Plantronics unveiled its latest headset for professional gamers, the GameCom 780. The headset is probably scheduled to be launched at CES, but a presentation related to it was leaked to the web. The GameCom 780 is a large-sized over-the-ear headset with a rounded quadrilateral shape instead of round, the optimally fit the contours of the ears. While it's 2-channel, it features virtual 7.1-channel surround.

It connects to the PC over USB, and packs a native logic that processes Dolby Headphone and Dolby Pro Logic IIx technologies. Each of the two cans features a 40 mm driver. The cans are suspended on hinges and can swivel to fold the headset up for transportation. The head band is thickly cushioned. The noise-cancelling microphone is suspended by a hinged-armature. The headset has a braided 2 m long USB cable.

ASUS has announced two new USB sound products, the MS-100 compact USB stereo speaker set, and HS-W1 wireless USB headset. Both are designed with sharp, striking looks, fantastic audio quality and a pure Plug 'n Play design, but with a minimal size that's easily packed and to traveled with.

MS-100 USB Speaker

The MS-100 is a compact stereo USB speaker set, powered entirely by a USB 2.0 (or 3.0) port, yet still capable of providing punchy sound without distortion. Its minimalist and strong Art Deco cone design mimics the classic speaker shape, making them a perfect feature for any home or office environment. Meanwhile inside, its large 54 mm speaker drivers can generate up to 93 dB of sound with less than 3% distortion for its rich highs, thumping mids and full low tones.

No additional software driver is required on Windows Vista or Windows 7 machines, making it suitable for any desktop or laptop that needs an immediate sound boost!

Bad news for gamers hoping to find a Tiamat 7.1 or Tiamat 2.2 headset under the Christmas tree (or simply on their desk), Razer has delayed the arrival of both products to polish them up some more. Both Tiamat headsets were supposed to be available during this last quarter of 2011 but now they are expected to ship at the end of January.

"Rest assured this product is coming out soon, but as we get ready to ship, we are also putting final touches to perfect this headset. We want to be sure that what you get is going to blow your ears away, no holds barred, and unfortunately like all Razer products, it's ready when it's ready," says a message from Team Razer.

Razer apologized for this delay and is trying to make up for it by offering a free Razer T-shirt and Razer flask (worth $40) to all customers who add their names to the Notify Me list at the Tiamat minisite. As a reminder, the Tiamat 7.1, with its 10 built-in drivers, costs $179.99 / EU €179.99 while the Tiamat 2.2, which has 'just' four drivers, is priced at $99.99 / EU €99.99.

Audiophile brand Westone today released its Talk Series One "communication IEM", that's a pair of in-ear monitors (IEMs) with a microphone strapped along the cable. It makes for an ideal audiophile-grade companion for smartphones, as they are increasingly replacing portable music players among other everyday gadgets. Talk Series One could also make for a great PC/notebook headset.

The IEMs have a sensitivity rating of 114 dB @ 1mW, 20Hz - 16kHz frequency response, and 25 ohms @ 1kHz impedance. They use Westone's balanced armature, full-range driver design. The microphone is strapped along the main line, and features Westone's Microphone In Control System (MICS). It also features basic call/end buttons to take or drop calls. Shipping now, the Westone Talk Series TS-1 is priced at US $129.99.

Creative Technology Ltd today announced the new Creative HN-900 noise-canceling headphones, a set of full-size active noise-canceling headphones that can reduce ambient noise by up to 85% and comes with a detachable cable with in-line microphone for voice communication on the iPhone.

Shut out the din in the air cabin or make clear voice calls on the iPhone with the Creative HN-900 noise-canceling headphones. The concealed microphones in the ear-cups pick up surrounding noises and these are electronically negated, effectively reducing the noise by up to 85%. With the absence of unwanted sound, the finely-tuned 40mm Neodymium drivers allow details of music or entertainment to be revealed.

Corsair, a worldwide designer and supplier of high-performance components to the PC gaming hardware market, today announced their new line of Vengeance PC gaming peripherals, including three new gaming headsets.

"The award-winning Corsair Gaming Series audio products have built a reputation for providing accurate, detailed audio that makes everything from games to music and movies a joy to listen to, as well as creating the situational awareness gamers need for a competitive advantage," said Andy Paul, Corsair's President and CEO. "Our new Vengeance gaming headsets continue that tradition. Everything from the sleek design and the careful choice of materials, to the obsessive focus on audio tuning is dedicated to the goal of providing a compelling experience for PC gamers who are as passionate about sound as they are about winning."

Creative Technology Ltd today announced the Sound Blaster Recon3D, the USB audio device that provides unprecedented cross-platform audio immersion and realism and voice clarity for the Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Mac.

