For $10 more, the updated version improves battery life and gains new features for added convenience.
Microsoft has introduced a new version of its wireless headset for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs.
One of the most important changes is the inclusion of Dolby Atmos out of the box.
Microsoft likely refused to pay the Dolby licensing fee for every unit before relenting with the updated model.
However, as with the older models, activating DTS Headphone: X still incurs an additional cost.
Windows Sonic, Microsoft’s in-house spatial sound alternative, is also supported.
Moreover, Microsoft added voice isolation and auto-mute features.
The company also switched to Qualcomm’s S5 Gen 2 sound platform, decreasing audio latency.
Furthermore, the new Xbox headset upgrades the Bluetooth functionality from version 4.2 to 5.3.
The updated specifications introduce various features to improve energy efficiency, which might be behind the increased battery life.
Although the charging speed remains unchanged, battery life has lengthened from 15 to 20 hours.
Other aspects of the headset are mostly unchanged.
It weighs 312 grams (11 ounces) and includes 40mm neodymium magnet speakers with paper composite diaphragms.
The speaker impedance is 32 ohms with a 20Hz to 20kHz response.
The volume and other prefs are adjustable through earcup dials and the Xbox Accessories app on Xbox or Windows.
