Announced at E3 this year, TRITTON Technologies Audio Xtreme (AX) 360 Headset should be at the top of every gamer's must-have list. The AX 360 Headset has high-end features, high-end looks and build quality, all for a reasonable price.
This headset is designed for the gamer in mind, working with the PS2. Xbox, Xbox 360, or any other device with digital audio output.
If you were smart and pre-registered before May 31st, you would have saved $20 on the $149.99 price. Lucky for you, the form is still online. So why would you want to spend $130 on a pair of headphones? Because they support Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and are compatible with Xbox Live.
I don't have the money to spend on a real 5.1 stereo system, but even if I did, I don't have the neighbors who like loud noises and booming bass. Luckily, this product takes care of both problems nicely.
It shouldn't have to be said, but if you are not listening to your games in their intended 5.1 channel form, you are missing half the game. Call of Duty 2 and Condemned are just two examples of reasons to experience 5.1 stereo sound. Next-gen gaming just isn't complete without the 5.1 channel audio mix.
In The Box
- AX360 Headset
- AX360 Audio Controller
- Removable Microphone
- Microphone Extension Cable
- Digital Fiber Optic Cable
- Coaxial Audio Cable
- Soft Carrying Case
- G9 Adapter (PC only)
- Power adapter
- Quick Start Guide
The most disappointing aspect out of the box is the lack of any real instruction manual. The Quick Start Guide has diagrams for the Headset and Audio Controller, and explains briefly how to change the settings. Unless you are an audiophile, you likely will not understand things like millisecond time delay. While it doesn't have to be a dictionary, I expected more.
The coaxial and optical cables come in the three-foot variety. That should be long enough for your needs. The cable from the Headset to the Audio Controller is an impressive 12 feet.
The Audio Controller itself supports two headsets; a second one can be purchased separately for $59.99. That doesn't sound like a bad deal at all.
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Article comments
1 - Ty
When are these coming out? One of the stories I read said it was already out, but didn't seem like it according the manufacturer's website nor Fry's Electronics.
2 - Ken Edwards
AFAIK they are rolling off the assembly line already. I am also pretty sure you can order them from Tiger Direct, that is what the TRITTON tech. told me.
Although I cannot find it on the Tiger Direct web site. I would call Tiger Direct or TRITTON.
760.599.0514
I will ask TRITTON in the morning when they will ship, but in my conversations with them, it sounded like this week, even though they were scheduled to ship May 31.
3 - Ken Edwards
Ty, I talked to TRITTON today. You can call Tiger Direct and ask for the AX 360, they have the SKU for it, and you can get it that way.
Tiger Direct: 800-800-8300
4 - Ty
Thanks!!!
5 - Andrew Brannen
What if I dont want the vibration but only the Bass?
6 - Ken Edwards
You cannot have one without the other. If you turn the Vibration dial down, there goes the bass too. Once you get used to it, it is not a big deal. It isn't as if your head is gonna be vibrating.
But I understand your concern. It feels weird at first, I'll say that. If you set the dial to 5, instead of 10, you still get the bass, just with much less vibration.
7 - Antonio Garcia
Has anyone bought them yet? I am looking forward to buy them, if I am able to find them.
8 - Matthias
Frankly, if you can afford 150$ on headphones, you can also afford a real 5.1 system, no? There are many active 5.1 systems for PCs and consoles which deliver very well and cost ~200$.
But still, this thing looks like a great addition to a 360 setup.
9 - Jayshum
Hi Ken. I don't suppose you'd know if these would work in the UK do you? I'd really love to order a pair to compliment my 360, but am nervous over 2 things.
1) Would the optical cable work on a PAL Xbox 360? (Should do shouldn't it? It's only audio..)
2) What is the Output of the supplied power adaptor? (in both amps and volts is possible please, usually tells you this on a sticker connected to the plug).
Thanks very much.
10 - Ken Edwards
Jayshum - It will work for you. You just need a standard converter to work in your wall socket, no strange amps or volts.
