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Tritton AX Pro review - An excellent surround sound headset
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The biggest disappointment about the Tritton AX Pro headset is that there is no way to hook it directly into your iPod. And after listening to the clear sounds of Rock Band 2 flowing at you through the eight speakers in this surround sound headset, you are going to start wanting to plug it into just about anything that emits sound.
That's right, the AX Pro has eight individual speakers, four in each ear. This allows it to produce true 5.1 Surround Sound rather than emulating surround sound through two speakers. It also allows the headset to deliver very distinctive sounds to create a 3D audio accuracy that is simply not possible with only two speakers.
Tritton AX Pro - Better Gaming Through Sound
Is it possible that a headset can make you a better gamer? Absolutely.
Oh, you aren't going to put this gadget on your head and suddenly develop mad skills or anything. In fact, my first few free-for-all sessions in Call of Duty: World at War with the AX Pro led to my worst kill totals in months.
I was just too busy being amazed at all of the different sounds coming at me from all directions and the amount of precision in the various sounds. From the far off barking as someone unleashed the dogs of war to the clear ping of a bullet ricocheting off metal, the AX Pro delivers a brand new experience, and at first it can be downright chaotic.
But once you get adjusted to the various sounds, it really can make you a better gamer, especially in a game like Call of Duty. Rather than hearing nearby footsteps and having a basic idea of where they are coming from, you'll get a much more precise feel for where the enemy is located. You'll also be able to pinpoint the location of incoming gunfire more quickly, which might just make all the difference in the world. It's like going from a regular TV to a sixty inch wide screen HDTV, only for your ears instead of your vision.
Tritton AX Pro - Portability and Flexibility
The AX Pro works with the PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac and even some DvD players and surround sound speaker systems. So, basically, you can plug it into a lot of stuff. You still can't plug it into your iPod, and I couldn't get it hooked up to my Yamaha DGX-505 Portable Grand keyboard -- which would have been totally awesome -- but if you play on multiple platforms, you can really get your money out of this headset.
However, it won't work with the Nintendo Wii console. Though I don't really count that as a major downside. The Wii isn't made for graphics or sound, and the more active party-style games wouldn't work well with a headset anyway.
You also have a lot of control over the sound the AX Pro produces. Not only can you control the sound of voice communications separate from game sounds, but you can also individually control the volume of front, rear, center and sub. You can also tinker around with the delay and turn on Pro Logic to convert the sound from games that have only two channels up to 5.1 channel sound.
Tritton AX Pro - The Downside is in the Hardware
Once you get everything set up and you are laid back on your couch gaming with your friends, you aren't going to have much to complain about. As far as sound is concerned, this headset is awesome. But, in getting to that point where you are laid back on your couch, you might run across a gripe or two.
First off, this is a wired headset, which means you'll be giving up that wireless freedom. It also requires two -- yes, count them, two -- power adapters. One hooks into the audio controller unit and the other powers the headset. And unfortunately, both power units are bulky.
You have twelve feet of cable connecting your headset to the controller, which should give most people room enough to lounge on their couch. There's also about three feet of optical cable connecting the audio controller to the console, and this is what you would to expand if you do need a few extra feet in distance.
As for installation, it's not as simple as plugging a single wire into a socket, but unless you need Best Buy's help to hook up anything electronic in your house, you shouldn't have any problems.
The headset itself is durable, and you have the option of hooking a second headset into the audio controller, which is nice. And once you get everything set up, you'll forget all about little things like needing two outlets as soon as you sit down at your drums and find out just how much cooler Rock Band 2 has become all of a sudden.
Tritton AX Pro Headset Review
Score: 92
I'd really love to see them pair down the need for two power supplies and come out with a wireless version, even if that might degrade the sound a little, but this headset is a definite upgrade to any gaming experience.
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