- Battery life: 50 hours
- Drive units: dynamic 53mm drivers
- Weight: 301g
- Active noise cancelling: no
- Connectivity: 2.4ghz and Bluetooth 5.2 (dongle)
- Wireless compatibility: PC, Playstation, Nintendo switch and iOS/ Android
- Wired connectivity: yes
Closed-back headsets offer compelling advantages for gamers – notably privacy, noise isolation and (usually) deeper low frequencies – but they don’t suit everyone. If you find sealed designs uncomfortable over extended periods, an open-backed design could be the answer, such as Turtle Beach’s Atlas Air.
Let’s get the negative out of the way first: these don’t feel like the most substantial of headsets. At 301g, they’re relatively light and the liberal use of flexible plastics does little to counter the suspicion that you’re not getting much for your money.
That impression is largely dispelled, however, the moment you put the Atlas Airs on. In terms of comfort, these are one of the most forgiving headsets you’re ever likely to come across. The cushions positively cosseted my ears, the headband exerted minimal pressure and the earpad controls were easy to fathom.
Comprising 40mm dynamic units, the drive units are entirely conventional and are each suspended in its earcup by a floating mechanism made of, well, three elastic bands. A detachable “flip to mute” mic sits on the left cup, offering a decent 16-bit/32kHz resolution.
The connectivity is excellent, with a wired option as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (via a supplied dongle). The EQ presets of both the mic and the drivers can be adjusted through the accompanying SWARM II app, though it’s not the easiest to navigate. Battery life is quoted at 50 hours, making it not quite as long-lasting as the Razer, but plenty good enough for most users.
However, these definitely leak enough sound to be easily annoying to other occupants in a room, so bear that in mind. That said, do the Atlas Air headsets sound as good as they feel to wear? By and large, yes.
You perhaps don’t get the low-frequency tightness of closed-back headsets but there’s bass extension aplenty – it’s just a bit softer. The real magic happens at the midrange and upper frequencies, which come across in a very detailed manner, knitting together nicely regardless of what you’re listening to.
Personally, I would’ve chosen these over the Blackshark V2 Pro headset for FPS or e-sports actions, but the Atlas Air is clear when it comes to RPG soundscapes. If you want to paint wide, aural vistas, few headsets will do it better.
