The comfort level could have been stepped up a bit more for a premium-priced headset like this one. You can even plug the 500x into a PlayStation 4’s DualShock 4 controller and get decent (stereo) game audio, though the independent game and chat volume adjustments don’t work on a PlayStation. While the headset’s wireless and virtual surround features are exclusive to Xbox One, an included cable allows you to wire the 500x in to a mobile device, or really any piece of headphone-supporting tech that sports an 1/8th-inch port. The mic monitor is hardly a new feature, but it’s always helpful for making sure that you’re not screaming into the mic at your friends. Independent volume dials for game audio and chat audio are always welcome, and the headset also features a handy Dynamic Chat Boost that regulates chat volume alongside game audio, to better ensure that you always hear that smack-talking 14-year-old. The 500x does slip in some very welcome features. The power button is slightly inset, but preset/surround mode controls, chat mute, and mic monitor controls are all susceptible to accidental changes. The convenience here comes at a cost: It’s very easy to brush a hand against the side of the headset and change a setting. With the exception of game and chat volume, both of which are controlled independently by small dials on the sides of the left earcup, the 500x is managed by buttons set into the sides of each earcup. The act of jumping between presets highlights yet another issue with the 500x: Button placement. Turtle Beach’s new Stealth 500x headset for Xbox One cuts all the cords without sacrificing superb audio quality.
It would be a whole lot more convenient if these updates could be applied via your Internet-connected console.
TURTLE BEACH AUDIO HUB UPDATE MAC OS
But the 500x’s digital signal processor is powered by update-friendly firmware, and to access those updates you need to install the Ear Force Audio Hub software on a Windows 7 (or better) machine – no Mac OS support at all “at this time,” says Turtle Beach – then plug in both the headset and the transmitter (USB only).
It’s worth noting that our headset and transmitter worked fine out of the box. Assuming you’ve got easy access to the back of your XB1, the whole setup process shouldn’t take more than 5 to 10 minutes.įirmware updates get a little more complicated. All that’s left from there is a couple of console-side settings to be tweaked, which an included Quick Start guide runs through. Plug both cords into the back of the console, then power it up along with the headset, which is pre-paired with the transmitter out of the box. The 500x ditches even that, linking up with your console via a small transmitter that connects to the Xbox One via USB (for power) and optical audio/Toslink (for sound). Competing cans from Microsoft and from an assortment of third-party manufacturers all need to be hooked into a controller using a specially designed headset adapter.
In the realm of true wireless audio for Xbox One, Turtle Beach is currently uncontested. Xbox gamers with an ear for great sound who crave the convenience of wireless should take a moment to thank Turtle Beach: The company’s new Stealth 500x headset for Xbox One cuts all the cords without sacrificing the superb audio quality that one would expect from a $230 headset.
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