Turtle Beach Ear Force PX4
$200, turtlebeach.com
The PX4 is the first headset designed for Sony’s PS4 console (it’s compatible with the Xbox One, too, but the mic won’t work). Compact, light and wireless, they’re as happy playing music on the commute as they are closing in on a kill.
Attach the wireless transmitter to a spare USB port on your console – these are in short supply on the PS4, so might involve the regular swapping about of cables – and the PX4s will pair over Wi-Fi. It’s incredibly simple and the 20-metre range means you can wander quite far from your console without signal breaking up. Alternatively, you pair them with your smartphone or tablet over Bluetooth for incredible sound quality when playing tunes or CandyCrush.
The sound really is very good, with Dolby Digital Surround Sound technology creating an effective pseudo‑3D effect around you. Hearing leaves crunching as foes sneak up from behind you can be a real tactical advantage. They’ll also go up really loud, too, so you can destroy your hearing as well as your opponents.
With a 15-hour battery life for marathon gaming sessions and the combination of great audio and a reasonable price, this headset is a fine choice for anyone that’s just invested in a next-gen console. We expect there’s better to come, but this isn’t bad for a first shot.