Roccat Studios’ Kave XTD 5.1 gaming headset promises true surround sound

By Ryan Waniata January 30, 2014

roccat studios kave xtd 5 1 gaming headset true surround announced down remote edit — Image used with permission by copyright holder

German-based Roccat Studios announced today it is now shipping its latest innovation in 5.1 gaming, the Kave XTD 5.1 gaming headset. Expanding on the company’s original Kave headset, the Kave XTD 5.1 is now the flagship of the company’s new XTD series, and it comes with some sharp new features designed to keep gamers in full control and immersed in the action.

The original Kave’s desktop remote system has been updated for the new XTD 5.1 with Roccat’s patented Bluetooth system called Smart Link. The new feature allows users to field phone calls wirelessly from a smartphone while in the heat of battle. The system also automatically mutes chat functions from the headset’s mic, so gamers can take that important call without interrupting the battle. In addition to its onboard 5.1 soundcard, the updated remote also comes equipped with 5.1 output ports, allowing connection of a stereo system directly from the Kave system for easy toggling between a 5.1 speaker system and headset audio.

Under the hood, each Kave XTD 5.1 ear cup is equipped with three individual drivers, set at 12 degree angles for “true 5.1 surround,” as opposed to the virtual surround sound found in many leading models. Other additions to the new Kave include a redesigned headband for better comfort and a reduction in weight from the original model by 25 percent.

Perhaps most impressive is the Kave XTD 5.1’s price tag, coming in at $170. We haven’t gotten a chance to hear the headset yet, but we’re big fans of German engineering, especially when it comes to headphones and headsets, so we’re intrigued to find out if Roccat’s latest creation can deliver premium sound at a cost that slips under comparable headsets by $100 or more.

We hope to have a pair of the new cans in our hands sooner than later, so we’ll let you know the verdict as soon as we get a chance to give these baby’s a test drive. If you can’t wait, however, you can order Roccat’s new Kave XTD 5.1 for yourself today.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…

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