Best PC Gaming Headset: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Alpha USB Gaming Headset

This Best Selling Creative Labs Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Alpha USB Gaming Headset tends to SELL OUT VERY FAST!!

Product Details

Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 4.4 x 13.2 inches ; 1.2 pounds
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
ASIN: B0041OQKIC
Item model number: 70GH012000003

List Price : ~~$72.03~~
Price : $56.09
You Save : $15.94 (22%)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer
Immerse yourself in 3D audio and gain a competitive edge in the latest games with the Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Alpha USB Gaming Headset. With acoustically optimized drivers and THX TruStudio Pro technology, the Tactic3D Alpha provides 3D audio surround effects for a cinematic experience. Dual-mode design lets you connect the headset to your PC using either a standard minijack, or via USB for the full THX TruStudio Pro experience. When you want to communicate with your teammates or make Internet calls, use the detachable noise-canceling microphone built into the headset. TacticControl software, available online, gives you a way to fine-tune sound settings and save your audio profile.
Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Alpha USB Gaming Headset
Sound Blaster Tactic3D Alpha USB Gaming HeadsetAt a Glance:

360-degree surround sound with THX TruStudio Pro
40-millimeter neodymium drivers for full-range sound
Detachable noise-canceling microphone for gaming or Skype calls
TacticControl touchscreen software for sound and drive optimization
Morph and disguise your voice with VoiceFX Technology
Lightweight, durable design
Backed by a one-year warranty

Features a detachable noise-canceling microphone and convenient inline volume controls. .
Connect via Dual-Mode USB Adapter for THX TruStudio Pro sound. .
40-Millimeter Drivers for Rich Audio
The Tactic3D Alpha features 40-millimeter neodymium drivers that offer frequency response from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz to provide deep bass and clear, transparent mids and highs for a realistic audio experience.
THX TruStudio Pro and VoiceFX Offer Sound Effects
THX TruStudio Pro technology brings an immersive 3D experience to headphone listening, providing clearly defined sounds in front of, behind, above, and below you.
With that 360-degree surround sound, you'll have an advantage against your enemies in the latest games by being able to hear them before you even see them. Using Creative's VoiceFX technology, you can disguise your voice from your enemies and morph into different in-game characters.
Dual-Mode Design Provides Analog and USB Connections
The Tactic3D connects to your computer via a standard analog 3.5-millimeter minijack or USB. Use the minijack to connect to your Sound Blaster sound system, onboard computer audio, or MP3 player. Or, for full THX TruStudio Pro sound, use the THX TruStudio Pro Dual-Mode USB Adapter (included) to connect the Tactic3D to your PC or Mac via USB.
Optimize Audio with TacticControl Touchscreen Software
Creative's TacticControl software offers a wide range of sound controls, letting you customize and fine-tune surround effects, bass, dialog, VoiceFX, equalization, and more. The TacticControl software is optimized with Live!Touch for touchscreen controls in Windows 7 (software available online).
Once you've customized your own TacticProfile EQ and audio profiles, you can export and share them with other gamers. Conversely, you can use the included TacticProfile settings of world-renowned gamers, like Fatal1ty and members from gaming teams compLexity and Dignitas, or pre-configured audio settings from your friends and other gamers.
Noise-Canceling Microphone for Clear Communication
A detachable noise-canceling microphone is built into the headset, allowing you to communicate clearly with your teammates. You can control volume and microphone settings with convenient inline controls on the cord.
Software Compatibility and System Requirements
The Tactic3D is compatible with various gaming communications software, like Ventrilo and TeamSpeak. You can also use the headset to make Internet calls with Skype, Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, and more.
The headset is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, as well as Max OS X 10.5 or higher.
The Sound Blaster Tactic3D Alpha USB Gaming Headset is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box
Headset, USB adapter, and quick start guide.
Experience the evolution of 3D gaming audio with the Dual Mode Sound Blaster Tactic3D Alpha gaming headset. Acoustically optimized 40mm drivers combine with THX TruStudio ProTM technology to transform everyday audio into a mind-blowing cinematic experience. Touchscreen software and Tactic Profiles allow you to save and share your favourite settings including THX TruStudio Surround for immersive 360º headphone surround and VoiceFX voice morphing technology. The dual mode design allows you to connect via standard minijacks or use the Dual Mode adapter to connect to your PC or Mac's USB port for the full THX TruStudio Pro experience.

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Technical Details

Analog or USB, your choice! Use the 3.5mm minijacks for direct connection to your Sound Blaster sound system, onboard audio or MP3 player or use the THX TruStudio Pro Dual Mode USB Adapter to connect to your PC or Mac via USB.
THX TruStudio Surround Audio immerses you in the game. Hear sounds in front, behind, around, above and below you. Only THX TruStudio Surround delivers a FULL 3D audio surround experience for stunning 3D surround effects.
Customizable TacticControl driver interface optimized with Live!Touch for touch screen controls under Windows 7 operating system
Export and share your TacticProfile custom tuned EQ and audio profiles (optimized for Sound Blaster Tactic3D Alpha) with other gamers
Morph your voice into different in-game characters with VoiceFX technology and restore surround audio to your Windows XP games in Windows 7 with Creative Alchemy

