Product Description:
Turtle Beach Ear Force® X42 Wirelessly Dolby® Surround Sound Gaming Headset
Product Details:
- Dolby Surround Sound - Immersive 360 degree audio lets you pinpoint the direction of every sound
- 2.4/5GHZ Dual-Band Wi-Fi - Selects the optimum frequency in the 2.4GHz/5GHz spectrums, virtually eliminating interference
- Equalizer (EQ) Presets - Multiple EQ presets including bass and treble boost combinations
- Adjustable Surround Sound Angles - Alter the positioning of the surround sound angles to customize your audio experience
- Independent Volume Controls - Allows for personalized balancing of game and chat audio. Operates on dual AAA batteries.
Customer Reviews:
Great Sound, No Interference, Feels Cheaper than Previous Models By Kylearan
These finally, finally arrived - were they worth the wait?
Let's start off with what's different from the X41, XP500 and earlier models - things that can be downright confusing. I'm NOT talking specs, which you can read on your own; I'm talking operability.
(For sake of reference, I've owned the EarForce Deltas (which are remodeled XP500s), the X41s and the earlier analog-version X4s.)
* The Unusual (and Not So Good) *
Unlike earlier Transmitters which were always "On" so long as they were attached to an active USB port and powered on, the X42 Transmitter and its LEDs will turn OFF when you turn off the headset OR if there is no active audio signal for around 5 minutes. (For this latter, the headset will also turn off - this information is hidden at the back of the User Manual in the "Technical Specifications" section - something we never read, right?)
There are two ways to turn the Transmitter back on: (1) power on the headset or (2) unplug/replug the Transmitter's USB connection. (Obviously, turn on the headset.) It takes a few seconds to power all the way back up, which is, again, an issue we never had with the previous, always-on Transmitters.
Frankly, this is a little confusing if you're expecting the X42s (and probably the XP400s) to function the same as previous wireless Turtle Beach models.
Build quality. I hate to say it, but these feel definitively cheaper than ALL of the models I've mentioned so far, especially the XP500 branch. The smaller and very portable X42 Transmitter feels flimsy and delicate. The headset feels like a light, hollow-plastic housing. And out-of-the-box, they're not as comfortable or well-fitting as previous headsets. This may change after a break-in period, so I'll update accordingly.
Paired Out-of-Box? My headset and Transmitter were not properly paired upon first use. Took a minute to figure out how to pair them, but it's something I shouldn't have had to do. The manual itself says they should be pre-paired to work together. Oops!
* What's good - or even great - about the X42s? *
Interference? NONE. Unlike other reviewers, I am NOT having any sound/buzzing issues. As a matter of fact, the X42s have eliminated all of the cracking issues I had with the X41s and XP500s. The sound is super-clear. We run a dual-wireless household here, with 2.4GHz/5GHz active, and the X42s have performed flawlessly. I am VERY happy and impressed by this.
Sound quality? Better. The lack of interference is no doubt at the heart of this, but I can't help but notice a marked improvement.
Transmitter Size? Excellent. Think 'the size of a square hockey puck.' While it feels incredibly delicate, it is SO SMALL compared to previous Transmitters, that you can put it pretty much anywhere. Early transmitters suffered from 'where the heck do I put this thing?'-itis. No more.
* The Questionable *
The Transmitter and USB cable are now hard-connected. I'm NOT a fan of this, as I used to move the Transmitter from one room to another. It was much easier to have two USB power cords, one in each room, and just move the Transmitter between the two. Can't do that anymore. Also, if anything happens to the USB cable, you can't buy a replacement cable. If you're crafty, perhaps you could open the Transmitter and replace the cable if something happens, but there are no obvious open-points on the Transmitter.
No Stereo Output Port? Previous models had a stereo output port, which allowed you to hook up a wired headset. Personally, this will be sorely missed, as I would hook up a wired headset for visiting friends if we were playing late at night, or if the batteries in my wireless headset were running low, I'd switch to wired. But no more.
Missing: An Additional Optical Input. With so many digitally capable audio devices, it's just unfortunate that there isn't more than one optical input. If you've got two of any of the following - Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Cable/DVR, Boxee Box, Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, etc. - you can only hook up one of these to the Transmitter at any given time. Some of these play well via HDMI->optical sound on some televisions and audio receivers (to date, the PS3 plays fine this way, but not the 360), but it's an unfortunate and missed-opportunity for Turtle Beach to make a more functional wireless headset.
