Tom checks out the funky new Ear Force X1 headset.
The Ear Force X1 headset at first sight didn’t make me go “Wow”, in fact it took time for me to warm to its large appearance and slight weight increase compared to the standard communicator headset that most are accustomed to.
But after trying this out on numerous games and films I have to say that I was very impressed with the quality that this delivers. I see the words ‘Quality Sound’ or ‘Ultimate Audio Experience’ on a lot of Headsets and sound systems, but when I come to hear them they tend not to impress that much, if at all.
The Ear Force X1 is quick to set up, so no mucking about there, whack the USB into the back of the console to power the headset, a splitter cable goes into the scart block of the component cable then the corresponding cable goes into them, so if you want to keep the sound pumping out of the TV too you can!
After hearing the sound quality, the weight does get pushed to the back of your mind.
Hardcore testing
The headset itself is surprisingly comfortable, with the ear covers blocking out almost all noise, the microphone has superb flexibility so you can adjust to your own perfect position and after 5 minutes you don’t really notice the weight of the headset. But after hearing the sound quality, the weight does get pushed to the back of your mind.
The first game to hit the testing spree, (that’s right spree - with something like this you can’t just test with one game and give the thumbs up), was of course Call of Duty 4.
I have never had a better game of CoD 4, because the ear pieces did block the external sounds around me it helped to help me concentrate and not get distracted. But the big advantage I found was that the sound quality was so clear I could tell in which direction the gun fire was coming from, so I would know in which direction to not go to meet a horrible death. Also, I could here the first bounce of the grenades landing so I knew to run as the grenade pointer appeared. The microphone as well, according to my friends online, was very clear and didn’t pick my breathing up.
Silence is Golden
The Ear Force X1 also has a duel volume control, one for the actual game play sound, the other for voice chat, which is a godsend when some one starts to sing ‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson down the headset, because you can turn the game up (admittedly this can be quite deafening if a grenade goes off under you) and the voice chat down thus getting rid of the irksome wannabe-popstar.
The next game to enter the Ear Force testing zone was Lego Indiana Jones, a nice quiet solo game. And once again the Headset really does work wonders really giving you complete focus as all you can hear is the Lego blocks clicking and falling, the music being amplified, and the crisp sound of a cracking whip.
the Headset really does work wonders really giving you complete focus.
No interruptions
It was nice to at last get lost in a couple of games and not have some one yell ‘Turn it down!’, to me the sounds in the game plays a big role in helping you really get into the game you’re playing, and if you can’t hear the game or the game’s sound is being distorted by dodgy speakers then that takes something out of the game.
The next good/bad feature is the cable length. 'Good AND bad?' I here you say, 'how is that possible!?' Well it depends on the distance you sit from the console. Sit far away and you’ll be okay as the cable is really long. Sit quite close like me, however, (I use a flat screen PC monitor), then you’ll have a fair bit of cable by your feet. So bad then, but n a good way - if that makes sense!
I did test the Headset out on three movies as well, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Sweeney Todd and Transformers. All sounded brilliant, so it really does cover all areas very nicely.
Once you get over the initial weight you will come to use this headset every time, as that is what I do now; it helps me focus on my games because it does block out the external distractions, it keeps the rest of the house happy as they can’t hear the explosions, screams and gun fire from what I’m playing or watching. It is an essential part of my gaming kit now, so I'd recommend that if you do get grief to turn the telly down, or you want to focus more on the game, then the Ear Force X1 is a must-have piece of kit.
GAME's Verdict
- The cable length, so you don't need to sit too close
- Dual volume control
- The flexible microphone
- The cable length, if you do sit close
- The weight
- Ears can feel a bit hot after an hour or two
Review by: Tom "Lughole" Daly
Version Tested: Xbox 360
Review Published: 13.06.08