CES 2010: Psyko Audio

Psyko Audio dubs their headet ‘the perfect room’. Does it live up to the hype? It most certainly does! True 5.1 sound delivered via WaveGuides (air tubes) to their correct position. What does all of this mean? It means, that you get every sound right where it belongs.

After some hands-on time with the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones in Modern Warfare 2 (XBOX360), Blue Man Group (5.1 channel recording) and Crysis (PC), it was more than obvious that Psyko Audio has created the best gaming headset ever! I have a pretty elaborate 5.1 setup at home, I swear by its accuracy and quality of sound. However, picture this, I’m in the middle of the show floor at CES, a loud, chaotic environment, but while I was using the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones, I felt like I was at home. Every gunshot, drum beat and footstep was right where it should be.

CES 2010: Psyko Audio CES 2010: Psyko Audio

At $299, the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones are a little pricy but, if you’re after true 5.1 channel sound plus a comfortable set, then this is your dream come true. Psyko Audio has put in a lot of R&D to ensure that the set works correctly and is also comfortable. A testament to Psyko Audio’s R&D is the design of the headphones themselves. The set doesn’t use DSP or other software effects to create the 5.1 space. There are 5 speakers in the top of the headset (center, front left/right, rear left/right), and one subwoofer for each ear. Each speaker in the top of the set is mapped to a specific WaveGuide. This mapping plus the subwoofers provide true 5.1 channel surround in headphone form. Furthermore, this means that there’s no audio lag. You hear each sound as it was intended, when it was intended.

CES 2010: Psyko Audio

The amp has controls for volume and bass. The Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones get loud (loud enough to hear the 5.1 channel sound over everything else on the show floor), and the subwoofers provide quality bass. The side of the earbud flips out to keep your ears cool or to let in more outside sounds. Unlike other noise-cancelling headphones, the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headphones don’t have an on/off switch or batties to constantly switch out. Just a simple flip of the earbud and you can go from normal operation to supreme noise-cancelling. Also, when the earbud is flipped outward, it doesn’t effect sound quality or comfortability. The microphone is also an optional item to connect, but it’s included in the $299 package.

CES 2010: Psyko Audio

Overall, the Psyko Audio Labs 5.1 Gaming Headset appears to be the premiere gaming headset. From an amazing 5.1 channel design with their WaveGuides to comfortability and overall quality, it is definitely the headset any gamer would want. The price point of $299 is a bit high but, it will be worth it for gamers who want an intuitive, comfortable set and an amazing experience!