Turtle Beach is a name that most console gamers are extremely familiar with and through proximity PC gamers as well. The thing is they aren’t a common PC brand when it comes to headset solutions but they’re aiming to change that with the new Atlas line. Aimed at gamers seeking esport performance we take a look at the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas PC Gaming Headset.
Specifications
- MSRP: $99.95
- Audio Connection: Single 3.5mm or Pink/Green PC Splitter Cable
- Compatibility: PC, XBox One, PS4 Pro, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Mobile Devices
- Frequency Response: 12Hz - 20Hz
- Speaker Size: 50mm Nanclear speakers w/ Neodymium Magnets
- Microphone: Unidirectional Gaming Microphone w/ Truspeak Technology
- Headband: Athletic Fabric, Leather w/ Memory Foam Cushioning
- Ear Cushion: Over-Ear (Closed), Athletic Fabric, Leather and Memory Foam Cushioning
- Prospecs Glasses Relief System
- Magnetic Speaker Plates
If you have a conversation with an self-proclaimed audiophile they’re likely going to tell you to avoid wireless headsets. Not only do you open yourself to the possibility of frequency interference but a lot of manufacturers will additionally compress the audio before sending to the headset which can reduce sound quality even further. It’s for that reason that I’m not surprised at all that we aren’t seeing a wireless solution from Turtle Beach for the PC focused Atlas line. What we do get is a product that’s remarkably similar to the Elite Pro 2 w/ Super Amp console headset that can’t rave enough about and that’s no bad thing for PC users.
Taking a closer look
As I said before, aesthetically the headsets look nearly identical to the Elite Pro 2 that I reviewed a few weeks back, minus the fact that the set I reviewed was white. Everything down the packaging was almost identical until it came to the audio cable. At first glance I was extremely upset as it seemed like Turtle Beach lost their minds and only gave PC users about 18 inches of cable to utilize and considering my tower sits almost two and a half feet away from me this was just unacceptable. Checking my emotions and examining all the box content reveals something I wish we would see with more headset: a monstrously long extension/adapter.
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This extension cable has a benefit and a drawback in my opinion. Firstly it’s nice for Turtle Beach to recognize that while many new computers can cope with a single 3.5mm for both audio and microphone there are many that can’t. So this cable converts the single 3.5mm into the standard pink and green microphone/audio configuration typically seen on a chassis front I/O or motherboard’s real I/O. In addition I was left with enough cable to route this extension with the rest of my cable management and mount it beneath my desk where I set, allowing me to easily detach the headset if I want to use it on my XBox, Switch or phone without having a big ugly extension cable flopping all over my desk.
Now to the downside. The fact can’t be hidden that with this adapter/extension cable you are introducing a second, arguably unnecessary, connection point and while the build quality appears not only acceptable but down right exceptional it’s my personal experience that the more areas you have with the possibility of failure, the greater your chances of unfavorable results in the future. Now of course I don’t know this for certain but coming from a background that includes training in microelectronics any connection point will contribute to signal loss through increased impedance - whether it’s discernable to a user would be largely contestable.
Sound and Comfort
Moving forward I want to discuss the comfort of wearing this guy on your head for minutes to hours at a time. Comparing it to the Elite Pro 2 it feels remarkably similar but noticeably different with the lack of cooling gel in the ear padding. You definitely notice after a time that your ears are a little warm but this isn’t an issue that’s unique to Turtle Beach and is prevalent in almost every headset I’ve worn. If anything the Atlas breaths a little better than other leather bound cushions I’ve come across. I made a point to switch between the two mid gaming session and the Atlas feels slightly tighter than their Elite Pro 2 headset but it’s not enough to make long term use uncomfortable - it actually contributed to less overall pressure on the top of my head from the overall weight of the headset.
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Audio wise Turtle Beach is delivering some of the best, crystal clear low frequency sound I’ve heard in a PC headset. With a frequency response all the way down to 12Hz this isn’t surprising (most headsets only go do to 20Hz) and while you don’t get an annoyingly deep subwoofer like bass the low tones are clear and crisp - explosions in games like Battlefield 1 sound especially nice for reference. Just like the Elite Pro 2 we are getting a closed back speaker for a nice close delivery of audio. The ambient noises in your favorite game will feel the perfect distance from your ears and the 50mm speakers do an excellent job of facilitating directional awareness of sounds in a 3D environment.
When it comes to the microphone we are using an identical “truspeak” microphone that we saw on the Elite Pro 2 headset, which you can take a listen to here. I notice no difference in sounds quality between the two which is a huge thumbs up to Turtle Beach as it’s one of the best headset microphones I’ve had the pleasure of using. As long as you know how to position a headset mic (IE not in your dang mouth) I had no problems with clarity, peaking or distortion during my play testing.
Wrapping Up
The Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Headset is a great headset for its price point. It takes the best things about the premium price Elite Pro 2 and brings it into the realm of affordability with it’s excellent $99 price point. Not only do you get premium comfort options like memory foam cushioning and optional grooves for users with glasses to not have them permanently smashed into the side of their face, but you get superior audio and microphone quality backed by a trusted name in gaming around the world.
Pros
- Quality Build
- Glasses Relief System is Awesome
- Excellent Sound Quality
Cons
- Extra connections between headset and PC
- Might be tight on bigger heads
The product discussed in this article was provided by the manufacturer for the purposes of review.
