A hefty hardware haul

Sony's new generation of PlayStation VR is due to roll out in 2023.? And from the sounds of a new report, the PS VR2 will be mov?ing quite a few units out.

According to Bloomberg, Sony plans to make 2 million units of ?the PS VR2 headset by March 2023.

Bloomberg's sources say mass production ??of the new VR headset began in September, and it hasn't dealt with any supply chain constraints yet. Those figures could be adjusted, the report notes, depending on how the ?device sells upon its release.

A spokesperson for Sony Interactive Entertainment declined to c?omment on the report?? to Bloomberg.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5L9Mvh7tAk

The future of PlayStation VR

Sony's new PlayStation virtual reality headset is currently set for an early 2023 date, with no hard launch locked in just yet. The hardware is set to make use of the PlayStation 5's power, as the PS5's VR headset. It also has new controllers and a new headset design.

PlayStation has some big plans in store for the PS VR2, including a VR version of the Resident Evil 4 remake. It's also making a big generational jump by not supporting PlayStation VR 1 games.

"PSVR games are not compatible with PSVR2 because PSVR2 is designed to deliver a truly next-generation VR experience," said Sony's senior VP of platform experience Hideaki Nishino on the Official PlayStation Podcast. "PSVR2 has much more advanced features like all-new contr??ollers with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, inside-out tracking, eye tracking, 3D audio is coming together, [and] 4K HDR, of?? course. This means developing games for PSVR2 requires a whole different approach than the original PSVR."

That's a bummer for those looking to play something like Astro Bot Rescue Mission on their new headset. Still, there are a few things left up in the air for PS VR2, including its actual launch date. Either way, this new report ??makes it look like Sony is putting their arm into the pitch for PS VR2.

The post Sony reportedly planning to make 2 million PS VR2 ?units by March appeared first on Destructoid.

So cute it hurts

As a gamer with more feminine taste, I'm always looking for pink gaming peripherals to break up the sea of black plastic and red LEDs. Initially released back in 2019, Razer's Quartz collection gave fans what they had been waiting for with a line of baby pink gaming accessories, including a mouse, microphones, a keyboard, and most famously, a headset with cat ears on it. The line of peripherals flooded our social media feeds, with e-girls, e-boys, and e-nbies?? alike finally being able to co??mplete their soft gaming aesthetic.

After collaborating with Street Fighter and Super Monkey Ball, Hello Kitty is back on the scene with her own Razer capsule collection. If you thought the ?Quartz collection was cute, just wait until you see the new headset, mouse, mousepad, and gaming chair that are dropping as part of the Razer x Saniro collab, each item? branded with Hello Kitty and her friends.

Razer's Kraken BT headset is one of their staples, and this time it's decked out with white cat ears, complete with Kitty White's signature bow for $119.99. The mousepad and keyboard are self-explanatory, but equally as adorable, and will run you $64.99 for the set. The $499 Iskur X chair is the real star of the show here, and also has the option to? come with a lumbar support pillow for an? extra $59.99.

I am c?urrently sitting on a chea??p IKEA desk chair that has been scratched to all hell by my own cats, and I can tell you that it's taking everything in my power not to buy this chair.

I don't even need a new gaming headset, but the siren song of the Hello Kitty ears is calling to me.?? The fact that I'm this tempted to drop the cash shows what a great move this was on Razer's part, because I get the feeling they're going to ha??ve trouble keeping this stuff in stock.

The post I’m obsessed with the new Razer x Hello Kitty collection appeared first on Destructoid.

We just saved you $200. You're welcome.

In today's contest you can win a pair of EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid In-ear Earbuds!

If you're sick of using the same crappy, wired pair of earbuds that came with the phone you bought nearly four years ago (I can't be the only one, right?) then today's contest is just for you! Our friends at EPOS are giving us a pair of their fancy ??new GTW 270 Hybr??id Earbuds, compatible with pretty much every mobile device - phone or gaming - still on the market. I think you're gonna like these.

That devi?lish set you see above is the all-new EPOS GTW 270 Hy?brid, the perfect companion to all your audio needs. I can't do anything without an adult so read all about them below:

Let the compact GTW 270 Hybrid wireless earbuds accomp??any you wherever you go and escape the hum-drum world with no-compromise audio. Lag-free audio playback with aptX low latency codec from your portable gaming device is ensured with the included USB-C dongle. Acoustic clarity is delivered through dual microphones, and five hours of listening time in the earbuds are extended to 20 with the included charge case.

The unique ergonomic shape is soft and flexible where it needs to be and naturally adjusts to your ear, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit. The closed acoustic des?ign provides noise attenuation that lets you tune out background noise and lose yourself in the immersive audio of your game. Break free and escape into your game with the Power of Audio.

• Closed acoustic earbuds: Closed-back and in-ear for maximum noise reduction and maximum game focus
• Multi-platform compatibility: Multi-compatibility through the USB-C aptX low-latency dongle and Bluetooth
• IPX 5 water resistance: IPX 5 water resistance protects the earbuds from sweat and light rain
• Compact design and organic shape: Unique light-weight organic shape for secure and comfortable in-ear fit
• Portable charge case: Up to 20 hours of listening time: five on the earbuds plus 15 more with the case

Al??so, they look cool and smell like strawberry ice cream. Tha?t last part may or may not be true.

To enter to win, use the widget below to leave your name and email address. You can enter daily. Click around for bonus entries, and be sure to comment bel??ow telling us your favorite organic smell. We'll save the inorganic stuff for next time.

We have one ??pair of earbuds?? to give away, with winners drawn next Tuesday. You must be a resident of the United States or Europe to win. The winner is responsible for any tax, VAT, or public shaming as a result of receiving this prize, and by entering you give consent to abide by this clause. Santa Clauses are exempt.

Check out the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds over at the EPOS website.

Contest: Win a pair of EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earb??uds

The post Contest: Win a pair ?of EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds appeared first on Destructoid.

Music to your rears. I mean, ears

In today's contest you can win a Gioteck TX-50 Headset and cable bundle for your PS5 of Xbox Series X!

Were you ??lucky enough to get your hands on a next-gen console? I wasn't! I didn't try or anything -- I'll probably wait a few years before picking one up. I'm in no rush at the moment.

If you're enjoying the next generation of gaming, however, we've got a treat for ya! Gioteck is giving us a TX-50 Gaming Headset to go with your PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, and a Viper VP-1 cable bundle featuring both a fas?t-charging USB C cable AND a 2.1 8k HDMI cable. Whew!

Gioteck is known for their high quality products, and their TX-50 Gaming Headset is no different. Featuring 50mm high-impact drivers to put you directly in the game, you won't mis?s a beat when being pinned down behind cov??er in Rainbow Six Siege, or doing whatever the hell it is you do in Fortnite.

• Arctic white with blue accents for PlayStation 5
• Matte black and green for Xbox SX consoles
• 50mm high impact drivers
• Minimum feedback lucid chat
• Tactile rubber finish
• Alcantra cushioning
• Robust build quality
• Discreet inline control

We would??n't let you walk away with just a headset -- Gioteck also produces bangin' cables to go along with their sets. The Viper VP-1 cable bundle features not only a fast charging USB C cable, but a sick gold-plated HDMI cable to make your image as crisp as it ca?n be.

• Compatible for both PS5 and Xbox SX
• 3m length (charging cable), 2m length (HDMI cable)
• 24k Gold plated connectors
• 3A fast charging
• 8k & 4k compatible
• Premium Braided cable
• Viper shape design plugs

To enter to ?win, use the widget below to leave your name and email address. You can enter daily. Be sure to click around to earn bonus ent??ries, and comment below telling me your favorite snack.

We have one bundle to give away; winner gets to choose their platform (PS5 of X?SX). We'll draw our winner next Monday. Shipping is open to residents of E?urope and the United States -- please note that the winner is responsible for any VAT or import tax as imposed by your country/jurisdiction. Sorry about that. Stupid Brexit.

Hit up Gioteck for all your gaming accessory needs.

Contest: Win a Giote??ck PS5 or Xbox Series? X TX-50 Headset and cable bundle

The post Contest: Win a ??Gioteck PS5 or Xbox Series X TX-50 Headset and cable bundle appeared first on Destructoid.

Learn how to esports, nerd!

In today's contest you can win a ticket to the EPOS Masterclass Esports Event!

So often we give away video games with the assumption that you lot know what you're doing with them. We just figure if you're here, you're at least well-versed in the ways of gaming. But man, I don't recall a time we ever give away not what to video game, but how to video game.

EPOS, the world's leading gaming audio brand, is introducing their Masterclass series focusin??g on showing players -- rookies and veterans -- the ropes of professional esports competitive play. Tickets ??were free last year with select EPOS purchases, but now your only ticket is via our contest!

Read all about the event below~!

Premium gaming audio brand EPOS has revealed a first-of-its-kind masterclass live stream series to benefit videogame enthusiasts who wants to get an exclusive peek into the world of professional gaming from some of the best players in the world. Participants will also receive exclusive tips and tricks to take their game to the next level for popular titles such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and League of Legends.

As a leader in pioneering audio within the gaming category, EPOS has teamed with esports experts to deliver unique content ??and opportunities for its community. Masterclass participants will learn performance-boosting tips and tricks from renowned organizations including Cloud9, OPL/LCS, BLAST, North and SK Gaming, including pro players Zven, Jenax, Gade and professional caster Spawn. Each class will ?be hosted by popular esports host and personality Freya Spiers.

