Difference between revisions of "HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap"

HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap
Information
Battery	2 AAA batteries required.
Manufacturer	HTC
Model Name	99HAMR001-00
Platform	SteamVR, Windows
Release Date	April 5, 2017
Weight	8 ounces

Developer	HTC
Requires	HTC Vive
Image
Optics
Tracking	Head tracking
Audio	3D
Connectivity	???
Input	Microphone

Latest revision as of 06:51, 18 March 2025

HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap is an audio accessory for the HTC Vive. It replaces the original earbuds that came with the headset.

First Impressions

The new headstrap feels very lightweight and flexible - almost a cheap feeling in hands. The build quality is pretty good tho - check the images above. You can remove the headphones from the strap and even the cables for it, so the audio part is completely modular, which is a big plus!

Weight Distribution

Yes it is better, but not a total game changer. The HMD itself is pretty big and heavy and it still remains front-heavy. What's more important for me, is the fact, that the new strap is able to handle the weight better. The whole headset sits more stable and fixed on your head. The old strap always felt very loose and cheap and I stopped playing because of this - this is fixed now. It's an improvement, but don't expect wonders.

Headphones and Sound Quality

The integrated headphones are pretty balanced overall. I feel like the high-frequencies are a bit more dominant, but that's alright and doesn't stand out too much (I'm usually listening to EDM, so I prefer slightly bassy sound). Of course they can't keep up to my Sennheiser HD25, but the integrated headphones are pretty decent. I would say most casual people won't notice a difference between these and some random (neutral) headphones for 50-100 bucks. You could say they are on par with all the mid-range gaming headsets below 100 bucks - just with more neutral sound, which I personally like. I tested the integrated headphones with Elite Dangerous, Arizona Sunshine, BigScreen Beta (watching movies and trailers) and also with just playing some 320kbps music files in Windows.

I won't replace them, since they feel really comfortable with the new strap. You can perfectly adjust them with a small finger move - there is nothing to complain here. The noise-cancelling is almost non-existent, but that's good for home-use. I don't like headphones with high noise-cancelling, because you start to scream around and don't understand your friends in the room. We are talking about usual on-ear headphones with almost no contact pressure and you will be fine, if you don't play at very crowded places.

General Information

The HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap is a virtual reality accessory designed to enhance the user's VR experience. It is compatible with the SteamVR and Windows platforms. The strap is designed with adjustable earphones, allowing users to enjoy 360-degree realistic sound in comfort and convenience. The interior padding and adjustment dial provide extra comfort and a perfect fit. The cable path can be placed at a side position for an even more immersive experience. The strap also provides integrated earphones with great sound quality for a more convenient VR experience.

Product Information

Manufacturer: HTC
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required
Date First Available: April 5, 2017

Pros

Adjustable earphones for 360-degree sound
Interior padding for extra comfort
Adjustment dial for a perfect fit
Integrated earphones with great sound quality
Enhances the overall VR experience

Cons

Headphones may not stay put
Can amplify ambient noise in certain conditions
Product may not be secured in the box upon delivery

