Every once in a while, a review comes along that's so awesome, it takes two reviews to cover. In this case, we are reviewing two items in tandem that are expected to work together to achieve a common goal: immersion. AXPro 5.1 Surround sound headset from Tritton is on the plate today, but next week, expect to see a review of the Headplay Personal Cinema System, a head-mounted video visor.

Sometimes, stereo just doesn't cut it, but what are your options? You could buy an expensive surround sound system, cut into your walls, and run speaker cord. Or you could opt for one of the plethora of faux-surround headsets that use a phasing scheme to (poorly) simulate surround sound. When it comes down to it, the choices are expensive or ineffective. Enter the AXPro surround sound headset, one of the sharpest personal audio systems I've seen.

The AXPro uses four drivers per earcup to generate a convincing, dynamic soundscape, the way only multiple speakers can. On a regular basis I could pinpoint the action in game just by sound, leading to many a disappointed sniper beat downs. On the in-line controls, you can control the volume of all the sound spaces individually or all together, an improvement from Tritton's earlier AX360 headset with several dials. Previously, turning the volume down there meant adjusting three or four dials by the same amount. The headset also features strong bass whereas the AX360 featured a bass "rumble".

The Pro headset also features a removable microphone. The mic patches into Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's Playstation 3, or any PC or Mac for in game chat. The Xbox 360 achieves this through a coiled patch cable from the in-line controls to the 360 controller. On the PS3 or a computer, you can connect through a USB cable from the digital decoder box, discussed in just a moment. Finally, to connect to just about anything else, you can swap the decoder box for 3.5mm jacks on all the audio channels as well as the mic channel. This mic is a significant upgrade from the AX360, since you had to configure your console to feed game chat over the speakers. In the case of the AXPro, the independent chat volume control on the in-line controls lets you adjust the volume without having to compromise your game audio. Also, you'll find the chat mute on the in-line module as well.

The headset itself is very comfortable, enveloping an average sized set of ears in their own personal sound stages. The head rail is adjustable like most headphones, and as an added geek bonus, the Tritton T on the earcups lights up. In the customization department, the plates on the outside are detachable and swappable. The earcups come factory-loaded with soft felt cup covers and a felt headrail pad, but if you rummage through the box again, you'll find replacement padding in faux-leather for the ear cups and the head rail.

The AXPro comes with a digital surround sound decoder which accepts an optical audio cable, included in the box, and outputs to as many as two compatible headsets. The decoder box offers a few extra features like time delay for an extra 3D feeling when watching movies and three 3.5mm outputs for external speakers.

Even with all these pluses, the AXPro has a one critical drawback. The headset comes with two of the bulky AC adapters, one to power the headset itself and the other to power the decoder box. While most of us won't be short of power in terms of watts, you might be short of power outlets to fit the two plugs. Either break out a power strip or the AC adaptors will monopolize a two-outlet plate all by themselves. Even if you ditch the decoder box, the headset needs power, a change from the previous AX360, which only needed one plug for the decoder box.

(Tritton let us know this issue has been addressed. The models of the AXPro in the next round of shipments will feature a single AC adapter. Well, dang... that's the only issue I can find. It's a recommendation completely without qualification then!)

Overall, the AXPro is a powerhouse of audio. I have been the happy owner of an AX360 headset for a while now and I can say that they have improved the design in every way I could imagine. Both the AX360 and the AXPro come with my recommendations, but the AXPro, as a veritable swiss-army knife of audio bliss, is an indispensable tool for the hardcore gamer.

Tritton Technologies - AXPro

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Written by :

edgeofblade

 

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CrAzYbRoS

Mega-Review: Tritton AXPro Surround Sound Headset Apr 14 2009 15:11:41 Snazzy stuff! Looks reaaally cool!

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