Travelite HS-1000W USB Wireless Headset for Music Gaming & VoIP

by Asus

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.3 x 8 x 7.6 inches ; 4.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001W1VDHU
• Item model number: HS-1000W
• Batteries: 1 Lithium ion batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,467 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 13, 2009

Product Description

Embrace the Power of Wireless:
Spoil your ears to a full 20-20Khz frequency range, and deep bass sounds even up to 100 feet (30m) away
Cancel out background noise for clear voice communications
Enjoy < 0.08% distortion for professional audio performance

Ease of Use
No mare annoying wires get in the way between you and computer
No more troublesome non-stop clicking to install driver

Perfect Folding Solution, Ultra Mobility
Intelligent foldable design best for modern travelers and business people
Elegant carrying case included for your tote and handbags; fits just fine

Easy Charging
Li-Polymer battery gives your full 8 hours of non-stop enjoyment
Charging while listening
Universal mini USB charging

One Way, Triple Play
VoIP:
One touch-answer your Skye phone; another touch-go back to your beloved music

Music/Video:
Innovative Wireless technology offers high quality audio with crystal sound & deep bass

Gaming:
Low latency response, perfect for tangle-free gaming audio
Background noise-cancelling MIC for extra clarity team talk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Headset Comparison, March 4, 2010

By 

Techie Lawyer (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Travelite HS-1000W USB Wireless Headset for Music Gaming & VoIP (Electronics)

Recently purchased three wireless headsets for use with Dragon Naturally Speaking. I found that according headsets were frustrating in that they limited my range of movement from my desk at the office. The purchased headsets are the following:

Logitech - Logitech ClearChat Wireless USB Headset - Black

Creative - Creative Labs HS-1200 Digital Wireless Gaming Headset with Sound Blaster X-Fi Technology (Black)

Asus - HS-1000W Pc Wrls USB Headset 20-20KHZ for Music Gaming & Voip

I am currently using the ASUS to dictate this review. All three of these models perform extremely well and feel very good on my head. Sound quality and microphone quality were virtually indistinguishable to a lay person like myself using the headsets in a quiet office environment. Further, all three headsets were surprisingly easy to use right out of the box. The accuracy levels of these headsets while in Dragon Naturally Speaking rivaled the corded headsets I have previously used. As an aside, Version 10 of Dragon Naturally Speaking is an excellent "speech to text" program.

The ASUS would be my first choice if you are going to use a headset while traveling with a laptop. This is because the USB dongle can connect directly to the headset for charging purposes using a double ended mini USB cable. In other words, there is no power outlet needed, and there is a minimum of cabling required when transporting the headset. All in all, it is a very capable performer at an excellent price point, with its own carry case.

The Logitech headset is my absolute favorite headset if you are going to use it in an office environment without the need for portability. The range is excellent, the volume buttons are very accessible and easy to use, and the huge mute button along with the accompanying red LED which lights when the microphone is muted (very handy when using Dragon Naturally Speaking) makes this my absolute favorite choice.

The Creative headset has very nice audio and is a capable performer. As far as I was concerned, nothing about this headset was particularly better than the other two that I have reviewed here.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Over all this is an amazing headset, March 22, 2010

By 

Pickles "Pickles" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Travelite HS-1000W USB Wireless Headset for Music Gaming & VoIP (Electronics)

2 years of experience with these.

Battery

First thing was to charge it. It said to charge for 4 hours but that wasn't really possible. It charges on it's own time and the light goes out when done and that means it's no longer charging. It went out long before 4 or even 2 hours. To charge it more I unplugged it and then plugged it back in again several times to try and get an initial total charge of several hours. that's a hassle but just leaving it plugged in for 4 hours will not give it a 4 hour charge. This is likely why some have had poor battery life but even doing this did not get the 8 hours advertised.

Okay it ran out with no warning as others have said, (update)however the dongle has a solid light when connected and flashing when not, so if you glance at it now and then you will see it flashing if your headset as turned off due to battery. I plugged it in the charge before bed and it was still red/charging in the morning so it charged 4+ hours. I'm not sure the max time but I fell asleep with the chat line open and it recorded the call at over 5 hours so with a proper charge you can get at least 5 hours. I found one way to help ensure a proper charge is to be sure it's off. When plugged in it can turn on. Move the headset around while looking at the light if there's any green you need to turn it off it should be plain red only.

Compatibility

One problem I have was a warning something stopped working when I plugged it in my laptop but this turns out to be a common HP issue and it works fine anyway. So just ignore the warning. It's only an issue at start up. I later followed directions to uninstall the HP launch keys since I don't use them and no more warnings.

WI-FI compatibility issue(possible). One day did have an issue of garbled sound cutting in and out. After nothing else worked I went and reset the wi-fi modem and the sound was fine again. Had the same sound problem again later and turned out not to be the wi-fi I had to change the output quality under audio so the Hz weren't more than what the headset is designed for. So if it sounds garbled try that.

No such problems on my new computer.

Sound

Tried it briefly with a song first and the sound was fantastic. I think these are the best headphones I've ever had as far as sound. Probably about equal to my dad's old headsets for his surround sound stereo.

I also recorded myself and played it back. I had to turn up the headset by the button at that point to hear but I sounded good though it picked up all the background noise in the room too but it was crystal clear. This solves a long standing issue of my mics never being loud enough but wish it didn't pick up every noise too. Maybe a little foam cover would help. I have one and can try later and see if it hurts the sound quality or helps.

On further listening there is a bit too much base in play back for me but using the EQ in Media player fixed this with music so still awesome sounding when adjusted correctly. Most people seem to like more base so this is probably just due to my tastes.

In chat no one complained about the sound.

