The Astro A40 audio system combines crystal-clear voice communication with pinpoint-accurate 5.1 Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone surround.

Sold as a complete kit with the headset and its matching mixer, the $249 package lets you mix 5.1-channel game audio and communications audio independently. The daisy-chainable Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Pro Logic II and Dolby Headphone compatible processor/mixer enables some interesting features, like private communication channels for in-person Xbox 360 teams, and outboard surround processing from a PC. You can also connect your MP3 player through the mixer itself with the included cable.

The headset features a detachable uni-directional noise-canceling adjustable boom mic and removable custom-made faceplates. Each is also available separately: the A40 headset is $199, while the mixer is $129, and it's all available on the 17th.