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Victor Tiscareno knows sound. The engineer established a career by crafting high-end music systems. His work drew the notice of Apple’s Steve Jobs and it was impressive enough that the Cupertino-based company hired him.
Fast forward several years later and Tiscareno is using his talent in the gaming sphere. The devices he crafts are made for discerning audiophiles, who typically own systems that cost thousands of dollars. His research and development led to several patents, but his latest one, CrossWave technology, could be a game-changer for surround sound in headphones. It’s the centerpiece of the VZR Model 1, a $349 headset aiming to create more realistic sound in closed-back set of cans.
The tech is an acoustic lens that fits inside the ear cup and goes atop the driver. The lens filters the audio so it reproduces a more accurate surround sound, Tiscareno said. The apertures in the acoustic lens push audio out so that it isn’t blasting on the ear, but moves around the ear cup, creating better spatialized sound.
That’s the main innovation, but Tiscareno and fellow VZR co-founder Mike Henein also want to create a high-end device that’s versatile enough for different activities. They want the VZR Model 1 to handle work as a reference headset. They want to give players more immersion in single-player games and they want the device to give players an edge in multiplayer matches.
The VZR founders say they put attention to detail with a carbon fiber back to create a solid and light support for drivers. It also has a support bar that holds the driver in place, preventing excess vibration. The memory foam is soft and creates a tight seal so that the Model 1 doesn’t lose the deeper bass frequencies.
At 430 grams, it’s a bit heavier than the likes of the Epos GSP 600, but Henein said his headset carries the weight well. The suspension headband lets the Model 1 sit atop the head. Meanwhile, the clamping force creates a good seal while the memory foam doesn’t put too much pressure around the ear.
Players shouldn’t expect any extra processing power or chips in the Model 1. Henein says, “We’re taking the audiophile purist approach.” The device handles a fragile signal and reproduces it with startling realism, Tiscareno said.
The former Apple employee said the way the CrossWave technology works, it reproduces a truer surround sound. If players see a rocket taking off, they’ll get a sense of the verticality, of the sound rising above the screen instead of staying just staying flat and horizontal. Henein said despite being a closed-back headset, the Model 1 has an open and natural sound stage because of the devices innovations.
When it comes to the microphone, players can expect a noise-canceling system that focuses on removing excess audio. “We strike a balance of rejecting noise and keeping a vocal timbre,” Henein said. It’s removable as well for streamers who may want to use another microphone from Yeti or another company. The Model 1 also has an in-line microphone that has mute slider.
At $349, players can expect other extras such as a carrying case and breakout cables for PC players. It sounds as though, players will find plenty of extras for an expensive headset focused on producing great sound. For those who want to get their hands on one, the VZR Model 1 is expected to be released later this year.
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