

The overall feeling is one of warmth, with a soundscape that is accurate and carefully delivered without ever sounding too sharp or overwhelming. Once paired for the first time, just press the connect button on the headset next time you want to use it while gaming.Īll that’s missing from the hardware is a proximity or light sensor for automatically pausing music when the headphones are taken off, as seen on some rivals, like the Apple AirPods max. We tested ours with an Xbox one X and connecting couldn’t have been easier – all you do is press the connect button on the console (like when connecting a new gamepad) and the same button on the Portal.
#Bang and olufsen xbox headset review series#
The Portal works with the newer Xbox series X and S consoles but also older Xbox one devices too. AirPods Pro: Should you buy Apple’s earbuds or headphones? Instead, you have to reach for your phone to change tracks. We’d like to see more tap controls, such as one tap for play/pause (instead of two) and two for skipping forward a track. Physical connections include a 3.5mm audio jack and a USB-C port for charging and audio input. This doesn’t use Bluetooth, but instead uses Microsoft’s proprietary Xbox Wireless system, which ensures lossless audio is sent from console to headset.
#Bang and olufsen xbox headset review Bluetooth#
There’s a button on the right for power and Bluetooth pairing, and one on the left for connecting to an Xbox console. The same movement on the left cup switches between active noise cancelling and transparency mode, where microphones are used to help you hear your surroundings more clearly. Music is lauded and played with a double-tap on the side of each ear cup (when in Bluetooth mode) and volume in both Bluetooth and Xbox modes is adjusted with a swipe up or down on the edge of the right-hand ear cup. The Portal is controlled entirely via touch. It’s clever tech and it really works those we spoke to with the headset said we sounded the same as with others we’ve tried. Instead, B&O uses an array of microphones with beamforming technology, which filters out background noise and focuses on your voice. Read more: 10 best wireless headphones 2022 that are on and over-ear It’s not detachable there simply isn’t one. The most obvious difference between this and other gaming headsets is the lack of a microphone arm. The key here is how the Portal doesn’t look like a gaming headset, and so can be used in other situations without passers-by wondering where your gamepad is. Three colour options are available: black anthracite, grey mist and navy, which is featured in this review.

There’s aluminium and leather, comfortable ear cups and a nicely padded headband.Īt 282g they are fairly light and we found they stayed entirely comfortable, even after several hours of use. The Portal shuns all of that in favour of a classic headphone aesthetic. Gaming headsets have a tendency to be a little garish, complete with bulky designs and even multicoloured LED lights. As you’d expect from a Bang & Olufsen product, the hardware design of the Portal is top-notch.
