When I typically review a product, specifically a headset, it’s because I’ve been approached for a review sample, or I’m sent a press release. But this time, I was the pursuer. It all began when I saw an ad on Facebook for Turtle Beach’s brand-new Atlas Air Headset ($179.99). With an open-back design and being the very first headset ever to feature floating earcups, this was something different, and I wanted it. But now that I have it, does it live up to the hype?

Specs and Audio

Features:

• Open Back Design with the World’s First Floating Earcup

• 40mm Drivers with High-Fidelity 24-bit Audio Quality

• Flip-to-Mute Mic with Noise Reduction & 32kHz High-Bandwidth Performance

• Lightweight Design at 301g with Glasses Friendly Memory Foam Cushions

• Low Latency Wireless + Bluetooth® or Wired Mode

• QuickSwitch Button for Seamless Wireless to Bluetooth® switching

• Up to 50 Hour Battery Life Plus Quick Charge

• Swarm™ II Desktop & Mobile App with Advanced 10-Band EQ

• Waves 3D Audio for PC + 10-Band EQ & Superhuman Hearing®

• Customizable Headband & Ear Cushion Mod Pack Sold Separately

On the surface, the Atlas Air is a pretty plain-looking headset. But when you look a bit closer, that’s when you begin to see the magic happening. For one, it’s an extremely light and comfy headset thanks to its full soft yet durable plastic design, along with its open back earcups that are suspended by what seems like strong rubber bungees of some kind. It really is a slick-looking headset once you get it into your hands.

And the audio quality is no different. This headset is one of the most comfortable for usage on the head and for how well the audio comes through. Thanks to the Swarm II software and its usage of Waves 3D, you can highly customize your sound profile to maximize your enjoyment and use of the headset for each sitting. I found music to be crisp and clear, enemy footsteps to be heart-poundingly realistic, and YouTube videos to sound as if I were in the room with my favorite creators.

I love the overall design of how the headset was laid out, as the buttons and dials are all on the left ear, making switching settings, volume, and the like a twitch if even that. The open-back design also allows me to enjoy my content whilst also being a responsible parent, as I’m able to hear what’s going on in the room even in the most intense of in-game moments. Not to mention that the mic completely avoids situations where the little ones rip the damn thing off since it’s removable. No worries about a broken headset here!

Conclusion

The Atlas Air is an incredible headset that I’m going to continue to use from here on out as it’s my favorite headset right now. Because of its extreme comfortability and durability, as well as its awesome open-back design, this is the best headset to have around in order to enjoy the virtual world whilst also still being grounded in the real one. As a parent, I applaud Turtle Beach for creating a headset for us that can stand up against children and the daily wear and tear that comes wth the life of a parent. There’s no doubt that this is a headset worthy of your attention.