This means the X12 aren’t capable of surround sound without an additional add-on processor. Rather than design an outboard box to decode and convert a digital signal, Turtle Beach decided to build an in-line amplifier in to the X12’s very long cable that accepts an analog stereo signal. This is because the only way to get game audio from the Xbox is to tap its analog audio output or optical digital output. In order for a set of gaming headphones to work with the Xbox 360, they must be self amplified. Because the Xbox 360 requires some specific connections differing from those of the PS3 or PC, Turtle Beach throws in a 34-inch Xbox talkback cable and a ⅛-inch female mini-jack to stereo male RCA cable with piggy back connectors. The EarForce X12 come with everything you need to hook them up to an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or PC.

At a retail price of $45 to $60, they seem expensive enough to potentially sound good but inexpensive enough that I won’t be devastated should they get sat on and broken. Which is what led me to Turtle Beach’s Ear Force X12 headphones. Now, I know I care way more about these headphones having good sound than he does but, as a matter of pride, I’m not going to buy him just anything. Seriously, they were really, really bad.īut this Christmas, my kid was begging for a set of gaming headphones that will work for his Xbox 360. Until recently, I haven’t formally evaluated a set of gaming headphones because, for one thing, they haven’t been all that popular and, for another, the two pair I did listen to a few years ago sounded absolutely horrible. Of course, the cans I’ve been testing are the sort you plug into your iPod, iPhone, MP3 player, laptop or super-fancy DAC and headphone amplifier.

Yet, as I look around the office, I realize that this year I’ve tested way more headphones than any other single product type.

Fitbit Versa 3Īs the resident A/V guy, I write reviews of all sort of equipment including TVs, Blu-ray players, A/V receivers, speakers, sound bars and iPod speaker docks.

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