Turtle Beach Atlas Air review

Out of the box the Atlas Air is an underwhelming affair. It's an open-back wireless gaming headset with much emphasis placed on its lightness, which explains its pared back look. It weighs a light 301 grams and, compared to some of the competition in this price range, it definitely feels less like an expensive jewel in the hands and more like a blunt weapon. 

Don't expect fancy swivel cups with joints that will likely wear in a couple of years: this thing feels like you could pull it out like a snap band. People with enormous heads, you're in luck. Pushers, shovers, known klutzes: this may be for you. 

This utilitarian approach extends to its interface. The left cup has a big volume wheel attached, meaning you'll never accidentally unpair your headset or switch it to Bluetooth mode while adjusting the volume. The detachable mic is a pull back to mute affair, and I think few would argue with the brute simplicity of this approach. 

There's a power button and two buttons that toggle between Bluetooth and wireless modes, and an LED denoting power or a near-spent battery. Its battery has an advertised 50 hour life, and I only charged it twice during the three weeks I spent using it.

Connection:  2.4GHz wireless (Type-C dongle), Bluetooth 5.2, USB Type-C cable, 3.5mm analogue cable
Type: Over-ear, open-back
Frequency response:  20 — 40,000hz
Drivers:  40mm with Waves 3D Audio
Microphone:  Uni-directional 16-bit 32kHz high-bandwidth
Weight:  301 g
Price:  $150 / £160 / AU$299

The overall impression is of a headset that promises to work. It's aesthetically restrained, and the polyurethane shell doesn't feel expensive in the hand. Its headband is made of a flexible mesh that some may clock as cheap, until its benefits shine through. This band is adjustable with velcro and is probably the main contributing factor towards both the Atlas Air's lightness and its superlative comfort during long gaming sessions.

It's hard to convey objective 'comfort' when it comes to headsets because a