Quality and comfort

To me it looks like it is made well and seems to fit my head perfectly with no adjusting. Contrary to what is said the book said the battery can be replaced but only a technician should do it. Hopefully that will last a couple years. Can be worn either side of the head as the mic adjusts.

Update and tip: If they feel too tight you can make them looser by having the sides extended so the padded top doesn't touch your scalp, this makes the sides not as tight against your ears. I personally often have them on my temples with sound up a bit instead so I can hear things around me too. The sound on my new computer is really powerful through these, so even on my temples it's hardly turned up. So volume issues are probably computer issues. For me they tend to be too lose and can fall off if moving around a lot.

I really really, needed to be wireless. With half a dozen animals and myself running around I could not go a month, often not even a week, without a flimsy headset cable getting busted and they all are flimsy. I also listen or chat a lot but am also constantly needing to get up and do other things which means taking the headset off or having a long cord that keeps breaking. I tried Bluetooth and it was horrible and promptly sent everything back. The sound with this is awesome. If this even lasts a year it will save me the constant aggravation of a wire.

Update:(Quality) 6 months and now I know what others meant when they said they fell apart on their heads. The crescent piece attaching the speaker to the little swivel post is very thin and that just broke. Was very awkward to try and glue, used a mix of super and hot glue(do not use hot glue see 1year), there was no good way to hold it still long enough for the supper to work. It worked for now but will need to use epoxy once I get some. The wire was not damaged, so they are really not broken-broken. It happened on the side with the charge wire, likely from it getting tugged now and then when plugged in and I forget. I sleep in them sometimes but the other side shows no wear. They have really held up well under the conditions here. I'm not gentle with them.

1 YEAR: The mic side also broke lose eventually. I realized then using hot glue was a mistake. I should have known better from splicing my old wired headsets. The wires are protected by a coating to keep them from shorting inside the plastic cover. If enough heat is applied this coating evaporates.Prior to fixing them with hot glue that time everything was working perfect. Soon as fixed the speaker on the mic side was cutting in and out. So use Epoxy. It's stronger than super glue but most take longer to set. The mic still works fine so I was lucky my mistake only cost me one speaker.

Distance and charging

Distance is great. It sounded great coming from my room to the farthest room in the house through the garage wall hallway bathroom wall and bedroom wall. I only lost it finally in the farthest back closest in the house. I'm guessing 70-80ft with walls in the way. Reconnected instantly when I took one step back.

The charging cable is 30 inches if you count the plugs on each end and 28 if you do not. I measured it. It could stand a few more inches to be a full three feet for sure. However I can have my laptop on my lap and the headset still on the desk connected to charge or plugged in and wearing them fine. The wire is a bit stiff but should mean it wont be to flimsy. The plug being on the side of the dongle is annoying. It's either jammed against the power cable or blocking the second usb port.

Was digging in my old cables and found a Motorola charger that is mini-usb and wall plug. It's working and my headset didn't blow up ;) Says the output is 5V. Much longer cable so this could solve a lot of issues. Most abuse inflicted on mine were the cable yanking due to my not remembering I had them charging while using. After an incident with the bunny chewing the charger I found a blackberry charger works too.

I do wish the dongle was smaller as the large size means it could potentially be easily damaged as it's a large target to get hit or bumped. I'm assuming the size is part of why it gets awesome sound and distance though so will just have to be careful.

This is for home use but to be on the safe side I will try to keep it in the case when not in use to prevent accidents. (this didn't really happen but is a good idea)

The ear pieces don't lock into place. It would be nice if they did. I take it on and off quite a bit. I just hate having any headset on when not actively in use. It is a little bit of a hassle to put back on as the earpieces keep moving. Very minor and am getting used to it their not locking my help them be more comfortable. (Don't have this issue any more. I guess I just got used to them)

Over all this is an amazing headset made even more awesome by being wireless. Highly recommended. It's everything advertised to be and much more than some other reviews give it credit for! All issues are minor.

I still love them.

1 year: So if you are abusive to them like me they may not be the best. With the third party charger I no longer have issues with them getting yanked off from standing up with them on and so would not break as easy. My problem now is I keep dropping them. I got more careless with them after initially breaking since, hey they were already broken, and they still work after a year.

2 years. The dongle is finally starting to give out. It took a lot of abuse but it will turn off or on from the littlest movement. So I have finally ordered a new wireless headset but am trying a different brand due to the customer rating falling here. I won't drop my rating based on other reviews but if I can get a better quality for similar price I'll give it a shot. My experience with my headset was good. They arrived in perfect shape, sounded great and lasted pretty well considering they were not treated with care here. The speaker only gave out after a mistake of mine. However others have not been so lucky, which is too bad. Asus is usually known for quality.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Reasonable quality wireless stereo headset, April 10, 2010

By 

C. Hartsfield "cwharts" (Austin TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Travelite HS-1000W USB Wireless Headset for Music Gaming & VoIP (Electronics)

I bought these as a replacement for a similar more expensive Plantroics headset which I had to replace because the headset itself was broken. These are ok. Range is good, sound is good, nice quality and almost fully equipped comparatively. I believe they are too small for many people like myself. While the headset does fit my head, it puts too much pressure on my ears or even my neck if I drop them down while not listening, and the speakers could be a little larger. The charge doesn't last long - maybe 4 hours at best, much less than my previous set. Also when charging, you can't listen to your external speakers because the sound system thinks you are still using the headset. The mini USB cord to charge using the bluetooth adapter and the headset is too short for my system since I don't have any USB connector on my keyboard. My only alternative seems to be to charge it elsewhere. I also wish it came with a mini jack connector to allow me to use my headset on non-USB stereo devices.