I remember the time not so long ago when wireless headphones had nothing on their wired siblings. There were, of course, good reasons for that. An evolutionary step or two, tech-wise, were needed to truly open the niche.
Teleport to present day, and you can find gamers jumping ship and trying all kinds of wireless cans. Turtle Beach, a renowned gaming peripheral manufacturer, has also entered the scene with few offers worth checking.
One of them is the Turtle Beach Elite 800X. This DTS 7.1 surround sound headset promises immersive gaming experience minus the hassle of tangling wires.
- Enhanced DTS Surround Sound Modes and Presets: Custom DTS HeadphoneX 7.1 surround sound modes combine with enhanced Turtle beach genre specific presets to further immerse you in your favorite games, movies and music
- Dynamic Chat Boost: Communicate game winning plays to your squad clearly thanks to automatically boosted team chat audio
- Active Noise Cancellation: Completely immerse yourself in your gaming experience and eliminate unwanted distractions with active noise cancellation
- Mic Monitoring: Say it; don't shout it, thanks to the ability to hear the volume of your own voice inside the headset
- Magnetic Charging Stand: Easily charge and store your headset when not in use
Build and Design
At first glance, the Turtle Beach Elite 800X is a premium wireless headset that’s intended for Xbox One and other Bluetooth compatible devices.
The Elite 800X is well designed and feels sturdy. At 370g it’s not too heavy, so comfort for long hours is assured. I’m glad that it is not an overly stylish headset, and it looks a bit closer to Turtle Beach Stealth 600 in terms of quiet grace. To be honest, there are not many gaming headsets that can be worn in public without feeling too embarrassed for being a flashy show-off.
Headband
Statistically, the first part of a headset to sustain damage is the headband. Could be due to snapping or any other mishaps. Good thing that the Elite 800X’s headband is one of the most solid I’ve tried. However, I noticed that it can fit me too snuggly and I feel some pressure on the side of my head. Thankfully, the memory foam covering the headphones does provide some cushioning.
Ear Cups And Controls
The ear cups, like the headband, are padded with memory foam. They are also covered in soft synthetic leather. Not exactly breathable, but they won’t get too warm even after prolonged usage. In fact it’s just the opposite – they are amazingly luxurious and provide exceptional comfort.
The controls of the Elite 800X can be found in the ear cups. It is a rocker-style switch that moves in four different directions, making eight buttons in total. It’s a lot to take in during the first few days with this headset.
The problem with these buttons, however, is not their positioning but they’re being so sensitive. If you are someone who likes resting your head against anything, the chances of accidentally changing a setting, are high. Another unfavorable scenario would be towing the headset away, thus creating a possibility of inadvertent multiple button pressing.
Sound And Performance
The button concerns with the Turtle Beach Elite 800X can be considered weakness in the design. But this set absolutely shines in the audio performance department.
It is not an exaggeration when I tell you that it is one of the best sounding gaming headsets on the market. So amazing that it even graced our list of best-sounding 7.1 surround headsets. The Elite 800X is armed with ear-shattering volume levels, richness in detail, and thrilling bass.
The volume range of the Elite 800X is insane. The bass and richness of its audio performance are amazing, and you’ll find your ears more than saturated with ‘epicness’ if you love immersing yourself in video games music. Just take it easy with the volume levels – you may harm your hearing if you’re over-zealous with that volume rocker.
During the game tests with the Elite 800X, I loved how the presets can magnify immersive capabilities. You can adjust the audio for horror, for example, if you want Outlast 2 to be even more nerve-racking. Pre-set for racing is also available.
If you are from the competitive FPS camp and want to emphasize the sounds of gunfire and footsteps, then the Elite 800X got you covered. And that’s not all. If you want to take it to the next level of customization, you can download game-specific pre-sets. You will be thrilled to know that Turtle Beach has collaborated with some of the major developers to tailor the experience for several games.
Though this headset is best suited for gaming, movies and music are great too. This is because Turtle Beach has created specific audio presets for different types of media. Very convenient when you are taking a break with some Netflix after dying for the 100th time in Dark Souls 3. The rich bass and crisp highs, and mid ranges will add a new dimension to your personal playlists.
If you did opt to bring this outside for music binging or whatever purpose, then you will be delighted to know that the Elite 800X offers active noise cancellation. This feature, though it cannot compete in high-end headphones that focus on ANC, still does a pretty good job in blocking external noise.
Microphone
The Elite 800X’ built-in microphone is decent but not as great as the other Turtle Beach’s headsets that are fitted with a dedicated boom mic. The Elite 800X’ microphone is tucked away in the headset itself. I noticed that my voice was not that clear. So, if you want a better microphone for streaming, or just for chatting with friends, then I suggest you invested in a separate unit.
Software And Connectivity
This is an Xbox One headset, but PC gamers can still use the Elite 800X with some adjustments. There are three ways to do it. You can connect the Elite 800X by using the optical output; however, this method will leave the mic useless. Another way is to connect the transmitter’s wireless USB to the PC, then pair it wirelessly using Bluetooth. Also, you can just pair the headset with your PC if it’s already Bluetooth ready, this method will make the microphone usable.
Connectivity-wise, the wireless range from the transmitter is great. I noticed no lags or disruptions during use.
You can load preset audio settings for individual games using Turtle Beach’s Ear Force Audio Hub software. This software is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Battery And Charging
Now onto one of my favorite features of the Elite 800X, it’s the magnetic charging dock. If you are someone like me whose desk is covered in gadgets, peripherals, and other knick-knacks, yet value organizing, the charging dock is heaven-sent. Why? Because it fits neatly on top of the Xbox One beside the main vent and used on PC, it will take a small space on the side.
The battery life is decent at 10 hours of playtime. Although it might be inadequate for some marathoners, I suppose that 10 hours will suffice for most mortals. I also like how the headset snaps into place and informs you when it’s charging.
Comparison Table
Final Verdict
The Turtle Beach Elite 800X unquestionably captures the fundamentals of an excellent headset design. It is not flashy, yet exudes sophisticated gamer vibes. We all know how hard it is to check all the boxes when buying gaming headsets. There is sound quality, comfort, and extra features to consider, and this one checks them all.
Overall the Elite 800X does its job well. It is compact, aesthetically pleasing, and sounds good. If you can get past over the button fiasco, then this headset won’t let you down.
- Enhanced DTS Surround Sound Modes and Presets: Custom DTS HeadphoneX 7.1 surround sound modes combine with enhanced Turtle beach genre specific presets to further immerse you in your favorite games, movies and music
- Dynamic Chat Boost: Communicate game winning plays to your squad clearly thanks to automatically boosted team chat audio
- Active Noise Cancellation: Completely immerse yourself in your gaming experience and eliminate unwanted distractions with active noise cancellation
- Mic Monitoring: Say it; don't shout it, thanks to the ability to hear the volume of your own voice inside the headset
- Magnetic Charging Stand: Easily charge and store your headset when not in use
