Product Description:
The XP300 is a premium, high-performance stereo gaming headset featuring wireless Xbox LIVE chat and a state-of-the-art 2.4/5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi radio that virtually eliminates wireless interference. A rechargeable battery provides up to 15 hours of play on a single charge, and its dual-pairing Bluetooth technology lets you chat wirelessly on Xbox 360 or PS3 and answer mobile phone calls while gaming. Equipped with multiple EQ and sound field expander presets, the XP300 allows gamers to enhance sound cues and customize audio settings for different gaming scenarios. Massive 50mm speakers with acoustically tuned ear cups and breathable mesh ear cushions deliver the ultimate in audio fidelity and extreme comfort. If you’re serious about gaming, then get serious about the sound. Step up to the XP300 and experience game audio like never before.
Product Details:
- Wireless Xbox LIVE and PSN Chat - Enjoy complete wireless freedom without the need for chat cables
- 2.4/5GHZ Dual-Band Wi-Fi - Selects the optimum frequency in the 2.4GHz/5GHz spectrums, virtually eliminating interference
- Dual-Pairing Bluetooth - Answer mobile phone calls while gaming
- Rechargeable Battery - Provides up to 15 hours of uninterrupted gameplay and can be recharged while gaming
- Equalizer (EQ) Presets - Multiple EQ presets including bass and treble boost combinations
Customer Reviews:
Turtle Beach finally hits the mark By Turtle502
Having tolerated the Turtle Beach X41 wireless headphones for a while, stepping-up to the XP300s has been incredibly satisfying. Turtle Beach seems to have finally provided all the functionality that I've desired (plus some I didn't expect), while improving the overall comfort and feel of the headphones. While a few things have been overlooked, my overall experience has ben positive.
Comfort: I can wear these for hours. The padding on the earcups is very comfortable, and they don't make my ears (or head) warm. The over-the-head band is comfortable as well, but while the headband expands sufficiently to increase size, I still wish they were just slightly smaller. However, they don't fall off and they stay positioned while moving around.
Sound: There are two things to consider regarding sound quality with wireless headphones:
1) the transmission through wireless. These are considerably improved over the X41s I was using. I can't detect any hiss during non-audio segments, and haven't had any issues with interference with other wireless networks (I am running simultaneous wireless-G and wireless-N networks in my home, in addition to 5 Ghz cordless phones). The XP300s run on two bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and will automatically switch between them based upon interference. Only once in a while do I detect this transition, but it is seamless. No pops, no clicks -- perfect audio always.
2) sound output. While these are improved over the X41s, they still don't exactly hit the mark when it comes to the bass response. Overall, however, the sound quality is relatively balanced, with very good midrange (for voices) and decent, if not exceptional bass response. Treble/highs are perfect, from my perspective. The headphones offer the ability to adjust the "tone", so you can boost the bass (or bass and treble, as an option). While there is also an option to increase the stereo field (like an artifical surround sound), I think it stretches the sound too thin.
Connection: I am using this with an Xbox 360. Unlike the X41s, however, there is no optical input on the control device. You have to use any available analog audio output (either on your 360 or on the back of your TV) and connect it directly to the control device. This could make connections challenging in some situations, and the lack of an optical input provides a less-than-ideal audio response. Fortunately, the control device/transmitter is small, and it does provide an auxilary-in jack, so you can also connect an MP3 player or any other device to it. The control unit/transmitter is powered by USB, so you will need a free USB jack in order to power the transmitter.
Power: the headphones have built-in, non-replaceable rechargeable batteries. They are charged via a proprietary USB cable (you'll need another USB port for this). Fortunately, they can be charged while in-use, so a "low battery" warning doesn't mean you need to switch to something else. Unfortunately, once the low battery warning starts to beep, you have no idea how much additional time you have available. Fortunately, I've been getting 15-20 hours from them.
Wireless Chat: These XP300's solve the one problem I've had with the X41s and other similar headphones -- they now provide true wireless chat with the 360. The package includes a small bluetooth transmitter that plugs into your 360's controller. It then syncs with the headphones, and transmits audio via bluetooth. From my perspective, incoming chat is perfect, and nobody has complained about the quality of my voice. The benefit here is that I can finally put my controller down, and get up and walk around the room (or out of the room, within about 30 feet), without having to carry a semi-wired controller around with me. I can still hear things and talk to others without being tied to the controller. NOTE: if you are using the 360's "Chatpad", you can't use the included controller transmitter. You will either need to remove your Chatpad from the controller or use the included cable to hardwire your headphones to your controller (which is how the X41s work).
