Behold Ben Heck's headphones of mystery
No, there's nothing particularly mysterious about them now, but those retro cans are the first consumer product by mod genius (and Engadget contributor) Ben Heck, hinted at through a veil of secrecy in late April. The Audio FX Pro 5+1 Headset sports a USB connection, an integrated 5.1 surround sound decoder and force feedback tech that allows you to feel frequencies that are too low for humans to hear. So ... superpowers.
It's coming in July, but you can pre-order it right here for $80. The audio works with PS3 (just not the mic) but the 360 looks to be a no go. Now, Ben, just finish up your Wii Laptop that makes iced tea and hoverboards, and we'll see what we can do about that Nobel Prize.
It's coming in July, but you can pre-order it right here for $80. The audio works with PS3 (just not the mic) but the 360 looks to be a no go. Now, Ben, just finish up your Wii Laptop that makes iced tea and hoverboards, and we'll see what we can do about that Nobel Prize.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bearattack79 @ Jun 5th 2007 7:56PM
360 a no go, what does that mean. Not compatable with sound, mic, or force feed back. Or nothing?
I got a nice pair of wireless bose hooked up with my reciever, they sound amazing. But the force feedback sounds interesting.
Tim @ Jun 5th 2007 8:00PM
I'm sorry, but those do not look appealing at all, be it retro or not. Other than that I also don't see anything that makes it worthy of my purchase. Ben Heck is an amazing modder, but not and amazing headset designer.
Dr. Strangel0ve @ Jun 5th 2007 8:07PM
awwww, for a minute I thought these were the old man headphones
Kurisu @ Jun 5th 2007 8:21PM
I'll probally pick them up for use with my laptop. Need a new good gaming set.
Daniel @ Jun 5th 2007 8:29PM
Ooh... Brown!
It'll match your Zune!
Matt @ Jun 5th 2007 8:30PM
The old man needs a pair of these.
Gavin @ Jun 5th 2007 8:36PM
Who cares what it looks like. I think that comfort and function is vastly more important when it comes to accessories. I want something sturdy, fits right, and doesn't cause me any pain. I really don't care if I look like Mitch from the final scene in Dazed and Confused.
dustandechoes91 @ Jun 5th 2007 8:40PM
If they come out in black, ill consider. I didnt know headphones worked from the usb slots in ps3, i though it was just chat headsets.
theamazingbanana @ Jun 5th 2007 8:49PM
I'll give these a look, along with the Turtle Beach 5.1 headset, the Razr 5.1 headset and the Triton 5.1 headset. Seems to be on the cheap end of the 5.1 headsets at 80 bucks(compared to the turtle beach set at 150).
Hope this product works out Benheck. At the least, the headphones look pretty cool.
Kevin Kelly @ Jun 5th 2007 9:13PM
A gaming headset that doesn't work with the Xbox 360? Wha?
Mr Khan @ Jun 5th 2007 9:40PM
That's what MS gets for those damned proprietary devices (it would be Nintendo too, for something like this, the only non-proprietary thing they allow is memory)
you miss out on something like this
Neebs @ Jun 5th 2007 9:42PM
Ugly. Looks like (quite literally) poop.
Ghost @ Jun 5th 2007 10:14PM
meh.
Rallion @ Jun 5th 2007 10:14PM
I want those. I don't care if you think they're ugly.
It's nice to have USB headphones for a PC, actually. I have them, as well as speakers hooked up to a sound card. I can switch between the devices in the Windows control panel, or sometimes, set different programs to use different outputs.
Danimal @ Jun 5th 2007 11:04PM
I like the oversized headphones. iPods have ruined people's tastes in decent sound from headphones. Not a bad price at all considering you get 5.1 out of these and they look really comfortable. Remind me of old stereo equipment from the 70s. All it's missing is the thick, coiled cord running from them.
William Crabtree @ Jun 5th 2007 11:09PM
I have the regular 2.1 version of these without the "Ben"ness added to it. It would be nice to get the 5.1 in mine..but for the extra $40, I will pass. I do love the force feedback on the 2.1s that I have. It adds a WHOLE new dimensions to playing games with headphones!
Ratchet the Lombax @ Jun 5th 2007 11:21PM
So what is his contribution to this product?
ASSEMBlerEX @ Jun 6th 2007 12:07AM
Man those are ugly, for $80 they better make me breakfast or something.
Aberu @ Jun 6th 2007 2:31AM
Now THIS is most likely going to be a quality product. I like big full ear headsets, and it's hard to find ones with a mic. His stupid game system looks like ass and requires open so(u)rcery to run games on it. Forget that. He should stick with these kinds of products, that will really make a name for him.
Spiza @ Jun 6th 2007 7:38AM
USB? Sorry, not thanks.
Matt @ Jun 6th 2007 9:58AM
"If they come out in black, ill consider." How freaking lame is that? Black won't make them sound better, or be a better value. Who do you have to look good for when you're sitting alone in your room playing WoW at 3am?