* Conclusion *
A competent headset that suffers from change: eliminating inference and improving sound quality comes at the price of strange power issues and unexpectedly poor build-quality; a smaller form factor is offset by loss of functionality.
Whether or not the X42s are right for you will depend on whether you experienced interference with earlier 2.4GHz models. If you did, these should be a huge improvement.
If you've ever owned (touched or even seen) the XP500s, you'll be severely underwhelmed by the X42s sturdiness. For everyone else, they'll feel hollow.
If you've never owned a Turtle Beach surround sound headset, you won't be thrown-off by the changes. If you have, just be aware of the changes and differences, and set your expectations accordingly.
Personally, I haven't decided to keep them or send them back. I still have time to decide. Perhaps something more impressive is on the horizon. Your move, MadCatz?My thoughts of the TB X42 after 2 x 3 hour session +Update after 100hrs By RustProof
The TB x42 is my first gaming headset and I would normally use my Tv's speakers (ie non-directional)
Packaging was secure and easy to open, the item got delivered (to Australia) in 4 days with express postage through DHL.
Product - compact, light (not flimsy), well balanced, easy to set up, over detailed instructions with pictures(which is a good thing I guess).
Sound quality is great, 5.1 surround took a while to get used to, and there is obvious ~360 sound directions. Bass isn't going to rumble the set of my head, Treble isn't going to pierce ear drums either. There is button on the headset to adjust, and I have found in multiplayer that I lean toward more treble than bass.
Wireless has worked seamlessly.
Mic is great, picks up all I say and my friends have said my voice is clear with no ambient noises. Chatting feels/sounds natural, and Mic monitoring controls the volume levels
UPDATE: after two month or ~100 hours of use.
Sounds is still great and the the Direction altering button on the transmitter is useful once you get used to the directional sound.
The head band for my average sized head is very comfortable, I have worn for a couple of long gaming session and have had no discomfort, but they feels a little lose if I move around, I can still walk around the house but wouldn't play Wii bowling/tennis (bad example but I am sure Knentic has a similar game)
The range is good and connection is great, I am not sure about distance but the signal will get through two brick walls (not a third).
MAKE sure you take the batteries out when it starts beeping (low battery warning)...you will only do it once and your chat friends won't be happy. I get about 12-15 hours out of my rechargeable batteries. I am lazy and rely on the 5 minute auto shut off.
I have sat on them (not very comfortable) and they did not break with no sign of damage.
I recommend this product, but i have not owned any others!9 of 9 Hey... I like them! By Benjamin Johnson
I am not a hard core gamer. I'm just your average one who upgraded from the Turtle Beach x3's from many years ago. I expected these headphones to be better than the older ones from many models ago. I must say that overall I'm pleased. In most categories they are better than the old x3's. Although, you would expect them to be.
Better because:
*They look cooler.
*Dual Band WiFi. There was no interference with my router,
*There was no buzzing, or humming, or noise of any kind. They are very quiet!
*Microphone is removable!
*Range works well for me. I can hear throughout most of my (small) house. Almost got the 30ft they claim.
*The wire to hook up to my controller for chat now will work with my "Chatpad."
*They do a much better job at letting me hear where the noises are coming from.
*Sound quality is good enough to allow you to hear the subtle things you want to hear.
*No more infrared blackout areas if I bend down, or leave the room.
*Uses optical audio cable to deliver 5.1 Surround Sound
*No more faulty/crackling/noisy microphone to controller connecter that plagued the x3's.
No different because:
*Sound quality is no better than the old x3'a. I thought it would be much better. But it is hard to tell any difference.
*They feel about the same quality. Not too bad, but certainly a lot of plastic. Not a major problem though. They don't feel flimsy or feel like they'll break.
Worse because:
*The bass on these is for sure worse than my old x3's. The bass on those was actually impressive. These headphones do a very poor job of giving you any punch. After playing more games, I'll update.
*The bass boost or treble boost give only a very subtle change.
*The instructions are STILL wrong on how to pair them. But a simple youtube video later, you're golden.
Overall, I really like them. And when I picked them up at $120... they weren't so bad of a deal. Whenever I am in an online battle, I never really like the bass up too much, so I can hear the more important sounds. I would recommend them for sure for anyone who is looking for a good inexpensive gaming headset.
UPDATE(8/15/12): Headset has stopped working properly after just one set of batteries. I contacted Turtle Beach Support, they gave me an RMA and I received the new headset a few days ago. Since they are new... they are fine. They were good about replacing them. Let's hope that was an isolated incident, and that doesn't happen again. Since I'm not sure, and they replaced them quickly, I would still recommend them.
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