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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]].

==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==

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.

==Comfort==

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.

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.

==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.