Mad Catz CoD: Black Ops 5.1 ProGaming Headset Review
Mad Catz, famous for their console peripherals, has been making the spotlight in the PC gaming market with their innovative designs. Mad Catz's recent acquisition of audio manufacturer Tritton shows their intentions to establish a firm foothold in the PC peripheral business. This time they bring us the Mad Catz Call of Duty: Black Ops Dolby Digital 5.1 Gaming Headset. Benchmark Reviews will test how well this headset delivers surround sound, and decide whether it's worth the $149.99 price tag.
Unlike many surround sound headsets, the Mad Catz CoD Headset supports true surround sound with distinct speakers for each audio channel. No software or driver installation is required for use, only a compatible sound card with analog output is needed. The lack of surround sound emulation may be a turn-off for some since most content are stereo-only, but for movies and games that support 5.1 surround sound, the CoD Headset can deliver the real deal.
The CoD branding for this headset has no real functional benefits, other than its unique design. Timed with the release of CoD: Black Ops, Mad Catz intends to attract some attention to their new line of products. Delivering high quality audio is no easy feat, and with such a high price Mad Catz is clearly competing against the big players in the industry. The Mad Catz CoD Headset cannot be classified under any category other than enthusiast gaming equipment. Benchmark Reviews will determine if this headset should be packed in a gamer's bag.
5.1 Surround Headset Features
True Discrete 5.1 Audio - Eight precision speakers provide true 5.1 3D audio without emulation. Strategically placed to provide maximum clarity and heart thumping bass, the Call of Duty: Black Ops True 5.1 ProGaming Headset for PC will put you in the middle of the battle.
Removable and Flexible Microphone - The removable and flexible microphone provides crystal clear communications. Keep in contact with your clan as you dominate at Team Deathmatch or any other game mode. Works with any PC voice communication software.
Convenient Inline Audio Controller - The inline audio controller with 'break away' safety feature allows complete control over the audio environment. Individually adjust the volume levels for the front, rear, center, and subwoofer channels or adjust the overall volume with the master volume controller. A microphone mute switch provides convenient voice muting, right at your fingertips.
USB Powered, No AC Adapter - USB power saves valuable power strip space and reduces cable clutter. No AC adapter means there's one less thing to carry when headed to a LAN party.
No Drivers Required - By connecting directly to the computer's 5.1 sound card, the Call of Duty: Black Ops True 5.1 ProGaming Headset for PC will take full advantage of the sound card's advanced audio and doesn't require any drivers.
CD79051100A1/02/1 Specifications
- True 5.1 3D Directional Audio with no Emulation
- 8 Precision speakers with adjustable volume for front, rear, center, and subwoofer channels
- Limited Edition Black Ops Ruggedized Hard Case, braided cables and gold-plated connectors
- Connects directly to your 5.1 sound card - no driver required
- Detachable Flexible Microphone with Mute
- Breakaway In-line audio controller with 12ft (3.7m USB Powered - no AC adapter required
- Precision-balanced audio drivers
- Includes interchangeable ear pads and headrail pads
Manufacturer: Mad Catz, Inc.
Product Name: Call of Duty: Black Ops Dolby Digital True 5.1 ProGaming Headset
Model Number: CD79051100A1/02/1
Price As Tested:$149.99 at Amazon
Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Mad Catz.
Closer Look: Mad Catz CoD Headset
The Mad Catz CoD Headset is based on the generic Tritton AX series 5.1 surround sound headset. This limited edition version is made specifically for PCs, offering a unique design as well as a carrying case for travel.
The packaging is slightly larger than your average shoe box, totaling about five pounds. Mad Catz's creative design could give Razer a run for its money. All items are contained inside the limited edition case, protected against any shipping hazards.
The ruggedized CoD hard case includes a pouch for placing accessories and a bag for storing all the cables. It has a rubberized handle for better grip. The close resemblance to a lunch box may deter anyone from carrying the case outside, but it acts as the perfect protection for taking the headset on the go. Too often do I stuff a headset into a bag only to find it damaged later.
