Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Headset Review

By Hank Tolman

Manufacturer: ROCCAT Inc.
Product Name: ROCCAT KAVE XTD 5.1 ANALOG HEADSET
Model Number: ROC-14-900
UPC: 4250288166745
Price As Tested: $113.99 (Amazon | B&H | NewEgg)

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

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years, you have undoubtedly become aware of the huge expansion of the eSports industry. What was once dominated by small groups of friends getting together for LAN parties is now a multi-billion dollar a year international industry. I remember fondly the LAN parties of yore, where you packed up your system (CRT monitor included) and carried it over to a friend’s house or local business to battle it out in Unreal Tournament, Quake, or some other multi-player game. Those days are back, albeit without much lugging around of computers. With competitive gaming’s big return comes a renewed desire for gaming equipment that will help give you an edge in battle.

One of the most critical weapons in any gamer’s arsenal is a good gaming headset. A good headset gives you the ability to isolate outside noise while providing detailed, sharp, and clear sound from all sides. A gaming headset also lets you easily and understandably communicate with the other members of your team. In this article, Benchmark Reviews is looking at the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Headset and compares it directly with other top Gaming Headsets to see what sets it apart and how well it performs.

• REAL 5.1 SURROUND SOUND – with speakers aligned at a 12° angle.
• ZERO NOISE TECHNOLOGY – interference isolator cuts down on noise.
• VERSATILE DUAL-MODE REMOTE – for total audio control at your fingertips.
• NOISE-CANCELLING MIC – detachable with mute LED.
• SOLID REMOTE STAND – turns your remote into a desktop remote.
• GAME AND MOVIE MODE – for enhanced, atmospheric audio.
• SUPREME COMFORT – high-comfort, low-weight design.
• ROBUST ENGINEERING – ultra-durable, for hardcore playability.
• TANGLE-PROOF CABLE – for distraction-free gameplay.

Model Number	ROC-14-900
Center/Front/Rear Drivers
Driver Diameter	40mm
Frequency Response	20Hz-20KHz
Impedance	32 Ohms
Connector	3.5mm headphone jack
Max SPL @1kHz	115 +- 3dB
Maximum Input Power	50 mW
Driver Unit Material	Neodymium Magnet
Vibration Driver Units
Frequency Response	20Hz-100Hz
Max Input Power	300 mW
Drive Diameter	30mm
Microphone
Frequency Response	10Hz-10kHz
Drive Diameter	4 x 1.5mm
Max SPL @1kHz	-32 +- 2dB
Signal to Noise Ratio	50dB
Impedance	2.2k Ohm +15%
Directivity	Omni-Directional
General
Weight	335 grams
Cable Length	3m
System Requirements
5.1 (or higher) sound card
USB 2.0 port

The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Headset comes in a black and blue windowed box that clearly shows off the headset. The way the headset is packaged sets the inline controls front and center. I think that’s a nice touch, as it shows you the functionality of the controls right off the bat. The features of the Kave 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset are lined up around the window.

The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset has completely circular earcups. The padding seems to be made of a soft faux leather. It is much softer, and lighter, than the padding on the CM Storm Pulse R headset. The earcup padding also gives very easily compared to the Pulse R and other headsets. The earcups completely encircle my ears. I like that, because my ears start to hurt when using headsets that sit on my ears for too long. That being said, the earcups may not completely encircle everyone’s ears. My little brother complained that they sat on his ears. He must have big ears.

Unlike the earcups, the top of the head padding on the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset is made of foam covered in cloth. It is extremely light and comfortable. After several minutes of wearing the Kave 5.1 Analog headset, I could only feel the top if I focused on it. Most of the time I forgot it was there. That kind of comfort is exactly what I look for in a headset. Most headsets get increasingly more uncomfortable for me as time goes on. The Kave 5.1 Analog does not.

The outside of the earcups on the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog is finished with a matte plastic. This is one part of the Kave 5.1 Analog headset that I don’t like much. The matte finish is very susceptible to picking up fingerprints and smudges from the oils on your fingers. I am constantly wanting to get a microfiber cloth and start cleaning the plastic. On my other headsets, I don’t think I’ve ever wiped them down.

