It's the "World's First" 7.1 Surround Sound Headset
During Gamescom 2011, Razer introduced the "world's first" true 7.1 surround sound gaming headset.
Wednesday during Gamescom 2011, peripheral manufacturer Razer revealed the "world's first" discrete 7.1 surround sound gaming headset, the Razer Tiamat 7.1.
According to Razer, the headset packs a total of 10 discrete drivers, 5 in each circumaural ear cup. These drivers represent the 7 surround sound channels plus subwoofer: 2 for center, 1 each for the left and right, surround sound left and right and surround back left and right, and 2 for the subwoofer. All 10 drivers work in unison to produce a true pinpoint positional surround sound.
"The Razer Tiamat 7.1 also gives gamers maximum customizability of their audio experience adjustable on a sleek control unit," the company said in a press release. "You can precisely fine-tune the volume of every audio channel, position, and bass depth, as well as conveniently toggle between the headset's 7.1 surround sound mode, 2.0 stereo mode or external speakers as long as they are also hooked up to the unit, so you'll have the right setup for your entertainment at all times."
In addition to the 7.1 model, Razer also revealed a heaper Tiamat 2.2 version using 4 discrete drivers, two of which are dedicated to bass. Both models feature leatherette ear cushions and a precise, unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone.
Along with the announcement, Razer has launched the "Experience the Power of 7 – with the Razer Tiamat 7.1" contest. Participants must answer two questions related to the product, invite seven friends via Facebook and/or Twitter, and like the product on Facebook.
"The Razer Tiamat headset range is the pride of our audio engineering, the world's first 10 driver headset, built to deliver the most powerful, clear and accurately produced positional audio gamers will ever need for the competitive edge," said Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, President, Razer USA. "Surprise the enemy trying to creep up for a stealth kill, when you can hear their footsteps loud and clear behind you."
So far both headsets are slated for a Q4 2011 release. The Razer Tiamat 7.1 will be priced at $179.99 (179.99 euro) and the Razer Tiamat 2.2 will be priced at $99.99 (99.99 euro).
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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wiinippongamer mman74Call me a simpleton but how can you get true 7.1 sound through two earmuffs?Reply
it cannot simply for space reasons, it's yet another gimmickly gaming headset with sound quality that looses to real headphones half it's price
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QEFX I think I'll keep my Turtle Beach Z6A.Reply
$180 + tax & shipping is just a bit too much for me. -
memadmax The only reason why they can call it "7.1" is because of all the little speakers packed into each muff.Reply
Doesn't mean you get what a real 7.1 setup does thou.
I think the thing will be too heavy to have on my head for more than an hour. -
ivan_chess I have a set of 5.1 surround sound headphones from Zalman that work (bass is weak though) but they are huge and heavy. It's like strapping dumbbells to your head.Reply -
agnickolov The main problem with newcomers like Razer is the lack of support. I had a pair of Zalman 5.1 headphones, but had to ditch them since they don't sell replacement ear cushions. Now I only use Sennheiser - an established audio brand and you can buy replacement cushions for all of their headphones. Not to mention their build quality is better - I haven't had a need to replace air cushions to my oldest headphones and I've had them for over 5 years. Of course the primary reason to get Sennheiser is the outstanding audio quality for a relatively reasonable price... I'd consider multichannel (5.1 perhaps) headphones again if they made such.Reply -
techguy378 Best Buy had some Beats headphones on display. I don't think I ever heard a wider soundstage with so much bass from headphones before. It was way better than Sennheiser headphones and it's extremely difficult to make better sounding headphones than Sennheiser headphones.Reply