Turtle Beach today announced the launch of Ear Force X4 – the newest addition to what company officials call their growing line of gaming headphones.

 

X4 is expected by the company to create definitive audio environment for playing popular XBOX 360 titles by integrating Dolby 5.1 channel surround sound with XBOX Live Chat and other unique gaming features.

 

According to Mike Carducci, Turtle Beach’s marketing manager, “Our previous generation of wireless XBOX 360 headphones improved XBOX gaming by combining enhanced stereo game sound with XBOX Live chat, for a personal experience that isn’t; possible with speakers and an XBOX Communicator. The addition of Dolby 5.1 channel surround sound in our new X4 expands the game action all around you. Unlike stereo headphones, you can hear every 3D sound cue as you communicate with teammates whose voices are inside your head.”

 

According to the company, features include: Dolby Surround Sound – Dolby Digital audio streams from the XBOX 360 are decoded by a digital signal processor to create 5.1 channel surround sound; Dolby Pro Logic II – the DSP decodes Dolby Pro Logic II signal sources and expands stereo signals into a wider sound field; Bass Boost – headphones constitute a bass-boost feature. This produces deep, rich bass tones by increasing the volume of low frequency sounds.

 

The headset also includes “Chat Boost Dynamic Talkback Expander,” for use when XBOX live chat levels need to be automatically reduced during loud game moments by the headphones, company officials say. The headphones automatically shut off after a few minutes of inactivity to conserve power, they say.

 

X4 allows a user to hear his own voice along with the online chat and game audio by mixing a portion of the microphone signal to the headphone signal, according to the company. Headphones are designed for premium sound with oversized, high fidelity, 50mm drivers powered by low distortion DC-couple amplifiers, officials say, and they incorporate a cushioned, adjustable headband, soft, deep, velvet, ear pads, and tilting ear cups to fit the contours of the head.

 

Finally, according to the company, digital optical input connects to the XBOX 360 for the highest quality audio and a digital optical output allows connection to a home theater system for simultaneously using the X4 headphones and home theater speakers.  Analog stereo inputs lets one use the headphones for listening to MP3 players, TV audio or other analog sources, company officials say.