The list of events includes:

• CS:GO (9 p.m. CET on Saturday, Jan. 9 and 7 a.m. AEDT on Sunday, Jan. 10) - Overviews the fundamentals on setup, aiming, movement and other general tips from seasoned professional players and veterans
• League of Legends (11 p.m. PST on Saturday, Jan. 9 and 6 p.m. AEDT on Sunday, Jan 10) - Teaches tricks and strategies to instantly improve team-based MOBA gameplay
• The secret to success (9 p.m. CET on Saturday, Jan. 16 and 7 a.m. AEDT on Sunday, Jan. 17) - Unveils the regiment applied by the pros to succeed through balancing training, staffing and staying healthy
• Deep dive into the world of esports (9 a.m. CET on Tuesday, Jan. 19) - Get the latest insights and knowledge on the esports scene from professional caster Spawn

This is a great opportunity for anyone interested ?in esport??s to either dip their toes in the water, or build on their existing skill base!

To enter to win, use the widget below to leave your name and email address. You can enter daily. Click within for ways to earn bonus entries, and b??e sure to share our post with your friends to increase your odds!

We have two tickets to ??the event, split across the EG network. We'll draw winners January 8th to prepare for the January 9th launch date.

Be sure to check out more info on the EPOS brand and the Masterclass event over at the EPOS website.

Contes??t: Win an EPOS Masterc??lass Esports Event ticket

The post Contest: Win an EPOS Masterclass Esports Event ti??cket appeared first on Destructoid.

All about the bass (and treble)

Having a dec??ent set of earphones isn't really something I've ever considered to be important to gaming. When I have played my Switch, 3DS, Vita, or smartphone on the go, I'd just use? whatever set I had lying around. Usually, it was the same set I'd wear to the gym, all crusty from my sweat.

Clearly,? I should have been taking it a bit more seriously as mobile gaming platforms are home to some dynamic soundtrac??ks and sound effects, something made perfectly clear with the Astro A03 earphones.

Product: Astro A03 In-Ear Monitor
Manufacturer: Astro Gaming
Input: 3.5mm Headphone Jack
MSRP: $49.99

After several years of creating headsets that cater to the gamer crowd, Astro Gaming is branching out into more casual territory with its new Astro A03 In-Ear Monitor. These are the first earphones from the company, sporting the Astro Audio V2 system found in its more expensive headsets. The key innovation here, however, is the dual driver system. Each earbud has two drivers in it, one for bass and one for mid- and high-end tones. Supposedly, this will give the head??set a sound quality that's able to capture the richness of modern gaming soundtracks and sound effects.

Wanting to get a full range of sound and music pumping through my ears, I tested the A03s ?out on a variety of devices, including my PS4, Switch, Xbox Series S, Google Pixel 3a, and iPad. I wanted to see how rich of a sound the dual drivers could provide, so for the sake of this review, everything I tried with the A03s I also tried with an $8 pair of JVC earphones you can find at CVS. The good news is, the $50 earphones perform better overall. The bad news is, the cheap-ass drug store pair do a good enough job that it can be hard to tell exactly which one is better if you're only casually listening.

Games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, No More Heroes, and Lonely Mountain sounded similar between both sets. Bass tones were a bit more defined on the A03s, and it picked up some of the sound effects more clearly than the JVC pair, particularly in Lonely Mountain.&n??bsp;But for the most part, it was a wash as neither stood out. 

To really experience the difference between the two, I needed more complicated audio samples. I first tried it with Apex Legends, but this turned out to not be a good idea. I normally use surround-sound headphones while playing it so I can accurately hear where opponents are coming. With the A03, I could clearly hear the Octane running around but couldn't quite pinpoint where they were in relation to me, resulting in an ambush. With Marvel's Spider-Man, the results were far superior. The sweeping nature of that soundtrack boomed into my ears without diluting the sounds of the city or the voiceover track. Ditto on Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The sound effects and score of that are absolutely resplendent on the A03 while being merely se??rviceable on the JVCs, which again, ??only cost $8.

It wasn't until I tested both pair of earphones with Katana Zero did the advantages of the A03 profoundly stand out. In fact, after hearing the deep synths of that soundtrack overlaid with the bone-crushing sound effects, I started to see just how clear and concise the audio was coming out of these earphones. The A03s deliver a rich, full-bodied sound that the JVCs were really only able to mimic. From that point on, I started to appreciate what Astro has created here. Plugging them into my Pixel 3a and melting in my chair to Billie Eilish's When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? ??solidified their place as the superior pair.

However, just because they're better than a set of earbuds that cost less than a fast-food meal doesn't mean they're ideal. For starters, the built-in mic sounded "tinny" to several friends of mine whom I called while testing the earphones. The volume controls don't work natively with any of the consoles I tried it with, so you better know how to adjust the volume on your respective devices. There's also no easy mute button when you're playing with a console. They're quite comfortable to wear with the standard three ear tip sizes to choose from, b??ut as is the case with most earphones I've ever owned, outside noises can easily seep in and dilute the music of whatever it is you're playing or listening to -- lousy neighbor kids.

Still, after a couple dozen hours of gaming with these pl??aced in my ears, they've certainly proven themselves able to deliver some great sounds and music from my game library. Someday, when Covid is over, and I actually go outside again, the Astro A03 earphones will undoubtedly be the pa??ir I bring along if I plan to game, listen to music, or stream something on HBO Max.

_{[This review is based on retail hardware provided by the manufacturer]}

The post Review: Astro A03 In-Ear Monitor appeared first on Destructoid.

Not ready for retail

As of this week, I'm officially living in a three-console household. With the arrival of my Xbox Series S, I'm about to expand my gaming horizons and experience those treasures I've missed for the last two decades. Or I'll just download Apex Legends and play nothing but that.

Either way, a new console means more controllers, less space on my TV stand, and having to go back to a wired headset. I don't? mind wires, but the past several months of using my Astro Gaming A50 headset has let me really enjoy the freedom of a wireless experience. That's a great headset, but I'm not really in the mood for buying another wireless headset just for my Series S. Wouldn't it b?e perfect if there was a wireless headset that could easily switch between a PlayStation and Xbox?

Yes, it would be. Just a shame this ain't it.

Product: Astro A20 Wireless Gen 2
Manufacturer: Astro Gaming
Input: Wireless
MSRP: $119.99

Taking the Astro A20 out of its box??, I was worried it would be a massive step back from the A50 and A40 headsets I've use??d for quite some time now. It looks a bit cheap, sporting a design I noted as "Transformer-like" in my notes. It certainly features a lot fewer moving parts than the higher-end Astro headsets, lacking their customizable features, a removable microphone, and ear cans that can turn. It's a very rigid set of headphones, with the only adjustment limited to the height of the headband.

But once I put it on, any idea of this being an inferior piece of construction vanished. It fits like a glove with a light weight that allowed me to play for hou??rs before I'd start to feel any type of strain in my neck. Even on my fat head, the A20 is a remarkably comfortable headset. 

It also has a remarkably good sound. Sporting Astro Audio V2 technology, I wanted to test it out with a variety of PlayStation games to see how it handled wildly different soundtracks and sound effects. With Wattam, the child-like noises that emit from the mayor and the rest of the game's inhabitants were distinct and sharp. In Ghost of Tsushima, I vividly heard the quiet sounds of the fields and forests and the boastful rants of the patrol group I was about to murder. While it doesn't feature surround sound on PS4 or Xbox, in Apex Legends, I was abl??e to use the audio to pinpoint where a nearby team was and wipe them out.? Not to brag, but I finished my first match with this headset in first place as the kill leader.

Okay, maybe to brag just a little.

The point is, while the audio technology here might not be as advanced as more expensive headsets, even those not too much more pricey than this one, it provides cl??ear and vivid audio??, enough so that I preferred using the headset over my soundbar whenever I booted up my PS4. Even just straight-up music sounds great coming out of these as my "WAP" playlist can attest to. The device has three EQ settings to choose from and a flip-to-mute microphone with respectable sound input. The only bad sound you'll hear is when you're nearing a dead battery after roughly 15 or so hours.

If this were just another wireless headset that was tied to a single console, I'd say it's a fine purchase if you're in the market for one. But that's not what it's supposed to be. The Astro A20 Gen 2 headset is supposed to represent the future of how Astro Gaming will approach the industry. A few months ago, I was involved in a Zoom call with a company representative where they laid out their plans for the A20. The agnostic design of the device -- that it can be used across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac -- is supposed to be the company's new design philosophy. If that is truly the case, this is a lousy showcase fo?r that.

For this review, I was given an A20 headset that works with the PlayStation brand. It co??mes with a USB transmitter that has two modes: PlayStation?? and PC/Mac. It works just fine with either of those devices, though it should be known the PlayStation does not use the game/voice balance dial on the headset.

I also received a transmitter for the Xbox brand -- which retails separately for $20 -- but when I plugged into my Series ?S, it didn't want to connect to the headset. As it was?? explained in that Zoom call a few months ago, switching from PlayStation to Xbox is supposed to be as easy as hitting a pairing button on the headset and transmitter. In reality, it's a crapshoot. First of all, there are two buttons on the headset -- the power button and the EQ button -- and neither of them makes it clear they're for pairing with the transmitter. On the transmitter itself, there is one button that switches it from console mode to PC mode and blinks between the two modes when you hold it down.