The Sound Blaster Recon3D comes in a compact size similar to a gaming mouse and easily connects to an Xbox 360, PS3, PC or Mac via USB. It dramatically improves the audio playback quality and experience with THX TruStudio Pro, a suite of audio enhancements developed by the collaborative expertise of Creative and THX audio engineers. The Sound Blaster Recon3D features Dolby Digital enabled via the optical input to provide full 5.1 surround decoding, which combines with THX TruStudio Pro Surround to deliver stunning accuracy and positional audio playback over a gaming headset and an amazing virtual multi-speaker movie listening experience over headphones. In addition, for voice communications, the Sound Blaster Recon3D improves voice quality with CrystalVoice processing, which implements innovative technologies that are specially designed to deliver crystal clear vocal fidelity in multiplayer games, online chats and video conferencing.

Razer, the world's leading high-end precision gaming brand, brings true pinpoint positional audio to hardcore gamers everywhere with the Razer Tiamat headset range - the world's first discrete 7.1 surround sound and 2.2 stereo gaming headsets. Get the tactical advantage in combat when you can hear and react to every gunfire, explosion and voice realistically all around you. And with bass so powerful, the Razer Tiamat will blow you away.

"The Razer Tiamat headset range is the pride of our audio engineering, the world's first 10 driver headset, built to deliver the most powerful, clear and accurately produced positional audio gamers will ever need for the competitive edge," said Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, President, Razer USA. "Surprise the enemy trying to creep up for a stealth kill, when you can hear their footsteps loud and clear behind you."

Sharkoon presents the newest model to their successful X-Tatic headset series: The Sharkoon X-Tatic SR offers, through Dolby Headphone Technology, realistic Surround Sound on the Xbox, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 gaming consoles, to include PC, Notebook and other audio sources.

The integrated Dolby Headphone Technology transforms "Dolby Digital 5.1" signals and, in conjunction with "Dolby Pro Logic II" Decoders, "Dolby Digital 2.0" signals into 5.1 speaker sound for stereo headphones. Thanks to authentic sounding localization while gaming, the player can approach their virtual opponents from all directions. High-quality 40mm speakers contribute to an intensive sound experience.

Turtle Beach, the market leading pioneers of the gaming headset category, today announced the Ear Force X12 Stereo Amplified Gaming Headset for Xbox 360 and PC. The X12 features massive 50mm speakers for enhanced audio immersion along with an In-line Amplifier for precision audio control at your fingertips. With Microphone Monitoring and Variable Bass Boost included, the X12 continues the Turtle Beach tradition of delivering superior gaming audio at an affordable price.

Designed primarily for the Xbox 360, but compatible with PC, the X12 is the next generation of the bestselling and battle-tested X1, which created the console headset category in 2007, and the X11, which has been the bestselling Xbox stereo headset in history. The X12 features vastly improved sound quality and a rugged but lightweight, ergonomic design that provides gamers with an enhanced audio experience and comfort during long gaming sessions. The USB powered, the X12 never needs batteries and combines crystal-clear audio with advanced features for an attractive and affordable package no gamer can pass up.

ASUS has released the ROG Vulcan ANC, the world's first active-noise-cancelling pro gaming headset designed to immerse users into games and keep them free of distractions like never before. Created from the needs of competitive pro gamers to remain focused during competition, the ROG team forged the Vulcan ANC with both performance and comfort in mind. The Vulcan ANC features 85% active noise cancellation to filter out sounds like low frequency computer fan noise and 30dB passive noise cancellation to reduce a wide range of ambient noises, including background voices.

The Vulcan ANC not only provides gamers an immersive gaming experience with noise cancelling features, but also a comfortable one. The lightweight design of 320g is lighter than other comparable models of the same size, with other headsets weighing around 350g. Soft memory foam encased in breathable Japanese protein leather ensures user comfort even after extended gaming sessions. It is also portable, with a foldable design that easily fits into a durable touring case to take between competitions or LAN parties.

Turtle Beach, pioneers and market-leaders of the gaming headset category, today announced a partnership with Activision to develop a new line of exclusively licensed, limited edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Ear Force headsets, custom-optimized to deliver enhanced experiences for the year's most anticipated entertainment launch. Among many planned features, these new premium headsets will be distinguished by unique sets of audio presets designed specifically by the audio teams at developers Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games in order to provide the ultimate immersion into the cinematic world of Modern Warfare 3.

The headsets will be available with compatibility across Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC; with multiple feature sets, special packages with bonus content, and price points to ensure that no player is left behind.