The inline remote on the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset is one of the most sophisticated that I’ve used. At the top is a master volume control knob that sits right above the imbedded Roccat logo. On the front face of the inline controller are two switches; one to turn the mic on and off and one to switch between movie and game modes. Each side of the inline controller contains two control knobs. One side has the controls for the front and center drivers while the other side has the controls for the sub and rear drivers.

The inline controller also comes with a handy little clip on the back that hooks it to a convenient little stand. You can set the stand up on your desk and you’ll have easy access to all the controls. I, personally, am not a huge fan of this little stand. It is very light, and every time I turn around or move, it moves along with me. It’s not like I’ve run out of cord and it’s pulling it, it just seems like the cord is heavier than the stand and it moves the controller. If I stuck it down, I might like it better. Instead, I like to clip the controller to my shirt.

Speaking of the cord, Roccat highlights this as a “Tangle-Proof” cable. The term is technically true, although there isn’t anything really special about the cord. The reason it is tangle proof is because it is very thick and unyielding. It doesn’t twist, so it doesn’t get tangled. That is very nice, but it also means the cable is very heavy. It’s not heavy enough to cause any discomfort, but if it draped across your desk, it leaves no thought for anything caught in its wild path of destruction. Don’t set a half-empty can of soda where it could be knocked over. You have been warned.

Before we move on into the technical details, let’s take a look at the connectors on the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset. This isn’t the type of headset you’d want to plug into your front I/O panel, which typically only has a single headphone jack and a mic jack. For the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog headset, you’ll need 4 jacks, plus an open USB port. The green jack drives your front speakers, the black drives your rear speakers, the orange jack drives the bass, and the pink jack drives the mic. The USB powers the lights on the Kave 5.1 Analog.

One of the most important features of the Kave 5.1 Analog Headset is the fact that it has real, rather than simulated, surround sound. Each earcup contains three separate drivers; front, rear, and vibration drivers. The front and rear drivers are both 40mm and the vibration unit is 30mm. This means that the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog can offer hardware-level surround. I find this to be much more immersive than software surround. Software surround can be very good, but I often have trouble telling if something is in front of me or behind me. With the Kave 5.1 Analog’s drivers being aligned in the earcup at a 12 degree angle, you can hear just where the sound is coming from.

Another thing that I really like about the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset is the zero noise technology feature. The Kave 5.1 Analog uses an interference isolator to eliminate electromagnetic interference. Even if you think you don’t have a problem with EMI, you’ve probably heard it and just ignored it. I have a huge problem with it due to the lights in my office. It affects me and everyone that listens to me on chat. I have to turn the lights off to get rid of it. With the Kave 5.1 Analog Headset, however, that problem is moot. The earcups also provide a more-than-adequate amount of isolation. Even with no sound on, I found it very difficult to hear people talking to me and that’s a good thing!

The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset has pretty standard specs in the headset world. The frequency response range for the 40mm drivers is from 20 to 20kHz. Though you may find some headsets with a wider range, 20-20kHz is well regarded as the max range of human hearing anyway. The max SPL of the Kave 5.1 Analog at 1kHz is 115dB, so you can get pretty loud without distorting. The 40mm drivers have a max input power of 50mW and a 32 ohm impedance. The vibration driver pumps out the bass with a frequency response range of 20 to 100Hz and an input power up to 300mW.

The microphone on the Kave 5.1 Analog is pretty decent in its own right. It isn’t the best around, but it does have 4 tiny drivers to aid in noise cancellation so those listening to you hear nothing but the sweet melodious sound of your voice. The mic’s frequency response range is 10 to 10kHz and the max SPL at 1kHz is -32dB. The signal to noise ratio is 50dB, which is pretty good, although something a little higher is always nice.

