Having recently reviewed the Tritton AX 720, I was more than intrigued to take out the newest 720+ for a test ride. I always appreciate when a company chooses not to deviate from former technology, but instead revisits and enhances it to near perfection. Gaming headsets like these are a dime a dozen, but not all headsets are created equal in both price and quality.
So how does the 720+ hold up compared to the older generation of headsets?
Design and Function:
First of all, I believe the box’s aesthetics deserve some special attention. With the Tritton brand, special care and consideration always seem to go into the product’s packaging. The box has style, the type that makes you aware you picked up a quality headset, not some off-brand gaming store variety. When I first picked it up I was naturally eager to get inside, but its presentation gave Tritton that special charm.
The headset itself has maintained the original color scheme: white being its main color, followed by black with orange accents. While it’s similar in color to the original, the overall design and aesthetics of the device have changed drastically. The old AX 720 always seemed a bit square to me, both literally and figuratively. I understood the direction the designers were attempting to go with, but the old headset was missing just a little extra something to make it pop. Now with the revised 720+, Tritton has stepped outside the box with their headsets, featuring a more organic vibe that feels like something out of a science fiction movie. The beveled corners give it a nice flow and overall smooth and sexy appearance.
In terms of function, the volume control has also been revised. Equipping it with a different type of dial makes it better to understand and utilize the volume levels. It also features a mute button for both gaming audio and voice chat, a very nice feature for those long Xbox Live matches.
One area that is oddly overlooked in general–considering they are wired headsets–is the wiring. Other headsets I’ve used in the past have had a very generic wiring size, and they always felt a bit cheap. I would often worry about accidentally catching the wires on something, fearing that they would bend or break. The new 720+ resolves this problem easily with its more solid set of wiring. The width of the wires is larger and has a durable feel, and will more than likely withstand the test of time.
The base station also got a revamp, having previously been powered by a DC unit. The station is now powered via USB, however, there is a draw back to having minimized the power output. In the original, there was an additional headset plug per base station, allowing multiple players to share the same audio. While I always thought audio share was a neat idea, for game play it was never practical, and something I don’t miss. The headset input has changed as well, having previously resembled a more S-video look. It now has the USB flare to it. They’ve also added a layer of protection so the headset input won’t slip out if you tug on the headset wire. It includes a volume nob and equalizer for the various presets that come with it.
Another enhancement was made to the microphone. It is no longer rubbery, but rather an attractive, metallic, and completely flexible microphone that maintains a professional look. The microphone is adjustable and removable, and it rests pretty close to the mouth, although at times I wanted more options in flexibility. Other headsets allow the mic to sit straight up, so you can quickly access it without having to screw it back in, which would have been a convenient assimilation.
Comfort:
Our frequent readers know that at six feet, six inches, I’m Sasquatch-like in size and have a rather large noggin, making headsets difficult in the comfort department. That being said, the new Tritton 720+ was made with comfort in mind. For me, the headset was a little tight at first, but after a few adjustments it fit my melon just fine. However, I did feel the headset’s pressure at times during a rather long music and coding session. My wife has assured me that it fits her well, so the headset will likely be comfortable for the average gamer.
Sound Quality:
The Tritton 720+ features 7.1 virtual surround sound. I used it in both games and music because I wanted to make sure I gave this 7.1 audio a thorough test. For gaming, the headset sounded amazing. It was very immerse while playing Mass Effect 3; you could hear everything as if it were all around you. A big plus was that it picked up the low level SFX that other sound systems sometimes miss. It should be known, however, that the headset seems to be more geared toward gaming than music. Although the music still sounded good, there was far too much bass. It was deep and rich, which is great for some, but just not my own personal music listening style. I say this while keeping in mind the possibility that one can easily adjust the settings to their own liking through most sound setups.
Overall:
Tritton’s 720+ is a great entry level headset that will meet most gamers’ needs. It might not have all the bells and whistles of other headsets, but the 720+ gets the job done in style. I highly recommend it for gamers on a budget. The 720+ looks to be built with lasting quality that should survive any gaming style, it will not disappoint.