Turtle Beach EarForce X4 XBOX 360 Wireless Headset

Reviews: Multimedia

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Max Slowik
Kurtis
Turtle Beach
Sep. 10, 2008

Specifications

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Setup

Connecting everything is easy assuming you're using straight-up Microsoft cables. Since the digital audio-out connector is built-in to the video cable, it works best using the Xbox's component cable, which is free. If you're using an off-the-shelf HDMI cable, the only way to get audio is to cut back the housing of the component cable, and plug it in like an audio-out adapter, leaving just enough space for your HDMI cable.

That one condition aside, the setup is easy-peasy. Run the (slightly short, 6') optical cable from the video cable on the Xbox into the X4's receiver, and you're good--assuming you don't want digital audio back, you can continue to use the audio cables that are part of the component breakout cable. If you do, you'll need to run a second digital audio cable from the X4 receiver into whatever other sound source you've got. Basically, the X4 receiver just sits between the Xbox and your regular speakers, and it doesn't interrupt or impede your sound system in any way.

The headset's got its own power button, but if they're not receiving any signal from the receiver, they'll turn off on their own. There are also volume controls on the headset, so you don't really have to go near the receiver except to put away the cans when you're done.

Sound Quality

If these were $200 headphones, I'd be pretty disappointed. [cough, cough] They're alright across all levels, and good enough for gaming, but only really adequate at the bass. With bass boost on, the highs seem even more distant, although it might be a trade worth making; a good explosion is a deal that's hard to pass over.

The 5.1 Dolby surround sound is illusionary; the speakers are stereo, to cut down on hardware costs and improve battery life (5.1 audio requires three separate stereo audio channels, after all). But the illusion is convincing. Positional audio saved my skin as soon as Gears of War started spinning. It's an excellent, completely realistic manipulation that makes all the sounds really come at you from different directions.

Which is one thing that will distract you from noisy signals and processing. The sound is scratchy and if you turn up the volume without any game sounds going, it's as if someone's hissing at the back of your head. Maybe it's a byproduct of dealing with signal drops--which it just doesn't--so you know that the audio might not be the best quality, but it's certainly not going to go dark under any circumstances.

Battery life isn't super, either. I'd say you'll get 15-30 hours of juice on a pair of AAAs, depending on volume, bass boost, and who knows what. Buy some good rechargables.

One really excellent touch is how mic sounds are folded into the audio stream. When you talk, you hear your own voice coming through the speakers, which keeps you from shouting. I mean, what's the point of using a headset if now you are keeping your near-and-dear awake all night. It also helps you level your mic's pickup and adjust it for clear communication.

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Page 1: Introduction, Features & Design
Page 2: Setup and Sound Quality
Page 3: Conclusion

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