I assume that's how you pair the headset with the transmitter, but I wouldn't have to assume if anything I was sent included instructions on how to do this. There are no supplemental materials packaged with the headset or the additional transmitter that detail how it is you go about pairing the devices. There are no instructions on the Astro Gaming website to show you this. Neither the headset nor the transmitter is recognized by the Astro Command Center, so as of right now, there's no firmware update to make this whole process easier. As it stan??ds, the key selling point of this headset is too frustrating in its guesswork. Even the instructions I received directly from Astro customer support didn't help relieve the issue.

I'm not sure how much more work it would have been to ?design a dedicated sync button on the headset or to print instructions that clearly illustrate how you pair your PlayStation headset with an Xbox transmitter and vice versa, but something should have been done to make this entire process as painless as possible.?? The A20 is a comfortable headset with great battery life, great sound, and nice microphone, but the one thing that makes it worth buying over its competition just doesn't work as it should.

_{[This review is based on retail hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Astro A20 Wireless Gen 2 appeared first on Destructoid.

Drown out the sound around you

Back when I used to ride the train to work every day, having a good set of small headphones could make or break my commute. They were the difference between enjoying my ride or having to listen to whatever music the dance tropes would blast between Embarcadero and West Oakland. Unfortunately, most of the earbuds I owned didn't have? enough bass to let me fully enjoy the full depth of the sound from my Switch or mobile phone. Clearly, they could have benefited from a second driver, like those found in the Astro A03 In-Ear Monitors.

Designed with mobile and portable gaming in mind, the Astro A03s come equipped with two drivers in each earbud. One is for the bass, and the other covers the mids and highs. The earbuds are compatible with all major consoles and any phone or tablet with a h?eadphone jack, as well as the Astro MixAmp Pro TR.

The Astro A03 In-Ear Monitors are available now fo??r $49.99. They come in White/Purple or Blu??e/Red.

Astro A03 Gaming Earbuds [Astro Gaming]

The post Astro Gaming’s A03 earbuds are designed with handheld and mobile in mind appeared first on Destructoid.

Two consoles, one headset.

It was only a year ago, when I moved into my new apartment, that I realized I'd been enjoying an insufficient audio experience whenever I hopped on to play some games. There is so much technology out there creating amazing sound, and here I was settling for the cheapest Sony headphones I could find at Best Buy. When I was able to test out the A40 Astro Gaming last year, it was like I was actually hearing these games for the first time. Since then, I've upgraded to the wireless A50 headset, wh?ich provides equally extraordinary sound quality.

With the next generation of consoles right around the corner, there is a real possibility I'll be getting both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. One for the exclusives, the other for GamePass. If that is the road I do indeed travel, there's a good chance I'll also pick up the second generation A??20 headset from Astro Gaming as it will be its first wireless headset to work with both Sony and Microsoft consoles, as well as PC and Mac.

The new ??A20 will ship with a wireless USB transmitter for either the PS5 or Series X. The transmitters themselves?? will be sold individually, meaning you only have to buy one wireless headset for both consoles. To switch between consoles, all you need to do is sync up the device with the preferred transmitter. The move toward an agnostic headset is part of a new design philosophy at Astro Gaming.

While your first-generation A20 should work just fine with the upcoming consoles, if you are interested in upgrading to the newest tech, the G??en 2 A20 headset will launch next month for $119.99. The individual trans??mitters will run $19.99.

Astro A20 Wireless Headset [Astro Gaming}

The post The n??ew Astro Gaming A20 is one wireless headset that can work with both PS5 and Xbox Seri?es X appeared first on Destructoid.

You may need an adapter

Sony and Microsoft have already laid out how current-generation controllers will work on their next-gen consoles, but if you've spent money on a h??eadset you really like, you might be wondering if you can still use those when you pick up a PS5 or Xbox Series X. The good news is, if you use Astro Gaming headsets, they're most likely going to be compatible with the new consoles. 

Xbox Series X

Let's start with Xbox as its headsets are going to have the easiest time upgrading to be compatible and feature?-complete with the Xbox Series X.

• A10 - This first-generation wired headset will support game sounds and voice chat through its 3.5mm port.
• A20 - If you are using the first generation of the A20 headset, you will need to update the firmware via the Astro Command Center program.
• A40 & A40 TR - All four generations of the A40 headsets will support sounds and voice chat via the 3.5mm port.
• A50 w/ Base Station - The 3rd and 4th generation A50 headsets will require a firmware update. A50 headsets created during the Xbox 360 era will not be updated to work with the Xbox Series X.

If you use a MixAmp with your headsets, the M60 and M80 will work via the 3.5mm por?t. If you have a MixAmp Pro TR, know that only the 3rd and 4th generation units will receive an ?update to work with the Series X. The A50 and MixAmp Pro can also be updated for Dolby Atmos for no extra cost. Any firmware updates made to your Astro equipment will not impact their use with current generation systems.

PlayStation 5

Compatibility is a bit trickier with the PlayStation 5 hardware, depending on the equipment you're using and what it is you're looking to get out of your headphones. All headsets will ?be compatible with the PS5, however, you may need extra equipment to achieve feature-comple?te status

• A10 - This first-generation wired headset will support game sounds and voice chat through its 3.5mm port.
• A20 - First-generation A20 headsets will support game sounds and voice chat, however, in order to mix the audio, you will need an HDMI Adapter or optical splitter.
• A40 & A40 TR - All four generations of the A40 headsets will support sounds and voice chat via the 3.5mm port. 
• A50 w/ Base Station - The 3rd and 4th generation A50 headsets support game sounds and voice chat but will require an HDMI adapter or optical splitter to enable audio mixing.

If you use the Mi?xPro Amp TR, you will also need an HDMI Adapter or optical splitter for mixing. Additionally, the MixAmp Pro TR and the A50 ?headset will be able to utilize Dolby Audio through the Astro hardware. A10 and A40 controllers have access to Sony's 3D Audio via the PS5 controller.

During a Zoom call with members of the press, a representative from Astro Gaming stressed that while you can use an optical splitter for your A20 and A50 headsets on PlayStation 5, there is no guarantee you'll be able to achieve Dolby 5.1 audio. To make those headsets feature-??complete with PS5, the company has developed its own HDMI splitter. The passthrough device will not create any lag or affect 4K video. If you have registered your Astro Gaming headsets with the manufacturer, you will be ?entitled to a $15 discount on the HDMI splitter if ordered through the company's website. More information about the discount will be given closer to launch.

The post Here’s how your Astro Gaming headsets will work on PS5 and Xbox Series X appeared first on Destructoid.

Lend us your ears

In today's contest you can win an EPOS | SENNHEISER GSP 601 or 602 Pro Gaming Headset, courtesy of EPOS!

Here at Dtoid we're all about?? giving things away, and let? me tell ya, folks -- today we have a doozy!

EPOS just launched a new line of their GSP Pro Gaming Headset series, the 601 and 602. These babies retail for $219 USD, but we've got you covered by givin??g away one of each for fr??ee!

The EPOS SENNHEISER GSP 601 and 602 Pro Gaming Headsets are the newest addition to the legendary EPOS lineup of quality gaming accessories. This stylish new addition t??o the GSP 600 series features the same high-quality audio, precise form, and compatibility you'd expect from EPOS,?? now in two dynamic new color schemes.

Key Features:

• Closed acoustic gaming headset - Closed acoustic design and ergonomic ear pads for passive noise attenuation
• Proprietary speaker system - Proprietary transducers deliver competitive edge-boosting acoustic performance
• Microphone with flexible boom arm - Lift-to-mute boom arm adjusts for best voice pick up position
• Adjustable comfort - Adjustable pressure function on the headband ensures comfort throughout the game Intuitive volume control A volume wheel on the right ear cup allows for quick adjustments while gaming
• Multiplatform compatibility - Utilizing a 3.5mm headphone jack, you're ready to plug in to your Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or mobile device straight out of the box

I told you guys this was a good one!

Use the widget below to enter for your chance t?o win your brand new EPOS headset. Leave your name and email address, specify which set you'd like, and be sure to click around for ways to earn bonus entries in this awesome contest.

We?? have one of each headset to give away; our winners will be randomly selected Monday, August 31. As this is a physical prize, you must have a United States shipping address in order to win.

For the GSP series, and tons of other high quality gaming accessories, be sure to head over to the EPOS website.

Con?test: Win an E??POS GSP 601 or 602 Pro Gaming Headset

The post Contest: Win an EPOS GSP 601 or ??602 ?Pro Gaming Headset appeared first on Destructoid.

Feel and hear, all at once

In today's contest you can win a Switch Gioteck bundle featuring the JC-20 Cubes Joy-Con Controller and a HC2 Decal Edition Stereo Gaming Headset!

Destructoid is known for giving away tons of free stuff, because we love o?ur community.? Gioteck is know for great gaming products, because they love our community. So we decided to make love to the community together by giving some stuff away!

We've got a bundle featuring a Gioteck Switch JC-20 Cubes Joy-Con Controller and HC2 Decal Edition Stereo Gaming Headset to give away so yo?u can play your Switch in styl??e.

The Gioteck JC-20 Cubes Joy-Con Controller outfits your Switch in colorful fashion, providing both an attractive finish and full Joy-Con ????functionality.

• Wireless bluetooth connectivity
• Motion and vibration support
• 12 hour battery life
• Includes gamepad adapter and 1 metre dual charging cable

If you're all about matching, you'll love the Gioteck HC2 Decal Edition Stereo Gaming Headset. With not only a matching decal to the Cubes Joy-Con, but two additional decals to?? customize your set, you??'ll enjoy the easy plug-in-and-play headset on any device with a 3.5mm jack.

