The idea of surround sound being delivered by a headset isn’t quite so strange anymore. Technological advances have seen to it that headsets are now capable of simulating believable surround sound without using numerous drivers, making the prospect of surround sound headphones more accessible and more affordable.
And there are some great headsets out there, like GX Gaming’s Junceus Virtual 7.1 Channel Gaming Headset. Looks are deceiving here – the Junceus is a pretty headset, sure, but it looks simpler than one would expect from a headset that delivers such great performance. And the best part about it is that the surround sound really works well. Not only that, but thanks to a smart, included software system, the user can define the ‘position’ of the speakers, thereby trimming their surround sound experience to deliver exactly what they need.
Looks-wise, the Junceus reminds one of SteelSeries’ Siberia range; the ear cups are large and round over-ear affair, housing 40mm neodymium drivers. The headband makes use of a suspension system which means that a comfortable fit is easily achieved. Generous padding makes extended use comfortable, too, which is always a bonus.
The looks are further enhanced by generous lighting. The ear cups have an LED light system behind their outer mesh covering, which leads to a really attractive effect. Also, the boom mic is tipped with an LED light. It can distract a bit if you get the position of the mic wrong, but the fully positionable boom means that you shouldn’t really run into that problem. Unfortunately the mic boom doesn’t swing up out of the way, or retract into the ear cup… if’s pretty much always going to be in front of your face, and leads to the Junceus feeling a little less compact than other headsets.
Unlike older surround sound headsets that made use of lots of 3.5mm jack, the Junceus connects to the PC using a USB plug, and relies on included software to sort the channels out. In addition, it has a sensibly places in-line volume control that allows for volume increasing and decreasing, as well as mic muting and turning the LED lighting on or off.
The overall design of the Junceus fits into Genius’ GX Gaming range perfectly. It’s a little on the overstated side, but it doesn’t become garish. It’s light in terms of weight, too, which helps further with comfort levels.
But the real test is the audio, and the Junceus does a great job in delivering sound that is immersive. The positional audio of the virtual 7.1 even helps in determining direction of potential threats while gaming, which makes it a valuable tool. And it’s priced at a great level, which helps it become an even better prospect.