Throughout the history of Xbox, peripheral devices have been somewhat of a staple for the brand. Whether it was the maligned Kinect or the beloved Elite controller, Xbox has been synonymous with accessories.
Xbox hasn't significantly dipped a toe in the realm of headsets, however, instead choosing to partner with other companies and placing an Xbox seal of approval on the box.
It seems that Xbox's direction is changing, opting to deliver a new audio experience for players.
A NEW FIRST-PARTY XBOX HEADSET
In a blog post on the Xbox Wire today, Microsoft announced the Xbox Wireless Headset for the Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows 10 PCs, and mobile devices via Bluetooth. The headset will release on March 16, 2021 for $99.99.
The Xbox Wireless Headset, sporting a largely black design with green accents, will support Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, and DTS Headphone: X. It includes a built-in dual beamforming microphone, which separates players' voices from other noises.
Other notable features include the optional auto-mute function, which will mute the headset’s microphone while the user is not speaking to avoid any background noises.
Xbox Wire notes that the battery lasts up to 15 hours. It also features a quick charge function, where charging the headset for 30 minutes will yield four hours of use.
When describing the form-factor of the headset, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief Will Tuttle wrote that it is "engineered for maximum comfort:"
“The Xbox Wireless Headset is engineered for maximum comfort during extended gaming sessions with a lightweight design, ultra-soft large earcups made of polyurethane leather that distribute pressure evenly over the ears. It also features an adjustable headband with a thick cushion that easily fits wide-ranging head sizes and spreads pressure more evenly around the top of the head.”
The launch trailer for the Xbox Wireless Headset can be found below:
A NEXT GENERATION HEADSET AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE
Traditionally, Xbox has partnered with other headset companies rather than make its own proprietary all-in-one gaming headset. The Xbox Wireless Headset is somewhat of a first for the company, taking its first steps in delivering its own first-party affordable headset.
Based on its price, Xbox’s new accessory is likely comparable to PlayStation’s PULSE 3D Wireless Headset. PlayStation is no stranger to selling headsets, having developed multiple different skews of the Gold and Platinum Wireless Headsets. It seems that Xbox is poised to deliver its own affordable headset that rivals PlayStation’s own accessories.
What’s most notable about the Xbox Wireless Headset is its utility across multiple platforms. Though it is designed for the next generation of consoles, the headset will work on Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices via Bluetooth.
Headsets often require different adaptors to work on other platforms, but it seems that Xbox’s new invention is set to shift easily across different destinations.
PLAYSTATION Writer