• Plug & play on your favourite console, mobile device or PC
• Adjustable headband
• Lag free audio
• Removable mic
• Crystal clear chat
• Extreme comfort
• 3.5mm jack
• Discreet inline volume and mute controls

Use the widget below to l??eave your name and address to enter to win. Make sure to enter daily, and click around in there to add bonus entries to increase you??r odds.

We have one bundle to give away; winners will be drawn Friday, August 14. Since Gioteck is shipping, anyone can enter -- that mean?s anyone outside the US can win! Isn't this a wonderful day?

You can check out the JC-20 and HC2, and tons of other awesome gamin accessories, over at the Gioteck website.

Conte?st: Win ?a Switch controller and headset bundle, courtesy of Gioteck

The post Contest: Win a Swi??tch controller and headset bundle, courtesy of Gioteck appeared first on Destructoid.

Free game, free headset -- don't pay for a thing!

In today's contest you can win a HyperX Cloud MIX Gaming Headset, courtesy of our friends from the newly-launched KartRider Rush+!

What's better than a free game? A free game and a free? expensive headset, of course. I?f you're reading this, then you're in luck because today we've got a little bit of both to throw at you!

The free-to-play KartRider Rush+ just saw its global release across iOS and Android devi??ces, and they've given us a free HyperX Cloud MIX Wired Gaming Headset + Bluetooth to give away to the plucky Destructoid readers.

KartRider Rush+ is the newest installment of the global phenomenon, available now for iOS and Android devices. This free-to-play mobile title gives players the thrills, customization, and speed from the PC versions of the game in a convenient mobile form, ready to go with you anywhere, anytime! As a first in the series, KartRider Rush+ contains an in-game story mode to see racers' backg?rounds and motivations, and boasts a variety of modes and features to keep you in the r??ace at all times, including:

• Story Mode: Story Mode allows players to fully immerse themselves in the game, learning about character backstories and showcasing various game modes.
• Speed Race Mode: This mode challenges racers to compete against each other and use their drifting skills to earn EXP that can unlock more challenging tracks.
• Arcade Mode: Whether playing solo or in teams, players can enjoy additional gameplay options within Arcade Mode, such as Item Race, Infini-Boost and Lucci Runner.
• Ranked Mode: From Bronze to Living Legend, players can rank up tiers and earn rewards such as K-Coins to purchase a variety of items in the Shop.
• Time Trial: This mode is all about beating the clock to become the fastest racer.

To celebrate the global launch, Nexon has teamed up with renowned leader in gaming accessories HyperX to give away their HyperX Cloud MIX Wired Gaming Headset + Bluetooth!

This premium gamin?g headset is convenient not only when gaming, but also on the go. This wired pair can plug into any?? 3.5mm jack when you're stationary, but on the move the cable detaches for full Bluetooth compatibility for any device you might have. Just look at those people in the trailer play basketball and get tattoos and stuff! The built-in mic also detaches so you can go from coordinating to quarantining with the flick of a write. Product features include:

• Hi-Res Audio Certified
• HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers
• Bluetooth Wireless Technology
• Wired compatibility for devices with 3.5mm ports

Ok, time to give stuff away! Enter t?o win by using the widget below to leave your name and ema?il address. You can enter daily. For bonus entries, follow the additional instructions within to increase your odds of winning!

We have one headset to give away; our ?winner will be drawn Monday, May 25. This is a physical prize, and as such, you must have a United States shipping address in order to win.

KartRider Rush+ is available now for iOS and Android devices.

Contest: Win a HyperX Cloud MIX Gaming Headset, courtesy of t??he newly-laun?ched KartRider Rush+

The post Contest: Win a Hyp?erX Cloud MIX Gaming Headset, courtesy of the newly-launched KartRider Rush+ appeared first on Destructoid.

So fancy!

In today's contest you can win this awesome EPOS | SENNHEISER GSP 670 Wireless Headset, compatible with PS4 and PC!

I know some places are making an attempt to get back to somethi??ng resembling normal, but for?? the rest of us the current reality is sitting around at home all day in our underwear hoping for something exciting to happen. Lucky for you guys, that something just came up!

Our friends at EPOS have given us their brand-new?? wireless headset, the GSP 670. This thing is packed with features, compatible with your PC or PS4, and best of all, free if you win it in our contest!

The GSP 670 is EPOS | SENNHEISER's first-ever foray into wireless headset, and it couldn't have come at a better time. With features such as full wireless freedom via Bluetooth connectivity, a noise-cancelling adjustable mic, a 20-hour battery life, and quic??k-charge capabilities, you'll never need to buy a wireless gaming headset ever again. Its sleek, ergon?omic design will help alleviate discomfort on your ears and noggin while also looking totally rad for the ladies/gentlemen/alien invaders. And since it's from the EPOS | SENNHEISER brand, you know you're getting a super quality product.

Features:

• Closed acoustic wireless gaming headset
• Flexible wireless features: low-latency connection and Bluetooth
• Low-latency connection transmits with near zero delay
• Bluetooth enables wide range of applications
• Intelligent battery management turns headset on and off automatically
• Separate volume control of chat audio and game audio
• Sennheiser Gaming Suite for customization and optimization of audio settings
• Advanced noise-cancelling microphone for crystal-clear communication
• Flexible microphone boom arm with 'lift to mute' function

You can finally stop using that old soup can tied to a strin?g to talk ?to your teammates.

To enter to win your headset, use the widget below t??o leave your name and email address. You can enter daily. Click around in there for ways to earn bonus entries to increase your odds!

We have one headset to give away; our winner will be drawn Friday, May 8. Shipping is worldwide on this one, so anyone can win! Check out PC Invasion to cheat the system and enter twice.

The EPOS | SENNHEISER GSP 670 Wireless Headset is available now -- purchase here. You can thank us later.

Dtoid Contest: Quarantine?? in comfort and class with an EPOS SENNHESIER GSP 670 for your PC or PS4

The post Contest: Q??uarantine in comfort and class with an EPOS SENNHESIER GSP 670 for your PC?? or PS4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Compatible with PC and PS4

In today's contest, we're giving away a Gioteck VX-4 Wireless Controller and TX50 Headset!

Many of us are rounding out a full month of isolation. If you're anything like me, it's mostly busi??ness as usual! Sucks that my favorite bar is closed, but I guess in the long run it's saving me money. The downside is a lot of my gadgets and accessories at home are getting a lot more work than usual.

If you're h?aving the same problem, we have the solution. Our friends over at Gioteck have gi??ven us a VX-4 Wireless Controller and a TX50 Headset to give away -- they're going to get a lot of use in the next couple of weeks/months/years, so it's definitely a welcome gift!

Gioteck's VX-4 Wireless Controller, compatible with PS4 and PC, has pretty much everything you need in a controller. Ergonomic design? Check. Precision d-pad? Of course. Quick-fire triggers? You bet. And unlike some third-party controllers, this one has full motion, vibration, and touch pad functionality. Since it connects via Bluetooth, you'll have no trouble connecting to your PS4 or PC. And it has a 3.5mm headphone ?jack, which makes it a perfect partner for...

Gioteck's TX50 Headset. For starters, it's ?black and orange, which are my third and second favorite colors, respectively (purple FTW). Second, its 3.5mm cable means it'll pair perfectly with the VX-4 so you can use it on your PS4, PC, or pretty much anything else with a compatible jack. It's got 50mm high-impact drivers, Alacantra cushioning so you don't hurt your little earsies, an all-rubber finish, and best of all -- a bendy mic! I love a good bendy mic, since I do a lot of eating/drinking/coughing/snorting while gaming. Helps keep it clean.

To en?ter to win your bundle containing both items, use the widget below to leave your name and email address. You can enter daily. For bonus entries, follow all the other steps in there -- why not increase your odds to win?

We have one bundle to give away; winner will be drawn Friday, April 10. Good news: This ships internationally! So if you've got an address, you're eligible to win. Our sister site PC Invasion has a bundle to give away, too, so head over t??here to more chances to win.

You can check out the Gioteck VX-4 Wireless Controller and TX50 Headset, as well as Gioteck's other great products, at this handy link right here.

Dtoid Contest: Get your hands on this sweet Gioteck TX50 Headset and VX-4 Controller ?bundle

The post Contest: Get your hands on this sweet Gio?teck TX50 Headset and VX-4 Controller bundle appeared first on Destructoid.

We've got one for Xbox and PS4, yo!

In today's contest, we're treating your ears right with a Victrix Pro AF Headset for your Xbox One or PS4!

Headsets, get your headsets here! Since this is the season of giving and all, we're giving away some more headset to slap over your big, ??goofy heads. We're like your Secret Santa, except you know who's giving it to you. Close enough.

Our friends over at Victrix Pro have given us some of the Pro AF Headsets to send your way! Thanks, Victrix. We owe ya on?e.

Read some press info, because I'm partially deaf and can't hear?? all that well.

Officially licensed by PlayStation and Xbox, the Victrix Pro AF is a streamlined design of the Pro AF ANC, so you get all the best features without sacrificing the audio quality it’s known for. After listening to feedback from streamers and esports competitors, we've added a removable microphone feature and on-ear audio controls to the Pro AF. Take you?r game to the next level, be Pro AF.

Features include:

• A light but tough, aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless-steel structure with lightweight polycarbonate, and built with precision mechanical engineering.
• Removable microphone with a mechanical filter design originally developed for the Cobra attack helicopter.
• Split headband cushions, circumaural leatherette earpads and hidden seams.
• Patent-pending mechanical levers that open the earcup vents to release heat and humidity, without affecting team communications.

