From the beginning, a lot of companies have worked towards making gaming a more immersive experience. Virtual reality makes us feel like we’re there, motion adds a sensory element, with a variety of items mimicking their real world equivalent. Trustmaster has done a lot to enhance this space. From flight sticks to racing wheels, they’ve given players an experience much closer to the actual experience.
However, like most companies, there is only so far you can take these products before you need new ideas. So, they released a variety of new headphones to complement their various products. The idea behind the T. series is simple, instead of being a simple pair of headphones, they’re designed to look like what a pilot or pit crew might wear. In many cases this doesn’t make for the best looking product but it does give players another step towards recreating that experience.
Editors Note: For this review we were lucky enough to receive the T. Racing Scuderia Ferrari Edition, their take on a racing headset, and T. Assault Six Collection Edition gaming headsets. We did not receive the T. Flight U.S. Air Force Edition, the model designed with pilots in mind, though all three headsets internal specs, with this edition more closely resembling the T. Assault Six Collection Edition.
Presentation
Despite not having the same intricate presentation as the 1More Spearhead VRX headphones, they do a good job of conveying they’re gaming headsets, without being too overt. The T. Assault model is a little bit flashier, with the T. Racing headset going for the subtle charms you’d expect from Ferrari. Arguably the most interesting thing is how they’re almost completely the same, yet both boxes choose to highlight different attributes.
So, where the T. Assault says “100 percent high quality memory foam” and “large ear cushions (25mm/1”) with gel layer for better isolation,” the T. Racing simply says “ultimate comfort.” That aside, they both do a fantastic job of highlighting the key features, without overwhelming or adding too much information. As for the inside, they’re little more than a bit of cardboard, the headset covered in plastic and a packet with basic information/accessories.
Build Quality
While little was put into presentation, the rest was put into the product itself. Both headsets have a premium feel, complete with plush cushions, nice leather feel and metal accents. They also feel sturdy enough to give the impression they’ll last, though don’t feel as durable as the Astro A10s or other more child friendly headsets. This isn’t necessarily a problem for adults, just something to keep in mind.
Interestingly enough, the T. Racing and T. Assault headsets are constructed a little differently. The T. Racing unit has leather on top of the band, has less Thrustmaster branding, a glossy red finish, metal Ferrari logo and a standard cord. As for the T. Assault, they have woven mesh on top of the band with a huge Thrustmaster logo, matte finish, the ability to swap out the logo (comes with a second Siege icon and can be used interchangeably with the T. Flight ones), threaded cord and a variety of Siege branding (on the inside of the ear cushion, metal sides, inline mic and more).
Despite the quality of the headphones, they’re not the most practical. Both headsets feature an on-ear volume knob, which isn’t pretty or the sleekest design choice. Mic mute and voice volume are on the mic controller, which is affixed to a non-removable cord. This means if you break the cord, in any way, you need to replace the headset. The included microphone also isn’t the best looking thing around, though it does resemble what a pit-crew would use and is removable. However, the included cover is black on both units, so it stands out on the Ferrari headset.
Sound Quality
One of the first things I noticed was that these are not the loudest headphones. To achieve the same level of sound from the VRX or my usual Astro A50s, I had to increase my systems volume a fair amount. Naturally, this can be resolved by simply playing at a higher volume and hardly an issue if you’re not use to playing at a higher volume. I did find I had much better results using them as a pair of headphones with my Sony Walkman, which was able to deliver sound loud enough to make it loud enough to be heard from outside the device itself.
To further this, regardless of all the padding, they offer little to no noise isolation. They were to the point where I could watch television at my usual volume, so around 15, and hear everything just fine. So if you’re looking for isolation, you might want to consider something else.
If these are not negatives for you, I did find them extremely useful when playing Destiny 2. There were enough details to make out enemy positions, be aware of my surroundings and plan my attack. Maybe not to the point of a the VRX or Astro A50s, but certainly within the range of what you’d find at $100 or slightly beyond that.
During my vocal tests I found it registered my voice just fine, with those around me having no issues making it out or hearing me. Even voice recordings were good enough where I could see using it to do a raid, trial or just shoot some people in Fortnite and not lose out.
Going back to my Sony Walkman, they made a decent pair of headphones too. All the padding made them comfortable enough to wear for a couple hours, with sound delivering a satisfying experience. Naturally, it isn’t as crisp as a more expensive pair but for I wouldn’t object to using them as a pair to clean around the house.
Verdict
Overall, the T. series headphones want to bring racing and flight fans another step towards full immersion. With the headphones looking similar to what you’d find on a pit-crew or while flying, they help to bring that experience to life. This is especially true for the Ferrari headphones, which I got a number of complements and questions about.
In addition to achieving their main goal, the actual headset works fairly well. There is enough comfort to wear them for an extended period of time and quality exceeds what you’d find on some slightly lower headsets. The downside is that they’re nowhere near as sleek are most competitors and far from the most child friendly pair on the market. If this isn’t a deal breaker, they could be used for some light competitive play or just a more immersive experience without any regret.
