PAX Prime 2012: Plantronics GameCom Commander

By Kevin Davies
published

The GameCom Commander is a brand new, limited edition, gaming headset developed in conjunction with the Plantronics aviation and military divisions. The shell of the ear-cups was taken directly from a military-aviation style headset and then filled with clearer and more accurate sound reproduction technology for a solution that caters to the professional or tournament gamer. Due to the noise cancelling design of the headset for use on aircraft carriers, the headset does a great job at passively cancelling out ambient noise. We were able to clearly hear the game of choice even with the overload of ambient noise from PAX in the background after donning the Commander. The 7.1 virtual surround sound technology provided by Dolby did a great job at representing the 360 degree game environment even while on the show floor.

Additionally the lack of software configuration allows you to take your Commander with you where ever you go. This allows tournament gamers who may not be able to install software on their tournament computer to still take the familiarity of their personal headset with them.

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Updated [Sept 10, 2012]: Here are the technical specifications!

• Speaker driver size: 40mm
• Speaker frequency response: 20Hz–18kHz
• Microphone frequency response: 100Hz–10kHz
• Noise reduction: up to 18dB
• Cable length: 6.5 feet (2 meters) with coil cord
• USB connection: 3.5mm dual connection and 3.5mm single connection
• 2-year limited warranty

Kevin Davies
17 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Pennanen
    "Commander, military, super,duper,secret,xtreme,gaymer,limited,special."

    We've seen this before 1000 times. Overpriced "gaymen" headsets with bad sound quality and high price tag.
    Reply
  • razor512
    care to release any specs such as frequency response along with the curves so we can have an idea of how balanced the audio is along with how well it reproduces the audio?
    Reply
  • freename
    $299? They're dreaming
    Reply
  • sixdegree
    Instead of military styling, how about military grade durability? Game peripheral companies should take notice that there's a big market for some gaming mouse/headset/keyboard that won't break after a year of usage.
    Reply
  • edogawa
    Why do they keep pushing these products, are there really that many uniformed gamers buying these headsets?

    I constantly see people praising things like the the Razer Tiamat and the Astro headsets when they sound like total garbage sound quality wise and the multiple drivers in headphones is a gimmick.

    Buy a real set of headphones from a reputable headphone company such as Sennheiser, Grado, audio-technica, etc, and use it with a sound card and a clip on mic.

    Reply
  • James296
    sixdegreeInstead of military styling, how about military grade durability? Game peripheral companies should take notice that there's a big market for some gaming mouse/headset/keyboard that won't break after a year of usage.
    are we talking sailor-proof, army-proof, or marine-proof?
    Reply
  • Pennanen
    James296are we talking sailor-proof, army-proof, or marine-proof?With the price these come, all of those.
    Reply
  • freggo
    $299 is actually cheap for "aviation" or "military" grade.

    A decent David Clark headset easily costs more and does not have 5.1 sound etc.
    Of course when you try to land a plane in the rain at night surround sound is not high on the list of things you want in your head set. Just clean static free communication with the tower will do.

    Bottom line, this all sounds like PR buzz to charge some kid a boat load of money better spend on a faster GRU. Get a nice Sennheiser set like an RS-20 instead. Perfectly ok for gaming, great to listen to your music and even your GF will not mind using them. Hell, for $299 you can buy 2 (his and hers) and have change left to take her out on a few dates :-)


    Reply
  • James296
    PennanenWith the price these come, all of those.
    ah then you want morine...I mean marine-proof :P
    Reply
  • kinggremlin
    From the box
    Works with PC, MAC, smartphone and tablet

    Really? A smartphone? Who the hell would buy a $299 headset like this and use it with their smartphone? Someone needs to tell THG that "The Onion" is a spoof site, and not a real news source.
    Reply