Psyko Audio dubs their headet ‘the perfect room’. Does it live up to the hype? It most certainly does! True 5.1 sound delivered via WaveGuides (air tubes) to their correct position. What does all of this mean? It means, that you get every sound right where it belongs.
After some hands-on time with the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones in Modern Warfare 2 (XBOX360), Blue Man Group (5.1 channel recording) and Crysis (PC), it was more than obvious that Psyko Audio has created the best gaming headset ever! I have a pretty elaborate 5.1 setup at home, I swear by its accuracy and quality of sound. However, picture this, I’m in the middle of the show floor at CES, a loud, chaotic environment, but while I was using the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones, I felt like I was at home. Every gunshot, drum beat and footstep was right where it should be.
At $299, the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones are a little pricy but, if you’re after true 5.1 channel sound plus a comfortable set, then this is your dream come true. Psyko Audio has put in a lot of R&D to ensure that the set works correctly and is also comfortable. A testament to Psyko Audio’s R&D is the design of the headphones themselves. The set doesn’t use DSP or other software effects to create the 5.1 space. There are 5 speakers in the top of the headset (center, front left/right, rear left/right), and one subwoofer for each ear. Each speaker in the top of the set is mapped to a specific WaveGuide. This mapping plus the subwoofers provide true 5.1 channel surround in headphone form. Furthermore, this means that there’s no audio lag. You hear each sound as it was intended, when it was intended.
The amp has controls for volume and bass. The Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones get loud (loud enough to hear the 5.1 channel sound over everything else on the show floor), and the subwoofers provide quality bass. The side of the earbud flips out to keep your ears cool or to let in more outside sounds. Unlike other noise-cancelling headphones, the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones don’t have an on/off switch or batties to constantly switch out. Just a simple flip of the earbud and you can go from normal operation to supreme noise-cancelling. Also, when the earbud is flipped outward, it doesn’t effect sound quality or comfortability. The microphone is also an optional item to connect, but it’s included in the $299 package.
Overall, the Psyko Audio Labs 5.1 Gaming Headset appears to be the premiere gaming headset. From an amazing 5.1 channel design with their WaveGuides to comfortability and overall quality, it is definitely the headset any gamer would want. The price point of $299 is a bit high but, it will be worth it for gamers who want an intuitive, comfortable set and an amazing experience!
The Psyko headset is truly an amazing piece of technology where science met design. It's attractive, useful, and functional.
I can't wait to get my hands on a set. I experienced it for a bit playing Call of Duty at the booth, and I'm incredibly impressed.
The Psyko 5.1 headphones are a pretty nice idea, but after owning them for a few months I'm pretty disappointed. They are starting to fall apart since they are made out of really flimsy plastic, which is surprising since I treat them more gently than a newborn baby and they still managed to start cracking apart from the stress of wearing them. If using them is too much stress on the frame and causes it to break after a few months, I think they need to go back to the drawing board and figure out a way to make the headset stronger. $300 for 4 or 5 months of enjoyment makes the Psyko 5.1 headset a poor value.
If you're clumsy or have kids around, I would not recommend these headphones, they'll probably crack in half in about a week or two. They are REALLY delicate!
There was an early review/comment that they sounded tin’ish or tube’ish. I purchased a pair soon after they were available and had a similar experience. They are also fairly heavy compared to most headsets. I returned them and received my money back without any problems.
There was an early review/comment that they sounded tin’ish or tube’ish. I purchased a pair soon after they were available and had a similar experience. They are also fairly heavy compared to most headsets. I returned them and received my money back without any problems.
contact Psyko and they will quickly take care of any problems info at psykoaudio.com
I’m an old school CS CAL-M league player who converted to xbox live to get my COD fix. However, I still consider myself a serious gamer because I use the XIM 360 mod for mouse/keyboard connectivity to the XBOX.
I was delighted to see that you used these headsets with MW2 on the XBOX. I was wondering how you got that to work. Do you have your sound centralized through a 5.1 surround sound receiver?