• Style
  • Comfort
  • Functionality

Many of you may remember my review of the Turtle Beach XC-1 gaming headset for XBOX 360 but in case you missed it be sure to read up on my latest edit to that review as my thoughts have changed after prolonged use of the headset. To keep it short, sweet and most importantly REAL… the XC-1 has joined the rest of the Turtle Beach products I have bought in the past… a high speed one way ticket straight into the trash. It is my opinion that Turtle Beach makes products that work really well for a very short amount of time. So my adventure to find a low cost decent headset for my XBOX 360 continued and today I came upon a nice little treat at Best Buy!

STYLE
The first noticeable thing that sets the Afterglow AX.4 headset apart from others is the support bridge that goes over your head is made from clear plastic which is something I have never seen before. I am not saying it hasn’t been done before, just that I have never seen it or reviewed a product like it. I wondered initially about the comfort level due to this piece but we will get to that part in a second. The microphone boom worried me as well as it has the same style as the latest XBOX and PS3 bluetooth wireless headsets as in it does not extend out to be placed near your mouth but actually sits to the side of your head just out of your peripheral vision. Our friend Turtle does not understand that word, so in layman’s terms… you can’t see it while wearing it. And almost just to add in some extra bling, PDP added a couple of LEDs into the microphone unit so you can glow it up while gaming. I’m a sucker for LEDs so I guess you can say I am biased when it comes to products that have them. I’m so weak sometimes. But I digress, the style is truly brilliant and stops just before going over the top which is something I appreciate.

COMFORT
Now of course I said I would touch the subject of that clear plastic bridge piece and here is the proper place for me to do so. Upon inspecting the package I almost passed on buying it as I was almost certain that it would be uncomfortable but I am glad to say that I could not have been more wrong. The headset itself is very light weight and is the first headset I’ve worn in a while that I almost forget is there. Now I have not logged hours of game time in with this new headset so this may be premature, but nicely done PDP! The ear cup (only one as this is a communicator – not a stereo or surround sound headset) is soft and relaxed and again you almost forget it is even there. Can I even rate a headset for comfort if it doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing one? I know that sounds like an odd question but I am being completely serious. Thumbs up!

FUNCTIONALITY
I understand that there is not much FUNCTION required for a communicator headset but my problem with headsets in the past has always been the ability of the headset to pick up my voice so it does not sound like I in another room trying to talk to my pals on XBOX Live. I performed a quick test by recording a voice message to be sent to a friend and playing it back. Initially I thought it was not gong to pick me up well as I sounded very distant but then I paid attention to the volume wheel on the back of the earpiece and upon turning the volume up I sounded just fine. So far so good! Another good thing to point out is how the headset attaches itself to your controller; it actually uses the two side prongs along with the male insert to make for a good solid connection which doesn’t leave the cord to be bent in a way that could cause a short… ahem… Turtle Beach. And the lit up LEDs made me feel like I was in the movie Tron which is always a plus. Now where did I put my light car stick???

OVERALL VERDICT
I have learned from my past reviews that these products need time to be digested. I will run this one through the gauntlet of pain known as my leisurely gaming habits and see if they stand up over time however they have put that initial smile on my face which is making me want to proclaim I have found that perfect communicator replacement which does not cost a fortune. Much like previous headsets I reviewed, this one came in at a very modest $17.99 at my local Best Buy which oddly enough is $2.00 cheaper than what is listed on the manufacturers website. That said if you are in the market for a new headset or looking for that low cost last minute holiday gift, then the PDP Afterglow AX.4′s are definitely worth taking a look at!