I'm deaf AF. Please speak up when talking to me.

To enter to win your headset, use the widget below to leave your name and email address, and specify which platform you'd like. You can enter daily. Click around in the widget f?or ways to gain bonu??s entries!

We have one headset each for Xbox One and PS4 to give away; winners will ??be drawn Monday, December 3??0. As this is a physical prize, you must have a United States shipping address in order to win.

You can check out the Victrix Pro AF, as well as their other products, over the at Victrix Pro website.

Contest: Give your ears the gift of a Victrix Pro ?AF Headset

The post Contest: Give your ears the gift of a?? Victrix Pro AF Headset appeared first on Destructoid.

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, whatever!

In today's contest we're giving away a Sennheiser GSP 370 Wireless Gaming Headset!

I'm definitely a put-my-phone-in-a-bowl kinda person when it comes to boosting audio, so I'm completely out of my element on this one. Like, forreal, if they sold a bowl catered specifically to idiots like me I think it'd do really wel??l. Take notice, Sennheiser.

For those of you with some technical knowledge, we've got a Sennheiser GSP? 370 Wireless Gaming Headset to give away. You'll likely be enticed by all the technical aspects below! I'm not nearly savvy enough to know what any of it means, unfortunately.

I'd be doing the world a disservice by trying to tell yo??u about something for which I have absolutely no frame of reference, so read this press material, instead!

Experience exceptional sound quality for up to 100 hours with Sennheiser's GSP 370 wireless gaming headset. It features a wirele?ss low-latency connection, and provides a convenient cable-free setup for great mobility while gaming. Jump into extended gaming sessions like no other with the Sennheiser GSP 370.

• Closed acoustic wireless gaming headset
• Low-latency connection transmits with near-zero delay
• Up to 100 hours of battery life
• Simultaneous wireless operation while charging over USB
• Integrated volume wheel on the ear cup, synced with Windows
• Noise-cancelling broadcast-quality microphone
• Flexible microphone boom arm with lift to mute function
• Split padded headband for reduced pressure
• Clever ball-joint hinge that makes it easy to perfectly angle the ear cups
• Memory foam ear pads deliver comfort and ambient noise isolation
• Sennheiser Gaming Suite for customization and optimization of audio settings
• Multi-platform compatibility (PC, Mac, and PS4)
• 2-year international warranty

I didn't break anything! Yay!

To ente?r to win, use the widget below to leave your name and email address. You can enter daily. For bonus entries, play around in there and figure it out, yo. I can't tell you what to do all the time, ya kno??w.

We have one headset to give away; our winner will be drawn Monday, December 23. As this is a physical prize, you must have a United States shipping address in order to win. Hit up PC Invasion to score another chance to win a pair!

You can check out the GSP 370 Wireless Gaming Headset?, as well as other cool stuff, on the Sennheiser website.

Dtoid Contest: Win a Sennheiser GSP 370 Wireless ?Gaming Headset to celebrate the holidays

The post Contest: Win a Sennheiser GSP 370 W?ireless Gaming Headset to celebrate the holida?ys appeared first on Destructoid.

Four winners and a funeral

Enter today's contest for your chance to win a PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller for your Switch!

Big news:? Today we're starting our PDP Summer of Giveaways! I know it's not summer yet, but the heat index here in VA Beach yesterday was like 97 degrees, so close enough. We skipped sp?ring. It's now summer. Which means we get to skip straight to our summer promotion, so stop being so pedantic about the seasons.

Ahem. PDP just put up pre-orders for their newest Switch controller, the Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio. You could wait for its release o?n July 22, or you c??an win one now from Destructoid! I think the choice is clear.

PDP has just launched the Fa??ceoff Deluxe+ Audio, the first co??ntroller for the Nintendo Switch with built-in audio! Plug the headset of your choice into the 3.5mm jack at the bottom of the controller and have all in-game audio sent directly to your ears and have instant chat capabilities for supported titles. That's pretty neat.

Product features:

• 3.5mm audio jack supports in-game audio and USB-chat, adjust volume on-the-fly using the D-pad on the controller
• Customize your gameplay with dual programmable paddle-style back buttons
• Swap out and snap in different Faceoff faceplates with the unique interchangeable design
• Includes a 10-foot fixed USB cable
• Officially licensed by Nintendo

Four colors -- black, blue, purple, and red -- have been revealed, and ?we've got one of each to give away! Use the widget below to leave your name and email address, and specify which color you'd like to win. You can repeat daily for additional chances to win. For bonus entries, follow ??PDP and Dtoid on Twitter and share our contest post with your friends.

While you're waiting to see who won,?? comment below telling us why purple is the best color. Like, black is kinda cool. Blue is alright, I guess. Red is just kind of there. But yo, that purple is legit. Purple is always the best choice. Prove me wrong, internet.

We have one controller of each color to give away. Since this is a physical prize, you must have a United States shipping address ?in order?? to win. Prizes will be shipping in late June. Winners will be drawn Tuesday, May 28.

For the PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller, and dozens of other great accessories, check out PDP's website.

Contest:?? Win a PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller for you??r Switch

The post Contest: Win a?? PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller for your Switch appeared first on Destructoid.

For the professional gamers out there

Sound quality has come a long way from the beeps and boops of the early generations of gaming. Epic, modern AAA games require soundtracks, sound effects, and sound mixing that rival Hollywood's best. Last year's every-award-winner God of War has some of the best sound design I've ever encountered in a piece of gaming. Red Dead Redemption 2 is another title from 2018 that excels at using sound to build its? world.

But modern gaming isn't just about the sound produced by whatever title we're playing. More and more, the sounds we make play a bigger role in the industry. Whether you're a streamer who is yelling racial epithets over gameplay to the delight of 12-year-olds or a member of a Fortnite team who needs to coordinate with the other players, balancing our voices with the sounds of the game is something of a tightrope act. With the A40 TR Headset and MixAmp Pro TR from Astro Gaming, that tightrope has ??been replaced by a rope bridge.

Product: Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro TR
Manufacturer: Astro Gaming
Input: Wired
MSRP: $249.99

The "TR" in A40 Headset and MixAmp Pro TR stands for "tournament ready." Astro Gaming has long been a sponsor of the Call of Duty World League and both of these pieces of hardware have been created to take tournament play to the next level. While it??'s clear the professional gamer was at the forefront of the minds wh?o created these devices, people who play for fun may still find some uses for the tech.

The MixAmp Pro TR is an update to the previous generation model that bills itself as an "evolution" rather than a "revolution." In addition to featuring a new, sleek design, it comes with several new features Astro hopes you'll find worthy of the asking price. For those looking to get the best sound out of their games and movies, the MixAmp supports Dolby Digital 3D audio and Astro Audio V2, the latter of which is the major advancement for the MixAmp's sound quality. For Xbox One owners, it supports Dolby Atmos and Windows Sonic as well. For streamers, you can output to Twitch using 2-channel Dolby audio and use the downloadable Command Center software to personalize your audio for the audience. F?or tournament players, the MixAmp still supports a daisy chain configuration allowing teammates to better communicate with one another.

Setting up the MixAmp Pro TR was simple enough on my computer. After plugging it in and selecting the right audio input from my OS, I jumped into a game of Team Fortress 2 to test it out. With the large knobs on the device, I was able to quick??ly find the perfect balance of game sound and everyone telling me how bad I am with Pyro. Though I was playing on my laptop, the Mix??Amp Pro includes a three-meter Micro-USB cable that should suffice for any type of setup. It also includes an optical audio cord of equal length and a short daisy chain cord.

As for the A40 TR Headset, it's comfortable for long gaming sessions though it can feel a bit heavy over time. The ear cushions, speaker tags, microphone, and headband are all swappable and can be switched out with mod kits that are sold separately. The included ear cushions are a thick felt that feel snug even when wearing a pair of glasses. The microphone can either be plugged into the left or right headphone speaker and it's adjustable so you can decide how close or how far you want it from your mouth. The microphone audio is pretty clear and it didn't pick up any of my heavy breathing during multiple games of Overwatch. 

When using the headset with the MixAmp Pro, the end product is one impressive experience. Having the Dolby 3D audio from Overwatch blend with my teammates rallying us to victory was s??omething I'd been missing in many of my competitive games. On its own, however, the headset lacks its own volume controls as the included cord only feature??s a microphone mute switch. It's not a huge loss but there were times over the past two weeks where the maximum volume of the device I plugged the headset into just wasn't loud enough for me.

My favorite things about this whole set are the uses I find for it outside of gaming on my computer or PS4. The headphones are perfect for taking on the train when I play my Switch on my way to work. They're not noise-canceling, though they do muffle much of the sound of a transportation system so piercing and jarring it inspired one of the most memorable moments from a horror game. Two nights ago, I hooked the MixAmp up to my computer, set the audio to Dolby, and watched a movie with sound as good as my local theater. Yes, I'll continue to use the devices for gaming, especially when Borderlands 3 hits in September, but I'm getti?ng a lot more supplementary use out of both pieces of hardware than I anticipated.

If this is something that interests you, know there are a few minor caveats depending on the hardware you're working with, ??both of which I just happen to own. For starters, while the MixAmp Pro does work with PC and Mac, the configuration software that grants all of those personalized streaming options is only currently available for Windows 10. There is software available for prior versions of the hardware, however, it is not compatible with this latest iteration. A company representative did confirm to me a Mac version is on its way.

