel but appealing, nor a different balance to that which you’re used to in your audiophile listening gear. And I think it’s a wise move. I cannot vouch for the integration of those potentially picky BA drivers yet, but I like the plan.
And it wouldn’t be Campfire Audio if the accessories weren’t on point and here, there’s a folding leather carrying case (hand-made in Portugal, of course) a rainbow PVD carabiner, a total of six ear tips, an earphone cleaning tool and a Campfire Audio lapel pin to enjoy with your music. With Fathom, you also now get two cables – 3.5mm and a balanced 4.4mm termination – in the company’s Time Stream design, featuring eight silver-plated copper conductors in a ribbon configuration.
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Campfire Audio Fathom earbuds are available now, but irrespective of how good they may sound, they won’t be heading into any of our “budget” buying guides any time soon. However, if you’re looking to spend a little rather than a lot and you want to go wireless, be sure to consult our best budget wireless earbuds guide.
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
(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
(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.
(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
(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.
(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
(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.
NACON video game publisher and designer of gaming accessories, has recently announced the release of its new PlayStation controller, the Revolution 5 Pro. This announcement marks a significant milestone in NACON’s history, which is already decorated with success in the gaming accessories industry. Since 2016, over 6 million NACON PS4 controllers have been sold, including 1.6 million of its NACON Pro line. The Revolution 5 Pro is the result of years of development and is designed to give gamers an advantage, further solidifying NACON’s position in the market.
The Revolution 5 Pro controller is designed for comfort and precision, ensuring that gamers can enjoy extended gaming sessions without discomfort. One of the key technological advancements in the controller is the incorporation of Hall Effect technology. This technology allows for greater precision and durability of the joysticks and triggers, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
In addition to its technological advancements, the Revolution 5 Pro controller also demonstrates NACON’s commitment to environmental responsibility. The controller is designed with the ability to repair and replace key components, reducing the need for complete replacement and thus minimizing waste. This feature not only benefits the environment but also provides cost-saving benefits for the users.
NACON Revolution 5 Pro PlayStation controller
The customization options of the Revolution 5 Pro controller are extensive, with 4 profiles saved per platform, 3 sets of weights, 3 stick sizes, 3 sets of stick heads, 1 external microphone jack, and 60 customization options. This level of customization allows gamers to tailor the controller to their specific needs and preferences, enhancing their gaming experience.
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The Revolution 5 Pro controller offers extensive compatibility and customization options. It is compatible with PS5, PS4, and PC, and can be used wired or wireless, providing flexibility for gamers. The controller can be used for over 10 hours before recharging and connects to wireless headsets via Bluetooth and wired ones via the included 3.5 mm jack.
One of the standout features of the Revolution 5 Pro controller is the D-pad, which was developed in partnership with professional player Mister Crimson. This collaboration has resulted in a D-pad that offers exceptional control and precision, providing gamers with an edge in competitive gaming.
Customization of the Revolution 5 Pro controller can be done via a dedicated PC/Mac application, with Android and iOS applications available from 2024. This feature provides gamers with the convenience of customizing their controller from their preferred device.
The Revolution 5 Pro controller is a significant addition to NACON’s line of gaming accessories. With its technological advancements, environmental responsibility, and extensive compatibility and customization options, it is set to provide gamers with an enhanced gaming experience. As NACON continues to innovate and develop new products, the gaming community can look forward to more exciting releases in the future.
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