ROCCAT Unveils New Kave XTD 5.1 Digital Gaming Headset at Gamescom

ROCCAT introduced its new Kave XTD 5.1 Digital gaming headset at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. The new headset is the direct successor to the original Kave, which the company proudly touts was the best-selling true 5.1 gaming headset in the world.

The company says that the new headset “builds on the foundations laid by the original headset by improving existing features and introducing completely new and innovative ones of its own,” and that the improvements are based on community and customer feedback. Among the new features is a fully-equipped desktop remote with a built-in sound card. The remote features a ROCCAT-patented Bluetooth-pairing technology the company calls “ROCCAT Smart Link.” With ROCCAT Smart Link, end-users can pair the remote with a smartphone and control the remote with the device. Pretty nifty.

But that’s not all. The remote also features 5.1 audio connectors on its backside. End-users with 5.1 speaker systems can connect their speakers to the Kave XTD’s remote; consequently, they can then toggle between the Kave XTD headset and their 5.1 speaker systems for audio output.

The Kave XTD headset itself is an evolution of the original Kave. Each earcup has three drivers, each aligned at a 12° angle, which the company says should produce crisp, immersive 5.1 sound. The headband is also reworked. Finally, ROCCAT says the new Kave XTD is around 25% lighter than the original Kave headset.

A carryover feature from the original Kave is the detachable microphone stalk, but even here ROCCAT says that it has improved things in detail. The company says performance should be improved sound quality and enhanced reliability.

ROCCAT is very keen to proclaim that its new Kave XTD has already been nominated for the “Best Hardware” prize at this year’s Gamescom.

The new Kave XTD 5.1 Digital Gaming Headset will be available in November 2013. MSRP has been set at US $169.99.