E3 News – Turtle Beach announces Ear Force XP500 Programmable Wireless Headset

Turtle Beach has announced a new top of the line gaming headset – The Ear Force XP500 Programmable Wireless Headset with Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound and Wireless Xbox 360 Chat.

Like the revolutionary Ear Force PX5, the new Ear Force XP500 delivers all of the PX5’s impressive features, along with wireless XBOX 360 chat via Bluetooth. Like the PX5, the XP500 incorporates programmable custom presets that allow independent customization of the chat, game and microphone signals.  These custom presets are stored in the headset and can be selected on the fly during specific parts of the game to emphasize sounds like enemy footsteps or ammo reloads that might otherwise be difficult to hear.

The XP500 sets itself apart from the PX5 with its ability to function with the XBOX 360 completely wirelessly right out of the box. The included XBOX 360 Bluetooth Chat Adapter (XBA) lets players eliminate the chat wire connecting their headset and controller, making it the first XBOX 360 headset with wireless chat.  The XP500’s dual-paring Bluetooth functionality also enables the headset to answer mobile phone calls and stream music from Bluetooth enabled digital audio players while enjoying the freedom of wireless chat.  The XBA adapter will also be available for purchase on the Turtle Beach website for PX5 owners looking to upgrade to full wireless XBOX LIVE chat.

“The PX5 pioneered a new generation of headsets that recalibrated people’s expectations of what a gaming headset can be.”  Said Carmine Bonanno, President and CEO of Turtle Beach. “With the release of the XP500, XBOX 360 owners can enjoy the super-premium gaming experience they have been waiting for, complete with wireless chat.”

Key features and user benefits of the Turtle Beach Ear Force XP500 include:

·              Customizable Presets: Configure up to 18 personalized presets to optimize game, chat, and microphone audio for different gaming situations.  Download the Advanced Sound Editor software and make your own presets, or simply upload any of the numerous custom files posted on the Turtle Beach website.

·              Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound: Immersive 360 degree audio lets you hear the direction of every sound as if you were playing with speakers all around you

·              Digital RF Wireless Game Sound: Uncompressed wireless digital audio signal delivers CD-quality game sound that rivals professional grade wired headphones

·              Xbox Chat Adapter (XBA): For the first time, play XBOX 360 games untethered and chat without any wires using Bluetooth technology!

·              Dynamic Chat Boost: Chat level increases automatically as the game volume gets louder, so you can always hear the voices of other players

·              Microphone Monitoring: Lets you hear your voice in the headset, so you won’t need to shout to hear yourself

·              Sonic Silencers: Enjoy total silence by eliminating ambient noise pickup on your mic and cutting background noise from PSN or XBOX LIVE chat sound

·              Sonic Lens™ with Sound Field Expander: Widen or narrow the sound field to focus on difficult to hear audio cues like footsteps sneaking up on you or the clicks of someone reloading in the distance

·              Intuitive Voice Prompts: A real voice announces critical headset status conditions, such a low battery, preset numbers and more

·              Ear Guard with Blast Limiter: Limit the intensity of deafening games sounds such as explosions and gunfire to reduce ear fatigue during long gaming sessions

·              PS3 and XBOX 360 Compatible: Delivers the ultimate gaming experience with PS3 and XBOX 360 consoles

MSRP: $269.95

Availability: Fall 2011

Official website: www.turtlebeach.com/XP500