Consoles tend to take on a central role within living spaces, paired with televisions and prominently placed. The thumping sounds of gameplay can drown out the noise of everyone else sharing the space, presenting a challenge for console gamers. Now one company has paired with Microsoft to deliver wireless headphones for Xbox fans, though the price may be a deterrent for many.
The issue has been longstanding beyond the Xbox Series X/S. Bluetooth seems an easy solution to keep gaming quiet, yet can cause audio latency which renders some titles unplayable. Battery life, comfort, and microphone quality also play a role in selecting the ideal headphones for console play. The wide range of factors and variables can frustrate a consumer with no inclination to learn everything about wireless headphones for console play. Thus, Microsoft has released a new generation of its program Designed for Xbox, where accessories designed with the console in mind offer a selection for consumers.
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The first product of this program is the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal Wireless Headset, which costs $499, making them the same price as a new Xbox Series X. The headphones come in black, navy, or grey, with the latter two scheduled to begin shipping in May. Bang & Olufsen, a Scandinavian company, states that a full charge completes in three hours, and can be used with the Xbox Series X/S for twelve hours or in Bluetooth mode for twenty-four hours. While boasting a noise-canceling design, calfskin headband, and lambskin ear cushions, the headphones come with a similarly boisterous price tag.
The headphones don't seem to be without merit, however, and the Designed for Xbox tag comes into play. The wireless headphones operate over Xbox wireless connectivity at 2.4HGz, but can also be used with mobile devices and PCs using the built-in Bluetooth connectivity. What Bang & Olufsen identify as a "virtual boom arm," gamers won't need to fuss with ensuring the microphone is properly positioned near the mouth. The headset picks up the user's voice and transmits it while isolating and canceling background noises.
With luxury and performance taking a premium, however, it drives the price far higher than what many would consider an ideal price range. For comparison, the Xbox Wireless Headset released at $100 this month, which handles the tasks of voice chat and wireless audio quality with ease. Bang & Olufsen may find it a hard sell, bringing an accessory that costs an entire console to market. For gamers that are looking for the best, however, it appears that Microsoft believes the Beoplay Portal Wireless Headset will scratch a particular itch for Xbox users.
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Source: IGN