XBOX Live headset recommendations

Mike Danger

Just what it says above. I lost the dinky little one that came with my box. I'd prefer something I can pick up at a brick and mortar store like Best Buy or GameStop, although something that qualifies for Amazon Prime would be fine too.

iRevert

I prefer the modular nature of Astros or a Turtle Beach DSS, both allow you to pick and choose your headset from other non-console specific sources.

Though if you want a getup and go Turtle Beach headsets usually are the go to option, Astro A40s are the "high end" option.

Psychotic One

I'd recommend the Turtle Beaches. Between their headsets and the DSS amp it has they are pretty much quality and are going to do more than the job needed.

Zoku Gojira

If you want to go cheap as possible, check out the cordless phones section of your local big-box retailer. Had one that I paid seven bucks for, back before I picked up my current Turtle Beach headset.

And if you haven't tried the messenger pad already, and aren't averse to spending thirty bucks, I highly recommend picking up the kit. The controller just feels complete with that thing attached, as it gives my lower fingers somewhere to rest. Also quite nice when unexpected functionality shows up in games, like the text entry in Deus Ex. That's rare, though.

Pantshandshake

I rather enjoy http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DQG0BO/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00.

Cobell

I believe there are 3rd party adapters too, so you can use a normal 4mm jack and use like a PC headset that you may like.

Burtletoy

Mike Danger wrote: »

Just what it says above. I lost the dinky little one that came with my box. I'd prefer something I can pick up at a brick and mortar store like Best Buy or GameStop, although something that qualifies for Amazon Prime would be fine too.

Do you want another dinky one? Or a big-bad 'surround' sound one?

I have gone through about 4 different cheapo-tiny ones, because they always like to break. I like the tiny cheap ones, have a pretty good surround sound system and all I want is one ear with voice chat in it, not a full headset that would interfere with hearing my speakers.

This one has lasted by far the longest of all the ones I've tried.



If you do decide to go for a full headset, don't buy Turtle Beach X12s. They are terrible.


Edit: and this post is obviously following someone posting Turtle Beach X12s. Didn't click your link before I posted! Wasn't trying to be a dick!

(but seriously, those are bad headphones)

iRevert

I'm going to agree with brutle, the X12s were a step back from the X11s which the pair I had were and still are absolute troopers.

Mike Danger

I bought the X12s today shortly before Burtletoy's post :S

Etch

I bought a Turtle Beach headset once and was extremely disappointed. I paid something like $70 new and there was a very noticeable hiss that drove me crazy. Luckily I was able to trade them to a guy on craigslist for a couple of games.

Daenris

I got the X12s at some point when they were on sale for like $25 or 30. Maybe I'm not too picky, but I think they work fine. As a headset they're way better than the crappy one that came with my xbox (i.e. people can actually hear me at a reasonable level without me having to shout or repeat myself 5 times, which was my experience with the included headset), and as headphones it's just nice that I can listen at a nice level without worrying about disturbing my wife or daughter at night.

The one problem is that I hear a noticeable hiss when I use them with a wireless controller that is plugged in to charge.

wonderpug

delorted

Mike Danger

So I decided to use the X12s and figure out if I wanted to return them later. They're alright so far - like Daenris said, the hiss is pretty noticeable when you're plugged in to the charging cable, but otherwise I guess it's good for the price?

Pantshandshake

I don't use a charging cable, so I've never really noticed that.

And I was told the exact opposite, that the 11s were worse than the 12s. Maybe I was lied to. Either way, if you don't like them, you don't. I'm not a turtle beach fanboy or anything, they just happen to be what I use when I need a mic.

Zoku Gojira

My X12s are fine. The mic is extremely sensitive, though, and I have to angle it out quite a bit so I'm not obnoxiously loud in party chat. Most of the time, that's a non-issue, since I'm using it to continue playing games without waking people up. Played through all of Deus Ex: Human Revolution like this, and it helped the immersion, as well.

Local H Jay

i've had turtle beach's and they were okay, but i like the official wireless ones from microsoft
they are easy to use and small, but have a good mic and sound quality.

Zoku Gojira

Literally anything is better than using the Kinect mic. Join public matches with it all you want, just don't subject your friends to that.

Also, if you're ever throwing out an old mic that's busted, save the 2.5mm headset plug itself. Trust me. Plugging that in all by itself is the most convenient way to shut up a roomful of people. Just plug it in and the annoying voices go silent. You don't even get hate mail because it looks like you're got a mic plugged in, so the tools think you're listening, and all that noise just goes nowhere.

Afty

I never knew you could use the Kinect as a mic until one day I was playing some Battlefield and laughed at a guy who repeatedly did stupid stuff and he said "You know I can hear you right" .. whoops!

I have a pair of Turtle Beach X41's and they are great