Ear Force X3 Headset: Chat + Wireless Game Audio, for Xbox 360 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I play combat games for the most part: Call of Duty 4, Halo 3 ... but others, too -- like Rock Band, which as you might guess can also get LOUD.

My wife hates the noise. That means I need headphones for game play. And I've tried/tested pretty much all of them, including the earlier versions of Turtle Beach (wired and wireless, like the X2) as well as many other brands, like the Tritton True 5.1 Digital Audio Headset with AX360 Audio Xtreme 360.

Until the Turtle Beach Ear Force X3 Wireless Headphones (which I got for Christmas), my two favorite were:

* the Turtle Beach EarForce X2 (wireless)
* The Trittons (wired)

Both of the above had pros and cons.

The pros of the X2s was that they were wireless and had decent Xbox Live Chat capabilities. The pros of the Trittons was the fantastic sound quality. There are 4 dials for sound alone! If you don't play games that require Xbox Live, these are fabulous headphone. They use an optical sound cable. Fab sound quality.

Cons of both the X2 and the Trittons: depending on the game, is that it can be hard to clearly hear your teammates during the heat of battle -- even in the lobby if there is default game music playing (in Call of Duty 4, there is no user option to turn this music off).

You also can't hear yourself talk -- both of your ears are covered, naturally, so when you talk, you tend to get LOUD because you can't hear yourself. Your own voice is muffled.

Turtle Beach Ear Force X3 Wireless Headphones for Xbox 360 solved this problem. Now you can "hear" yourself talk. Much like when you are on the phone, you can hear a little bit of your voice through the earpiece part of the phone.

The wireless base station is also MUCH smaller than the X2's base station. Which was huge mainly because it was designed to needlessly hold the headphones when not in use.

Pros of the X3s:
* Set up takes about 3 minutes. Plug and play.
* The earphones are comfy -- even on my big, adult head
* Wireless
* Can "hear" yourself talk through the headphones
* "Bass boost" option mode (a switch near the volume)
* TWO volume dials: one for overall gameplay, another for Xbox Live chat. For example, I love Call of Duty 4, but you are unable to turn off the lobby's default music in between games. With the other headphones, I had trouble hearing folks. The X3s enable you to dial down the music altogether -- so you just hear the chat in the lobby.
* Mute button
* Surround sound is good ... you can tell where the bad guys are coming from

CONS:
Sound quality is good -- but not amazing. But remember that these are wireless. The wired headphones have a bit of an advantage in overall sound quality.

Tip: With the Turtle Beach X3s, unlike ALL of the other headphones, under the "voice" personal options 360 menu, select the default "Play Voice through Headset" and not "both headset and speakers."

You are going to love these headphones.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ear Force X3 Headset: Chat + Wireless Game Audio, for Xbox 360

Product Description:
With Xbox 360 Wireless Headsets you can pump up the volume without disturbing friends, family or neighbors. Wireless Xbox 360 gaming headsets allow you to freely move around as you play. Hear every nuance of the game - from an opponent sneaking up behind you to your teammate-s voice right next to you. Trash talk online & Block out distractions at the same time. The Turtle Beach Ear Force X3 wireless xbox 360 headsets are everything you need for an amazing gaming experience.

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Astro A40 Audio System - White Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had my A40 system for about 6 months now, and it's the best purchase I've made in a while. I've tested all the major headsets available, and this one is by far the best. It sounds amazing, it's extremely comfortable to wear, and Astro Gaming is a great manufacturer. It's obvious to me that Astro takes great pride in all of their products, and I highly recommend buying directly from them, rather than amazon.

The Headset:

The headset is very easy to adjust, and fits all headsizes. On both sides of the headset are speaker tags. These tags are detachable, and comes in packs of three. Two solid ones, and one with a hole (for the mic). If you don't need the mic, you can remove the tag with the hole and replace it with a solid one, giving the headset a more symetric look. Astro allows you to upload images and design your own speaker tags, which is great for customizing your headset. The mic is a single boom with no wires. The mic is very high quality, and will attach to both sides of the headset. As far as sound goes, I give the Astros a 9/10. I think the bass could be a little deeper, but I'm not complaining at all.

The Mixamp:

The mixamp is pure genius. There is only one wire going from the headset to the mixamp. If you're playing Xbox, you will also have a wire going from the controller to the mixamp. I strongly suggest that when you buy this system, you get the TOSlink cable for the best possible sound. The mixamp has two knobs on it. The main one is the master volume control. The smaller controls the game sound to voice sound ratio. The mixamp runs of USB power, which is great because the Xbox has two USB ports on it. You can also get 4 AA batteries which will give you 12-14 hours. Astro just released a new version of the mixamp, which now supports use with the PS3 right out of the box.

The cables:

The system comes with tons of cables, allowing you to connect it with just about anything. It includes a cable to plug your headset into a headphone jack and a mic jack, a cable to plug your headset into a headphone jack, and a few other cables that I have never used. Astro makes sure that you have all of the tools necessary to maximize your headset.

Customer Support:

My headset got a short in the wiring a couple months after purchase. Astro responded quickly to my emails, fixed the headset in about 3 days, and got it back to me just over a week after it broke. They clearly care about customer satisfaction.

Astro Gaming:

Astro offers many accessories and replacement parts for the A40 system. If you have any gaming needs, Astro probably has something just for it. You can also download product manual on their site before making any purchases.

