CES 2012 just finished up on Friday, January 13 and during the show, we announced NINE new products. For those unfamiliar, CES is the annual Consumer Electronics Show, held in Las Vegas, NV. If you’d like to learn more about the show, check out the official CES site.

Since we announced so many products at this year’s show, we’d like to take a few minutes to explain each one so you can see the differences among them and check out things that we upgraded. Grab yourself a drink and get comfortable – this is going to be a long post.

CES 2012 was really a love letter to our fans, delivering products, upgrades and features our fans have requested. One of these requests has been to create a line of headsets for use with mobile phones, MP3 players, tablets and mobile gaming consoles. And so, we did! There are three headsets in this line: Ear Force M1, Ear Force M3 and Ear Force M5. Each of these headsets features an inline mic with a multifunction button that lets you pick up or hang up phone calls on iPhones and Androids, start and stop music, etc. The M1 is a great sounding set of high performance ear buds (MSRP $59.95). The M3 is a super lightweight on-ear model that folds up neatly for easy storage and travel (MSRP $39.95). And finally, the M5 is a larger, over-ear style headphone with fold flat ear cups so you can rest the headset comfortably on your shoulders when you aren’t listening (MSRP $49.95). Both the M3 and M5 also ship with splitter cables so that you can use them as PC headsets.

Next, we announced updates to two of our most popular Xbox headsets. This spring, the Ear Force X32 and Ear Force X42 will replace the beloved and widely acclaimed X31 and X41 models. Let’s pause here and talk tech for just a minute… Until now, wireless headsets have had issues with wireless interference. Some companies have tried to inject marketing spin into the discussion, introducing headsets that run on the 5.8GHz band and saying that a new band clears up interference. Truth is, 5.8GHz is just another widely used band with loads of interference. The solution isn’t a different band, it’s a smarter transmitter.

So, we’re proud to have introduced a new technology called Dual Band Wi-Fi. Our new wireless headsets have a transmitter that operates between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Simply put, the transmitter pays attention to wireless activity going on around it and finds a clear space to transmit its signal. This means the end of wireless interference. We were able to demo this new tech on the CES show floor without any trouble. By comparison, many people’s mobile phones wouldn’t even work on the CES show floor.

The X32 features the new Dual Band Wi-Fi technology and has 50mm speakers, which are 25% larger than the 40mm speakers found in the X31. The X32 also sounds better, is more comfortable, doesn’t suffer from interference issues and has the same MSRP as the X31: $99.95. The X42 features Dual Band Wi-Fi and also incorporates our new, improved Dolby surround sound technology. And, once again, it carries the same MSRP as its predecessor: $169.95.

So what do we mean by “new Dolby surround sound technology?”  If you thought it couldn’t get any better, you are in for a treat.  First introduced at CES, TB’s new Dolby surround sound system is found in several new headsets, as well as our new DSS2 Surround Sound Processor (more on that in a bit). Instead of having a one-size-fits-all setup, our new surround sound products now feature six variable speaker angles. Think of it like this: if you had a surround sound system in your home theater and you moved the speakers around, it would sound different. Placing the speakers differently would make it sound better or worse for different people. The same thing is true in a headset. Different configurations sound better to different ears. The end result is better, richer surround sound that can be optimized to suit everyone’s unique ears.

OK, so what if you took the awesome new wireless tech, combined it with the new surround sound tech and threw in some Bluetooth chat?  Well, you’d have our awesome new Ear Force XP400 for Xbox 360!  There are actually two new headsets in our premium line of Xbox 360 headsets announced at CES. Joining the top of the line XP500 introduced at E3 are the new Ear Force XP400 and Ear Force XP300. These two headsets have a whole host of features that our fans have been asking for. They work on PS3 and Xbox, have wireless chat for both consoles using Bluetooth direct to the PS3 and Bluetooth through our XBA for Xbox, have rechargeable batteries that can be charged while you’re playing and have a volume adjuster for Microphone Monitoring, so you can decide exactly how much Mic Monitoring you want on the fly. Both of these headsets also allow you to answer phone calls using the built-in Bluetooth and incorporate our new Dual Band Wi-Fi technology. The XP300 is stereo and has an MSRP of $169.95. The XP400 is surround sound, features our new surround sound technology with variable speaker angles and has an MSRP of $219.95.