The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset is also fairly lightweight. The headset weighs 335g, although I would wager that the cable almost doubles that because of its girth. That’s ok, though, as you don’t really feel the cable much, especially if the inline controls are hooked to your shirt, like it is normally for me. I was actually surprised at how light the Kave 5.1 Analog is, considering the 5.1 surround speaker drivers. After wearing it for an extended period, I barely even noticed it. That’s good news for me, because I usually can’t stand to wear a headset for more than a little while. They almost always start to irritate my ears or the top of my head.

Testing a Gaming Headset like the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog is always difficult because the results are extremely subjective. Just because the headset is comfortable and sounds good to me, doesn’t mean the same is true of everyone else. With that in mind, I assembled a group of friends and a group of headsets. We used a scale of 1 to 5 and rated the headsets in the categories of comfort, noise isolation, overall sound quality, and surround sound quality.

• CM Storm Pulse-R Aluminum Gaming Headset – $89.99
• ASTRO Gaming A40 Audio System – $199.99
• Logitech G930 Wireless Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround – $99.99
• OZONE Gaming Rage ST Advanced On-Line Gaming Headset – $39.99
• JVC Black Series HA-S650 On-Ear Headphones – $69.99

Comfort

The first area we rated the headsets in was comfort. This is a much more critical area than you might think at first. The comfort of a gaming headset is critical, and not just the immediate comfort level. I put on a lot of headsets that seem comfortable at first. After an hour or so of constant wear, however, heavier headsets, or ones that don’t fit perfectly, start to hurt.

Noise Isolation

When I’m focused on a game, or even a movie or music, that’s what I want to hear. If I put on a headset, it’s because I don’t want to listen to everything that’s going on around me. Some gaming headsets come with active noise cancellation. That’s great, but they also tend to be a little more pricey. A lot of gaming headsets are relying now on materials and other technology to create noise isolation. That helps keep the game in and the room out. Check out the chart to see how the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog held up in the noise isolation category.

Surround Sound Quality

In the games we play, stuff is happening all around us. This is especially true in first person shooter games, but certainly present in many genres. The problem is, a lot of headsets rely on only two speakers to give us that surround sound experience. With simulated surround technology, many two-driver headsets do a great job providing an immersive experience. I, however, definitely prefer headsets with multiple drivers in each earcup. The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog gaming headset, for example, angles the drivers to provide a more intense surround experience. The chart shows how the Kave 5.1 Analog stacks up in surround sound quality.

Sound Quality

Finally, a good gaming headset has to be versatile. Believe it or not, there are some occasions when I am not gaming. While I am writing this review, for example. At such times, I am often listening to music or other audio. I’m not going to change out my headset for that, so my gaming headset needs to have a good overall sound quality in addition to its surround quality. Some single-driver headsets might fare better in this category because the emphasis is on producing high quality sound. The chart shows how we rated the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset in overall sound quality.

That does it for the tests. While most of us generally agreed on which headsets were better in each category, the numbers were anything but identical. What you see in the charts is an average of our ratings, which occasionally varied widely. That just goes to show you how subjective rating a headset can be. Your best bet is to find someplace that will let you try on the headset and listen to it so you can decide for yourself.

Headphones are a difficult item to review because I can’t just show charts of benchmarks comparing how the headphones scored against other headphones. Instead, I have to try to convey to you how the headphones felt and sounded to me.

As I mentioned in the beginning of the article, I’ve never really been a fan of headsets. I’ve always preferred to use a good set of surround speakers cranked up pretty high when watching videos, listening to music, or playing games. With some things changing at home, I started to look into a good gaming headset, so as not to wake a sleeping baby lying next to my desk in what used to be my office. In my search, I’ve found the types of things that I like and dislike about headphones and headsets.

First, I need a comfortable set of headphones. I normally don’t like bulky headphones or heavy headphones because I plan on using them for extended periods. I don’t like it when my ears get too hot or when I start to get a headache from the headphones sitting on my head for too long.

Second, I need headphones that produce very high quality sound. I tend to be disappointed with headphone sound quality unless the headset is pretty expensive. I happen to like surround sound very much, especially in gaming. I find it very convenient to hear where my enemies are approaching from. Many headsets, such as the Kave 5.1 Analog, put multiple drivers at angles in each headset. I think this approach goes a long way to improving the game. Add in the noise isolation and I have a better chance of hearing subtle movements with a headset than with my traditional surround sound speakers.