Mad Catz is thorough in their included accessories. Case aside, you get the Mad Catz CoD: Black Ops Dolby Digital 5.1 headset with default leather headrest and ear pads, a removable mic, extra pair of cloth headrest and ear covers, and cables with a control unit. The included manual offers basic setup guide, including how to change ear pads and attach mic. There's no software or drivers needed to use the headset, an advantage for those that bring their headsets around.
The Mad Catz CoD Dolby Digital 5.1 Gaming Headset offers a very unique design, engraved with CoD: Black Ops logos and the words "Top Secret"/"Classified". The outer shell is constructed using two different shades of matte plastic, which I find more attractive than shiny plastic. It avoids the pitfalls of cheap looking plastic. The Mad Catz CoD Headset feels heavier than the average surround sound headset, and much heavier than a typical stereo headset, definitely passing the one pound mark if you include the controller.
Mad Catz includes a rubberized mic. It can be easily plugged in by matching the slots and twisting. While it can be spun to face any direction, the mic itself is very bendy, meaning limited adjustability as it doesn't stick to its bended shape. It cannot be tucked upwards along the headset, which is where typical headsets retract their mic. To really get it out of the way you will need to unplug it from the headset.
The Mad Catz CoD Dolby Digital 5.1 Gaming Headset is outstanding in terms of presentation and design. Once turned on, the headset has many LED lights to show off, including Tritton's signature logo (the split T on the earpiece). How it performs aside, the headset certainly looks like high end gear. Next up, Benchmark Reviews will take a closer look at some of the finer details of the Mad Catz CoD Headset.
Mad Catz CoD Headset Detailed Features
The Mad Catz CoD Headset has one particular advantage: no software installation needed. All adjustments are located on the audio controller. If you extend the cables, that's about 70 centimeters away from the bottom of the headset, dangling around your knee if you stood up. The provided clip simply isn't enough to hold the heavy controller anywhere, most of the time it ends up sitting in my lap.
The controller combines master volume and power into a single spinning dial at the top. There's a mic on/off switch, which will also toggle the LED light on the controller between red and green. You also have volume control for four audio channels; front, rear, center speakers and the subwoofer. It's easy to get a stronger base by lowering the volume of other channels and then increasing the master volume. This is one of the best solutions to for easy audio adjustments, made possible thanks to eight distinct speakers.
The Mad Catz CoD Headset uses analog input along with USB for powering. Most motherboards now have built-in analog output. For those that don't, a compatible sound card is needed before you can experience true 5.1 surround sound. Otherwise the headset can still be used in stereo mode, leaving some of the analog cables unplugged.
One particularly nice thing about Mad Catz is you can purchase replacement parts like the mic or ear pads from Tritton's website. For the CoD Dolby Digital 5.1 Headset, Mad Catz included extra pair of cloth covers if leather isn't your style. Do note that Tritton only uses faux leather. The ear pads wrap tightly around the earpiece, so swapping isn't always the easiest task. The included pick can help but I wouldn't want to switch too often.
The Mad Catz CoD Headset's headrest is also swappable, though more for appearance than comfort. Unlike the ear pads, the headrest slides in and out and can be swapped easily. Looking into the uncovered area, the headpiece is essentially hollow with several supporting pieces. The eight distinct speakers make up the majority of the headset's weight.
The headset is capable of extending its length by about two centimeters on each side. It locks tightly so a firm jerk is needed to change the adjustment. The Mad Catz CoD Headset is designed to cover the ears, so adjusting it to a suitable length is critical for maintaining comfort. Since the ear pieces are so heavy, you want to avoid them touching your ears and have your head do all the lifting.
