ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Headset Review

By Greg Schepers

Manufacturer: ROCCAT GmbH
Product Name: ROCCAT Kave XTD Premium Stereo Gaming Headset
Model Number: ROC-14-610
UPC: 4250288117167
Price As Tested: $79.99 (Amazon)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by ROCCAT.

Regular visitors to Benchmark Reviews have likely noticed that, collectively, we have been churning out a number of ROCCAT gaming peripheral and gaming audio reviews in recent months, and it is unlikely that this trend will decline. The result of this ROCCAT “full-court press” is a number of quality, feature-packed devices; many of which have the versatility and customization options to suit just about anyone’s needs. We will see if today’s featured item, the ROCCAT Kave XTD Premium Stereo Gaming Headset, is consistent with the previous statement.

ROCCAT is not a newcomer in terms of producing quality gaming headsets. A variety of ROCCAT gaming headset models, which includes the in-ear variety, are currently available. The current addition to the stable, the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset, is regarded by ROCCAT as possessing the, “highest quality sound experience gamers can engage in.” Considering that these Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headsets are equipped with 50mm neodymium speaker units in each ear cup, that statement is within the realm of possibility.

• RICH STEREO SOUND
  with 2x50mm ultra-clear speakers
• ROBUST ENGINEERING
  ultra-durable for hardcore play-ability
• STREAMLINED IN-CABLE REMOTE
  for total audio control at your fingertips
• NOISE-CANCELING MIC
  rotatable and detachable
• SUPREME COMFORT
  high-comfort, low-weight design

• KILLER DESIGN
  ROCCAT™ blue motif and cable

DRIVER UNITS

Frequency response:	20~20.000Hz
Max. SPL at 1kHz:	115±2dB
Max. input power:	400mW
Drive diameter front:	50mm
Driver unit material:	Neodymium magnet
Impedance:	32O

GENERAL

Weight (headset only):	305gr
Cable length:	2.5m

MICROPHONE

Frequency response:	10~10.000Hz
Driver diameter:	4×1.5mm
Sensitivity at 1kHz:	-32±2dB
Signal-to-noise ratio:	@1kHz: 50dB
Impedance:	2.2 k?
Directivity:	omni-directional

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Sound:	1 x 3.5mm jack
Microphone:	1 x 3.5mm jack

* Stereo sound card for playback

It is likely that many of you have gone back and forth regarding the merits of a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound gaming headset over a stereo headset and vice versa. Subjectivity is obvious rampant here, as it is when trying to compare any kind of like audio devices. Personally, I prefer headsets that deliver quality sound no matter what medium is playing. I can imagine that this is what ROCCAT had in mind when developing the Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset.

The contents of the box are pretty simple; the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset and the Quick Installation Guide. In typical ROCCAT style, the Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset comes in a box that covers the features and specifications of the item in detail.

ROCCAT brands well, in my opinion. The right ear cup is adorned with the ROCCAT logo and maintains a simple yet clean look to it, which seems to be a ROCCAT design trait. Keep in mind that each ear cup has a whopping 50mm neodymium speaker in it.

The image above is probably the best one available that can somewhat represent how big these cans truly are, which may have something to do with the angle. However, they are much lighter than they appear. I don’t care if a headset is as big as the Great Gazoo’s helmet; as long as it is light, comfortable, and delivers the kind of audio that makes me a proud owner.

A portion of the organization’s name in it’s unique font can be found on the left ear cup along with the detachable microphone, which has 360° degree-swing capability. Again, clean and simple.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the top of the headband. ROCCAT takes advantage of this space with more simple, clean branding. Gloss black on matte black is a pretty common trend right now, but I am still not tired of it.

