Earlier this month, we reported on rumours of a new version of the Xbox Wireless Headset, and today Microsoft has confirmed its existence. In a new Xbox Wire blog post, Team Green reveals that "the next evolution" of its official headset launches today, with a host of fresh improvements.
The headset's form factor is largely the same in this new unit, with the removal of any green accents being the biggest change we can spot. Internally though, Microsoft has made more changes than we expected - here are the headline improvements in this 2024 version:
- Improved battery life - up to 20 hours of use
- Microphone Upgrade - with enhanced auto-mute and voice isolation
- Dolby Atmos included - delivering immersive, spatial audio
- An updated design - featuring a sleek, all-black look.
As mentioned in our previous report, this new version of the Xbox Wireless Headset has seen a small price bump. The accessory will now cost $109.99, as opposed to the previous price point of $99.99 - but at least there are some notable upgrades to justify that cost increase.
Microsoft says that the headset begins rolling out today in "select markets", and we can see that the new version is live on the official store in both the UK and the US. Here in the UK, this new 2024 headset revision will set you back £99.99.
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Any of you thinking of buying this new Xbox headset revision? Tell us if so down below.
[source news.xbox.com]
Comments 20
Great aesthetics on this headset, I only wish it had a hidden mic. The extendable boom mic looks so chintzy. Just embed it in the earcup.
Why remove the green accents from the headset just as you add the green accents to the console? Also, insofar as the price being higher, does that come out the same, just with an Atmos license added in?
@AccessibleDaydream
No! Battery improvement and better mic
Not to sound like a headphone snob, but I recently bought some Arctis Nova 7X 7.1 for £119 and they sound amazing, I also get about 35-40 hours out of them before I need to charge, so 20 hours doesn't really sound all that good.
@Balaam_ The mic being built into the earcup doesn't play well with the voice isolation tech.
Have the original xbox headset. It's amazing. This is not big improvement enough to justify another purchase.
But if not have one, highly recommend.
@AccessibleDaydream My guess they are tacking on the atmos license to the headset price.
Want say the app is about $10.
@RetroMan71 If I was smoking methamphetamines I would be down for the 40 hours battery life.
But I only play maybe 6 hours tops a session. Can charge hardset between.
@GuyinPA75 yes, that’s what my thought was.
@RetroMan71 I find the Arctis headsets sound too quiet and flat so I’d never buy another one again.
I still have my original Xbox Wireless headset from day one and it’s still in excellent condition and still sounds as good as when I first used it. Battery is a non issue as I usually always have the charger plugged in, same as my controller since I always sit close to the Xbox and TV. I’ll buy this new version in future if needed.
@Balaam_
The mic boom can be partly curled round the cup to get it out of the way. At least on the current model that is.
@GuyinPA75 Haha! 😁 No, I only put in about 2-3 hours on an evening during the week and same at weekends really, but I find I'm only having to charge the headset after a couple of weeks.
@MaccaMUFC The ones I have are definitely not quiet and flat... that's all I can say really. I connect them to my laptop, where you can edit the levels and sound settings and these carry over to the console.
Hearing good things about the wireless headset previous and new, that's good an interesting. I originally bough a wired Xbox headset and I found audio quality was atrocious to say the least; I saw the wireless had better reviews, but I was already kinda discouraged about trying another MS xbox headset.
I ended up returning the xbox headset and just got a Razer Blackshark V2 wired, which I find to be extremely comfy and excellent for its price. Still the one I use, even at work on calls cause I can wear it all day.
For me the main problem with the current one is its lack of comfort. I can wear my PS5 headset comfortably for hours but with this one it hurts after a while. I read nothing about any improvements in this field.
@Darude84
I find the current Xbox wireless headset very comfy for long gaming/music sessions. I have one of those heads where you can't buy a motorcycle helmet without finding a large retailer who stocks larger sizes. Same with go-karting, they have to scrabble round to find a helmet that'll fit.
I've never tried the Sony one, but it sounds like comfort city from what you're saying.
@FMT I don’t know. I have a regular sized head but it presses a lot against my ears.
@Darude84 I can relate to that, while the Xbox ones don't do that to me. I had some Sharkoon surround headset for the PC that pressed against my ears, like the cavity in the cup wasn't held back enough by the cushioning. That got so painful after a couple of hours.
The original is a great headset but on mine the right side wheel cup snapped off. I've managed to glue it back on and it's functional, it falls off periodically and I have to glue it back.
It's happened to many others so maybe a build quality issue. That said I might buy this new one as I've had the current one a couple of years.
Hey, @Kezelpaso. I've just clicked on your link to buy the headset, and am a bit confused. When it comes to the Dolby Atmos, it says that it is included in this article, yet on the Microsoft website, it says that Dolby Atmos may require additional purchases. Do you know with 100% certainty that Dolby Atmos is included? Thanks...
Perfect headset to go along with CoD’s new sound subscription!
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