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| Introduction
The AHS615 Gaming Headset is a new arrival from Altec Lansing, a company thats been around since the 1930s with a reputation of producing reliable and affordable sound equipment. The AHS615 comes in clamshell style packaging that is not only child-proof but adult-proof as well. Once youve switched off your chainsaw or turned the gas off on the blowtorch your left with a sturdy looking headset with a navy/black/silver coloured finish.
Overview
My first impression was that it looked quite different from other headsets that Ive seen thanks the the open-air ear cuff design and the double headband implementation. I presume the logic behind the open air design was to reduce heat and sweat accumulating around your head during those long instense gaming sessions, the good news is that it does its job well, the bad news is that after a couple of hours the top of your ears begin to ache but this just takes a few days of getting used to. The headset weighs very little and has 10 feet of cord to make life more comfortable.
The bi-headband structure is another feature that sets the AHS615 apart from the norm. The upper headband acts to hold the entire unit together whilst the lower headband is an automatic bungee based adjustment system that works suprisingly better than most of the manual adjustment systems Ive used on other headsets. The headset automatically presses inwards resulting in less loss of sound quality.
Sound Performance
The sound quality from this headset is exceptional considering its mid-price range status. The SRS 3D audio system adds an extra dimension to games that support surround sound, increasing your immersion in the game world and enable you to pinpoint where that shot was fired from. The downside to the SRS is that an AAA battery is required but the headset will work and sound fine without the battery, however you better not forget to turn off the SRS because contrary to popular belief - the energiser bunny doesnt go on forever. The AHS615 also does a great job in blocking out background noise such as the TV or your girlfriend telling you that you play too many games.
Microphone Performance
This is the best microphone Ive encountered on a headset in terms of adjustability, customization and voice quality. The microphone boom pivots and flexs 270 degrees which is more than enough range of motion for any user and more importantly, it stays firm wherever you put it whether it be down your throat or near your cheekbone to allow pizza to access. I tested the microphone on Ventrilo, Teamspeak and a couple of other well known messenger programs. Everyone I spoke to concluded I sounded crystal clear and background noise was minimal.
Inline Controller
The inline controller contains 4 sets of controls, main volume, SRS volume, microphone sensitivity and the SRS on/off switch. There is also a large belt/shirt clip. I found the microphone controls particularly useful as you could mute the microphone when you needed to speak on the phone or in the real world and not distract or annoy people on Ventrilo.
However a problem with the controller is that its cumbersome, when you have it in your hand and are adjusting controls its beautiful, fits the hand like a dream and your fingers or thumb wont go into spasm but once your satisfied with your adjustment you cant let it just hang as it tugs at the headset. I found the best solution was to clip it to the hip area of my waist but I was still a bit too aware of its presence.
Summary
Overall I was very satisfied with the Altec Lansing AHS615 and would recommend it to friends. Its positives by far outweigh its negatives. Its from a respected, well known company and is available at the reasonable price of £39.99 at creativecomputing.net
Positive
Good performance to price ratio.
Excellent microphone and sound quality.
SRS 3D audio is a nice and useful option.
Well designed, unique and well-built.
Negative
AAA battery required for full functionality.
Inline controller may be too awkward for some.
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Altec Lansing AHS615 review