So far, our discussion has merely covered the superficial qualities of the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset. So, we know that, aesthetically, it will likely pass the test for most consumers. But, is it comfortable? Does it perform like a winner? Let’s find out…

We already know that each ear cup is BIG, having a 50mm neodymium speaker unit in it. What about the ear padding? Well, it is comprised of extremely soft, cloth-covered padding. I wish I could find a pillow that felt like these ear pads. And, I appreciate the fact that they allow my ears to breathe. Comfort and breathe-ability… nice! Ambient noise-cancelling… uh, no. Personally, this isn’t a deal-breaker for me, since I don’t plan on setting up a gaming session in the middle of Grand Central Station. However, if ambient noise is an issue for you, fuhgeddaboudit!

ROCCAT claims that the detachable microphone on the Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset is of the noise-cancelling variety. I had no complaints from friends while playing with ambient noise in the background. However, it would make more sense to produce a headset with both a noise-cancelling microphone and noise-cancelling ear cups. Fully address ambient noise, or completely gloss over it; just don’t leave the job half done.

I’ll use one of my least favorite phrases when referring to the in-cable remote; “it is what it is.” It provides the user with the ability to manipulate both the incoming volume and the microphone mute functions. However, the location of it on the cable suits me well; it isn’t too far up the cable to be in the way, nor is it too far down the cable to prompt you to send out a search party. Speaking of the cable, it is not braided, which is just fine by me. Some consider braiding a sign of a higher-tier device, but I have had my share of braided cables fray on me.

I appreciate the measurements, located on the band, that assist the user in the fitting process. However, the maximum setting on the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset may not accommodate those of us with significantly large domes. I have the band set to the next-to-last setting on each side. Yes, I do have a fairly large head, but there should still be more slack. If you possess a Shrek-sized melon, you will likely experience sizing issues.

The headband consists of the same pillow-like material that I described earlier when addressing the ear cup padding. It might mess up the lettuce a bit if worn for an extended gaming session, but it will provide a high-level of comfort to you while doing so.

Testing an audio device is a subjective undertaking. However, I will do my best to accurately convey the experiences that I have had with the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset. These experiences included approximately 20 hours of gaming, about three hours listening to music, and less than 5 hours watching videos. The majority of the gaming results will be based on the audio quality experience while playing Battlefield 4. However, employed a few other games in order to judge the game-to-game consistency of the unit. These games included Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist, Company of Heroes, and Sleeping Dogs.

Even though this is a gaming headset, I felt it is important to determine the quality of audio experience that the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset can deliver during sessions that include listening to music or watching TV and movies. Some of us want more than merely a gaming headset; we want a headset that can deliver a quality audio experience no matter what is playing. Therefore, I listened to a number of different music genres from both my local machine and other sources through streaming. The same method was used to judge the audio quality while watching videos.

• Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
• System Memory: 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1333 G.Skill Ripjaws X Series
• Processor: AMD FX-6100 Zambezi 3.3 GHz Six-Core Processor
• Audio: ASUS XONAR DG PCI 5.1 Audio Card
• Video: HIS Radeon HD 7950 IceQ Boost Clock 3GB GDDR5 PCI-E Graphics Card
• PSU: Corsair HX Series HX750 750W GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
• Monitor: AOC e2752Vh (27?) & Samsung SyncMaster PX2370 (24?)
• Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate

The primary feature that most concerns us when testing is the audio quality delivered. “RICH STEREO SOUND” is one of the features highlighted by ROCCAT after all. While gaming, I found the stereo sound delivered by the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset to be outstanding. The statement made by ROCCAT on its website that the “speaker units deliver crisp, clear audio with a huge dynamic range, meaning that you hear not only the faintest of sounds but also get ground-shaking low-end sound,” was realized. In fact, I found the gaming sound quality to be superior to the 7.1 surround gaming headset I was using.

As I played Battlefield 4, the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset performed brilliantly. Explosions were deep and rich, bullets whizzing by had that distinct buzz, and the crack of a sniper rifle’s report was clear and obvious. Even the more subtle sounds were easy to identify, such as footsteps, which is a huge advantage when players are trying to sneak up on you and steal your dog tags. The in-game communications, both over TeamSpeak and via squad chat, were clear and concise. There are absolutely no complains while using this unit during gaming sessions.