They key for true surround sound is distinct speakers per sound channel. The Mad Catz CoD Dolby Digital 5.1 Headset contains four distinct speakers for each ear. Mad Catz doesn't sacrifice quality for quantity, giving you 3x 30mm drivers and a 40mm subwoofer for each ear. You can freely adjust the balance using the audio controller, being able to reach a level of heavy base similar to that of top-end stereo headsets designed for music. Unlike software-driven equalizers, The Mad Catz CoD Headset allows enormous flexibility and on-the-fly adjustments.
The Mad Catz Dolby Digital 5.1 Gaming Headset seems promising in many aspects. The Call of Duty: Black Ops design with lighting is unique and visually stunning. Next up Benchmark Reviews will be testing the headset to see what type of audio quality we get from games, movies, and music.
Mad Catz CoD Headset Software, Testing & Results
Test System
Results
After using the Mad Catz CoD Headset for a variety of games, music, and movies, the headset reveals some significant drawbacks as well as advantages over competing products.
First and foremost is the quality of its true 5.1 surround sound. The Mad Catz CoD Headset lives up to its name, offering exceptional directional audio. The advantages of true surround sound from eight distinct drivers are obvious through any content that supports surround sound. The difference is significant even when comparing with top virtual surround sound headsets like the Logitech G930. One of the most notable differences comes from clear distinction of sound channels. Virtual surround sound tends to mix the different channels as it plays from a single speaker, unable play the original as it was meant to be heard. The Mad Catz CoD Headset is capable of delivering crisp and clear audio, especially obvious if listening to high quality music formats such as flac or ac3. Stereo quality is also excellent, as the rear and center speakers simply mute. The headset can be adjusted in stereo mode to deliver strong and resonating static-free base difficult to achieve on other headsets using a software equalizer.
At high volumes however the Mad Catz CoD Headset suffers from significant static noise from every speaker. I don't believe it to be a problem of the audio jacks as my other headsets/speakers work perfectly fine. While not noticeable during use, it becomes instantly audible when nothing is playing.
I also happen to find the controller sitting in my lap most of the time as the provided clip is unable to keep the weight in place. Since my computer is located beneath the desk, with analog jacks in the back, most of the headset's wires lie on the floor. I ended up treating it as a "special speaker" rather than a portable headset, with cables routed the same way as my monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Naturally unplugging it for travel then becomes a hassle. While a different desk setup can potentially remedy this problem, you will still find the headset better described as a convenient private speaker.
Another disappointing feature is the mic. While very flexible, it never stays in the shape you bend it as, and is almost incapable of vertical manipulation. Since Mad Catz does not provide any software for the headset, by default a lot of acoustic noise gets picked up. Using Realtek HD Manager a lot of it can be eliminated, but at the cost of significantly lower volume. The most annoying aspect is how well it picks up breathing. The only way to avoid that is by bending the mic vertically, but, as mentioned earlier, it simply returns to its original level. Even the quality and clarity is noticeably lower than other high-end headsets, which could be a result of proprietary software.
While heavy, the Mad Catz CoD Headset is comfortable to wear for long durations. It applies minimal pressure from the sides, but can still tolerate movement without slipping.
This review wouldn't be complete without mentioning its performance for the game Call of Duty: Black Ops. Compared to other games, Black Ops has one of the better and more accurate implementations for surround sound. Rear and front channels really make a difference in experiencing the game. It's hard to consciously point out the difference for subtle noise, but gunfire, explosions, and character speech really stand out directionally. Of course the experience also holds for games of other genres, such as StarCraft II.
Overall the Mad Catz CoD Dolby Digital 5.1 Gaming Headset delivers strong audio performance. Some flaws are by design hard to avoid, such as unwieldy wiring and controller placement. There are areas that can be improved, but its surround sound audio quality exceeds many other headsets.
Mad Catz CoD: Black Ops Dolby Digital 5.1 ProGaming Headset Final Thoughts
Whenever it comes to purchasing surround sound headsets, it's always a good idea to first consider what you will be using it for. Contrary to common belief, many games do not implement surround sound well. Recently released Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is an example where the game allows selection of surround sound from audio settings, but the effect is minimal. Many games like Tropico 3 do not support surround sound at all. MMORPGs in general (anything from League of Legends to EverQuest) do not offer good surround sound implementations. Similarly with music, most audio CDs only support stereo formats.
