Version: 2008
  • On TV.com: TOP 10 Shows CANCELED Too Soon
advertisement

Altec Lansing AHS602

overview
Video Screen Shot

See all Altec Lansing products

Add to my list Product summary

The good: Includes SRS 3D audio processing; built-in microphone for video games, VoIP, and voice recognition; in-line controller module; respectable sound; sealed earcup design helps block noise.

The bad: Somewhat pricey; non-USB design requires AAA battery and access to sound card's audio jacks.

The bottom line: Serious online gamers will dig the functionality and sound quality of Altec Lansing's AHS602 two-way headset, but it's overkill for more-pedestrian applications.

Read full review

Compare this headset to:

CNET editors' review

  • Reviewed on: 01/25/2005
  • Released on: 08/09/2004
If you're tired of playing the silent type in games such as Counter-Strike and Unreal Tournament 2004, Altec Lansing's AHS602 two-way headset might be just the solution. In addition to offering refinements such as SRS 3D sound processing and an in-line control module, the AHS602 lets you communicate with other players through a built-in boom microphone. Although the AHS602 ($99 list) is also suitable for DVD sound, Voice over IP (VoIP), and speech-recognition applications, its high price and specialized features are overkill for nongamers.

About the same size as a typical set of full-size headphones, the AHS602 features sealed, ear-cupping drivers that completely cover your ears, effectively blocking out background noise and limiting sound leakage into the room. The padded, adjustable headband enhanced the 'phones' comfort, but this reviewer's ears felt clamped down after about an hour of continuous wear. The boom mic, which is attached to the left earpiece, can be swiveled up and out of the way when it's not in use.

One 2.3-foot cord segment connects the control module to the left earpiece, while a second, 5.3-foot segment emerges from the control module and splits into a 1/8-inch stereo headphone plug and a 1/8-inch mic plug for two-way communication through consumer computer sound cards. The in-line control module allows you to adjust the overall playback volume, the microphone volume (mute, low, high), and the SRS 3D surround effect (includes on/off and level controls). A single AAA loads into the control module to power the headphones' active circuitry.

In our testing, the AHS602's respectably large 40mm drivers set this model apart from the cheaper, smaller two-way headsets that are better suited for less engaging applications such as VoIP and voice recognition. While the SRS circuitry added some extra depth to the soundstage in Unreal Tournament 2004, it fell short of delivering a convincing surround-sound simulation.

Continue reading

Most helpful user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Altec Lansing AHS602

ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit
advertisement

Where to buy

Altec Lansing AHS602: $53.01 - $88.21
storepricein stock?rating
Amazon.com
$88.21 Yes 5.0 star rating
Amazon.com Marketplace
$53.01 Yes 5.0 star rating
Other World Computing
$69.99 Yes 5.0 star rating

see prices from 3 stores

advertisement

Recent user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Altec Lansing AHS602

ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit
advertisement
advertisement

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

  • alaTest.com

    Editors' rating: 71

    Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 26 reviews of Altec Lansing AHS602 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 70/100 and users 78/100. Comparing these reviews to 155625 other Headphones reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 71/100 = Good.

    Read full review

  • techgage.com

    Editors' rating: 90

    Read full review

  • thetechlounge.com

    Read full review

  • techtree.com

    Editors' rating: 50

    Summary: As far as the microphone goes, its performance is very satisfactory especially in voice recording (its primary functionality). It does a reasonably good job of filtering the background noise and the low and high recording volume levels work very well. ...

    Read full review

Altec Lansing AHS602