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Hauppauge XFones PC-2400 wireless headphones

Dolby technology built in bundled

PowerDVD allows you to boost the sound volumes and to apply different room models to the sound output, so you can tailor the sound to suit your personal preferences.

Hauppauge mentions the XFones' Mac OS X support, but while the OS' DVD Player app will down-mix a DVD's multi-channel soundtrack, it doesn't provide the Dolby Headphone experience. Right now, we can't find any Mac app that does. Hauppauge presumably can't either, which is why there's no bundled Mac software. For Mac users, then, the XFones are good, but ultimately just another pair of wireless headphones.

Hauppauge XFones

Pack, man

Support for Dolby Headphone is stronger in the PC world, but the crucial point here is that the technology works with any pair of headphones. PowerDVD retails for $50 (£25) so it's certainly cheaper to buy the software and use 'phones you already own or put the £55 difference toward a good-brand set of wired headphones or cans that can be used with a wider range of devices. We tried Dolby Headphone out with a set of regular iPod earphones and you could tell the difference even then. That said, the effect was certainly better with the XFones' bigger drivers.

If you must have wireless 'phones, the XFones aren't a bad place to start. Even without Dolby Headphone, you'll have a job finding a USB wireless ear-enclosing headphone set for this price.

We'd prefer a Bluetooth unit like Logitech's FreePulse - reviewed here - which works with any device that has a 3.5mm jack socket or has an A2DP wireless stereo facility. But there's no doubt the XFones would make a great addition to a living room PC connected to a big telly.

Hauppauge claims the phones will run for nine hours on a fresh set of AAAs. We got a little less than that - between 8h 30m to 8h 45m, we'd say - but then we were messing with the bass boost feature in the early hours, and that will always increase power consumption.

Verdict

Hauppauge's XFones are by no means a bad set of cans, but the star here is Dolby Headphone. It's very impressive, but it'll work with any pair of 'phones - all you need is a compatible playback app. If you don't have one, or you just fancy a pair of wireless headphones, then the XFones are a good starter set. But we'd prefer a set that can work with a broader array of devices, and that means Bluetooth.

70%

Hauppauge XFones PC-2400 wireless headphones

Nice cans but we'd prefer a set that worked with more devices than just USB-equipped computers...
Price: £80 RRP

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