Creative is showing off a new wireless gaming headset that works across all gaming platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC and Mac. There’s a bit of buzz on the show floor about this headset, so I went to check them out.
At the Creative booth they had these Sound Blaster Tactic3D Omega headsets ready to test on all systems. I picked the PS3 with Gran Turismo 5 setup and got a bit of racing in. My first impression is that these headphones sound very nice. There’s a full, rounded low end that isn’t over-pronounced, and there’s a clarity there that helps you forget you’re wearing headphones. They were also very comfortable, with their padded earcups and headband. They look like they’ll extend for the biggest of heads. They’re built for abuse, says Creative. There’s a steel core among its innards, so it can live in your backpack or on your filthy floor.
The headset receives wireless audio from a little USB dongle. It’s a bit of a bummer that the dongle also requires AC power, but if that gets you more range and clearer audio, I’ll take it. The base can sit alone or docked in the headset stand, and in the base is a line input for other devices. The headset has LED lit earcups, a detachable microphone, and on-board volume controls. Being wireless, they are powered by a rechargeable battery.
The roaring engines in Gran Turismo 5 sounded like thunder, and the smooth jazz of the game’s menu screens sounded very hi-fi and clean. The set is supposed to put out a virtual surround, and it did sound like something was happening there, but it wasn’t very pronounced. It may have been drowned out by all the car noise. I did have a couple of instances of the sound cutting out for a second, but I’ll forgive that as this preview took place in the world’s largest electronics show.
At about $200, you’d want a very good all-in-one wireless gaming audio solution, and the Omega set seems to fit the bill.
