We all know how important audio is to truly make a VR experience fully immersive. The VIVE Deluxe Audio Strap integrates on-ear headphones to your HTC VIVE VR while counter-balancing the top-heavy experience and transforming your VIVE into something more like a helmet.
The Deluxe Audio Strap attaches to the VIVE VR relatively easily to replace the factory strap. It will attach to the existing connection points top, left/right and provides a rear side to the Vive. You’ll also need to replace the existing 3.5mm wire with the integrated one by removing the panel and 3in1 plugs and replace the strap with the new one.
The on-ear headphones are also height and angle adjustable to optimize your VR experience. While the Vive DAS should provide decent audio, Audiophiles may prefer to stick with their weapon of choice. Unfortunately the integrated headphones aren’t removable from the cage, at least without rigging it somehow. Hopefully HTC has a cage only version coming out where you can integrate your own audio or lower the cost so we can do a hatchet-job on these and not feel bad about it.
If you’re after that all-in-one VR experience the Deluxe Audio Strap transforms your Vive into something a little closer to a helmet and integrates audio to boot. The added cost on top of the already expensive VIVE VR is a little tuff to stomach but if you’re looking for that something that to help improve your experience the VIVE DAS might be worth the extra Benjamin.
HTC Vive VR Deluxe Audio Strap $99 available June 2017
www.vive.com
