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Turtle Beach Wii U Official Headsets Announced

by Patrick Barnett and James Charlton - September 23, 2012, 4:09 am EDT
Total comments: 13 Source: Press Release

UPDATED! What about wireless versions?

UPDATE: After revisiting the booth at TGS, I asked the rep about the possibility of wireless headsets in the future. He said they were working on them, but they wanted to have at least something for Wii U users at launch, hence only wired sets for now. (JC)

The Ear Force NLa and Ear Force N11 Turtle Beach Wii U headsets have been officially revealed at the 2012 Tokyo Game Show.

Both headsets feature high-sensitivity microphones on flexible booms, in-line volume and microphone controls, and offer users the ability to plug them directly into the Wii U Gamepad. Gamers that are headed out the door also have the option to use them with the Nintendo DS and 3DS.

The Ear Force NLa, retailing for $35, comes in both black and white. The Ear Force N11, retailing for $50, only comes in black but improves on the NLa with larger around-the-ear cushions as well as improved speakers.

Here we see the natural fit of an NLa headset. Check out the gallery for an additional image of the N11 headset.

The headsets, created in collaboration with Nintendo, are scheduled to release later this year. Be sure to check out some images of the headsets taken at the show, where exhibitors were kind enough to model their fit for us. You can also read more details on the Ear Force NLa and Ear Force N11 on their official Turtle Beach product pages.

Tokyo Game Show: Turtle Beach Announces Details on Officially Licensed Wii U Headsets

Turtle Beach Brings Premium Stereo Sound Quality and Crystal Clear Built-in Chat to Nintendo's Newest Console

VALHALLA, N.Y. & TOKYO – Sept. 19, 2012 – Turtle Beach, pioneer and market-leader of the gaming headset category, today announces its officially licensed headsets, the Ear Force NLa and Ear Force N11, for Nintendo’s Wii U system. Created in collaboration with Nintendo, worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, and based on Turtle Beach’s legacy of audio supremacy, the NLa and N11 offer Wii U gamers a pair of solid entry level headsets at competitive price points.

“We are very excited to be working with Turtle Beach to launch the N11 and NLa for the new Wii U,” said Steve Singer, Vice President of Licensing, Nintendo of America Inc. “We look forward to fans having a high quality audio experience with our newest console.”

 

Available in both black and white, the Ear Force NLa is the perfect headset for Nintendo gamers seeking high-fidelity audio and superior comfort at an affordable price. The NLa combines high-fidelity stereo game audio and crystal-clear communication in a sleek, lightweight and durable design. Created explicitly for use with the Wii U GamePad controller, the NLa features in-line volume control and noise-isolating ear cushions allowing for personalized audio while blocking out distractions. For gamers on the go, the NLa’s 4-pole connector can easily disconnect from the Wii U GamePad and connect to portable devices such as the Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ hand-held systems. Arriving in Q4 2012, the NLa MSRP is $34.95.

 

Available in black, the Ear Force N11 headset is the ideal headset for Nintendo gamers seeking a more audio immersive experience. Its acoustically angled 50mm speakers deliver extended bass with extraordinary dynamic range for optimum audio performance. With a fully adjustable, lightweight headband and breathable mesh ear cushions, the N11 is designed for extreme comfort during long sessions with Wii U. It also has a 4-pole connector that easily plugs-in to portable devices such as the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS. Arriving in Q4, the N11 MSRP is $49.95.

 

“The Wii U launch will prove to be one of biggest gaming console events of the year and we couldn’t be more excited to support Wii U with dedicated headsets,” said Bob Picunko, Chief Marketing Officer of Turtle Beach. “The advanced capabilities of the Wii U system offer us the chance to deliver gamers the kind of quality they fully expect from both Turtle Beach and Nintendo.”

 

To learn more about Turtle Beach, visit its booth at the Tokyo Game Show in Tokyo from Sept. 20-23 within the Makuhari Messe, Hall 2, booth 1-N6, or visit the Turtle Beach website at http://www.turtlebeach.com.

Images

Talkback

MrPhishfoodSeptember 21, 2012

When you say "exceptional quality" is that from first-hand experience? and if so how does it compare to an official Xbox 360 headset?

I may pick up one up when there are some great multiplayer games on Wii U and if the default mic on the pad isn't sufficient.

The exceptional quality line shouldn't have been in the article like that.


ANYWAY:


Every Japanese model has the same 3 poses.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)September 22, 2012


Hi! I'm JC! I took the photos and sampled the headsets first hand! How's it going people?

These headsets have exceptional quality.


It was also exceptionally fun to ask the models to...well, model the headsets for me! :cool;


Laters!

See! That's a-okay!

JC wrote the second shortest impressions ever: DS web browser impressions (google it) were amazing.

RazorkidSeptember 22, 2012

This is great to hear and something that I am very interested in. Does the Xbox 360 come with a headset?
I only ask because the adoption rate of something like this would obviously increase if it came with the system (though I know that would definitely hike up the price). Then again, this would be very cool to get in the deluxe bundle.

tendoboy1984September 22, 2012

Quote from: Razorkid

This is great to hear and something that I am very interested in. Does the Xbox 360 come with a headset?
I only ask because the adoption rate of something like this would obviously increase if it came with the system (though I know that would definitely hike up the price). Then again, this would be very cool to get in the deluxe bundle.

The Xbox 360 Slim comes with a tiny, cheap, plastic headset, the kind you'd find in a GPX or Coby CD player.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)September 22, 2012

Quote from: Crimm

See! That's a-okay!

JC wrote the second shortest impressions ever: DS web browser impressions (google it) were amazing.

Haha, thanks for the shout out, but it was actually JM!

AdrockSeptember 22, 2012

I guess you can't plug this into the Pro Controller. But... Smash...
http://i.imgur.com/HCMvC.jpg

tendoboy1984September 22, 2012

They are wireless right? If not, then for shame Nintendo and Turtle Beach, for shame.

AdrockSeptember 22, 2012

No, they're wired. I don't mind since they connect to the controller, not the console. For comparison's sake, Sony's sells a Wireless Stereo Headset for $100 (I believe there's an updated headset pending release for $150). Yeah, I'd rather save $50-$70 and deal with the "inconvenience" of using a wired headset. I'm sure a Wii U wireless headset will see release in the future for all you Scrooge McDuck's out there.

EDIT: I wonder if Nintendo will allow for the use of other headsets. If I could use the same headset on PS3 and Wii U, I wouldn't mind getting the Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition.

tendoboy1984September 22, 2012

Shit, $100 for a wireless headset? I didn't realize Sony was the new Bose. All kidding aside, why would anyone buy a headset that expensive?

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)September 23, 2012

Hey guys, I updated the article with new information I gathered from the rep today  :D

Chozo GhostSeptember 24, 2012

Quote from: tendoboy1984

****, $100 for a wireless headset? I didn't realize Sony was the new Bose. All kidding aside, why would anyone buy a headset that expensive?

That's about what they seem to cost, regardless of who you buy them from. If you want to go cheaper you need to go wired.

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