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While we wouldn't say that the Shock One is an uncomfortable headset, it certainly isn't going to win any awards for comfort. Firstly, the headset is a little heavy for our liking and, secondly, we found that it applied to much pressure on our head. The headset does feature a padded headband which improves the situation a little, though. This does mean that the headset stays firmly in place during use, though.
Even though the headset is supplied with leatherette earpads attached, Thermaltake include a second set which is covered in cloth. These can be used for those long and sweaty gaming sessions where leatherette pads might become uncomfortable. Changing over the earpads is a simple process as they pull off easily and click back into place.
As the Shock One connects via USB, it has it's own built in sound card. So Thermaltake include a software utility with the headset which lets you optimise it for different types of gaming, change the ‘environment', and configure the DTS surround sound.
Overall we were very impressed by the performance of the headset when gaming. The virtual surround sound may not be as effective as dedicated surround sound but it does improve the directionality of sounds when gaming. This makes a noticeable difference in FPS games especially as you can identify where you are being shot from more accurately.
The improved directionality of sound is also noticeable when watching movies which support sound sound. This helps to create a more immersive experience and makes the Shock One well suited for movie playback. Music playback performance is also quite good, especially when listening to genres which benefit from prominent bass lines.
