Bigscreen Beyond Audio Strap

Overview

The Bigscreen Beyond Audio Strap is an optional rigid head strap with built-in speakers for Bigscreen's Beyond PC VR headsets. It costs $129 on Bigscreen's US store, with free shipping. Bigscreen first sold it as a pre-order for the original Beyond, and UploadVR reported that mass production began on July 29, 2024, with the first orders shipping in mid-August 2024. Today it is sold as an add-on for the Bigscreen Beyond 2 and Bigscreen Beyond 2e, which ship with a fabric Soft Strap and no speakers.

Design and audio

The strap cups the top and back of the head so the headset floats on the face for improved comfort. A rigid frame and an adjustable dial at the back set the fit. Turning the dial extends or retracts the arms that hold the headset. The speakers are designed by Koss, and Bigscreen describes them as built-in on-ear headphones with high-end audio and strong bass. Each speaker arm moves up and down, slides forward and back, and has a side knob to set the distance from the ear. Bigscreen does not publish a weight for the strap.

Compatibility

Bigscreen's Beyond 2 launch materials list the audio output for Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e as built-in speakers with the Audio Strap, sold separately. Beyond 1 owners who upgrade can reuse their straps on Beyond 2. The Halo Mount, Bigscreen's forehead-pad accessory, works with the Soft Strap, the Audio Strap or third-party straps. The strap adds no tracking of its own. Beyond still uses SteamVR base station tracking.

Setup and use

Each arm clicks into the hinges on the headset. Route the Beyond cable through the cable holder on the left back of the strap, then plug the strap's retractable USB-C audio cable into the USB-C port on the right side of the headset. Bigscreen warns not to use the left port, which is reserved for the headset cable to the Link Box. Optional arm extensions help people with larger or wider heads. If there is no sound, select the Beyond audio device in Windows and SteamVR. Bigscreen says not to clean the strap with alcohol or other liquids and to keep it out of direct sunlight.

Who it is for

The Audio Strap suits Beyond owners who play long sessions and want a firmer fit and built-in sound without separate headphones. If you already use your own headphones and like the minimal Soft Strap, it adds less value.