Teknmotion Pulsewave Headset

Teknmotion Pulsewave Headset

Feature

We got our hands on their most expensive PC gaming headset, the Teknmotion Pulsewave, and put it through its paces.

New but formidable player
Even though Teknmotion was founded only in 2006, the Colorado outfit has quickly established itself as one of the premičre producers of audio equipment and accessories. We got our hands on their most expensive PC gaming headset, the Teknmotion Pulsewave, and put it through its paces. Discover our thoughts on it below.

Features
The Teknmotion Pulsewave is clearly geared towards gamers. This is evident when you look at some of the features of the headset. They include:


  • USB 2.0 connector for 7.1 virtual surround sound

  • 3.5mm Stereo Audio Jack Connector

  • Speaker Diameter 40mm

  • Speaker Frequency Range 20Hz – 20,000kHz

  • Speaker Sensitivity 102db

  • Dynamic Master Control w/ shirt clip

  • Sonic Force Feedback vibration effects

  • Blue, Green and Red Pulsating Lights

  • 9.5 feet (2.8m) Connector Cables

  • Detachable Noise-Cancelling Microphone

  • Microphone Frequency Response Range 50Hz – 16,000Hz

  • Microphone Sensitivity 58dB

  • Padded Leather Headband and Ear-Cups

  • Adjustable Fit

  • External Battery Pack w/ Velcro strip

  • C-Media 108 USB 7.1 Audio Drivers

  • Windows XP and Vista Compatible

  • Works with iPod®/MP3 Players



The most interesting features here are definitely the “Sonic Force Feedback” as well as Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound. The former is basically force feedback for your headphones. This is just what the name implies, a set of vibrating motors (like you would find in your cellphone, except stronger) which are activated whenever deep, thumping bass notes are about to be heard over the headphones. This feature really adds something to the music, even if it, at times, is a bit off (this is barely noticeable though). We tested this feature with a special “bass test” song, and in a specific Hz range (around 240Hz in our setup), the headset vibrated so violently that it almost fell off my head! Luckily, the intensity of this effect can be regulated over the Master Control Unit. In fact, during testing, we kept the setting at (only) 3/10.

Teknmotion Pulsewave Headset
“Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound” is touted as one of the big features of the Pulsewave headset. To experience this, users need to install a set of special drivers (which magically turn 2.1 into Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound), as well as connect the USB connector to their computer. The driver set also includes two testing scenarios for Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound, as well as an equalizer letting you choose various presets (most of them of musical nature, e.g. “Jazz”, “Rock”, etc.). Naturally, V7.1 does sound much more impressive than 2.1, giving a real feeling of depth and space behind the sounds.

Sadly, we encountered various difficulties with the V7.1SS drivers. Notably, Crysis (and some other games) became next to unplayable due to severe audio glitches and errors. Of course, these problems may someday be solved by driver updates, but as it stands now, this feature is not what it promises to be. On a bright side, when Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound did work in a game, the effect was definitely noticeable and very enjoyable.