Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Digital Headset Has Soundcard Built-in

By Marcus Yam
published

German PC accessories maker Roccat promises to have it biggest lineup ever at this year's CES. First up are new Kave XTD gaming headset models.

Kave XTD 5.1 Analog

The Kave XTD 5.1 Analog is the successor to original Kave 5.1. Made for gamers with a 5.1 soundcard already built into their PCs, the Kave XTD 5.1 Analog features classic 5.1 audio jacks plus a USB connector to power up the in-cable remote and the LED lighting. The headset features unique Zero Noise technology thanks to the interference isolator built into its dual-mode in-cable remote. The remote can be used either as a desktop or clip-on remote. The overall comfort should be improved as well, with the weight impressively reduced by 25 percent.

Kave XTD Stereo

 

The Kave XTD Stereo offers the same build and design but with two powerful driver units. The detachable noise-cancelling microphone includes features like the mute LED found in the original Kave 5.1.

Kave XTD 5.1 Digital

The flagship of the entire line will be the Kave XTD 5.1 Digital, which features a built-in premium 5.1 soundcard, a "world's first" headset-to-smartphone Bluetooth pairing and full audio controls with the comprehensive desktop remote.

 

Stay tuned for more from Roccat at CES.

Follow Marcus Yam @MarcusYam. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Morbus
    I received today a Roccat Kave 5.1 and they look pretty much like these. It comes with just the controller, so feeds off my computer's soundcard (which is what I want) and have very good sound quality, considering it's a 5.1 headset. For gaming, however, it's really awesome and I recommend, specially considering the price.

    What I'm not happy about is the head padding, you know, the band over the head. It's too hard, and these XTD don't seem to be any better. The top of my head hurts after a while... I'll have to add to that padding with a bit of memory foam...
    Reply
  • UVB076
    Gaming headsets just aren't good things. Get legitimate headphones and a separate mic.
    Reply
  • coolitic
    They're just copying what soundblaster is doing.
    Reply
  • jasonelmore
    "world's first" headset-to-smartphone Bluetooth pairing"

    Nope.avi

    Turtle Beach's XP500 series has done dual bluetooth paring for 3 years now. I pair mine with my PS3 and iPhone 5S
    Reply
  • jasonelmore
    Also wires suck
    Reply
  • FoShizzleDizzle
    Wireless has too much audio compression jasonelmore.
    Reply
  • Vorador2
    "World's first" in marketing materials are usually sloppy seconds.

    In my case i bought a couple of Sharkoon x-tatic cans, because the included S/PDIF decoder allows me to use both my console and computer. They sound reasonably good to my ears, and include 5.1 analog output.
    Reply
  • Morbus
    12339525 said:
    Gaming headsets just aren't good things. Get legitimate headphones and a separate mic.

    They are good things if what you want is surround sound. A stereo headset, no matter how good it is, can never deliver that same sound positioning, even if you adjust your playstyle. I notice a huge advantage in CS and other online FPSs.
    Reply
  • -Fran-
    I wonder how they compare to my CM Storm Sirus 5.1.

    These are not the best of the best out there, but they're decent for the price.

    Cheers!
    Reply