Ear Force X2 Review

(all platforms; $99.95; turtlebeach.com)

(Recommended)

There are certain understandings that are in place at The Game Guy’s home. One of those understandings is that Mrs. Game Guy hates the sound of blaring gunshots and action music immediately after work and when trying to fall asleep. Mrs. Game Guy and I have a different understanding as to the word “loud,” but because of my love for her, I acquiesce to her requests to keep it down to a level detectable only by sonar.

But I’m a man with needs, and one of those needs is to get my game on. Getting my game on means being immersed in the game experience, and I’m not satisfied until I actually believe that someone is sneaking up from behind to shiv me.

Enter the Ear Force X2’s a set of wireless headphones designed for gamers. More specifically designed for Xbox Live. The X2’s are the first headphones to integrate in-game sound and the ability to communicate with friends through the integrated microphone that plugs directly into the Xbox 360 controller.

Previously, to listen through headphones and communicate online, players would have to find a set of cans large enough to cover the Xbox communicator. Accomplishing this task usually involved some pretty heavy modifications to fit an Xbox headset into the earcup of a headphone. I’ve attempted it, and it usually became a pretty painful process after about 30 minutes of gaming.

With the integration of microphone and headphones on the X2, players can pipe the multiplayer chatter in stereo without compromising the in-game music and sound effects. Adjusting the noise-canceling microphone means being able to play late into the night without disturbing the wife- that is, as long as I chatter with my teammates in no louder than a whisper.

For a wireless set of cans, the X2’s produce a pretty good bass response and resonance. Granted, the problem with any set of wireless headphones is the maximum volume that can be produced without distortion. I may like my music loud, but not so loud that my ears bleed, and the X2’s accommodate that range just fine. Once in a game, the sound is crisp and clean.

The headphones are not, however, in 5.1 surround. This means that in games where sound positioning is critical to knowing where gunfire or enemies are, players will be at a disadvantage if relying on sound cues. When playing “Call of Duty 2,” I swear I heard someone behind me at all times, it turned out it was the headphones trying to squeeze 5.1 into stereo. Maybe not ideal, but certainly more ideal than not having any sound because it’s too late at night.

It should also be noted that though the X2’s are marketed for Xbox 360, they can be used as a communicator with the original Xbox as well. For that matter, they can be used as regular wireless headphones with any component in your entertainment center. The wireless base unit has the ability to split the sound into the headphones and stereo system, TV, etc. so players can use the headphones when needed without any issue.

At almost $100, this isn’t a purchase to take lightly and a set of high-end wired headphones will produce a greater range and depth of sound. So if sound quality is the only issue- wired cans an extension cord might be the way to go. But for those Xbox’ers out there needing to get their game on late into the night and not saddled with cumbersome cords- the X2s are the only way to go.