The MixAmp Pro also uses an optical port to capture the sound from your PS4, but if you own a PS4 Slim like myself, this isn't an option as there is no optical-out port on the console. Astro has recommendations for its previous generation MixAmp Pro to get around this issue, namely an HDMI ??splitter. After ordering one for myself, I found it's still a viable solution. Also, while the headset is universal with its 3.5mm jack, the MixAmp Pro is tied to a specific console. The one I reviewed is for PS4/PC, but there is also an Xbox One/PC option. If you plan on streaming from both PS4 and Xbox One, the MixAmp Pro TR can be purchased individually for $129.99.

Obviously, I know the A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro TR has improved my gaming experience, if at the very least by getting me to pay attention to the audio options that have been available for years. Much like the last Astro device I reviewed, I can't argue against the quality. This is damn fine audio equipment, and it comes at a damn high price. You can get a brand new console for the price of this set and unless y??ou're an audiophile, it's probably not going to be worth it. But, if you have dreams of being the next Ninja or want to put together a ??team that could rival the Evil Geniuses, it's not a bad investment.

_{[This assessment is based on a retail build of the hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro TR appeared first on Destructoid.

Wired or wireless -- your choice!

Upgrade your gaming setup with today's contest: Win a PDP LVL50 Headset for your PS4 or Xbox One!

Winni?ng free games is pretty cool, but honestly I much prefer the times when I can give away cool physical stuff. It's just so much more fun! Except the shipping part. That's not all that much fun. But I do it anyway, because I ??love you guys.

Today we've got PDP's LVL50?? Headset up for grabs, one each for PS4 and Xbox?? One!

Read about them!

The n??ew LVL 50 Headsets are designed to offer exceptional comfort and consistent performance, with functional and rugged construction, and high-fidelity audio, making it the best new headset for serious gamers -- whether they're popping into a quick match before dinner or hunkering dow??n for days with a new release. Hear what victory sounds like with the 50mm High-Definition drivers that deliver a clear and balanced sound.

And here's an infographic with specific details!

And here's another sentence endi??ng in an exclamation point!

We're giving away one PS4 and one Xbox One set -- it's your choice as to which platform, and whether or want the wired or wireless pair. O??ptions! To enter, just leave your?? name and email address using the widget below. You can repeat daily for additional entries. For bonus entries, follow PDP and Dtoid on Twitter, and share our contest post with your friends.

While you're waiting to see who wins, tell us in the comments which game you're going to use these bad boys on. I'll probably boot up some Mortal Kombat and yell at people while I hit them wit??h Leatherface's Chainsaw. I still can't believe they shoved a Xenomorph, a Predator, Jason Vorhees, and Leatherface into that game. It's nuts. I'm looking forward to seeing the goofy cr??ap they come up with for the next one.

We have two winners here: One PS4 headset winner, and one Xbox One headset winner. Winner's choice on wired or wireless model. Since t??his is a physical prize, you must have a United States shipping address in order to win. Winners will be drawn ??Monday, February 25.

The PDP LVL50 Gaming Headset is available now.

Contest: Contest: Win a PDP LVL50 Gaming Headset for Xbox O?ne or PS4

The post Contest: Win a PDP LVL50 Headset appeared first on Destructoid.

Celebrating 500 million PlayStation system sales

PlayStation has cleared the 500-million-systems-sold mark and then some: Sony's worldwide console sales are sitting at just over 525 million. In celebration of this feat, Sony is making a limited edition PS4 Pro system that's blue and trans?lucent and super slick. I wish I in any w?ay needed one!

The 500 Million Limited Edition PS4 Pro will cost $499.99 USD a?nd $639.99 CAD with the production restricted? to 50,000 units worldwide. Keep an eye out for sales to start in a couple weeks on August 24.

Sony is also prepping a d??ark blue translucent DualShock 4 controller for $64.99 USD and $7??????????????????????????4.99 CAD, and a similarly styled Gold Wireless Headset for $99.99 USD and $119.99 CAD.

I'm not? into the accessories as much, but dang, the copper detailing on the console sure is nice.

The post This new translucent PS4 is slick as hell appeared first on Destructoid.

I read you loud and clear

Y'all like to hate on Destiny, but it has given me something no other game has: a weekly ritual of six-player cooperative first-person shooter raids that require not only skill and focus??, but more importantly communication and coordination among team members. While generally not required for the rest of the game, a headset is a? crucial tool for that stuff.

For most of my time with the PlayStation 4, I've been running with a Turtle Beach Ear Force P4C, which can be lovingly described as "fine for how little it costs." The recently released Recon 150 (and its Xbox sister XO Three) are a step up in price, but this ??is definitely a case of "you get what you p?ay for."

Turtle Beach Recon 150 Gaming Headset (PC, PS4 [reviewed])
Turtle Beach XO Three Gaming Headset (Xbox One)
Manufacturer: Turtle Beach
MSRP: $69.95

With my old headset, I always had the volume knob cranked up as high as it could go, and it still piped voice into the one earpiece too quietly. So that was the first thing I checked on the Recon 150. Voice chat comes in throug?h the two speakers much louder and a bit clearer, to the point where I find my volume knob lives closer?? to the middle of its range, actually serving a purpose where the old one might as well have not existed.

The microphone seems a lot more sensitive as well. I've had my raid team issue a "bless you" when my wife sneezed across the room. The downside to this is I have to either play with the TV volume almost inaudibly low in order for it not to get picked up and shared with everybody in party chat. Alternatively, sending game audio? and chat audio through the headset works well to curb that, but as a simple matter of personal preference I'd rather sepa?rate the two.

On that note, I've been spending mos??t of my time wi?th it in a slightly awkward position, with the left speaker over my left ear but the right one behind my right ear (so I can more easily pick up game audio from the traditional speakers). It's not so bad it aches after a while or anything; it just feels a little weird at first.

Actually, the whole thing feels a little weird due to its shape. Most of Turtle Beach's headsets have a significant angle (roughly 25-30 degrees) between the earpieces and the axis of the headband. Coming from experience with headsets that have the two componen?ts aligned, it felt strange to have the headband sit so far forward on the top of my head. Turtle Beach veterans likely won't notice anything unusual here.

Otherwise, the comfort level is spot on. There's plenty o?f padding on the earpieces and the headband doesn't squeeze too tightly, so I've been able to play with these for extended sessions without any sort of pain or discomfort.

Overall, I'm pleased with the upgrade. The Turtle Beach Recon 150 addresses my biggest issue (low chat audio volume) perfectly. While the price is past impulse ?buy territory, at 70 bucks it still isn't as unattainable a??s the highest-end models out there for those who need a decent headset.

The post Review: Turtle Beach Recon 150 appeared first on Destructoid.

$85 million deal

It's right there in the headline, but yep, Logitech has agreed to pick up headset maker Astro Gaming.

The acquisition is expected to close in "early August" for $85 million in cash, with Logitech "investing in an ad??jacent gaming market — the console gaming market — to ??help accelerate the long-term growth of [its] gaming business," according to today's press release. The pairing makes total sense.

"Astro's brand strength combined with Lo??gitech G's unrivaled technology and global?? distribution network is going to bring our products to even more gamers around the world," said co-founder Jordan Reiss.

Previously, Astro had been under?? Skullcandy, Inc., which was acquired by Mill Road Capital in 2016.

I'll be cu??rious to see how this acquisition affects Astro's product line and pricing, if at all.

The post Logitech is buying Astro Gaming appeared first on Destructoid.

Pricey, but wonderful

Logitech's Artemis Spectrum is oft-heralded as one of the best gaming headsets you can buy, but the company has taken another stab at audio hardware with the G533 Wireless headset. Like its ?forefather, it's expensive, but if you're willing to shell out your hard-earned cash money, you'll be very happy with these puppies.

I promise I won't tal?k like a used-car salesman for the r?est of this review.

Product: Logitech G533  Headset
Manufacturer: Logitech
Input: USB 2.0
MSRP: $149.99

Logitech has been veering away from over-produced, Bionicle-lookin' PC hardware lately, and that's a trend I can get behind. The G433 has a simple matte black finish, highlighted by a few glossy sections on the cups and the Logitech emblem on top. If you don't care about looking like a regular-ass human when playing video games, at least know that due to this simpler design, it's also very comfortable. Holding it in my hands, the G533 seemed heavy, but the way the weight is distributed makes it comfortable for extended?? play sessions. The ??mesh on the cups is also removable and washable, so feel free to leave your ears all nasty and instead clean the headset (please don't do this).

Behind the left cup is a volume rocker, programmable button, and an on/off switch. It took some time to become familiar with where the volume rocker was, but after a day or so I adjusted. The front side has an extendable boom mic that can be muted by lifting it up and making it flush with the headphones.?? A small pop filter on the tip of the mic ?helps to mitigate plosives, and I found it to be more effective than I anticipated. While the mic is on the quieter side, those that I played with said it picked up very clearly and the filter helped facilitate a clean, consistent tone.

New driver technology has lead to a warmer, more even sound that I appreciated in both movies and games alike. Using a supplied program called Peakmeter, I began looking for music and games that actually used a 7.1 channel and realized how much of what we hear is only in two channels. Games like Battlefield 1 (which was also supplied for the purpose of this review) take full advantage and become ridiculously immersive when you can hear a sniper rustling th??r?ough grass by your side.

