Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Headset REVIEW

Turtle Beach Elite Atlas

There are only three things I look for in a gaming headset: comfort, strong audio, and durability. The Elite Atlas from Turtle Beach fits the bill for all three criteria and works just fine across all manner of devices. I even gave it a spin on my Vita, that ancient and forgotten relic, and it worked just fine.

While it’s certainly a good all-rounder, it’s worth mentioning that the Elite Atlas doesn’t particularly excel in one field. It’s a consistently dependable and no-frills headset that is among the most bankable in its price range, but it won’t blow you away by any means.

The audio quality is sturdy, though obviously lacking the depth and complexities of its more expensive peers. Dialogue is crisp and the small audio details come through well, such as the living jungles found in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The Elite Atlas doesn’t boast booming bass, but it’s certainly there. For usage with consoles like the PS4 or Xbox One, the lack of wider volume control and boosts hurts it. This may be because it’s primarily engineered for use with PC, which is where it shines.

I have a love/hate relationship with so-called pro gamer headsets for PC. Far too often have I been stung by them not delivering on their promises, or simply not functioning as they should — a pair of Razer Krakens I bought a few months back came with a mic that simply wouldn’t work, for instance. However, the Elite Atlas was a simple plug-in-and-play that let me speak during online gaming without the need for my unwieldy USB microphone. While the detachable microphone will never be able to match the clarity of a Blue Snowball or its kind, it provides clear communication all the same, though there did seem to be some small background feedback during my tests.

The fit is great, though the limited range of fittings may annoy some. I have, frankly, a massive head, but I was able fit into it snugly without much cause for concern. Those with smaller heads, such as children, may not find a great fit with the Elite Atlas as there’s not a great deal of wiggle room when it comes to changing the headband size.

Actually, in the case of the Elite Atlas, the “tightness” of the headset is actually defined by the ear cups; it’s with these where you will be able to tighten or loosen the headset, though only by an inch or two. The Elite Atlas is full of little design quirks, such as the ability to swap out the magnetic earcups or speaker plates for a more personalised touch. Adding to that, Turtle Beach’s customary metal base means that you’re going to have to really be trying to break them. It seems like you may be getting a headset that will tide you over for years with the Elite Atlas.

While its lack of bass and limited size options may hurt it, the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas is still more than capable of doing a fine job. It’s not a premium headset, which is reflected in its sub-$100 price tag, but any headset that gives you comfort while you listen intently to yourself pooing in SCUM is a worthwhile headset in my book.

Review unit provided

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Turtle Beach Elite Atlas
Verdict
Comfortable and solid enough in the audio department, the Elite Atlas' lack of absolutely booming bass can't stop it from being an easy recommendation.
8
Editor-in-Chief