Since December of 2006, the Nintendo Wii has taken the world by storm.  Just a few short months later, the Wii has already overtaken the Xbox360 in worldwide sales, also leaving the PS3 in its dust.  So, it is no surprise that peripherals aimed at Wii users are now coming to market.  What we have on the bench is one of those peripherals, the Turtle Beach Ear Force W3 Wii Wireless headset.  The W3 comes from a long line of headphones in the Ear Force line, all of which are aimed at the gamer market. 

First Impressions:

Much like the Wii, the W3 is easy on the budget, is compact, and pretty to look at.

     The backside of the blister pack shows the package contents, the features, as well as giving you an idea of how it works. 

     Upon opening the blister pack, we find that the W3 comes with the headphones, a AAA battery, a wall plug, and a small manual.

     Our first look at the headphones themselves reveals the Wii-esque styling.  Simple, yet effective.  They look and feel a little on the cheap side, with the very basic plastic neckband. 

On the back of the right ear cuff is a neat little innovation, an On/Off switch and volume control.

Features and Specifications:

• High Quality stereo speakers

• Comfortable Design

• Volume Control

• Stays in place as you move

Installation and Use:

     Installation of the W3 headphones is a breeze.  The first step is to find a place near your TV for the transmitter, and plug it into the wall.  It is important to put it in a place where you will always have line of sight with the transmitter.

     Next is to plug in the RCA pass-throughs.  This is neat because you do not have to constantly unplug your Wii when you want to use your headphones.  All you have to do is plug the Wii audio jacks into the pass-throughs, and then the pass-throughs into your TV. 

     Once the pass-throughs are installed, next is the battery.  All it takes is a little push on the panel on the left earpiece, and the battery compartment is exposed.  Only a single AAA is needed.  After everything is setup, to use only the headphones, all you have to do is mute your TV.

Once those simple steps are completed, it's game time!  So how do the W3's hold up? 

     First, let's talk about the fit.  At first, the headband were a little uncomfortable on my big floppy ears, though once I got them adjusted, they weren't bad at all.  After an hour of play, my ears were not irritated in any way, and they stayed on my head throughout my Wii exercise session.  They adjusted well to different head sizes, even down to my young seven year old son's head (above). 

     Now, how about performance?  First off, the volume control is very handy and is capable of making the Wii more than sufficiently loud.  The audio quality was clear all the way from quiet to loud.  Secondly, the range of the headset was excellent, as long as you have a clear line of sight.  I went as far back as 25 feet from the transmitter with no issue at all.  The manual warns not to place the transmitter too close to the Wii's infrared bar, however, I had no issue, even placing them directly adjacent. 

Conclusion:

     The Ear Force W3 headphones are a fun pair of headphones for a fun console.  Whether you are living at home and the 'rents aren't cutting you any slack after curfew, or just a kid at heart playing after hours, the W3 headphones will let you get your game on no matter what time it is.  While these headphones could be used anywhere, with the use of adapters, the real home is on the Wii.

Pros:

• Pass-throughs mean you only have to plug them in once

• Wireless works great

• Compact

Cons:

• A little bit pricey

• Feel a little cheap

Innovation:	10 out of 10
Performance:	9.0 out of 10
Quality:	7.0 out of 10
Stability:	N/A
Overclocking:	N/A
Software/Drivers Pack:	N/A
Value:	8.0 out of 10
Overall Rating 8.5
Project Skill Level (10 being most difficult)	1 out of 10