The always-pleasant Logitech Gaming Software made customizing the sounds I wanted easy: I was able to switch that programmable button to basically anything imaginable, switch between preset equalizations like FPS and MOBA, and play around with the 7.1 settings. In a nic??e touch, all channel??s go up to a maximum of 11 for volume. I hope you understand the reference. 

Of course, no one headset is for everyone. If you're thinking this all sounds good and you'd like to take it with you on the subway or on a walk, you're out of luck. Though the he??adset is wireless, it requires a USB 2.0 slot, so this is pretty much exclusively for the PC. The wireless connection is great for the?? house, with a 30-foot range and 16-hour battery, but that's the only place you'll be using it.

The price is a little hard to swallow as well. The G633 Artemis Spectrum is only $99 right now, and it has 7.1 support, an actual audio jack for portability, and more programmable buttons if that's what you're into. So it's a tradeoff: this new one with a better mic, better sound, and less of a Gundam look for $50 more, or portabil??ity and more buttons with the Artemis Spectrum. Depending on your preferences, it might be smart to save the money.

If you can afford the G533s though, you'll have a comfortable, reliable, swell-sounding headset on your hands. I've ha??d these suckers on my head for tens of hours at this point, and they've neve??r once performed less-than-admirably.

_{[This review is based on retail hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Logitech G533 Headset appeared first on Destructoid.

You'll look like Princess Leia, but they sound good

Right after I got back from Poland almost a month ago, I received a package with all sorts of Razer goodies inside, including the Ornata keyboard, the Death Adder Elite mouse, and the Kraken 7.1 V2 Gaming headset. I'm still working on reviewing those first two (Spoiler: I'm rather happy with them), but I've been using the headset for the past few weeks both in numerous matches of Killing Floor 2 and Battlefield 1 and for listening to music while I conjure up more words for? you fine folks to read. 

It's gonna be hard to tear these off my head the next time I have to do ano??ther headset review.

Product: Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 Gaming Headset
Manufacturer: Razer
Input: USB 2.0
MSRP: $99.99

Let's start from the outside and work our way in. The Kraken 7.1 V2 is large, but it's more comfortable than I initially expected. At 346 grams, it doesn't feel particularly heavy, and the large cups sit comfortably ove??r my ears. While the cups do protrude a couple inches and have the potential to make you look quite ridiculous, it allows for 50 mm audio dr??ivers, meaning better sound quality.

Since the Kraken is connected via USB, I generally wouldn't be using them outside of home anyway, but aside from the large cups, the set looks sturdy and sleek. I'm glad Razer gave up on the awful mid-'90s punk band vomit font it had been using on so many of its products up 'til now. With nice RGB lighting on the side of the cups and the clean new Razer logo, I wouldn't be embarrassed to take these into a coffee shop to get some writing done. Also, a nice bonus is that I've w?orn these for five hours at a time and my ears never get sore. That's highly subjective, and I don't know your ear?s, but these worked well for me.

The microphone is attached to the left cup, and is conveniently retractable for whenever you want to use the phones exclusively for listening. Whenever you'd like to mute yourself, you simply pinch the tip of the mic down (there's a sneaky little b??utton on it) and you'll be nice and silent. Quality-wise, I was surprised to find that my voice sounds crisp?? and clear in comparison to most of the other gaming headsets I've used in the past. Through Razer's Synapse software, I was able to tweak volume normalization, ambient noise reduction, and active mic noise cancellation, allowing squad mates to hear my voice despite whatever cacophony was surrounding me. Curiously, no matter what I adjusted, people that I played with told me they could hear my breathing a little too easily. This means that either the mic is a wee bit too sensitive, or I need to start doing breathing exercises.

But these are primarily for your ears, so the most important aspect is the sound. If Razer is going to tout 7.1 digital surround sound, the Kraken had better tickle my eardrums and fill them with sweet, honeyed compliments. There's an ongoing debate as to whether or not digital 7.1 is true surround sound because the speakers are too close to your ears, yada yada yada you can Google it. What's important to me is that the illusion of surround sound is here, and I can already hear the benefits in Battlefield 1. I've heard other players coming around c??orners behind me and taken them down even though they should have had the drop on me.

There's a deep bass to these that audiophiles would probably frown at, but I find it works pretty well for getting a nice, grounded sound in the games I've been playing. With the bass boost in the Synapse software, running through explosions is particularly pleasant (as nice as something so traumatic can be), though the Kraken does struggle with the boost maxed out on the highest volume. That's not good for your ears anyway, but if you're nigh-deaf and need to have it that loud, be aware that there is a loss of consistency at that point. You can also adjust sound normalization and presence level, for when you want to reduce loudness variation ??and better hear your friends.

When it comes to listening to music, the Kraken performs admirably. There's a nice balance to the lows and highs that doesn't feel as compromised as I'm used to with gaming?? headsets. For the best possible musical experience, you're still better off with dedicated headphones from a company like Audio-Technica or Sennheiser. But if you're like me and don't want to switch your earhuggers every time you change from gaming to music, the Kraken sounds good, warm, and balanced compared to other gaming headsets. Don't @ me, as the kids on Twitter say.

The Kraken 7.1 V2 is a great overall package; it's comfortable on my big dumb head, has a surprisingly high-quality microphone, and the sound quality is more generous than I expect from the?? often compromised category of gaming headsets. As someone who both plays games and writes constantly, I find them to be a good alternative to switching to more appropriate headphones every five minutes. Even if this isn't the case for you personally, the Kraken is a good choice if you want a high-quality headset? for a decent price.

_{[This review is based on retail hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 Gaming Headset appeared first on Destructoid.

Easy to break down for disposal

When you see the?? name FNATIC, you're probably reminded of the various eSports teams that bear the name, or you're outraged that someone would spell fanatic wrong. What you're not thinking is "Hey, I bet they make some good headsets," and let me tell you this review ??will do nothing to change that.

This is easily one of the worst headsets I've ?used and severely overpriced, seemingly just to milk a few bucks out of FNATIC fans.

Product: Duel TMA-2
Manufacturer: FNATIC
Input: 3.5 mm Headphone Jack (Console)
Output: Stereo (Console)
MSRP: $199.99

Upon opening the box for this headset, you're greeted with a ton of black plastic bags, each containing a different piece of the headset which must be pieced together. While I get that this is a modular headset meant to be customizable, I'd have preferred at least one configuration be setup by default instead of having to spend 30 minutes opening bags, foll?owed by 10 minutes of figuring out how everything fit together.

As far a?s customization options go there are two different sizes of cups (big cups to cancel out the noises around you, and small cups for listening on the go), and the ability to have your cable and or microphone (as it comes with two cables, one with a mic, one without) on either side? of the headset. That's it. No buttons, no lights, nothing fancy at all. Unless you consider an in-line mute button fancy, which didn't even work on the headset I was provided as it picked up sounds with either setting.

The Duel TMA-2 isn't exactly comfortable and l?ooks and feels rather cheap and plasticky considering the price tag. Worst of all, when adjusting the fit of the headset, there are extremely loud pops mere millimeters from your ears, loud enough that it made my ears hurt. A huge oversight considering you've got to have the headset on to be ??able to adjust it to the correct size.

Because this headset only offers 3.5mm plugs for both the mic and audio, the playback is restricted to stereo. On top of that, the audio quality is lacking, sounding a bit tinny or distant and with the bass overblown. The microphone is easily the worst I've used in recent memory, with the volume being extremely low by default, forcing me to use soft?ware-side boosts to even make it audible, something the average consumer won't want to deal with.

Many headsets these days offer 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, better mics, and far more comfortable and stylish designs for a fraction of the price, so I fail to see why anyone would want to buy this aside from supporting the brand. It is ugly, cheap fe??eling, and has deafening clicks when being adjusting. Even if you're a fanatic of FNATIC, I'd highly suggest you find a headset elsewhere.

_{[This review is based on retail hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: FNATIC Duel TMA-2 Modular Gaming Headset appeared first on Destructoid.

Some of the best cups you'll ever touch

I've been using the SteelSeries Arctis 5 as my main headset on my PC since getting them ?a few weeks back, and frankly, I don't see myself going back to my far more expensive Astros. This headset fits, keeps my hair from being a mess, doesn't make me hot, and sounds great.

My favorite headset thus far?, but it isn't without its faults; specifically everything to do with the microphone.

Product: Arctis 5
Manufacturer: SteelSeries
Input: USB (PC), 3.5 mm Headphone Jack (Console)
Output: 7.1 DTS (PC), Stereo (Console)
MSRP: $99.99

I have a huge head and finding things to comfortably fit it has never been easy. I played football in eighth grade and getting a helmet to fit me was difficult, hats never look good on me or fit, and headsets typically feel like they are crushing my head with two sound-producin??g furnaces.

Thankfully the crack geniuses at SteelSeries have finally created a headset that is both super comfortable and doesn't make me sweat my balls off when using it for an extended period of time. The cups are big enough to comfortably sit over my ears, and the material is soft and breathable. Instead of using the classic expandable design of other headsets, size is ad?justed purely via a flexible band across the top, similar to what you'd find in ski goggles. This means you don't have plastic resting uncomfortably on your head and the fit is far more adjustable than plastic that snaps into place.

Sound-wise, at least playback, is great. Everything seems balanced quite well without being flat at default settings, though equalizat??ion is fully customizable in the SteelSeries Engine software. I'm no audiophile but these just sound better than my Astro A50s, which run $200 more. That said, 7.1 is only supported on PC via USB, while only stereo is available vi?a a 3.5mm plug for consoles, so the A50s are a bit more universal. 

