The Kunai gaming headset is the latest product from MadCatz under the TRITTON brand. It is priced at around £49.99 (about $80 USD), and is meant for gamers looking for a high quality, entry-level headset. It also comes with an inline controller that allows you to control the volume of game audio and voice chat.
Simply put, the Kunai looks great. The pair that I received has a clean, black-and-white style, complemented by a black stripe running from the top of the cans, through the middle of the band, finally meeting at the top, where the word ‘TRITTON’ is written in silver. The outside of the cans also has the TRITTON logo stamped on them in silver, though it is available in red and black as well. The black padding on the cans and underneath the band provide a nice contrast to the glossy white of the plastic. The microphone piece also has a white tip to it, complementing the stylish design nicely.
The Kunai comes with 40-mm speakers, a removable microphone, and a 14-ft wire (featuring the aforementioned inline volume controller) which has wires going to a USB connector and two stereo audio cables. There are always loads of cable to deal with when it comes to wired gaming headsets; if you don’t want to deal with that, then you may want to look for a wireless solution. However, the long cables do have their advantages, as it means you can sit a comfortable distance away from your TV without it being any trouble.
Setup is fast and simple, thanks in large part to the great picture-based manual, which shows that the headset connects to the PlayStation Vita by way of the audio jack. It also clearly shows how easily the Kunai connects to the PlayStation 3 with the USB slot on the front of the console; the only other necessity is to insert the red and white “Audio Out” plugs into your TV. After you have the Kunai all plugged in, there is only one other thing you have to do before chatting on the PlayStation 3. Yet again, however, the manual makes it extremely clear what you have to do. By going to the “Audio Device Settings” on the XMB and changing the input and output settings so it can detect the Kunai, you’re good to go. All told, it takes about four minutes to get you up and running.
The headset is light, but rugged enough that it can’t be broken easily, and is very comfortable to wear. The detachable microphone is very flexible, which means it can be bent to basically any angle, or even completely out of the way when you are not talking.
If you are used to higher quality headsets, then you will notice a difference in sound. The Kunai does not have directional audio or 5.1 surround sound, which allows you to hear exactly where shots are coming from in games like Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3. However, the 40mm stereo drivers do still provide decent audio at lows, mids, and highs. It gives impressive bass sounds that make the revving of an engine or an explosion vibrate your ears. Voice chat also works well, as there is an option that allows you to turn down the game volume or turn up the chat volume with a simple turn of the controls. This ensures that your friends can hear you clearly, and vice versa, without them being drowned out by the in-game volume. This is exactly what you would expect from a dedicated gaming headset.
The TRITTON Kunai is a great entry level headset, considering that it does everything expected from it, while still looking quite stylish. It offers good quality audio, an inline controller, and an easily understandable setup. On the downside, though, the Kunai does not stop exterior sounds too well. Also, there is no real way of knowing you have just bought a headset specifically made for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita apart from a label on the box. However, as it is comfortable and offers impressive audio quality, it’s a great purchase for someone looking to get into gaming headsets. So, if you are looking for an affordable headset that has overall good quality, then the TRITTON Kunai is a must buy.
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This review is based on a retail version of the Tritton Kunai Gaming Headset provided by MadCatz.