Third, I like breakaway headphones with a long cord. Headphones always seem to get in my way. With kids running around, my gaming sessions are rarely uninterrupted. There is a lot of moving around, getting up, holding the baby, etc. A long cord that doesn’t tangle easily and detaches from the headset is much appreciated. The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset doesn’t have a breakaway cord, but the cable is pretty long and doesn’t tangle.

IMPORTANT: Although the rating and final score mentioned in this conclusion are made to be as objective as possible, please be advised that every author perceives these factors differently at various points in time. While we each do our best to ensure that all aspects of the product are considered, there are often times unforeseen market conditions and manufacturer changes which occur after publication that could render our rating obsolete. Please do not base any purchase solely on our conclusion as it represents our product rating specifically for the product tested, which may differ from future versions of the same product. Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary for each of the areas that we rate.

The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset performed quite well in pretty much every regard. As you can see from the ratings, the Kave 5.1 Analog was near the top of the charts in all but the comfort rating. That was actually pretty surprising to me, as I had rated the Kave 5.1 Analog as one of the most comfortable among the headsets tested. Of course, the earcups fit perfectly around my ears and didn’t sit on them, as was the case with some other raters. The surround sound was awesome and didn’t detract from the overall sound quality in anyway. I am a huge fan of the high level of noise isolation achieved by the Kave 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset.

I am also a big fan of the look of the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset. The blues and blacks mix well. The mic doesn’t take over the look of the headset, as can often be the case. The mic also has a little LED light indicator for when it is muted. That should help you figure out why no one is responding to your inquiries. I like the rounded earcup look as well. The one part of the appearance that I don’t like is the matte black finish on the earcups. It attracts fingerprints and smudges.

The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset is very durable, for the most part. The headset itself seems strong and sturdy, even while being quite lightweight. The weight definitely aids in comfort. Even after wearing it for a while, I was barely aware that it was on my head. The cable is very sturdy and very thick. This is great in that it definitely does not get tangled, twisted, or bent easily. It is also more heavy duty than some of the things on my desk, like my mouse. If I turn my head with the cord in the way, it will push over my half empty water bottle. The only part of the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset that doesn’t seem very sturdy is the mount for the inline remote. It’s just a flimsy piece of plastic to which the remote can clip. Unfortunately, it isn’t very practical, since the cord is so heavy duty. Not once has it stayed put in my desk. Clipping the remote to my shirt is much better.

I only have a few functional requirements for a gaming headset, and the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog meets most of them. It provides excellent surround quality with its two speaker drivers and vibration driver in each earcup. The earcup and headband material is light, airy, and completely functional. The mic pics up sound very well and is equipped with four drivers to cancel out unwanted noise. The cable is tangle-free. I only wish that the cable was also a breakaway cable. In almost every regard, however, the Kave 5.1 Analog functions ideally as a gaming headset.

The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analog Gaming Headset lists online for $113.99 (Amazon | B&H | NewEgg). That makes a bit more expensive than a lot of the gaming headsets available out there, but right in line with many headsets that share the same feature sets. The Kave 5.1 Analog actually has three separate drivers in each earcup. This isn’t simulated surround sound. The front, surround, and vibration drivers are also individually controllable via the inline remote. The sound quality, comfort, durability, and design all help justify the price. That being said, there are many high quality gaming headsets available for less. All in all, I think the Kave XTD 5.1 Analog is a little pricey, but worth if if you are willing to part with the cash.
+ Very comfortable to wear for long periods

+ Excellent noise isolation

+ LED on mic to indicate mute

+ Separate surround drivers in earcups

+ Great sound quality

+ Tangle Free Cable
– A little pricey

– Matte finish attracts smudges

– Remote stand is flimsy

• Performance: 9.50
• Appearance: 9.00
• Construction: 9.00
• Functionality: 8.50
• Value: 8.00

Quality Recognition: Benchmark Reviews Silver Tachometer Award.

COMMENT QUESTION: What do you look for in a gaming headset?