Turtle Beach® Ear Force® DSS Upgrades Any Stereo Headset to 7.1 Channel Dolby® Surround Sound

May 25, 2010 (PRLEAP.COM) Technology News
Elmsford, N.Y., May 25, 2010 – Turtle Beach, leaders in premium gaming headsets and audio entertainment accessories, today unveiled its new Ear Force DSS, a 7.1 channel Dolby surround sound processor that delivers full, immersive surround sound through any stereo headset. The Ear Force DSS is the perfect complement to the company's extensive lineup of performance stereo headsets (including Ear Force X31, X11, XLC, Z1 and PX21), that instantly transforms any gaming, movie-watching or other audio listening experience via digital outputs from XBOX 360, PS3, PC and other sources such as Blu-ray or DVD players. The DSS device delivers convenient "plug-and-play" technology that also instantly upgrades audio from analog stereo sources to Dolby Pro Logic® IIx for virtual surround sound.

"As consumers enjoy more and more HD and 3D entertainment content, or just want to breathe new life into a favorite pair of stereo headphones, our new Ear Force DSS is the ultimate audio accessory," said Michael Arzt, VP Marketing and Business Development, Turtle Beach. "When it's all about getting the most-immersive gaming or movie watching experience, our new DSS sound processor is the 'bolt-on supercharger' that takes you there."

With the Ear Force DSS and their favorite headphones, video game and movie fans will be able to hear distinct audio events happening all around them, greatly enhancing the overall experience and rewarding gamers with a newfound competitive edge. DSS users playing games and watching movies on their game consoles will actually hear the 7.1 surround sound from certain 5.1 channel audio tracks via additional "hidden" channels called Dolby EX.

Other key features and benefits of the Turtle Beach Ear Force DSS include:
* Variable bass boost to enhance the sound of explosions, gunshots and other deep bass effects to increase the realism of games and movies;
* Full-functioning headphone amplifier that can be used as a perfect complement to audiophile headphones;
* S/PDIF-to-analog converter that can down-mix multi-channel audio from digital devices to 2-channel analog headphone output. This enables digital sources to be connected to devices such as home theater receivers via standard stereo analog audio connections;
* Front panel USB pass-thru that allows other USB devices to be connected for power or data, eliminating the need for a power adapter and reducing the number of USB ports needed in a gaming or entertainment setup.
* Available AC power option from wall outlet via an optional Turtle Beach USB-to-AC power adapter (which can be purchased via TurtleBeach.com)

The Turtle Beach Ear Force DSS is just one of several exciting new Turtle Beach products and accessories that will debut at the upcoming E3 – Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, June 15th – 17th, 2010. The Ear Force DSS has an MSRP of $89.95 and is available now on the Turtle Beach web site www.turtlebeach.com and will be available soon at other online retailers and major US and Canadian retail stores. Turtle Beach premium gaming and audio products are available at Best Buy, GameStop, Amazon.com, Newegg, Meijer, Best Buy Canada, The Future Shop and other fine retailers. Turtle Beach products are distributed in Europe by Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ www.madcatz.com)

Turtle Beach (www.turtlebeach.com) designs and markets premium audio peripherals for personal computer and video game platforms, including its acclaimed line of Ear Force gaming headphones and headsets crafted for XBOX360® and PS3™ game consoles and PC games. Turtle Beach's Ear Force X41 wireless headset is Official XBOX Magazine's "2009 Peripheral of the Year." Turtle Beach, headquartered in Elmsford, New York, is a brand of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc., which has been at the forefront of music and audio technology for more than three decades and is recognized as a pioneer of today's PC audio industry.

Turtle Beach and Ear Force are trademarks and registered trademarks of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. XBOX, XBOX 360 and XBOX LIVE are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Corp. PS3 is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories. All other trademarks are property of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.

Editor Note: Artwork is available at http://www.turtlebeach.com/press/artwork.aspx