I bit on these when they were super cheap about a week ago, but I'd feel good about the purchase even if I'd paid the current asking price of $80.



As of the end of last week, Polk is still sending out the Xbox One adapters, but I'm not sure how many more boxes are marked for the promotion. I haven't received the adapter yet, but will try to update my review when I do. The adapter kit can be obtained by e-mailing a support person (Ken, I think) who shows in the Polk Audio reviews/support page of the product. The kit includes an adapter to plug the headset into the Xbox One controller and a boom microphone.



I tested the set out pretty extensively over the weekend, listening to music and playing games on my PC and Xbox 360. This is my first gaming headset (outside of the chat-only ones), so I can't much compare to others, but here's my experience distilled into bullet points -



1. For the Xbox 360, one cord attaches to the headset and another links to the controller and passes through to back of the console, via a thick cord and an audio processing module that attaches USB power and Toslink sound to the Xbox. The cord length from controller to console is generous - I'd guess about 15'. Where the headset attaches to the controller there are volume knobs for the game and mic audio, which can be pressed to mute either one. There is also a power button and an equalizer button that cycles between presets for Shooters, Racers, Movies, and Music, the first and third produce Dolby Headphone sound.



The mic is hidden inside and muted when not in use. I haven't tested it yet. The sound is great to me: I had no trouble at any point discerning the direction of a sound and was able to pick up on a number of additional audio and musical cues that I could not using my TV speakers. Listening to the music in Fable 2, Assassin's Creed 2, and Halo Wars (I have a big backlog; I know...) was sublime and so was telling where my dog's bark came from (or from where those damnable gargoyles were mocking me), where a guard spotted me, and the location of a Wraith was great to experience.



2. For non-Xbox devices, there is also a 48" standard 3.5mm audio cord. The audio quality was a huge step-up from my computer speakers (mid-range logitech 5.1), earbuds, or other headphones. Voices were clear, bass low without turning muddy, and every instrument distinct. I only wish there was an on-cord volume control - these things are very loud if you happen to plug them into a device set to 100% volume, as my PC usually is. I found 10-15% to be fine given how well the set keeps out noise from without.



There is a button on the cord to answer phone calls if you're plugged into a phone. I haven't used this feature.



3. Comfort. At one point I wore these for four hours straight. That might tell you all you need to know, but if not... They are pleasantly heavy (to me, over half a pound), the padding is not lacking and the phones fit around my ears easily. There is a bit of ventilation around the outside of the phones, which seems to help keep the inside from getting too hot. As the padding is covered in leather, you can get sweaty where it comes into contact with your skin.



4. Build quality/other. These don't block all sound from the outside, but even at minimal volumes, the real world won't interfere with whatever you're listening to. I haven't had these long, but the build seems good. The ports are solid, cables thick, and frame a metal, plastic, leather combination, that, while obviously plastic in places, doesn't feel fragile anywhere. The fit is adjustable and when not in use the phones can be laid flat.



In short, the only thing I don't love is the lack of volume control on the 3.5mm cord. This is a versatile, high quality headset and is absolutely worth a look (listen).