In addition to four new console headsets and three new mobile headsets, we announced another addition to our PC line of headsets: the Ear Force Z11. The Z11 is all about packing in a lot of power for your money. It has huge, high-fidelity 50mm drivers, deep, comfortable earcups and two ways to connect it to your computer. If you’re using it with a Mac or tablet, it has a 3.5mm 4-pole connection that carries both headphone and mic sound. If you want to use it on a PC with a traditional pink and green (mic and headphone) connection, it also comes with a high-quality splitter cable. No matter what your PC setup is, it’ll work with the Z11. It also has an inline volume control and a mic mute switch and an MSRP of $39.95.

Last but not least, we announced a successor to our popular Dolby Surround Sound processor, the DSS. The new version, called the Ear Force DSS2, has the same new surround sound technology found in the X42 and XP400 that offers users the ability to adjust the virtual speaker angles for the best surround sound possible. We improved upon the original DSS by adding a full EQ system instead of just a bass boost and by adding the option to mix in your own music from an MP3 player with the game sound. And, as an added bonus, we dropped the price $10 from the original DSS, making the DSS2’s MSRP $79.95.  In addition, the DSS2 will be the engine for several wired surround sound bundles that will be hitting stores soon for PS3 and Xbox gamers.

We know nine-plus new products might be a lot to take in. If you have any questions about these or any of our other products, please, Like us on Facebook or Tweet with us. We’re always happy to answer any questions you have (or just talk about video games and other cool stuff).

At Turtle Beach we pride ourselves on listening to our consumers and fans.  Every product innovation is inspired by your feedback and we are grateful for your support.  Our respect for our fans extends to our marketing efforts as well.  We understand some members of the community have concerns about the Kiwi Gamer Video Series.  The trailer and series was developed by our New Zealand distribution partner intended for use as a local market promotion.  The journey of the main character and resolution of the story is quite the opposite of how it has been received.  The goal was to contrast the fantasy of combat video games with the reality; and ultimately celebrate the service of our heroes and the sacrifice of their families.  We are sorry if that message has not been clearly communicated.  Based on the feedback from our community we have decided to withdraw our association with this project.  Most importantly, we wish to apologize to anyone we may have inadvertently offended.

Happy Friday afternoon, friends and fans! We’ve all made it back home after PAX (despite Hurricane Irene having wrought some havoc on our team’s travel plans) and we’ve been looking through the pictures from PAX, reviewing our notes and all collectively just saying “WOW! This was the biggest PAX ever. The booths were huge, the cosplay was amazing, the crowd was great and we had a blast.

It was awesome to be able to show our new line of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 headsets to the world. On our Xbox 360 LAN, where we held our daily tournaments, there were four Ear Force Charlie headsets. The reaction to them was absolutely unbelievable. People fell in love with these headsets. The Foxtrots on the PlayStation 3 stations were also a big hit. When players got to hold them, put them on and test them out, they finally understood some of what what make these headsets so special.

We held six CoD: MW2 tournaments throughout the course of the show and were happy to award 12 PX5s and 12 PX3s to the winners and runners-up in the tournaments. The crowds that showed up were huge and people were very excited to play and watch the action. The energy at the show was amazing and so positive and we all had a great time meeting the folks who came by the booth.

And, of course, there was our live stream. We had as many as 7,000 people chatting with us live at one point and got over 2.5 million views over the course of the weekend! Being able to share an event like PAX with that many people is amazing, and we were thrilled that the community stood behind us and shared in the event.

If you missed PAX or our live stream, you can still watch the archived footage on our Twitch.TV channel. There are some great interviews with developers as well as a great inside look at the show, through the eyes of the attendees. We got to interview Bethesda, 2K Games, EVGA, Runic Games and more!

We hope that you enjoyed PAX, either by attending or by living it vicariously. As the MW3 release draws nearer, we’ll be looking forward to releasing more and more information about our four limited edition MW3 headsets and hope you’ll check them out.

If you’re going to be around New York in October, consider checking out New York Comic Con. It’s in downtown New York City and will be a blast. And of course, we’ll be there with plenty of big surprises.

Until next time, happy gaming!

