Turtle Beach aims at the $100 range.
Opening past Turtle Beach headsets has been akin to opening a model aircraft kit; there’s usually dozens of parts with a cryptic instruction booklet that makes as much sense as Ikea instructions written in Klingon (unless you read Klingon, in which case that simile is wasted on you). So I was very surprised to see such a sparse collection of bits and bobs inside the case of the Recon 320 headset. Along with the headphones there’s a removable microphone, which connects to the headset via a 3.5mm jack. Opening up the accessories compartment reveals just two cables; one headphone cable with inline microphone and a male 3.5mm connection on each end, for use with soundcards, and another cable with a USB digital sound processor.
Considering this is a $99 product, the inclusion of an external USB sound device is very surprising. Buying a standalone USB sound device will easily set you back $40, while the cheapest headphone sound cards are similarly priced. It’s this device that delivers the Dolby Headphone technology, which pumps out a simulated 7.1 surround signal over the headphone’s twin speakers. I’m relieved to see Turtle Beach has taken this route, as cramming three drivers into each ear cup at this price would have resulted in truly terrible sound.
The headset feels relatively light compared to earlier Turtle Beach offerings, as it’s built entirely from black plastic. The cheap fabric lining each ear piece, as well as across the headband, isn’t as comfortable as the the faux felt and leather found on other headphones. There’s also no way to adjust the length of the headband; it simply stretches to accommodate bigger heads. This isn’t ideal if your noggin doesn’t fit the average human shape.
After a small 43MB download I was ready to install the software, which revealed that the DSP is built by audio company Conexant. After the software auto-updated, I red up the Turtle Beach audio hub that is part of the install, only to be greeted with an error stating that the USB headset I was using was incompatible with the software. This left me with having to use the Windows 8 audio properties window to con gure the headset as having 7.1 speakers.
Playing for a few hours in Battlefield 4, Alien: Isolation and Shadow of Mordor revealed a relatively pleasing sound scape. The Recon 320s pump out a very crisp, clear soundscape with above average audio positioning, but one that is de nitely lacking in bass. Turtle Beach don’t advertise the size of the drivers used in the headset, but I’m guessing they’re 40mm babies based on the lack of bass. There’s also a continuous background hiss that is just perceptible during quieter moments in games.
It’s fantastic to see Turtle Beach lowering the prices on its headsets, but the buggy software and slightly lacking sound quality means there are better options for $100. BENNETT RING
VERDICT: Turtle Beach has delivered a capable virtual 7.1 set, but they need to bring something more to the table to compete in the crowded headset market.