Bluetooth: In addition to wireless chat, the headphones will also sync to a cellphone via bluetooth...and it can handle booth wireless chat and a cellphone connection simultaneously. This means that you can take calls from your phone while gaming -- this is incredible functionality that is extremely helpful -- no more missed calls, and no more taking a headset off in order to take a phone call.
What keeps these from being perfect? The documentation isn't entirely clear. I spent the better part of 20 minutes just trying to get the headset to sync to its transmitter, because the documentation wasn't clear (just hold the power button down beyond the initial tones). From my perspective, the documentation also seemed to be "backwards" regarding the wireless chat "sync indicator". Like a normal bluetooth headset, if it's flashing infrequently, it is synchronized. I had to experiment using a second 360 over LIVE just to figure this all out. However, once you get everything synchronized, things seem to work quite well thereafter without further intervention required.
I also haven't had much luck with balancing the mix of chat and game audio. No matter what settings I choose in the 360's dashboard settings in conjunction with various volume levels/controls on the headphones, I can't find a mix that works best for me. I typically end-up turning down game audio to compensate.
Overall, I'm pleased with the XP300s. However, I can't overlook the lack of an optical connection, the confusing documentation and syncing processes and indicators, and the chat/game-audio mix issues. They still aren't "perfect", but they hit enough of the mark for me that they are my new favorite gaming headphones.Review of the Turtle Beach Ear Force XP300 By Angela Streiff
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RYBLWBAL5M1AY I upgraded to this Turtle Beach Ear Force XP300 from a pair of MW3 Ear Force Bravos, so most of my thoughts and comparisons are from my experience with those.
Set up:
I found these just as simple as other models of Turtle Beach headsets. I set mine up with a PS3, and just as with previous models, you use an included RCA splitter cable, transmitter (XP300 dual-band) and a USB charging cable. To chat via Bluetooth on the PS3, you sync it by going through your PS3 main menu in Settings -> Accessory Settings -> Manage Bluetooth Devices. Start the system scanning for this new headset then press and hold down the Bluetooth button on your headset at the same time. It will beep and the two will be paired. You then need to select this headset in your PS3 Bluetooth menu to start using it. If prompted for a code it's "0000". For the xBox, there is an included XBA Bluetooth adapter that connects directly to the controller to set up Bluetooth chat.
You can also connect music players like MP3 players, iPods and such via a 3.5mm cable (not included) to the transmitter and listen you your music at the same time as hearing everything going on in game and in chat. You can also sync the Bluetooth in this headset with your cell phone (if it has Bluetooth) and use it to answer incoming calls. You just press the Bluetooth button once to answer it and again to end the call. You can also make outgoing calls if need be, however unless you're using voice dialing, you will still be using the phone itself to dial the number.
Pros:
Pretty simple and clear directions in the included handbook. Maybe a little better outlined than in previous versions. An issue in the past for some people during initial set up was the mixing up of the two USB cables, one that transmits sound, the other for charging the headset. Looking similar, if they were hooked up wrong, headsets would still charge but no sound could be heard. To fix this they have made the USB cable that transmits the sound permanently attached to the back of the transmitter, with only the USB power/charging cable detachable. This is bound to save time for people, if nothing else the customer service people who walk customers through troubleshooting set up.
The mic on the headset is nice. Extremely maneuverable and a good length so you don't have it too close to your mouth. It picks up sound very well, so if you have stuff going on in the next room, it's likely those you're talking to will hear it faintly.
The ability to attach a music player via 3.5mm cable is great, You can listen to your music and talk to people in game without forcing everyone else to listen to your music too. I have hooked mine up with my tablet (Kindle Fire), an iPod touch and an iPod shuffle, they all work great. Just plug in and push play on your player and you have your music.
Several pre-set settings for sound.
With the Tone button you get:
1) Flat
2) Bass Boost
3) Treble Boost
4) Bass and Treble Boost
With the Sound Field button you get:
1) Normal
2) Narrow
3) Wide
These setting are definitely needed for different games. I've been listening to the game play through this headset with games like MW3, Heavy Rain, inFamous 2, GTA IV and Uncharted 3. Each game needs a totally different set up to get the best sound. With games like Heavy Rain where it's often very quiet with subtle background sounds and talking, it needs a completely different configuration then games like Modern Warfare 3. So before deciding if you like these, be sure to try out all the different sound settings, since with some games the wrong setting can make the game sound bad.
The cushioning on the headset is ample. It has a very wide band over the head with lots of cushioning, so no problem with comfort there. The ear pads are also very plush, which help keep out outside sounds when wearing them. They keep out sound so well that the only way I hear things going on around me is if they are being picked up by the mic.