Customer Reviews

I've had my Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Alpha's for about two weeks now and couldn't be more pleased. I've use them everyday putting them through various field tests involving videogames, music, and movies. This headset has passed all my tests with flying colors. In games you can hear absolutely everything and can pinpoint your enemies' locations thanks to the stellar 3D surround sound. The same goes for movies. In fact, I was watching Aliens just the other day and found myself looking over my shoulder because I could have sworn the iconic hissing sound was coming from behind me. When listening to music, I was simply blown away. The bass is full. The treble is crisp. What more could you ask for?
I love the fact that these headphones come with a USB dongle. My laptop has a pretty crappy soundcard that produces noticeably lower quality sound. Thanks to the USB attachment, these headphone bypass my crappy soundcard and produce some simply awesome audio.
Another feature I love is that the microphone is detachable, rather than folding up like almost every other headset. This allows me to use my headphone in public without looking like a nutbag.
I should also probably mention how comfortable these cans are. Unlike most headsets, the Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Alphas are sturdy yet light and not cumbersome what so ever. The actual ear pieces have some freedom to rotate, meaning the plastic is less likely to snap under rotational pressure. They also swivel vertically, so you won't need to pull them apart to put them on your head (a motion that has been the death of several lower quality headsets I've owned).
All in all, I could not be more pleased with this headset. I've been a lifelong gamer and have seen my fair share of low-quality-high-price headsets. It's refreshing to see a product that is the exact opposite of the crappy headsets us gamers are used to; a headset that is high in quality, yet low in price.

Build Quality: Overall it was very good. The faux leather on the headstrap was very comfortable. The only thing I disliked was the cheap plastic ear cans. One big plus was the ribbon cables, no tangles, easy to fold on top of each other. I would have liked to see a little bit more reinforcement where the cable connects to the ear cans. The headphones weren't completely noise isolating.
Sound Quality: Excellent. Once of the best I have ever listened to for a headset under 100 dollars. The first time I installed the software I had an issue where the program hanged when I started it up. I uninstalled and reinstalled and it worked fine. They start you off with a bunch of sliders: crystallization (I guess treble) , surround (increasing this made me feel like I was in a smaller room), bass, dialog (vocal), voice normalization. They were all disabled. I fiddled around it and I couldn't figure how to make it sound good. Just when I was about to turn frustrated I found there were presets on the first page. I chose one and wow the sound quality just sky rocketed for a moment I thought I was wearing my Grado SR 80's. Out of the 10 or so presets I found love with the one from the [Fifa] and the Keepers of whatever game. The 40mm driver was powerful in some preset settings you could feel the vibrations outside your ear. The voice morphs were okay just a few pre-made ones woman-to-man, man-to-woman, deep voice, munchkin, orc, demon, etc. No options to customize the preset but can probably be done through the equalizer. Microphone was good no complains about it.
3D surround was good to an extent from the regular left, right, front, rear sound came to me at the right angles I could hear tiny gnomes skipping along through the water, mechano hogs passing by. Up and down was there but to an extent the 3d surround emulation could emulate a diagonal/above your head sound well however I didn't have time to experience up and down I was hoping maybe I could find a game like call of duty where a helicopter would fly over your head.
Comfort: The ear cushions feel soft and very nice on your ears initially after a couple of minutes I noticed my ears starting to feel squeezed because of the ear cans being too tight creating discomfort making it difficult to go though an entire sitting without taking them off at least once. They also weren't very ventilated that sometimes I would just open the ear cans to let a little cool air in.
Overall Impressions:
++ Sound quality is amazing for the price. 3D surround is just like 7.1 sound. Up and down are there but I didn't try to the full extent
++ Construction is sturdy but the ear cans are made of cheap plastic but you easily forget about it
++ Software has a lot of customizations
-- You could get lost in software customizations if you don't know what you were doing at first
-- Comfortable but ear cans are too tight so your ears might end up being tired
If you have been buying 30-50 dollar headsets (regular 2.0 stereo) for a long time this is definitely something you should invest in for 20 dollars more only if you like tight clamping ear phones. The sound quality of this headset is of that of headsets that cost 100-150 with build quality being the compromise.
Updated 11/13/2010
I returned this headset after 3 days. During the time I tested out the Steel Series Siberia V2 and the Corsair HS1.
The Corsair HS1 are the most comfortable. The sounds are really good for the acoustic/vocals/high frequencies but I found that the low frequencies such as footsteps left alot to be desired. Corsair is probably the closest headset you can get to being like Grados but you need the bass. I really underestimated the software as well. The creative tactic 3d's software is by far one of the best.
I really want to return back to using the tactic 3d's I felt their sound was the most immersive out of the bunch performing great on the high frequency but even better on the low but I couldn't pull trigger yet. Not yet.
My wishlist for the Tactic 3D
1. COMFORT. I would trade sound isolation for comfort. If it can be as comfortable as the Sound Blaster Arena I am sold.
2. Improve the volume rocker. It looks very cheap.
3. Wireless version.
I'd pay 100 bucks for those 3. It would match the Corsair HS1's and be better all around if that can be improved. If comfort can be improved I'll be back for 59.99. Promise.
Score changed from 3/5 stars to 4/5 stars. -1 for comfort