Ashdown Engineering, the innovative British amplification company best known for creating world-class bass amps for U2, Foo Fighters and Sir Paul McCartney, is giving U.S. gaming enthusiasts a chance to level up their games with the introduction of Meters, the world’s only zero-lag 7.1 virtual surround sound headphones with an LED backlit VU meter (volume unit) on each ear cup.
“These headphones are quite literally a game-changer, allowing players to upgrade their gaming experience with zero lag and 7.1 virtual surround sound for an ultra-realistic audio gaming experience,” said Ashdown Engineering Chairman Mark Gooday. “When players can tell exactly where sounds are coming from, as if they were happening in the real physical space around them, it can actually change how they play the game and deliver a more visceral feeling, especially in live multiplayer games with rich 3D environments.”
Meters’ Level Up headphones (available nationwide for $129.99) combine custom-designed 50mm drivers with the company’s proprietary 7.1 virtual surround sound software to deliver the most realistic audio possible for modern HD gaming, with excellent response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. A detachable electret condenser microphone provides crystal clear in-game communication and comfort for games where a microphone isn’t needed, while the 7-foot braided USB cable ensures zero latency performance that immerses gamers in the game’s digital environment.
Live gaming streamers on Twitch and other platforms can capture even more attention with Level Up headphones, which give viewers new insight into their favorite players by placing the player’s audio experience front and center with a highly visible backlit VU meter on each earcup. These real, active volume unit meters measure the headphones’ input, replicating the meters found on professional-grade bass amplifiers used in live musical performances. For example, in a game where there is an explosion, gunfire, or an end-of-game buzzer goes off, viewers can see the volume spike and gain a deeper appreciation for the audio side of gaming. The VU meters feature RGB LED backlighting, and players can easily adjust the color and brightness with a single button on the convenient in-line remote control.
Available in black with red, carbon or silver accents, Level Up headphones feature large ear cups with extra-plush ear pads and headbands to ensure all-day comfort for even the most serious gamers. In addition to controlling the LED light, the in-line microphone also provides sensitivity adjustment for the VU meter, volume control and a microphone on/off switch. Connection to PC, laptop and PlayStation consoles is simple with the included USB cable, while a standard 3.5mm cable is required for use with Xbox consoles.
Meters’ virtual surround sound software, called the Level Up! 7.1 Virtual Environment, enables players to create a highly personalized audio experience with a 10-band equalizer, room size adjustment, a virtual speaker shifter to move and adjust volume for individual speakers in the virtual space, noise reduction, microphone boost and Xear’s Magic Voice tool that warps the player’s microphone output to sound like a dinosaur, a duck, or a male or female human. PC and Xbox use of the Level Up! 7.1 Virtual Environment requires a simple driver download via the Meters website – no driver is required for Playstation consoles.
Meters’ Level Up over-ear headphones are now available at major U.S. retailers including Amazon, Sweetwater and B&H Photo.
Meters headphones are available in the United States exclusively through KMC Music.
For high-res images, click here.
Follow Meters on Facebook, here.
Follow Meters on Twitter, here.
Follow Meters on Instagram, here.