Now for the bad: the microphone. Basically, everything that could be wrong with the microphone is. While it is retractable, the area that it comes out of the ??headphone is up too high, meaning every time it is extended it must be adjusted downward to your mouth (your face may vary). The microphone detects audio on both sides of the mic, supposedly in an attempt to block out b?ackground noise, but in my tests, it does a poor job, easily picking up the sounds of me typing on my mechanical keyboard a normal distance away. While I appreciate that the microphone has a light on it to let you know when it is muted via a button on the back of the left cup, the light is insanely bright, enough to be distracting, especially if you play in the dark.

While the mic quality might be a little better than a cheap basic headset you'd find in the electronics section at a typical store, I wouldn't buy this headset expecting professional quality. Not terrible for communicating on games, but for podcasts and livestreaming you'll want something different.? The include??d dongle that allows adjusting the volume between game audio and chat audio serves its purpose but mostly feels in the way since I chose not to use the mic more than absolutely needed.

Aside from a great fit and fantastic playback, the ?customizable lights on each of the cups is something you won't find in many (if any) other headsets. Each cup is outlined with a circle of RGB lighting and the SteelSerie?s logo. I'm not a huge fan of brand names being plastered on my stuff, but these are just too sexy to say no to. Plus you can set each cup to any color you can think of, have them cycle colors of your choosing, or turn them off if you hate turning on anyone fortunate enough to be in the room with you. 

For $100, this headset is hard to beat. You get a super comfy fit, great sound, fancy lights and a not-so-great microphone that is thankfully optional and retractable. Plus you can ?get this here headset in black or white varie?ties, or the $50 more expensive wireless version if you hate cables; I'm honestly considering it. SteelSeries has outdone itself and the competition this time. I just hope the second generation can fix the microphone issues.

_{[This review is based on retail hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: SteelSeries Arctis 5 appeared first on Destructoid.

The best of the Prodigy line (and what that means)

Last month I reviewed the keyboard and mice of Logitech's new Prodigy line, which is aimed at people who play games but don't necessarily need top-of-the-line gear. In keeping with my generally tardy ??self, I've been playing with the G231 Prodigy Gaming Headset for about a month now before finally having the chance to sit down and review it.

Overall, I think this headset offers the best bang for its buck i?n the Prodigy li?ne.

Product: G231 Prodigy Gaming Headset
Manufacturer: Logitech
Input: 3.5 mm Headphone Jack
MSRP: $69.99

I'd like to start by warning you that I have big-ass asymmetrical ears that make over-ear headphones unc??omfortable when wearing them for prolonged periods. For me, the G231 still gives me the ol' sore cartilage after a couple of hours, but that's longer than I usually last (shut up). The swiveling cups made them fit around my big mug a little better than other phones I've used in the past. In a nice bonus, the cups are removable and washable just in case they get a little grimy, though I haven't had to wash min?e yet.

The G231 is rather bulky, so I probably wouldn't wear it outside of the privacy of my own home. Construction-wise, it feels hefty bu?t the swiveling cups are too squeaky for their own good. In truth, I didn't ever notice any squeaking once they were on my head so it's not a huge issue, but pulling them off or adjusting them can make some unpleasant noises.

As far as connections go, the G231 can be used for PC or console by way of two 3.5 mm headph??one jacks (or one for console when using the adapter). Th??is also means you could use them with your phone or other music devices -- unless it's an iPhone 7, ha-ha, such timely humor! Since it's not connected via USB, you do lose out on the ability to modify the sound like you can with other headsets.

I didn't really find it necessary to tweak the sound, though. While it's definitely not a high-quality headset with 7.1 surround sound, it feels sufficiently punchy, and on a recent playthrough of DOOM I was happy with how meaty it all sounded. The only complaint I have with the audio mixing is that mus??ic, s??ound effects, and voice acting all seemed to be at about the same volume, so they didn't stand out too dramatically.

Like the rest of the Prodigy line, there isn't much in the way of extra frills here. There's a small controller on the cord that allows volume adjustmen?t and an immediate mute if you need to quickly shut the heck up, but beyond that, it'?s just a bare-bones headset. And that's not a bad thing! Some people don't want their PC hardware to look like it could kill you and return to its home planet at any time.

Compared to the G213 keyboard and the G403 mouse, this headset is easier to recommend because Logitech doesn't have a similarly-priced pair that's just as good, if not better, like the former two products. I personally would say if you want elite gear that it might be wor??th spending more than $100 on your headphones, but the Prodigy isn't targeting those interests. Out of this whole product line, the G231 shows Logitech knowing its targeted audience.

The post Review: Logitech G231 Prodigy Gaming Headset appeared first on Destructoid.

I'm still holding out for Tron controllers

Not to be outdone by Sony, Microsoft also has announced some new accessories for its updated Xbox One S. The Xbox One S ??controller, which has Bluetooth connectivity and improved grips, is now available in black, blue, and purple.

Unlike the new PlayStation 4 controllers that have the light bar extend to the touchpad, these new gamepads don't add anything from the existing white? Xbox One S controllers other than color. That's? fine, right? More colors is cool, right? Yeah, except they charge more for them.

The black controllers are $60 like the original white version, but if you want a blue one, it'll cost you $65. Purple? That's $70. I know what you're thinking. "This isn't the first time different colored controllers have been pr?iced differently." And you're right: this is not the first time, but it ought to be the? last.

Also like Sony, Microsoft suggests that updates "may be required" for the controllers to work optimally. I understand in Sony's case since the light bar will be implemented into gameplay, but why would these Xbox controllers need to be updated??? For the Bluetooth to work on PCs and tablets, you need to have Windows 10 and the recent Anniversary update (as if you have a choice).

If you are indecisive about colors (I know I am), you won't have to worry with Microsoft's new gaming headset. It's only in white. Compatible with both Xbox One and PC, the new $65 headset has features such as being able to hear people and chat with them, as well as listening to TV or movies in "rich, stereo sound." Whoa, slow down Microsoft. Let me tell you abou?t my spoon that you can use to eat cereal with in rich, silver metal.

Real talk: don't buy "gaming headsets." The audio quality will never compete with dedicated headphones in the same price range. If you must chat, a ?cheap clip-on microphone will suffice.

The post With the new Xbox accessories, color comes ?at a price appeared first on Destructoid.

Not sandwich friendly

Are you an audiophile? If so, this review probably won't answer most of your questions. However, if you're a Regular P??erson and want to know the down-low on the Hyper X Cloud Revolver headset, I've got you covered.

I'm here to answer the important questions like "can I hear things good," "is it comfy to wear," and "can I eat a sandwich while wearing it?" The answers? Yes, not really, and not without difficulty. I'll explain with some GI??Fs.

Hyper X Cloud Revolver
Manufacturer: Kingston
Input: 3.5mm
MSRP: $119.99 

The first and easiest thing to judge about a headset is comfort. Now unfortunately, comfort is unique to the user since we're such unique snowflakes with unique snowflake heads. My first experience with the headset wasn't exactly comfortable. The ear cups are gigantic, and rest on the upper portion of my jaw, which caused some discomfort. I was nervous to use the headset for any extended period of time, but after playing Overwatch for a few ho??urs, I ?hardly noticed they were even on.

Part of the initial discomfort stemmed from the fact that it is impossible to adjust the size of the headset. Instead, the top of the hea??dset automatically adjusts with gravity until it rests neatly on your head. I wish it had some sort of locking mechanism, because I would much prefer the headset to rest a little bit above where it ends up, which would then remove the pressure from my jaw. 

This should give you an idea of how the a?uto-adjustment works:

The sound quality is great. There are no adjustments to be made to bass or treble or whatever you people adjust, so what you hear is what you get. If you're super into hearing the bass of a song, you're out of luck here. There's a small volume adjuster on the wire itself, though it's really far down the wire and I often had to really reach to get to it. I suppose that's better because it won't rest on your lap while playing, but for quick adjustments, it can get a bit annoying. The adjuster also c?ontains a switch to mute the microphone if needed.

I did find the headphones v?ery comfortable while using it in conjunction with the HTC Vive. Since the VR headset adds some height to my head, the earcups fell to a much more comfortable position. That being said, while standing the volume adjuster is very low and was often a hassle to find (without looking) and adjust the volume. Luckily it's possible to adjust inside of the Steam VR UI.

They don't promise noise?? cancelling, and, well, they aren't. In fact, since the ear cups are so big, sound is almost guaranteed to get in. Unless maybe your head is really big and flat? Regardless, I just wanted to mention the fact that? these won't be noise-cancelling just in case.

The microphone is detachable and can be slightly bent in position. It can only be bent toward or away from your mouth, so it's not the best if you're trying to eat something with two hands while using it. Hey, sometimes I like to eat my sandwiches while playing Overwatch, alright?? The microphone quality is rather&nbs?p;good, and will serve just fine for communicating in online games. 

Here's what I mean? in regards to t??he sandwich bit, and this is with the microphone bent as far away from my mouth as it could get:

You can hear the microphone quality for you??rself in this video:

It's not enough to become my default headset, but it will be my go-to for everything that'??s not on PC. Since my ROCCAT headphones are USB, I can't use them with my iPod, phone, or Wii U. Luckily, the Cloud Revolver us?es the traditional headphone jack, which makes it a perfect companion!

It's definitely on the pricier side of things, an??d doesn't seem to offer as many bells and whistles as I've seen on other headsets, but the sound quality is definitely solid.

_{[This review is based on retail hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

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