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-{{Stub}}
 {{Device Infobox
-|image=
+|image=[[file:HTC_Vive_Deluxe_Audio_Strap_image1.jpg|350px]]
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 |Type=[[Audio Devices]]
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-[[HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap]] is an [[Audio Devices|audio accessory]] for the [[HTC Vive]]. It replaces the original earbuds that came with the [[HMD]].
+[[HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap]] is an [[Audio Devices|audio accessory]] for the [[HTC Vive]]. It replaces the original earbuds that came with the headset.
 ==First Impressions==
 The new headstrap feels very lightweight and flexible - almost a cheap feeling in hands. The build quality is pretty good tho - check the images above. You can remove the headphones from the strap and even the cables for it, so the audio part is completely modular, which is a big plus!
-==Replacement==
+==Weight Distribution==
-So there are no instructions how to remove the original strap in the manual - just a link to the vive support page. I'm happy I found [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us6omgWT5rw this video] a few days ago on the Vive Tutorials YouTube Channel. You can remove the headphones, but you will need a screw driver: http://imgur.com/a/m11pa The replacement was pretty simple and almost self-explaining. No screws, no stuck pieces, very easy to remove through a simple click-system. If you feel unsure, just watch the 2 minutes tutorial on YouTube.
+Yes it is better, but not a total game changer. The HMD itself is pretty big and heavy and it still remains front-heavy. What's more important for me, is the fact, that the new strap is able to handle the weight better. The whole headset sits more stable and fixed on your head. The old strap always felt very loose and cheap and I stopped playing because of this - this is fixed now. It's an improvement, but don't expect wonders.
-==Comfort==
+==Headphones and Sound Quality==
-MUCH better now. The original strap is always slipping off when you play games, where you have to look down a lot or just turn around very fast. This is very annoying, because you are losing the sharp sweetspot inside the lens quite often and you need to readjust it every few minutes. [[BelkoVR]] and [[RacketNX]] are two good examples, that expose the low quality of the default strap. You need to readjust the headset every few minutes and you always notice the headset moving on your head and losing the sharp sweetspot.
+The integrated headphones are pretty balanced overall. I feel like the high-frequencies are a bit more dominant, but that's alright and doesn't stand out too much (I'm usually listening to EDM, so I prefer slightly bassy sound). Of course they can't keep up to my Sennheiser HD25, but the integrated headphones are pretty decent. I would say most casual people won't notice a difference between these and some random (neutral) headphones for 50-100 bucks. You could say they are on par with all the mid-range gaming headsets below 100 bucks - just with more neutral sound, which I personally like. I tested the integrated headphones with Elite Dangerous, Arizona Sunshine, BigScreen Beta (watching movies and trailers) and also with just playing some 320kbps music files in Windows.
-Also putting the [[HMD]] on and off is always a bit of fumbling since you have to open all the velcro bands to fit your head size. All of this is almost fixed now. You can put the headset on within seconds. Just open up the adjustment dial on the back, put the whole Vive on your head and rotate the dial at the back to adjust the fit. The whole headset feels more stable and fixed on your head - I really like this. The only one left velcro band on top seems to have a higher quality as well, but we will have to check this in a few months for a final conclusion.
+I won't replace them, since they feel really comfortable with the new strap. You can perfectly adjust them with a small finger move - there is nothing to complain here. The noise-cancelling is almost non-existent, but that's good for home-use. I don't like headphones with high noise-cancelling, because you start to scream around and don't understand your friends in the room. We are talking about usual on-ear headphones with almost no contact pressure and you will be fine, if you don't play at very crowded places.
-As you can see on my images, the 3-in-1 cable is now attached to a clip on the right side of the strap. I highly recommend everyone to use the included velcro cable tie to center the cable position in the back of the strap again. Otherwise you will feel the cable constantly on your shoulder, which is very annoying while moving your arms.
+{{Product Infobox
+| image = [[file:HTC_Vive_Deluxe_Audio_Strap_image1.jpg|350px]]
+| Battery = 2 AAA batteries required.
+| Release Date = April 5, 2017
+| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer = No
+| Model Name = 99HAMR001-00
+| Weight = 8 ounces
+| Manufacturer = HTC
+| Platform = SteamVR,  Windows
+| Dimensions = 15 x 13 x 9 inches; 8 Ounces
+| Release date = June 6, 2017
+| Title = HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap
+}}
-So overall the new headstrap is tighter and more stable on your head. It doesn't slip so fast anymore, but I still noticed a slight movement while I was turning my head very fast. There is still room to tighten it up a bit, but I'm pretty sure this will feel uncomfortable in longer sessions. The HMD itself is just too heavy and too big, so we won't get a 100% satisfying solution in this generation. There is no way I will ever put a Vive on my head with the old headstrap - it's just crap and feels like a cheap china version after you tried the new one.
+==General Information==
+The HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap is a virtual reality accessory designed to enhance the user's VR experience. It is compatible with the SteamVR and Windows platforms. The strap is designed with adjustable earphones, allowing users to enjoy 360-degree realistic sound in comfort and convenience. The interior padding and adjustment dial provide extra comfort and a perfect fit. The cable path can be placed at a side position for an even more immersive experience. The strap also provides integrated earphones with great sound quality for a more convenient VR experience.
-==Weight Distribution==
+===Product Information===
-Yes it is better, but not a total game changer. The HMD itself is pretty big and heavy and it still remains front-heavy. What's more important for me, is the fact, that the new strap is able to handle the weight better. The whole headset sits more stable and fixed on your head. The old strap always felt very loose and cheap and I stopped playing because of this - this is fixed now. It's an improvement, but don't expect wonders.
+* Manufacturer: HTC
+* Country of Origin: Taiwan
+* Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required
+* Date First Available: April 5, 2017
+==Pros==
+* Adjustable earphones for 360-degree sound
+* Interior padding for extra comfort
+* Adjustment dial for a perfect fit
+* Integrated earphones with great sound quality
+* Enhances the overall VR experience
+==Cons==
+* Headphones may not stay put
+* Can amplify ambient noise in certain conditions
+* Product may not be secured in the box upon delivery
-==Headphones and Sound Quality==
+==Images==
-The integrated headphones are pretty balanced overall. I feel like the high-frequencies are a bit more dominant, but that's alright and doesn't stand out too much (I'm usually listening to EDM, so I prefer slightly bassy sound). Of course they can't keep up to my Sennheiser HD25, but the integrated headphones are pretty decent. I would say most casual people won't notice a difference between these and some random (neutral) headphones for 50-100 bucks. You could say they are on par with all the mid-range gaming headsets below 100 bucks - just with more neutral sound, which I personally like. I tested the integrated headphones with Elite Dangerous, Arizona Sunshine, BigScreen Beta (watching movies and trailers) and also with just playing some 320kbps music files in Windows.
+<gallery mode="packed">
+File:HTC_Vive_Deluxe_Audio_Strap_image1.jpg
+File:HTC_Vive_Deluxe_Audio_Strap_image2.jpg
+File:HTC_Vive_Deluxe_Audio_Strap_image3.jpg
+File:HTC_Vive_Deluxe_Audio_Strap_image4.jpg
+</gallery>
-I won't replace them, since they feel really comfortable with the new strap. You can perfectly adjust them with a small finger move - there is nothing to complain here. The noise-cancelling is almost non-existent, but that's good for home-use. I don't like headphones with high noise-cancelling, because you start to scream around and don't understand your friends in the room. We are talking about usual on-ear headphones with almost no contact pressure and you will be fine, if you don't play at very crowded places.
+[[Category:Products]] [[Category:Submitted]]
-[[Category:HTC Vive]] [[Category:Accessories]] [[Category:HTC Vive Accessories]] [[Category:Devices]] [[Category:Audio Devices]]
+[[Category:HTC Vive]] [[Category:Products]] [[Category:Submitted]] [[Category:HTC Vive Accessories]] [[Category:Devices]] [[Category:Audio Devices]]