We want to start this blog post by saying thank you. You guys and girls have made the Ear Force X11 the best selling stereo gaming headset in the world. It’s pretty amazing to think that basically everyone who games knows someone who has an X11.

When we began making the X1 and then its successor the X11, Turtle Beach wanted to make the absolute best possible headset that we could, and sell it for just $60. To be honest, we thought we nailed it and that for the price there’s not a finer gaming headset available. Apparently, millions of Xbox 360 gamers agreed.  So, it is with great care that we set about updating the X11. We knew we had set a high bar and had to get it right.

So now, we are proud to introduce the Ear Force X12, the long-awaited successor to the X11. I want you all to understand just how amazing the X12 really is, so please, forgive us as we get just a little bit techie here.

The X11 has 40mm speakers. We’ve updated them in the X12 to huge 50mm speakers; they’re an all new design we’ve been working on for a while now and they sound amazing. The X12 also features redesigned, acoustically tuned earcups. They look about the same as the X11, but they are deeper and more comfortable and the way that sounds resonate in them is a lot different and a lot better.

We also took the bass boost from the X11 and gave it a variable control. The inline amp now includes a third control wheel labeled Bass Boost, in addition to the Game and Chat volume controls from before. Variable Bass Boost means you can start from a totally neutral soundscape and build up to a monstrous low end rumble that makes you feel like you are inside explosions and other game events. Overall, these new 50mm speakers handle game audio beautifully, delivering clearer sound and tighter, punchier bass than the awesome X11.

Beyond all that, we’ve also updated the exterior look with the X12, keeping the same classic shape, but moving over to a black and green color scheme instead of black and white. Just like the X11, the X12 works flawlessly for Xbox 360 and PC.

When you put on the X12 for the first time, you’re going to be blown away. When the team of gamers here first got to test this new headset a few months ago, we were all astounded.  Some of us were literally speechless and couldn’t believe that Turtle Beach could make an entry level headset sound this good.  It was simplicity perfected. Finally, and BEST OF ALL, it’s still going to cost $60.

Turtle Beach Ear Force X12

By now, we expect you’ve seen and heard the big news news: Turtle Beach is producing a line of official Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 headsets in partnership with Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games and Activision. We intentionally haven’t released every juicy detail yet, but want assure you that these COD headsets are definitely not just pretty logos and new paint jobs.   If you know Turtle Beach, you know that’s definitely not how we operate. You can expect a lot from these new headsets.  We can’t tell you everything yet, but here’s what we can say so far:

First, the Ear Force Delta and Ear Force Bravo will feature exclusive COD presets that were designed in collaboration with the audio teams at IW and Sledgehammer and only be available to owners of the COD headsets.  In addition, the EFD will feature some exclusive voice prompts provided by some pretty awesome personalities that you will know if you are a real COD insider. The EFD will ship with voice prompts by someone many of you will know and love right off the bat and later you’ll be able to download a variety of different and very cool additional voice prompts.  There will also be more dedicated downloadable presets available too.

All four of the headsets will also be shipping with a bunch of exclusive MW3 bonus content that you’ll only be able to get with these headsets. We can’t make any revelations yet, but trust us, it’s very cool content. We’re not talking about access to a reskinned pistol in the game that you’ll never use. This is content you will appreciate and enjoy. Beyond that, some of the headsets will also ship with additional accessories you’d normally have to buy separately and feature some very special packaging that we also can’t talk about yet.

From this gamer’s vantage point, when you look at all these headsets come with, it’s actually a better deal to by the Turtle Beach limited edition CoD headsets than the regular ones: you’ll be getting a lot of bang for your buck. We’ve rewritten the rules about gaming headsets countless times and we wanted to do it again with these headsets. We know that often companies will tack on a big premium for licensed products, but that’s not how Turtle Beach does things. Yes, these headsets cost a little more than our other headsets do, but they are designed to make avid CoD fans very happy and come with a lot of great stuff that’s been specially chosen just for them.

Everyone at Turtle Beach is very excited to have this opportunity to get it right with our first officially licensed game products. We’re looking forward to sharing much more information about these headsets very soon. So, in the meantime, sign up for the email alerts and stay tuned to our Facebook Fan Page. We’ll keep you up to date as we get closer to release date.