Technical Overview

(Click the above image for the large version)

Usually when you think of headphones in general terms, you do not think of something possessing a vast amount of technology.

However, these are; 'not your ad-ver-age headphones yogi'. In fact, as mentioned in opening, they contain eight separate speakers. There are four in each ear piece to deliver stunning 5.1 surround sound in a super controlled environment; that being, your head!

(Click the above image for the large version)

Now let's take a quick look at some specs straight from the horse's mouth.

Features:

• 5.1 channel headset

• 8 speakers (4 in each ear piece)

• Digital, in-line volume control

• High end amplifier

• Independent, illuminated volume adjustment for each channel and master volume

• Detachable microphone with QuickOn connection

Features (SCU):

• Supports Dolby® Digital 2.0, Dolby® Digital 5.1 and Dolby® Pro Logic®

• Supports the chat function of PS3®, Xbox® and Xbox® 360

• Dynamic Range Control

Specifications:

• Center speaker: 2 x 27 mm

• Front speaker: 2 x 30 mm

• Rear speaker: 2 x 30 mm

• Subwoofer: 2 x 40 mm

• Impedance: 32 Ohm

• Microphone: 6 x 5 mm (L x W) / unidirectional

• Cable Length: 360 cm

• Connection: 1 x 9-pin analogue plug

Specifications (SCU):

• Digital optical input (S/PDIF)

• 2 analogue audio outputs for the X-Tatic headset

• 3 analogue 3.5 mm audio outputs (front, rear, center / subwoofer)

• 1 microphone connector for PS3 (USB A -> USB B)

• 1 power connector

• Dimensions: 15 x 122 x 56 mm (H x L x W)

• Weight: 110 g

Compatibility:

• PC / MAC / other sources: analogue input (via cable adapter)

Compatibility (SCU):

• Xbox® / Xbox® 360: optical input

• PS2® / PS3®: optical input / USB microphone connection

• PC / MAC: optical input / analogue or USB microphone input

• DVD / other sources: optical input

(Click the above image for the large version)

Okay; so we can begin to understand at this point that they promise a lot in terms of innovation and performance along with features and compatibility. In fact, Sharkoon really have set the bar high for themselves here.

But to simplify this whole section of the review, what these headphones must do is quite simply 'create' an environment in the users head that sounds like they are in the center of a 5.1 channel system.

Sound easy? - Well it is not by a long, long stretch. Please also refer to my recent interview regarding another company's foray into the same market share; that being Psyko Audio Labs.

One of the main and most straight forward reasons this is not an easy task is because we only have two ears in order to hear with and delivering six channels of audio evenly across two ears is nothing short of a challenge, no-matter who's competing.

(Click the above image for the large version)

In terms of connectivity, the user can choose either optical 'toslink' or stereo mini-jack; the former being digital and the latter analog. For digital the headphones connect to the decoder via a nine pin connector, while for analog the same nine pin plug gets used, but instead it terminates with the three mini-jacks rather than the decoder unit.

So, from a technical standpoint this product sets out to not only cover a new and exciting sector of the market, but to also leave an indelible impression on it. With a heap of support ranging from Xbox/PS3, to well; just about anything you might want to connect in either digital or analog 5.1, Sharkoon sets the bar way up high for themselves and next up I'll see whether or not they make the mark.