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 cue for those who stream their gameplay live.
The illuminated VU meter, the brand’s signature
Meters is the consumer branch of Ashdown Engineering, a British manufacturer of bass amplifiers seen on stage behind bands like U2 and the Foo Fighters. The illuminated VU meter that adorns these amps 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’s audio level in real time, making it a visible cue for people nearby or for viewers of a live stream. Its color can be set in RGB and adjusted 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 for long gaming sessions, where a headset’s weight eventually makes itself felt on the neck.
7.1 surround and its conditions of use
Two 50 mm drivers handle playback, across a 20 Hz to 20 kHz range that covers the full 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. This is not several speakers housed in each earcup, but software processing that simulates sounds being placed around the listener. This mode requires a driver to be downloaded from the Meters website, available for Windows only. Without this driver, the headset works 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.
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 VU meter needle sensitivity, a third changes the RGB color, and the last sets the volume. Everything stays within easy reach without letting go of the controller or keyboard.
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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 ordinary headphones, 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 correctly 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
Integrated 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: condenser electret
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
Integrated dynamic LED VU meter
Customizable VU meter color
Weight: 320 g
High-durability 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?
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No. Virtual 7.1 mode relies on a driver reserved for Windows. Connected to a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox, the headset outputs sound in stereo, without surround simulation. That feature therefore remains the preserve of a Windows PC equipped with the driver. On console, stereo playback remains usable for both gaming and chatting, but spatial placement of sounds is not reproduced.
Do you need to install a driver to use it?
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Not for stereo use. Connected via USB to a PC or a PlayStation 4, the headset is recognized directly and works without installation. The driver only becomes necessary to activate virtual 7.1 surround, and only under Windows. It can be downloaded from the Meters website. This two-stage operation explains why the headset works immediately on first use, even without any prior setup.
Does the VU meter affect the sound?
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No, it remains a visual element. The needle moves according to the source’s output level, without changing what you hear in the headphones. Its value lies elsewhere: it provides a visible cue to people around you and a recognizable effect during a live stream. You can also adjust its sensitivity from the cable to calibrate the amplitude of the needle’s movement according to the listening volume.
Can the dial color be changed?
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Yes. An RGB control located on the cable lets you choose the VU meter’s shade. The adjustment is made on the fly, without software, making it possible to adapt the color to your setup or to the atmosphere of a video stream. It is one of the four controls grouped on the cable, along with volume, microphone mute, and needle sensitivity.
Is it suitable for listening to music?
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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 a more discreet music-listening use. 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.
User reviews
Nathan
The Meters Level Up is first and foremost a comfortable headset, not too heavy, with ear pads that don't crush the ears. It is also a very well-designed headset for immersion; on PC, the installable drivers allow the use of very high-quality 7.1 surround sound, and the audio rendering is impeccable for gaming. Finally, it's a very beautiful headset; the VU meters are of course only of aesthetic interest, but they look great for streaming or live use, while also allowing a fairly wide choice of RGB colors.
Comment from June 23, 2026 — Experience from June 12, 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Le Meters Level Up est premièrement un casque confortable, pas trop lourd et dont les coussinets n'écrasent pas les oreilles. C'est aussi un casque très bien pensé pour l'immersion, sur pc les pilotes installables permettent une utilisation du suround 7.1 très qualitatif et le rendu sonore est impeccable pour du gaming. Enfin, c'est un très beau casque, les VUmètres n'ont bien entendu qu'un intérêt esthétiques mais rendent très bien pour le streaming ou le live, tout en permettant un assez vaste choix de couleurs pour les RGB.
Manuel
Super productive 👏🏻
Comment from April 01, 2026 — Experience from March 09, 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (Spanish)
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