Meters Level Up red

Name: Level Up red
Brand: Meters
SKU: 0615855564463
Price: 49.0 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

(1 customer review)

Finish : Red

Overview

On each earcup, a needle moves to the rhythm of the sound. This backlit dial comes from Ashdown bass amplifiers, where it has long indicated the output level. Meters has brought it to a wired gaming headset that combines virtual 7.1 surround, a detachable microphone, and controls placed on the cable. The dial then becomes a practical visual marker for anyone streaming their gameplay live.

Black gaming headset with microphone and red lighting, worn from behind in front of an RGB PC setup in low light

The illuminated VU meter, the brand’s signature

Meters is the consumer division of Ashdown Engineering, a British bass amplifier manufacturer seen on stage behind bands like U2 and the Foo Fighters. The illuminated VU meter that adorns these amplifiers gave the brand its name and remains its distinctive feature. On the Level Up Carbon, this dial appears on both earcups. The needle follows the source audio level in real time, making it a visible reference point for people nearby or for viewers of a live stream. Its color is adjustable in RGB and can be changed directly from the cable.

The Carbon finish refers to the model’s dark colorway, also available in silver (Silver) and red. The headset weighs 320 grams and connects via a 2.2-meter braided cable. This relative lightness matters during long gaming sessions, when the weight of a headset eventually starts to be felt on the neck.

Black Meters gaming headset with microphone and red meter earcups, placed on a white console seen from the side

7.1 surround and its conditions of use

Two 50 mm drivers handle playback, over a 20 Hz to 20 kHz range that covers the entire audible spectrum. The 108 dB sensitivity and 32-ohm impedance remain within the usual values for a USB-powered headset without a dedicated amplifier.

The virtual 7.1 surround deserves clarification. It is not a matter of several speakers housed in each earcup, but software processing that simulates sound placement around the listener. This mode requires a driver to be downloaded from the Meters website, available for Windows only. Without this driver, the headset operates in standard stereo, which is sufficient for music or a console connection. Spatial positioning of footsteps or gunfire, useful in competitive gaming, therefore requires a Windows PC with the driver installed.

Black Meters headphones, front view with illuminated blue VU meters and visible cable

Connecting the headset depending on your device

The connection varies from one platform to another. On PC and PlayStation 4, the headset connects via USB 2.0, with no driver needed for stereo sound and with zero latency claimed by the manufacturer. On Xbox, the connection is made through the controller’s audio jack. The internal CM108B chip handles converting the digital signal into sound.

Several controls are located directly on the cable. One control mutes the microphone, another adjusts the sensitivity of the VU meter needle, a third changes the RGB color, and the last controls the volume. Everything stays within easy reach without letting go of the controller or keyboard.

Black Meters headphones with green circular VU meter on the earcup, front view against a black and turquoise background

A microphone that can be removed when needed

The microphone detaches completely from the left earcup. It is an electret condenser model, aimed at the voice for in-game chat or live streaming. Once removed, the headset takes on the look of a regular audio headset again, without a boom in front of the mouth, which suits listening to music or going out without the arm. The electret capsule remains a common choice on this type of product: it captures speech properly at close range, without rivaling a studio microphone for demanding recordings.

Technical Specifications

Key Features

Immersive virtual 7.1 surround sound
Multi-platform compatibility: PC, PS4, Xbox
Latency-free USB connection
Built-in customizable illuminated VU meter
High-performance detachable microphone
Powerful and precise 50 mm drivers
Optimal comfort for long gaming sessions
Ideal for competitive gaming and streaming

Audio

Audio type: virtual 7.1 surround (via driver)
Driver size: 50 mm
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 108 ± 3 dB
Rated power: 20 mW
Impedance: 32 Ω ± 15%

Microphone

Type: electret condenser
Detachable microphone
Clear and precise voice reproduction for voice chat and streaming

Connectivity

USB 2.0 (PC / PS4)
Audio jack (Xbox)

Electronics

Chip: CM108B
Supply voltage: 5 V

Design and Ergonomics

Built-in dynamic LED VU meter
Customizable VU meter color
Weight: 320 g
High-strength braided cable
Cable length: 2.2 m

Recommended Applications

PC gaming
PlayStation 4
Xbox
Streaming
Esports
Online voice communication

Box Contents

Meters Level Up headset
Detachable microphone
2.2 m braided cable

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 7.1 surround work on PS4 and Xbox?

No. Virtual 7.1 mode relies on a driver reserved for Windows. When connected to a PlayStation 4 or Xbox, the headset reproduces sound in stereo, without surround simulation. That feature is therefore limited to a Windows PC equipped with the driver. On console, stereo playback remains usable both for gaming and for chatting, but spatial sound positioning is not reproduced.

Do you need to install a driver to use it?

Not for stereo use. Connected via USB to a PC or PlayStation 4, the headset is recognized directly and works without installation. The driver only becomes necessary to activate virtual 7.1 surround, and only on Windows. It can be downloaded from the Meters website. This two-step operation explains why the headset works immediately on first use, even without any prior configuration.

Does the VU meter affect the sound?

No, it remains a visual element. The needle moves according to the source output level, without changing what you hear in the headphones. Its value lies elsewhere: it provides a visible reference for people around you and a recognizable effect during a live stream. Its sensitivity can also be adjusted from the cable to calibrate the amplitude of the needle’s movement according to the listening volume.

Can the dial color be changed?

Yes. An RGB control located on the cable lets you choose the shade of the VU meter. The adjustment is made on the fly, without software, which makes it possible to match the color to your setup or the atmosphere of a video stream. It is one of the four controls gathered on the cable, along with volume, microphone mute, and needle sensitivity.

Is it suitable for listening to music?

Yes, even if its tuning leans toward gaming. The 50 mm drivers cover the entire audible spectrum and stereo mode works without a driver, on both PC and console. The detachable microphone can be removed for more discreet music listening. A gaming headset’s sound signature often emphasizes bass and the clarity of effects, which can be heard when listening to tracks compared with a more neutral hi-fi headset.