Psyko Audio 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset Review

Readers… This is the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headset

Taking a look at the visual aspect of the Psyko 5.1 Gaming headset we can see that it’s actually quite a large headset and, yes, it is as heavy as it

looks. The headset is made out of what appears to be red and gray molded plastic that is covered in a rubber type substance. The reason behind this

design is that the “Waveguides” are molded in to the headset’s chassis structure. Across the top of the headband we can clearly see the five speakers

that make up the two front and the two rear, as well as the center channel speakers. On the underside of the headband there are five fair sized velour type

cushions. These cushions help make the heft of the headset more bearable, especially when wearing the headset for marathon gaming sessions.

Instead of having the speakers mounted in the ear-cups of the headset Psyko decided to put the sub-woofers for the 5.1 system into the ear cups. If you

look closely you can see the oval shaped holes that are located on both sides of the inside of the ear cups; the sound from the five speakers in the

headband travel down the “Waveguides” and the sound exits these 4 oval shaped holes. The ear-cups are easily adjusted to most head sizes by just moving

the individual ear-cups up or down until you have achieved a comfortable fit. The ear cups are heavily padded just like the underside of the headband and

make the headset quite comfortable to wear for those long late night gaming sessions. And just in case your ears get hot, or you need to talk to someone

while you are wearing the headset, the clear section of the ear cups can be opened up by pushing on them to allow air inside or to make it easier to hear

someone that may be talking to you.

One feature that I can’t quite decide if I think it’s awesome or if I think it’s annoying is the microphone. The Psyko headset has a detachable microphone that plugs right into the right ear-cup of the headset via a 2.5 jack. Although the mic swivels from side to side it cannot be adjusted up and down and, depending on the size and shape of your face, this can be awkward and at times it gets in the way. Aside from all of that from what my friends in various games say the mic sounds loud and clear and they have said that it sounds better than the Plantronics headset that I usually use.

Now, let’s talk a bit about the amplifier. Just like the headset the amplifier is red and gray and the edges have the same rubberized feel to them.

Unlike some other headsets in this price range this amplifier is not used as the sound card for the headset nor is it used to produce any effects that

enhance the headset. It is basically used as an interface to plug the headset directly into your soundcard. As you look at the amp you can see that it has

only two knobs; these are the power/volume knob and another knob that allows you adjust the sound of the headset to have more bass or to remove the bass

and have the headset focus on directional audio. If we flip it around to the back we can see the four color coded inputs where the headset attaches to

the amplifier. Both the amplifier and the cords that plug into it have the same color coding, so all you have to do is match up the colors. The same is

true for the four color coded jacks that go from the back of the amplifier and need to be plugged into the proper 5.1 jacks on your soundcard.

Speaking of the cords, there is quite a bit of wiring that goes along with the Psyko 5.1 Gaming Headset. To be exact there is darn near twelve feet

worth of cords between the headset and the amplifier. Now I am not saying that is a bad thing, but I can see in some cases it is going to be a bit

excessive. But as with all things it is better have to too much than not enough. Besides, zip ties need a purpose in all computer set ups.