What you get out of the Mad Catz CoD Headset determines whether or not it's worth you money. Since the headset lacks surround sound emulation, justifying the purchase will require enough surround sound material. If you watch DVDs/Blu-Ray on your computer or listen to high quality music, this headset would be ideal. If the purchase is primarily for gaming, then some research should be done to find out how well the games you play support surround sound.
Mad Catz CoD Headset Conclusion
The Mad Catz CoD Dolby Digital 5.1 Gaming Headset offers excellent surround sound experiences by using four distinct speakers in each earpiece. Purely in terms of directional audio, no virtual surround sound headset can match it and the differences are significant. No sacrifices are made either. Mad Catz uses 40mm drivers for the subwoofers and 30mm drivers for other audio channels. This provides a resonating base without sacrificing audio quality from other channels. The inline controller takes the place of equalizer software, allowing easy adjustment of front, center, rear, and subwoofer sound channels. It also has an LED light indicating mic usage. The included mic is reasonable though not exceptional. Frequent re-bending happens to be the only solution to maintain clear audio.
The Mad Catz CoD Headset is based on Tritton's original surround sound headset designs. However the CoD: Black Ops design is a significant improvement in terms of appearance. The white Tritton logo lighting works well with the black design. "Top Secret" and "Classified" are etched in several places. There's enough design elements to make the headset an instant eye-catcher but low enough in numbers not to look like spam. The choice of matte plastic over shiny plastic is excellent. Together with the default leather ear pads, the Mad Catz CoD Headset has the visual qualities that make up for an expensive headset.
The outer shell of the Mad Catz CoD Headset is entirely plastic. It comes with both faux leather and cloth ear pads, which can be swapped depending on personal preference. The headset is rigid and tough. There are no squeaky joints, a problem largely associated with plastic products. Everything from braided cords to well-functioning controller speaks of high quality construction. Along with the included ruggedized hard case, this headset is sure to be travel-safe.
In terms of functionality, the Mad Catz CoD Headset is really built for a single thing, surround sound playback. Other than that, this headset serves few other purposes. That would be fine if audio quality was flawless, but unfortunately the product suffers from noticeable static from every speaker at higher volumes. Since the Mad Catz CoD Headset implements true surround sound, every audio channel is entirely separate, so it's unlikely that all cables/audio jacks are damaged. Another flaw is poor mic design. This is passable for most people, but will cause some minor annoyances with daily mic users.
The Mad Catz CoD Headset can be purchased for $149.99. The cheapest true surround sound headsets are in the $50s with some top end headsets reaching several hundred. The products available for true surround sound are fairly limited in numbers, with significant jumps in quality. Tritton has a solid reputation for high-end audio equipment, and customer feedback has been generally positive. However for most people it can be hard to justify such a pricey purchase.
Overall, the Mad Catz CoD Dolby Digital 5.1 Gaming Headset truly provides one of the best surround sound experiences. Strong base, good visual design, and the included accessories all make it a great headset. At $149.99 however, this product caters a very specific population. Unless popular FPS games are your thing, there are probably better choices out there.
Pros:
+ No software/driver installation
+ Individual audio channel volume adjustment
+ True 5.1 surround sound
+ Comes with ruggedized hard case
+ Comfortable and suitable for long durations of use
+ Unique design with lighting
+ Abundant accessories come with product, replacement parts can be bought online
Cons:
- Unsatisfactory mic
- Noticeable static when nothing is playing but volume set to high
- Many cables
- PC only
Ratings:
- Performance: 9.00
- Appearance: 9.25
- Construction: 8.50
- Functionality: 8.50
- Value: 7.50
Final Score: 8.55 out of 10.
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