Reviewed: September 17, 2004
Reviewed by: Mark Smith

Manufacturer
Altec Lansing

Type: Gaming Headset
System: PC

Rating: 9.8

Features

The AHS602 features SRS 3D Audio technology, an audio enhancement technology that provides a realistic and spacious listening experience through headphones. This award-winning technology retrieves the spatial information from surround recordings and restores the original three-dimensional sound field without a room full of speakers.

I admit to being a bit skeptical when I approached this review. After all, I am a surround sound connoisseur. I have the big THX home theater; I have the DTS 7.1 PC surround system with a speaker on every wall. I just couldn’t imagine that a headset was going to come close to capturing the amazing 3D sound I have become accustomed to with this year’s recent crop of next-gen games.

Installation - 10

There is very little setup. Simply remove the headset from the package and plug the green plug into your headphone jack and the pink plug into the microphone jack. This might be slightly more difficult if you have to access the back of your computer, but if you are lucky enough to have an Audigy ZS card then those two ports are on the remote pod and quite accessible.

Next, slip a AAA battery into the control module and you are finished. There’s no software and no other setup required. You don’t even have to change your settings in Control Panel since the SRS technology will be interpreting your current surround sound settings and mixing them into the headset.

Aesthetics - 9

The AHS602 isn’t as “cool looking” as some of the other high-tech headgear floating around your game store. I haven’t had a closed ear-cup headset since the mid-80’s, but I do have to admit that this headset is very comfortable. It’s definitely heavier than my other headphones (which also happen to be Altec Lansing), but the soft cushy padding on the band and the earpieces allows this headset to virtually float on your head. You won’t even know you are wearing it.

The microphone was annoying at first; actually curving into my mouth, but then I realized it had been bent during packaging and that the wire stem could be angled however I liked. The silver control module is about the size of a Pez dispenser, just big enough for the AAA battery. There is a clip assuming you wanted to wear it for some reason. There are two dials, one for volume and the other for SRS effect level, and a 3-position microphone switch and an SRS toggle complete the remote.

The headset comes with an 8’ cable and the control module is located about 3’ from the headphones. This should be more than enough cable for any setup.

Durability - 10

The AHS602 is a solid piece of equipment with well-constructed swivel points for the earpieces. The microphone is probably the most susceptible piece for damage but the swivel point is very solid and the thick metal boom bends but is quite sturdy.

Performance - 10

The proof is in the sound and Altec Lansing has never let me down. I chose the best sounding games of 2004, the games that feature the absolute best in 3D spatial sound, the games I normally use to show off my 7.1 surround system, to test the AHS602. Call of Duty, Far Cry, Painkiller, and DOOM 3 were all loaded up and put to the test. I even popped in some music CD’s and a couple of DVD’s and heard them in a whole new dimension.

First and foremost, the SRS 3D technology really works. With the headphones on, all outside noise is eliminated and you hear nothing but stunning 3D spatial goodness. I’m not sure how it all really works but sounds appeared to be coming from in front of me, beside me, and behind me. If there was a single sound source and I spun my view around the sound would swirl around my head making me dizzy. In some ways, it’s even an enhancement over traditional surround sound speakers.

Despite the wonderful 3D effects there was one major element missing from the sound experience for all of the games and movies I played, bass. While the headphones try to capture the low-frequency effects, they just can’t compete with a good sub-woofer at your feet. Usually these are the sounds that are “felt” rather than heard, and while there was some impressive bass for a headset, I have to admit I did miss my room-shaking explosions and the thunderous footsteps of the mighty bosses in Painkiller.

The AHS602 just isn’t for games though. I listened to several music CD’s ranging from techno and rock to soothing classics like Sade and Enigma. The music simply envelops you unlike anything I have experienced with my regular speakers. The frequency range allows for crystal clear highs and powerful lows. I also played a couple of DVD’s and while the headphones can’t replicate a true 5.1 Dolby Digital mix they come mighty close.

The foam-covered mic did a great job capturing my voice with virtually no static or distortion, and it didn’t even pick up other ambient noises in the room. The 3-position switch allows you to mute the mic when you aren’t using it.

Value - 9

The $99.95 sticker price is likely to scare off all but the most devout audiophiles. While I would never trade my 7.1 surround system I can see a definite use for this headset, especially for gamers who like to play late into the night while others are sleeping and still enjoy good surround sound.

I do have one minor nitpick. When you are laying down a cool hundred bucks for a headset it would be nice to have a AAA battery included in the package. Sure, I may sound cheap, but the last half-dozen wireless controllers I have reviewed that required batteries (often 2-4 AA’s) came with them. Perhaps I’m just bitter because the day I sat down to review this headset I didn’t have a AAA battery.

Overall – 9.8

The Altec Lansing’s AHS602 Gaming Headset is definitely a niche peripheral for the elite gamer who appreciates excellent 3D surround sound in their games, movies, and music. Obviously, if you have a family, are sharing a dorm room, or simply need some privacy when you play games or watch a movie this is hands down the best possible solution for an isolated 3D listening experience.

Granted, it’s a bit pricey but no more so than a good set of surround speakers, and with the exception of some weaker-than-normal bass effects, this headset sounds every bit as good as comparably priced speakers. The microphone is a nice added touch, especially if you game online or use services like TeamSpeak. Overall, a great piece of hardware that delivers everything it promises, and all with the quality we’ve come to expect from Altec Lansing.