Epicness in two ear cans and a microphone
The Armaggeddon Avatar Pro X5 is what the
Avatar Pro X7 (which we've reviewed recently, and had loved) is as a standalone
headset. It doesn't come in the full-fledged package of connectors and
components as the X7, but that doesn't mean that it's a skimped out version of
its higher-end brethren. This headset can deliver the sound, and it does so
with thunderous enthusiasm.
This is a fairly large headset, and
understandably rather heavy. The design is appropriately stylish, like most
gaming-based headsets tend to be; it decks itself with rugged corners and looks
like it fell off a Transformer's head. The ear cans are adjustable, and the
headband is padded with two cushions. There's also a microphone, which you can
swivel in adjustment.
Despite its large and heavy stature, the X5
is a surprisingly comfortable wear. This is mostly in due part thanks to its
well-padded band and cans, and the headset doesn't press too hardly onto the
head. We don't know if this is intentional or otherwise, but the shape the can
is and its larger built actually leaves a gap under the ears when you put it
on. This actually ventilates the cans so it doesn't heat up too quickly on long
periods of use - on the other hand, it also means that the X5 doesn't isolate
noise as well as we'd like.
The X5 is a 5.1 surround headset, and it
comes with the necessary larger amount of connectivity ports for you to hook
up. The headset and the cables are centralised on a controller, which has a
volume nub and the microphone switch. The controller also lets you tune the
front, back and centre volumes (it's 5.1, after all), as well as control the
bass. It's a robustness that you rarely find and, frankly, all the more
welcoming.
The sound quality here is, in a whole,
excellent. You get great fidelity, a lot of detail in the sound and the 5.1
surround works wonderfully, able to reproduce surround moments in music and
movies with glorious clarity. The bass provides some hearty thumps, but it does
crack slightly when you tune the volume to very high levels. We put it up for a
game of Battlefield 3 and had a literal blast with its fidelity. The microphone
is fairly decent, and reproduces audio well.
Armaggeddon Avatar Pro X5
Price $97.75
Info www.armaggeddon.net
Specifications
Connectivity: 3.5mm 4 steps
Surround: 5.1 Digital Dolby surround
