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Turtle Beach have used a combination of different finishes for different parts of the Ear Force Z6A. The main section of each earpiece is constructed from matte black plastic but is complimented by metallic blue and chrome inserts. This gives the headset quite an exciting appearance that is sure to appeal to gamers. Unlike some manufacturers, Turtle Beach haven't over-branded the headset, only putting one small Turtle Beach logo on each earcup.
The headset feels well constructed and the plastics used in construction feel durable. We expect that you will see a good few years use out of this headset before it needs replacing, providing you treat it well. It doesn't quite have the same indestructible feeling as the SteelSeries 5XB headset, though, which is a better option if you're prone to very rough handling.
One of the most important aspects of the Ear Force Z6A is the included headphone amplifier. This amplifies all four channels independently and lets the user adjust the levels for each channel. There is also a master volume control, a microphone mute button and a 2.5mm input jack so the microphone will work with a Xbox 360.
The headset itself connects to the headphone amplifier using a proprietary connector so it isn't possible to connect it directly to your PC without the amplifier. The amplifier requires five seperate connections to a PC, three audio connections, one microphone connection and a USB connection for power. This means that you can only use the headset with a PC or Xbox 360 (with an adapter) and not a mobile device. Gold plated connectors aren't going to enhance sound quality, but they really do help improve the appearance of a quality product, so it is strange they aren't included with this product.
Turtle Beach have chosen to use a boom flexible boom microphone on the Ear Force Z6A which is attached to the left hand earcup. This folds up when not in use so it is completely out of your field of view. We would have preferred a retractable microphone like that in the SteelSeries Siberia V2 as it is totally invisible when not in use.
The appearance is fantastic, thats for sure.
Its quite expensive, only thing putting me off a purchase. Even the steelseries alternative is cheaper, which isn’t often something you can say.
I bet the sound is quite a bit better however, as Turtle beach are renowned for their audio quality. well worth the money. I have one of their sounds cards and it is brilliant.
For PC – I have/use the previous Turtle Beach 5.1 headphones, as well as a set of Zalmans and a set of Tritton 5.1s. The Trittons were the most expensive, least comfortable, tinniest sounding of the three.
These new Turtle Beach Z6A headphones look *SUSPICIOUSLY* like the AWFUL Tritton AX360 set. Try wearing these for 4 hours of CS, and get back to me about their comfort level.
The only saving grace of these headphones is probably that they’re using the same speakers for both front and rear. The Trittons use a smaller driver in the rear, which makes directionality very pronounced – mostly due to the fact that sounds from the rear sound tinny and horrible.
I’m really curious to this new set out and see if they are any more comfortable (doubtful, it’s the same design), or sound better (likely, due to the consistent speaker size) than the Trittons.
Also, FWIW – the Turtle Beach Amps have the same pinout as the Trittons and I can plug my Trittons into the Turtle Beach Amp. This and the common design I’ve noted, suggests that both companies use the same manufacturing source. Tritton’s “digital” amp is noisy compared to the Turtle Beach Amp.
@FiveOneHeadphoneFanatic:
Interesting. Do you think that Tritton 5.1 with smallest rear speakers have a better directional sound?
this or steelseries siberia v2’s?
I’ve had this headset for a few months now, and I know I am a little late on this, but i’m looking for a new headset and wanted to find reviews of this product as a base for other products. These head phones are not comfortable at all on the top of my head after a few hours of gaming. They leave my head sore the bands pad flattens very fast and all the weight is on the top of your head. The audio is great, the mic is extremely sensitive, be careful with any back round noise and the boom is hard to adjust right where you want it. The reason i am getting a new pair is because the adjustable part between the head band and the ear cup, is apparently super brittle and it snapped tonight. I am not hard on headsets at all, it slipped off my desk after I bumped this wobbly desk they fell, and the band snapped from the weight of the headphones falling, they are connected through the bottom of the left ear. Never dropped before, always on my desk with nothing around them, I am sad they were uncomfortable but actually upset they broke. I figured I would share my experience with anyone who finds this review.
Just bought these headphones for my home setup last week, and was VERY impressed with them. The sound quality was great in my opinion, and since the channels can be configured independently, the surround was excellent after adjustment. Surround effect is definately noticible (left for dead was my test for that, and I always knew where the shrieks were coming from, especially when teammates were shooting from behind me) and the richness of the bass (sub) was on par with my amplifier itself. Of course since each channel has it’s own speaker set, the clarity is FAR better than a standard headphone setup where all channels get mixed into 2 speakers and start interfering with each other…a point I’m surprised wasn’t mentioned. When watching a DVD in 5.1 surround, the same richness and surround was also noticible (of course) and so recommended for movie experiences as well!
Controls were easy to use, though a slightly longer cord between the volume box and the headphones themselves would have been nice. Maybe they sell an extension to their properity connection? Don’t know…
Not sure why some people say it’s uncomfortable…I was using them all night on the weekent (literaly 10PM to 5AM) and had no issues at all. The only thing that hurt was my eardrums, but that was becasue I like the subwoofer high, so can’t blame ’em for that one.
Overall HIGHLY recommended for those who like surround sound and don’t want to wake the others in your area in the middle of the night.
Yup seems to be the Norm! CHEAP plastic, 2 hrs use right ear snapped from band, 2 weeks left ear, 1 month mic knackered, was refused refund! then tried to resin, now duct tape! seems to be the norm for this product, never got to really test the 5.1 surround sound! They substituted cheap plastic instead of a re-enforced metal band to obviously lower costs of making but in the process have lost thousands of customers to the overlooked shody design! first time customer and last time! shame!!!
Same problem, both ears broke off in less than a month, and the connection on the volume control box is a bit tricky… duct tape has done wonders, need to add a roll in the box when they sell them, lol