Most XBOX 360 ® games include a surround sound audio track that’s encoded in Dolby Digital format, which is accessed by using the XBOX® digital output connector. In order to hear the surround sound, your audio system has to split this digital stream into 5.1 or 7.1 channels (depending on the game), each of which is sent to the individual surround sound speakers in your home theater speaker system.
The X41 transmitter includes a digital signal processor (DSP) that splits the Dolby Digital audio stream into 7.1 channels. It then uses Dolby Headphone post-processing with Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) technology to combine these individual channels into a special type of stereo signal that mimics the way your ears hear natural sound. The result is an astoundingly accurate surround sound experience with wireless stereo headphones.
Why doesn’t the X41 use multiple speakers in each ear cup to create surround sound, like the Turtle Beach HPA2 headphones?
The HPA2 is wired, so it’s easy to connect 6 channels to the headphones. The X41 is wireless, which makes it a lot more complicated and expensive. In fact, it would require a transmitter that sends 8 separate channels (for 7.1) instead of 2 (for stereo) and headphones with four sets of stereo receivers to pick up the individual channels. This would make the transmitter and headphones more expensive, as well as make the headphones require more battery power (therefore heavier). Dolby Headphone technology accomplishes the same thing by encoding the 7.1 channels into signals that simulate the way your ears would hear them if played on a 7.1 speaker system.
What’s the difference between the X41 Dolby Headphone technology and the HPA2 discrete 5.1 speakers?
Surround sound on PC games and XBOX games works differently. The HPA2 is designed for PC gaming, so it has six separate analog inputs that connect to the outputs on a PC sound card to provide individual control over the Front, Surround, Center and Sub channels. The HPA2 can therefore be used with any surround sound source generated by the PC, which is very useful because surround sound on a PC is not always in Dolby Digital format. Even when it is, the Dolby Digital stream is split up inside the PC and sent out as 6 separate channels via the sound card. In contrast, surround sound on XBOX games is transmitted over a digital optical cable and encoded in Dolby Digital format. The X41 transmitter splits this XBOX Dolby Digital signal into separate channels and sends it to the X41 headset in Dolby Headphone surround sound. So, even though the HPA2 and X41 are both “surround sound headphones”, they’re designed for two different gaming platforms.
Why is there a bypass switch on the X41 transmitter to turn off the Dolby surround sound processing?
The Bypass switch lets you hear what the audio sounds like without Dolby processing. For example, if you’re listening to a TV show with the X41 headset, you may not want the sound to be processed and instead may want to listen as it was originally recorded.
Why does the X41 transmitter include analog stereo inputs if Dolby surround sound uses the digital input?
The analog inputs let you connect sound sources that are not digital (e.g. your TV or MP3 player) and listen with the X41 headset. When a digital signal is detected, the analog inputs are turned off. So, for example, you can leave your TV connected to the analog inputs and whenever your XBOX is active, the sound of the XBOX overrides the TV sound and you don’t have to be bothered switching cables.
Why does the X41 transmitter include an output for wired headphones?
This output jack lets you connect a set of wired headphones so a second person can hear the same Dolby surround sound that’s being transmitted to the wireless headset. For example, you could connect an Ear Force X1 headset to this jack and two players can play the game at the same time. You can also connect an X31 transmitter to this jack so two wireless headphones can be used with the X41 transmitter.
Can I use the X41 for listening to DVD movies with Dolby surround sound?
Yes, the X41 delivers home-theater quality sound and is perfect for listening to DVD movies. Just connect the X41 to the digital output on your DVD player instead of to your XBOX. You’ll be surprised how much it improves the movie watching experience because you’ll hear subtle sounds that are missed on speakers. You can remove the microphone when watching movies, so you won’t look like a “geek”. You can also listen to music or your TV by connecting the transmitter analog RCA inputs to the headphone jack on your TV, iPod or MP3 player.
Why is there a wired connection between the headset and XBOX controller rather than a wireless signal for XBOX LIVE chat?
Well, for one thing, the XBOX controller uses a proprietary RF communication system that is not made available to third party developers. But more importantly, RF would add substantial cost to the headset for very little benefit, since you have to hold the controller close to your body anyway.
Can I use my X31 headset with the X41 transmitter?
Yes, you can use an X41 headset with an X31 transmitter and an X31 headset with an X41 transmitter. However, you can only use one headset at a time with the transmitter and the headsets will have to be “paired” with the transmitter as described in the user guide.
Can I use my older X4 headset with the X41 transmitter?
No you cannot, because they are based on different technologies: Digital RF as opposed to Alalog IR.
How long will the headset batteries last?
The headset has a “battery booster” circuit that squeezes every last bit of power from the batteries and assures high quality sound until they’re completely dead. This allows a pair of AAA Alkaline batteries to last for as long as 25 straight hours of game play. You can also use rechargeable batteries in place of the Alkaline batteries.
Why doesn’t the headset have a built-in rechargeable battery?
- Rechargeable batteries have a limited life. When they no longer work the headset would need to be repaired in order to replace the internal battery.
- When a rechargeable battery is drained, the headset no longer works and you’ll have to plug it into a charger. If this happens in the middle of a game, it can be very frustrating. With AAA batteries, you can just swap in a fresh pair and get back to the game.
- Using a pair of rechargeable AAA batteries instead of the alkaline batteries offers the same benefit as having a built-in rechargeable battery, with the convenience of always having a charged set for quick replacement.
- A built-in rechargeable battery and recharger would make the headset more expensive than buying a separate recharger and rechargeable AAA batteries.
Does the headset have an automatic shutoff to help extend battery life?
Yes. The headset will shut down if there is no sound for more than 5 minutes, or if headset doesn’t sense the transmitter signal (because it’s out of range or the transmitter is shut off).
Can I replace the ear cushions?
Yes, the ear cushions are designed to easily come off of the ear cups if they need to be replaced. Replacement ear cushions are available in the Parts & Accessories tab.
Can I use the X41 with a PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii?
You can use the X41 to hear the game audio, just as you would on the XBOX 360. For PS3 chat audio, you can purchase our PS3/PC Chat Adapter Cable + Amigo II bundle for only $29.95.
Can I use the X41 with my PC games?
If your PC has a digital output, you can connect it to the X41 transmitter and listen to Dolby surround sound with the headset. If your PC doesn’t have a digital output, you can buy the Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro, a small USB device that provides a digital audio output for any PC or laptop, available at TurtleBeach.com. For chat audio, you can purchase our PS3/PC Chat Adapter Cable for only $9.95.