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While I never like to start off this section of a review with a downer, I must say that my first impressions of the Saturn weren't particularly great. The styling just doesn't do it for me. It looks cheap, with its glossy, black plastic and cafe booth red leather.
The grooves in the ear phones look a bit naff too, though I will admit there's a big dose of personal preference there. Perhaps if X2 had done it all in matt it might make it look a bit better, but the look of the thing just didn't do it for me.
Fortunately then, when you pick up the Saturn you realise it's actually a very well built product. The frame is solid and doesn't creak when you move it around (making it a great headset for using with the Oculus Rift) but it's got enough flex that it won't shatter if you drop it.
While it comes fitted with fabric ear cups with a red band around them as standard, I very much preferred the feel of the leather alternatives. They look identical at a distance, featuring the same red band around the edge, so if you like the styling changing the earcups won't ruin it.
Switching them out is also very simple thanks to the fact that you can remove the front of the ear cup.
As you can see though, when you do take it off, you get real proof that this is a true surround sound headset, as you can see the separate drivers to cover the front, rear and centre channels.
At the top end you have the full adjustable headband which should fit most heads without too much difficulty. I have an above average head for a man of my size and it sat against my ears without difficulty so you're unlikely to have any other issues. In the middle of the band is a comfortable red leather cushion that does a good job of protecting your skull during long gaming sessions.
The microphone is attached via a boom and has a small LED indicator on its tip to let you know whether it's on or not. However, while it is quite flexible, it doesn't detach and doesn't retract, so if you don't want it there, it's often just within your eyeline which depending on your level of OCD, can be quite irritating.
The volume control, like the headset itself, looks a bit cheap, but to the touch it's actually a pretty solid little controller. All the dials are smooth but firm and the red and black braided cable is surrounded by slightly more flexible plastic, to give each connection a bit more flex should you happen to yank it a bit too hard.
It's worth noting also, that this headset connects to your PC via a USB only, which means you won't be able to use your onboard soundcard. While that might not be a big deal for those with onboard solutions, it does mean that those with add-in-soundcards will have to bypass their likely more impressive solution.
