German manufacturer Roccat recently took the wraps off of the Kave XTD 5.1 Digital gaming headset at Gamescom last week. The new headset is a 25% lighter update to the original Kave 5.1 and has a tweaked headband and mic. The new Kave XTD 5.1 Digital includes 5.1 over-the-ear style headphones, a removable microphone, and a desktop control pod with various audio controls.

The Kave XTD 5.1 Digital has three drivers per ear that are placed at a 12-degree angle and reportedly provide realistic surround sound. The removable microphone has been reworked to provide better sound quality, according to the Roccat press release.

In addition to the headset itself, the Kave 5.1 Digital comes with a control pod with built-in sound card. The desktop remote has a volume dial, mic mute, phone call answer, speaker, and movie mode buttons. Four 3.5mm audio ports on the control pod allow users to connect and control surround sound speakers. Users can then switch between audio going to speakers or the headset by hitting a button on the desktop remote. Further, it has a technology called Smart Link that allows users to pair the pod with a smartphone over bluetooth in order to answer phone calls without removing the headset.

In all it looks like an interesting product, though I would wait for reviews before putting down cash for a 5.1 headset. The Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Digital will be available in november for $169.99.