Cooler Master, an industry leading chassis, thermal solution, peripheral, and accessory manufacturer, today announces the release of the new CM Storm Sirus 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset. Boosting no less than 8 speakers (4 on each side) Sirus delivers powerful, immersive 5.1 surround sound and marks the beginning of a new range of CM Storm audio gear for gamers and audiophiles alike.

Sirus delivers real 5.1 surround sound with a dedicated extra large 40mm sub driver for explosive bass sound. Thanks to no less than 6 additional 30mm drivers, each fed by a discrete audio channel, Sirus produces precise and crisp directional sounds. Combine all channels and pair it with the bundled Tactical Mixing Console and you get full 5.1 channel-adjustable, real-time 360 degree audio. In addition, Sirus is coupled with a uni-directional microphone with background noise cancellation that enables crystal clear communications with teammates to coordinate strikes or mock your enemy's after a dominating victory.

Razer, the world's leading high-end precision gaming brand, is proud to send your Star Wars: The Old Republic gaming experience into hyperspace with the release of a licensed Star Wars: The Old Republic product line, expected to launch in conjunction with the hotly anticipated title. In collaboration with BioWare and LucasArts, this collection of gaming weaponry will equip you to win, whether you're carrying out the work of the Dark Sith lords or righteously defending the people of the Galactic Republic.

"As fans of Star Wars ourselves, we are absolutely thrilled for the chance to create a product line for Star Wars: The Old Republic. The result is a spectacular collection of the highest grade peripherals that is a tribute to the franchise, its fans and gamers alike," said Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, President, Razer USA. "And whether you're using our revolutionary new keyboard with the world's first LCD touch-panel, or the multi-award winning MMO gaming mouse styled in the Star Wars universe with a twelve-button thumb grid, it goes without saying, we equip gamers to win."

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) announced PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) (PCH-1000 series) as the official platform name for the next generation portable entertainment system at E3 2011. With an RRP of €249 for the Wireless model and €299 for the Wireless/3G version, PS Vita will launch in the global market starting at the end of 2011.

"Vita", which means "Life" in Latin, was chosen as the most appropriate name for the next generation portable entertainment system as it enables a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within a real world context as SCE aims to transform every aspect of a user's daily life into an entertainment experience and an opportunity to play.

As the game industry waits for E3 to kick off next week, SteelSeries, a leading manufacturer of professional gaming peripherals today announced a co-branding partnership with Blizzard Entertainment on the SteelSeries Diablo III family of products. The Diablo III Mouse, Diablo III Headset, and two Diablo III QcK mousepads - Witch Doctor and Barbarian Editions, were co-designed with technology, hardware, and illumination features that support the look and feel of the third installment of Blizzard Entertainment's highly anticipated, mouse-intensive Diablo series.

"The level of excitement for the Diablo III release is massive. When the opportunity was presented to partner up with Blizzard for a new family of co-branded peripherals, we knew that they had to be engineered for this particular type of gameplay by being both durable and able to bring out the Diablo III theme onto a player's desktop," said Kim Rom, SteelSeries CMO. "The mouse offers both simplicity for new players and unprecedented durability that will support the series' distinctive mouse-driven gameplay, while the headset optimizes the high, spine-chilling snarls of otherworldly creatures and the booming lows of a barbarian battle cry. Together, the headset and mouse will help immerse players into the game through their extended comfort, compelling designs and high performance."

ASUS, a global leader in the new digital era, today announced a number of exciting new products for high-performance gaming PCs to further expand its Republic of Gamers (ROG) range. Established five years ago, ROG is committed to developing the ultimate high-performance hardware.

"The ROG philosophy is based on the core ideals of class-leading performance, innovative user controls and gamer-focused design," said ASUS Vice President and GM of Worldwide Sales, Jackie Hsu. The products announced today not only hold true to these ideals, but also introduce a host of new innovations that push high-end PC performance to even greater extremes.

SteelSeries, the leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals today announced the availability of licensed headsets for Electronic Arts' first person shooter game, Medal of Honor. The SteelSeries 5Hv2 Headset Medal of Honor Edition for PC and the SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb Medal of Honor Edition for Xbox 360 headsets are the latest addition to the family of SteelSeries branded peripherals co-developed with Electronic Arts for Medal of Honor gamers. The headsets deliver premium quality sound and comfort along with SteelSeries' signature features including a retractable microphone system and the ability to dismantle into 3 pieces for safe travel.

"It was a pleasure to work with the EA team to optimize and create an amazing design for these new PC and Xbox 360 headsets," said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. "Medal of Honor players will enjoy comfort and incredible sound reproduction, improving their precision and performance in game."

HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE:HAR), today announced the launch of the new AKG GHS-1 portable gaming headset. Grenade explosions and rumbling jet engines will seem as if they are in your very own room when you have the brand-new portable gaming headset on your ears. Winner of the coveted Red Dot award for outstanding product design, the new GHS-1 headset brings PC gaming to a whole new level of realism, excitement, portability and comfort.

"When you're in an all-immersive entertainment experience such as gaming, we understand how important high-quality, realistic sound plays in the overall experience," said David Slump, president, HARMAN Consumer Division. "The new GHS-1 headset is designed specifically for the gamer and features our innovative audio engineering built into a distinctive, long-lasting and intuitive design for the ideal gaming experience."

ASUS unveiled a number of new gaming products at CeBIT in March this year, including Republic of Gamers (ROG) notebook PCs, high-performance motherboards, graphics cards, 3D monitors, router and headsets. All hold true to the ASUS promise to provide choice for everyone and complete its line-up of immersive gaming products.

The new Republic of Gamers (ROG) G Series notebooks lead the charge. Designed for hardcore gamers who want to be able to play anywhere, the G74Sx uses the latest Intel 'Huron River' Core i5 and i7 processors for outstanding performance with any application, while the latest NVIDIA enthusiast level graphics card ensure class-leading 3D performance. NVIDIA 3D Vision is supported as standard too, as is big-screen 3D output via HDMI 1.4 to a compatible display.

Kicking off CeBIT 2011, SteelSeries, the leading global manufacturer of gaming peripherals, announced today the new SteelSeries Siberia v2 for PS3. The headset, which is also compatible with Xbox 360, PC and Mac, will provide gamers with superior comfort through its leather earcups and over-the-head, lightweight suspension; impressive audio reproduction with for optimal directional sounds; along with the convenience of independent audio/voice volume, and the new, multi-level settings of SteelSeries LiveMix.

"Premium quality features and versatility for multi-platform gamers is what distinguishes our new headset apart from all the rest," said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. "We've combined the comfort and superior soundscape of the Siberia v2 headset that PC and Mac gamers have come to praise and integrated it with original function and features like multi-level LiveMix for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 gameplay, creating the ultimate universal headset option for both computer and console gamers."

Roccat Studios unveiled its latest in audio gear for gamers, the Kulo stereo gaming headset. Roccat Kulo is a lightweight (under 180 g) on-ear headset that uses a sturdy (metal band) but comfortable (cushioned) headband. It can churn out high-quality stereo sound using 40 mm drivers with neodymium magnets. A noise-filtering microphone backed by auto-mute function takes care of voice input. The volume control module is in-line with the 2.5 meter long cable. Slated for April, the Roccat Kulo will be priced at €59.99.

Tt eSPORTS are proud and excited to release the next edition of their Professional Shock Gaming Headsets, the "One" which is the most advanced headset in the range, which has many amazing features including DTS 5.1 Virtual Surround Sound and Dynamic 40mm Speakers that allow for high quality Bass Enhancement.

The "One" has been designed to produce immense sound quality in-game as well as being able to offer a comfortable solution for gamers with it's multiple Ear-Pad Cushions and leather headband pad to allow for multiple hours of wear for continuous periods of gaming.

ASUS announced a new stereo headset for gamers under its reputed Republic of Gamers (ROG) series, the ROG Vulcan ANC (active noise cancellation). The ROG Vulcan ANC is styled with a monolithic band design, using tough plastic and high-quality leather. The signature black+red color scheme is used in combination with the ROG logo on a carbon fiber (lookalike?) plate. The headset uses around the ear cushioning which provides a level of noise reduction. This is bolstered with active noise cancellation of up to 30 dB.

The headset also packs a noise-canceling microphone. Sound is delivered by 40 mm drivers. A clip-on volume control and mic-mute gives you quick access to volume and helps keep in-game chatter clean. ASUS' ROG Vulcan ANC headset will be available soon. The company didn't give out pricing.

Creative Technology Ltd. today announced the new Sound Blaster Tactic3D Omega wireless gaming headset, the first wireless, cross-platform gaming headset to work with the PS3, Xbox 360, Mac and PC which is fully integrated. With the unique integration of Creative's wireless technology into the headset itself, the Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Omega wireless gaming headset does not require any extra attachments to function with gaming consoles wirelessly. The headset has volume, mute and connection controls fully integrated into the headset itself, eliminating the need for any additional connectivity components. Creative's robust wireless technology is designed to eliminate static interference, which affects other headsets, and delivers game audio with ultra-low latency, a critical feature for competitive game play.