11 - Athenian
I got them from Newegg and have loved them every since. I have always used a 5.1 speaker setup w/ SB Audicgy 2 ZS soundcard and then I saw these. They sound great and on FPS games they are AWESOME. I can hear stuff from all over the place that I couldn't pick up from the speakers. Few problems though (not necessarily Tritton's fault). Audigy 2 ZS soundcards do not have neither a optical or digital coax out so I have to use an included adapter to connect the headphones to the line level jacks on the soundcard. I do not even use the external decoder so the vibration for the base does not work. I got an adapter to change SPDIF digital connection on the soundcard to a digital coax connection to try out the decoder. The vibration really is great for movies and I am sure games too. If you do use the external decoder you'll have to run a seperate cord for the mic. $150 might be a little steep for most people but those who enjoy great sound and want a tactical advantage in games then they are worth it. I was amazed at the seperation of the channels.
12 - Mike
I love these headphones! The first ones I received were broken. :( The second pair works great. :) I recommend these for any Xbox 360 owner who needs to keep quiet for the people around you.
I was deciding between these and the much more expensive Pioneer SE-DIR800C 5.1 wireless headphones. I chose the AX360's because I didn't want to spend more than $200 on a pair of headphones. I can live without the luxury of wireless if I can save $150. I was able to grab these from Fry's last weekend on sale for $109.99 with a $30 mail-in rebate. A steal at $80!
BTW. The AX360's did not sound that great on my PC for some reason when using the optical(maybe the optical sound card on my mobo *Realtek* was only designed to work with an amplified sound setup). When I use the analog connectors the sound is better, but still falls short when compared to my regular stereo headphones. I'm just not as impressed when using them on my PC.
13 - Gamer
Here is another review of Tritton AX360
14 - Hawaii6U
Where is the best/cheapest place to buy these? I know I can get them right now at Tiger Direct for $129.99 with a $30.00 mail in rebate for a total of $99.99.
But that rebate ends on the 31st of October (This month!)
I probably won't be able to get them before then. Does anyone have a suggestion of where I should get them?
15 - Darvoid
These are excellent surround headphones for the 360. You will be amazed at the seperation of sounds. I play R6Vegas... and I can hear where someone is much better than I expected. [Edited]
16 - SrB LumpStatus
I know this is a little old here, its July, last post I saw was April... I just want to know one thing, I have tried 2 different headphone sets for the 360 and I always had trouble hearing people talk over xbox live over the sound of the gameplay. Basically, the audio coming through the chat lines was too quiet and the game was too loud (Gears of war). I have tried to counteract this by turing music/sfx in game down, still hard to hear sometimes. I would like to trade these up for this set if anyone can confirm no problems hearing people while action is going on...
17 - Ken Edwards
If the game itself does not have controls for adjusting the volume of in-game music/sound, then you will struggle to hear chat over Xbox Live. Gears has good controls for this, I found a number of games that do not, which is irritating.
18 - leeb1977
Hiya - im going to buy a set of ax360's.... they look like the perfect product for me. Had my doubts before reading this review - so first off.... thanks Ken!
I have just one question, im looking to get a set of headphones that i can also use for normal TV viewing, does the control unit have any kind of analog input? or can the headset be unplugged from the control unit and put directly into the TV headset output?
also - how many optical inputs does the control unit have? I have a HD cable box with optical out - as well as my 360, wii and Ps3....
19 - leeb1977
just wanted to update this and say that i bought a set of trittons and was very impressed.... however, Ive since bought a pair of AKG 240S headphones along with a penguin tin amp and a JVC SU-DH1 surround sound processor and it sounds much much better.
Ive since sold the trittons to my brother and stuck with the AKGs..... its a slightly more expensive setup but the sound more than makes up for the extra money spent.
oh, and to anyone reading this - the answer to my question in the above post is that the ax360's dont have any form of standard RCA input.
20 - Jo
Here is a review of the AX360 headphones.
AX360 Review