At first sight the Turtle Beach Ear Force XP SEVEN can be an intimidating collection of hardware. It's Audio Control Unit alone has more features than any of its competitors in the gaming sector and adding the Advanced Sound Editor will make you consider going for a degree in Sound Engineering!
The build quality is excellent and the headset offers excellent noise isolation. Although the headset is quite rigid out of the box, it is solid and does not feel like it will easily break. The leather finish is attractive, but can be uncomfortable in warmer climates and during prolonged gaming sessions.
The addition of the Audio Control Unit definitely makes the XP Seven stand out in a highly competitive market. Switching presets on the fly and being able to customize them with near limitless potential makes it a perfect fit for any old, current and upcoming titles.
Although the XP Seven headset is pretty, I cannot say I am a big fan of glossy surfaces as they tend to exhibit dust and fingerprints after even modest handling. Either that or keep a cleaning cloth at hand for regular maintenance.
The only real downside I could find with the XP Seven is the lack of a protective bag and a stand. As the headset is marketed towards tournament gamers a protective pouch for the Audio Control Unit and headset would have been appreciated and certainly added to the premium feel of the package. In comparison, the Ear Force M Seven comes with a protective pouch, though it does not include the excellent Audio Control Unit.
The XP Seven is available for $279.95 and some retailers are currently selling the XP Seven for £226.44 inc vat.
Pros:
- Near limitless customization of presets.
- Multi-platform compatibility, including mobile devices and the option to connect speakers.
- Audio Control Unit as the hub for all audio equipment.
- Excellent sound quality.
- Excellent build quality.
- Customizable ear plates.
- Leather offers excellent noise isolation.
Cons:
- No stand or protective bag.
- Leather does not have the same breathability as a cloth surface.
KitGuru says: if you are serious about getting into professional gaming or simply want to enhance your gaming experiences, the Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven deserve a spot at the top of your list.
These are a step up from the mainstream headphones people buy for their systems.
A little expensive for me, but I can see why they cost as much. My cooler master headphones will have to do me a while longer!
They are the market leaders. I spent a small fortune on their headphones last year and they are fantastic, much better than steelseries, razer et al.
They need to make a blue tooth puc for the xp 500/510 to use on new xbox one. Or make a wireless version with optical connector