To save battery this headset also automatically shuts off after approx 5 minutes of not being used. The battery lasts a good amount time time at about 15 hours per charge.
Cons:
Just a few minor ones.
When playing music with an MP3 player/iPod by attaching it to the transmitter, the music quality is not quite as good as headphones hooked directly into a player. This probably has more to do with the sound pre-sets being optimized for game sounds instead of regular music. However, you do still get decent sound for listening to your songs while playing.
No included 3.5mm cable for use with the auxiliary input. While this isn't necessary for use during game play or for chat, it is needed to listen to music through the transmitter. With a great feature like this and at these prices, it would have been good to have this added in as one of the included cables. If you want to buy one, you're going to need something like this Mediabridge 3.5mm Male To 3.5mm Male Stereo Audio Cable to play music through your headset.
Conclusion:
Large and comfortable headset with easy to navigate buttons, it takes no time at all to adjust the sound to what works best for the type of game/movie/music/chat you're hearing. Two separate volume settings (one for chat, the other for game volume) make adjusting the settings during game play extremely easy, so you don't miss a second of what's going on. This Turtle Beach Ear Force XP300 headset is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the wireless headset market.Fantastic all-in-one for all your gaming needs By Jen
I was super excited to receive my XP300 because it seemed to be the headset that would finally fix the wireless headset dilemma on the Xbox 360. That in itself is worthy of a purchase, but thankfully the XP300 has so much more to offer. I have purchased headsets that claim to be wireless in the past but somehow they always manage to involve wires. Doesn't really make sense to me. I had all but given up on a wireless Xbox 360 headset when this brilliant piece of technology came around. It is TRULY wireless, involving plugging a small adapter into the top of your 360 controller (where a traditional wired headset would plug in) and the adapter communicates wirelessly with the headset. It's beautiful perfection. If you happy to be 360 AND a PS3 fan, you're in for a treat. I don't even have to get up to switch from 360 to PS3. Turn the PS3 on, the bluetooth detects the XP300 (after initial setup) and I'm golden. I can even use the XP300 with my PC, although it is a wired connection. Not sure why they couldn't offer a wireless option for the PC as well and even though I don't really NEED wireless for my PC, it would have been a nice touch. I'm not going to knock a star off for this minor gripe because it outperforms all my expectations in every other capacity.
Sound is full and crisp and completely engrossing. Paired with the noise isolation, the XP300 REALLY puts you in the game. A high quality headset might not be on the top of most gamers peripheral list, but it's amazing how sound like this can completely transform your experience. I was immediately hearing things in my games I had never detected before. I had been using the cheap standard 360 headset which only conveys voice chat so this is the first time I played my 360 and PS3 games with a headset and it's just as amazing as the first time I used my Logitech G35 7.1-Channel Surround Sound Headset with my PC games. I had purchased a few headsets for the 360 trying to find a high quality wireless set, and there just simply aren't any other options out there. If you want TRUE wireless with your 360, you need the XP300. As for voice, my friends claimed that they could hear me more clearly with the XP300 over the standard headset and I would expect no less considering the price difference between this and the cheap headset. Incoming voices were much clearer and louder and I don't miss having to lower the volume on the TV to hear voice chat with the standard headset. The XP300 automatically turns up chat volume to compensate a higher game volume.
Comfort is also high on my list as after long gaming sessions, a heavy or uncomfortable headset will make you miserable. I once had a simple behind the ear style headset for my PC and my ears would ache after an hour and I had to take it off. The XP300 is lightweight for it's size and supremely comfortable. The padding around the ears successfully blocks out most surrounding noise while being very comfortable. Some headsets tend to put too much pressure on the ears and sides of the head but that is not an issue here at all. I wore the headset for over 2 hours and I was still just as comfortable as the moment I put them on. The padding on the band that goes on top of the head is amply padded as well and has plenty of room for adjustment so that it will fit absolutely anyone.
The rechargeable battery is invaluable as well. Since my son's obsession with Skylanders, I'm really done with battery powered devices that have to be replaced at least once a week with moderate use. There's no reason high end devices like this can't include a rechargeable battery and I'm glad Turtle Beach recognizes this. I can recharge the headset right from the console while I'm playing and I can't imagine a better setup. It ensures no interruption to gameplay, which isn't something most wireless headsets can brag about. This paired with the ability to talk on my iPhone while I'm playing makes this purchase a no brainer for any gamer. It's even replaced my bluetooth headset that I use for my iPhone because now I can listen to music through my 360 with the XP300. If you want a wireless headset that works with your 360, PS3, PC and bluetooth enabled phone, there is no better solution and it's well worth the premium price given how many uses it had.
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