A few weeks ago I received the Recon Air Wireless Communicator from Turtle Beach. Knowing that it is the Xbox version, but that there is also one for the Sony console.
The box is grey, enhanced with Xbox's specific green. I assume that suddenly the one of PlayStation must alternate gray and blue. On the front, the brand highlights the wireless aspect and chat communication. On the back, the main features are summarized: Bluetooth and console connectivity, comfortable and reversible ear hooks, unidirectional microphone for clear communication, convenient chat controls at your fingertips, reliable battery life of 10 hours, compatibility with smart mobile assistants, three different sizes of earbuds included.
Inside, as promised, I find the microphone coupled to its headset (only one), an adapter adapted to the Xbox controller, two tips in a small plastic, and a mini charging cable.
The first time I try to put the headset on, it doesn't feel great, and it doesn't hold. In fact, do not hesitate to move the ear hook in all directions, which is very mobile and adapts to almost all body types. The icing on the cake: it allows you to switch from a right ear to a left ear configuration. Perfect because, when I only put on one earphone, I always tend to place it on the right ear! Once the right angle is found, it's perfect. Featherweight, the earpiece applies almost no pressure on the ear and can be worn for long hours without suffering unpleasant pain.
At the bottom of the ear, along the microphone, two buttons to raise and lower the volume. Right next to it, a third to disable/enable the microphone. In the middle of the ear, the big button is called "multi-function". It is used to turn on the communicator and then adapts to the situation: pause the music, take a call, reject a call (hold 3 seconds)...
Of course, the adapter is only needed with an Xbox console. Any device with Bluetooth 5.1, whether computer or mobile, uses the headset live. I tried pairing the two, and it worked without issue. You just have to take a moment to read the documentation because the pairing does not start automatically when the Recon Air is turned on. You have to double-click on the main button for that. Practical, the Recon Air is able to remain paired to a mobile device at the same time as it is connected to a console via its transmitter. After a manipulation well explained in the documentation, this allows you to answer calls on your phone while remaining on a voice chat. The multi-function button then allows you to switch from one to the other.
The voice is well transmitted, whether it is the one I hear, or mine (according to my interlocutor!). The unidirectional microphone ensures good capture, despite a slightly noisy environment (tested with a TV in the background). As surprising as it may seem, the music also plays very well! I listened to one of my playlists on my iPhone, and it's not bad at all. Of course, it lacks depth, in particular because of the absence of a second ear. But that's quite honest for such a small earphone which, moreover, is primarily designed for voice chat.
On paper, the battery offers ten hours of autonomy. My tests are indeed close to that, knowing that it is always difficult to easily estimate this data. The USB-C cable allows recharging, with a fast mode that restores three hours of additional autonomy in just fifteen minutes. So unless you have normal consumption, or at least take time breaks, you should never break down.
For a very reasonable price - the Recon Air is offered at the recommended price of €34,99 - we have an excellent product for communicating on the internet, whether on console, mobile or computer. Mainly created for gamers, the communicator may also be suitable for telecommuting professionals who spend a lot of time on the phone.
More details on the official website, www.turtlebeach.com, or on the product sheet below:
Amazon - 34,99€
