Date: |
December 06, 2006 3:10 PM |
Price: |
$69.99 |
Sponsors: |
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Author: |
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Editor: |
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Score: |
10/10 |
LTB Audio Systems 5.1 Magnum Headphones Testing Testing
First off, I would like to comment on the build quality, size, weight, and comfort of these headphones! Flat out amazing! The cushion around the speakers provide the utmost comfort while the headset is being worn, and also add a buffer to allow the speakers to get the sound where it needs to go. While the headset is being worn, it cannot even be felt on your head, allowing you to become a part of your game.
Mentioned earlier, the microphone is built right into the headset, located in the bottom-front of the left speaker assembly. This easily allows the microphone to easily pick up the tones leaving your mouth as they travel across your cheek, very much like your favorite cell phones earpiece, or lapel mic. Also built into the same speaker assembly is the volume up / down control and mute buttons. Each button works with immediate response (it is even faster responding than my Logitech Bluetooth MX5000 Keyboard / Laser Mouse set)! Volume increments are just right as well, not too much, and not too little.
I must say, I was somewhat nervous about the headphones use their own driver to utilize 5.1 channel audio. Due to this, if you wanted to switch between the headphones and any other audio device, it has to be done in the multimedia properties. I'm thinking of my wife and two children here, as they are not the most computer-savvy of people. Luckily, none of us have any problems with this at all, though my wife and I both found that it never needs to be switched anyway!
Testing headphones is completely subjective. As mentioned in Don's review of the 5.1 Pro there is no software to test the headphones. Simply if they do not work or sound bad, you will definitely know about it! The headphones were tested using Windows Media Player 11, Windows Live Messenger 8.1, Yahoo Messenger 8.1, and several different games (Need For Speed: Carbon, Quake 4, Doom 3, CounterStrike: Source, Day Of Defeat: Source). The results are each test are following:
Music:
The audio is crystal clear, no distinguishable differences between the headphones and my SB Audigy 4 / Altec Lansing ADA890 4.1 Speakers. Between my wife's music and my music, we have yet to find a song or a note that the headphones do not punch out perfectly. I do find that they can be somewhat lacking in the bass area, but that is due to the cutoff, which in-turn prevents your eardrums from exploding ;)!
If that isn't enough concrete evidence for your watchful eyes, I will tell you of my fathers experience with the headset. First things first, my father is an audiophile of the oldskool class, that swears by his 20 year old rediculously expensive (at the time of purchase) equipment. After putting on the headphones, he immediately went after the volume control so he could see what the headphones were capable of. As the volume rose, the base thumped at safe levels, and the high notes were hit without any breaks. No complaints what-so-ever! It is amazing to see my father find something he cannot pick apart!
Chat:
The chat portion of the testing was performed by using Windows Live Messenger 8.1 Beta and Yahoo Messenger 8.1. My first note will be that the microphone boost did have to be enabled for the headset to work properly (though I have found that this has to be enabled no matter where your mic is plugged in). The speaking is audible and clear, no breaks, crackles, or cut-outs. Seeing as I cannot hear myself (or at least I tend not to as it just confuses me), I have not received any complaints from others about mic quality or defects.
Gaming:
The gaming portion of the testing was performed by using EAX2.0 and utilizing all 5.1 channels. To simply lay it all out on the table, gaming on this headset is flat out incredible! Without a doubt these headphones have an extreme advantage over my 4.1 speakers. This is where the positioning and precision come into play. Without any environmental interference the opponent can distinctly be heard coming at you from any direction. Surprisingly, I find this gives me an advantage while playing games, and I am sure I am not the only one!
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