While listening to music and watching videos, regardless of the method of delivery, the results were the same. I found the output to be as flawless as I have experienced in a single headset unit. Whether I played this genre of music or that genre of music, the result was a crisp, clear, and full listening experience. I have had headsets that were better delivering gaming audio or better when playing music, but not this consistently solid at delivering quality audio regardless of the format.

Another of ROCCAT’s claims, which is that the Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset delivers “SUPREME COMFORT,” also was something that was thoroughly tested. Most of the time, it is easy to identify whether or not a headset is going to provide the desired level of comfort when you first put them. I knew immediately that the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset was going to be a winner in terms of comfort. Considering how large it is, it is surprisingly light. And then there’s the padding… as soft as a baby’s bottom. The padding also allows for a great deal of breathe-ability.

Not only does the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset sound phenomenal regardless of the medium, it is extremely comfortable and it has the clean and attractive styling that we have come to expect from ROCCAT. That was the primary goal for ROCCAT when designing this headset, and it is obvious to this reviewer that the mission has been accomplished. The audio quality that the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset delivers provides an advantage to gamers by ensuring that no sound will go unheard. And, it performs brilliantly if the focus shifts to listening to music or watching movies.

Would a braided cord make the difference in terms of elevating its overall appeal? Possibly. However, I do not think that the attributes of this headset can be overlooked simply by the lack of a braided cord. It is a high-performer regardless. The one feature that I believe is a bit of a head-scratcher is that the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset was outfitted with a noise-cancelling microphone, yet the ear cups do nothing to isolate ambient noise. As I said earlier in the review, it would be logical to fully address the noise-cancelling issue or not at all.

The following paragraphs will provide detailed accounts of the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset’s qualities over a number of different categories. These categories include appearance, performance, construction, functionality, and value. Keep in mind that, even though the goal is to provide an unbiased review, the below results are subjective due to the fact that this is an audio device, and tastes will vary from person to person.

I have come to really appreciate what ROCCAT does in terms of styling and branding. It is relatively apparent that they have a preference; a black matte finish with black gloss trim and overtones. You will find these qualities have been applied to the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset as well. The branding on the ear cups and the headband looks great, and even the color choice on the cord, which matches the color of the branding, is appealing.

The performance of the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset is consistent with the stated goal of this headset, which is to provide gamers with the “highest quality sound experience gamers can engage in.” It certainly does that. You hear everything that is present while playing your game of choice, and it sounds outstanding. Not only will the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset enhance your gaming experience, but it has the potential to improve your performance. It also sounds fantastic while listening to music or watching movies. The ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset is an audio jack of all trades.

The ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset is build to withstand the test of time. Speaking of time, you will be delighted with the level of comfort that it provides while employing it during long gaming sessions. The padding on the ear cups and the headband is extremely soft and cloth covered, which results in extreme comfort while providing breathe-ability.

The detachable microphone is a nice feature. In addition, it has a 360 degree swivel radius. And, even though the microphone is noise-cancelling, the ear cups are not. As I stated earlier, I wish that ROCCAT had fully addressed noise-cancelling.

As of October 2014, the ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset was available online for $79.99 (Amazon). Considering its audio performance, the comfort level that it provides, especially during long gaming session, and the quality of its construction, this headset is priced to sell.

+ Stereo sound is great regarless of medium
+ 50mm neodymium speakers
+ noise-cancelling microphone
+ extreme comfort
+ breathe-ability of ear cups
+ light despite size
+ styling

– ear cups do not address ambient noise
– cord is not braided
– may not accommodate larger heads

• Performance: 9.75
• Appearance: 9.25
• Construction: 9.50
• Functionality: 8.00
• Value: 9.75

Excellence Achievement: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.

COMMENT QUESTION: Do you prefer stereo, 5.1 surround, or 7.1 surround gaming headsets?