I love my A40 system, and as soon as Astro comes out with a new model, I'll be grabing that one as well. Hopefully it will be wireless.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Astro A40 Audio System - White

Product Description:
The Astro A40 Audio System combines crystal-clear voice communication with pinpoint-accurate 5.1 Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone surround utilizing the most user-configurable headset on the planet.In addition to the A40 Headset's removable speaker tags (which are high-quality collectibles in their own right), you'll find a completely user-configurable microphone boom. It attaches to either side -- or removes completely for solo gaming and music sessions.The A40 Audio System includes the external A40 MixAmp, providing Xbox and and Xbox 360 users with combined voice and game sound -- ideal for tournament play and discrete "midnight gaming" sessions. A discrete game/voice balance control enables you to find the ideal in-game setting.PC Gamers benefit as well, by offloading surround decoding and voice communication duties to the A40 system. Combine multiple A40 MixAmps and you'll be provided a private, hands-free, full-duplex voice communication channel -- much higher-quality than VoIP systems, with zero network and system lag.Every A40 MixAmp is daisy-chainable, and each comes complete with everything you need to connect the built-in voice communication feature of multiple MixAmps.The A40 Audio System gives in-person teams the competitive edge by selectable/mutable Xbox Live communication while maintaining a dedicated, private chat channel when daisy-chained.The A40 Headset comes with a quick-disconnect cable and multiple ends: an A40 MixAmp cable (also compatible with portable audio players), and a standard dual-jack PC connector with in-line volume and mute control. Inject your games with your own soundtrack. Connect your mp3 player through the mixer itself with the included cable. Free up valuable system resources, and put your music within arm's reach.*Please Note: This version of the MixAmp is compatible without an adapter for use on the PS3

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Bang & Olufsen A8 Earphones (Aluminum/Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been searching for MONTHS to find a pair of headphones that wouldn't fall off my ears during exercise.The few pairs that I have found that did stay put, would just sound awful and make my music sound as if it were playing inside a tin can.Although the price tag on this pair was a bit high for my liking, after adding up the prices of all the other headphones I have tried over the past six months, these are still a bargain by comparison.

They have a really unique adjustment that allows the user to manipulate the fit behind the ears.Although this takes a few seconds longer than adjusting a traditional pair of headphones, the big difference is that once these are in place, they won't budge!

Also, I can't say enough about the quality of the sound in these headphones!Since I am a vocalist, I can be a bit snobby when it comes tosound and these really exceeded my expectations.Finally it is a joy to listen to my music with headphones!

The only caution I have for people considering this purchase is to know who you are buying from.A friend of mine claimed to have purchased this same pair on Ebay and realized later they were fakes and not near the quality of mine.If you aren't paying around $100 for these, then there is a very big chance that they are not really Bang & Olufsen.Although B&O is really proud of their headphones, the quality of the product proves once again that you get what you pay for!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bang and Olufsen A8 Earphones (Aluminum/Black)

Product Description:
With conventional earphones much of the sound never makes it into the ear. To stop this kind of leakage, we have developed earphones that can be adjusted to fit the contours and curves of the individual ear. The speaker unit itself can be moved up or down or side to side until the most comfortable and effective position is found. This ensures that they sit comfortably and firmly regardless of whether you're jogging or just relaxing.

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Ear Force X4 Dolby Digital Wireless (Headphones) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just received my Ear Force X4 a few days ago and have been busy "testing" it for several days now. I have played with it in Gears of War, COD4, Battlefield:BC, Rock Band, Guitar Hero 3, and more. I have played online and off, with voice and without. After all this, I am finally ready to give my opinion on if it was $200 well spent, or a costly mistake.

First, let me say that I have a bit more experience with 5.1 headphones than the average consumer. I have owned many, made by everyone from Kinyo to Zalman and Tritton. With this knowledge it carries some weight when I say these offer some of the richest and clearest sound of any of them. I hear details in the sound and a wider range than with any of my previous headsets. The 5.1 is also quite good, I can pinpoint where sound is coming from pretty easily, and the sound fields sound a lot more balanced than with something like the Tritton AX360. Finally, the bass is very good even without the boost enabled, with it on it can almost be overpowering. The sound continues to impress even when watching movies or TV, and the Pro Logic 2 is nice when you only have a 2 channel source. The X4's are easy to hook up, with Optical in and RCA in you can easily hook up any audio source for use with them.

Overall, I would say the sound is some of the best I have heard from a 5.1 headset. That isn't to say it's perfect, there is a very slight hiss at all times when the headphones are on. You can only hear it when there is no other sound so it's not detrimental, as you don't notice it while using them, but it is there. Honestly though, I'm not sure if it is really anymore prevalent than the hiss found in most of the other headphones I have tried. It seems like they all had this to some extent. As for the wireless, it works very well and I haven't had any problems with it, the hiss doesn't really seem to be associated with the wireless, because if I cover the receivers on the headset I get different white noise.

The headphones themselves are very comfortable, easily half the weight of the AX360 and don't make my ears get nearly as hot. It is easy to forget they are even there.

The thing that really sets these headphones apart is not the great sound or comfortable design; it's the expert implementation of voice chat. Unlike the AX360 and every other 5.1 headset the X4 allows you to adjust the chat volume independently of the other sound. This works very well, you can clearly hear people talking even over a cacophony of other noise. On the AX360 I would have to turn the in-game music off, and lower all the other sound to be able to hear the other players reliably, the X4 takes care of all that. The microphone for speaking to other players is good and clear, it is easy to remove and attach. Additionally, some of your voice is transmitted back into the headset, so you can more easily hear yourself speak, and thus speak normally unlike with other headphones.

However, as great as the voice is, it also is not perfect. When you hook the voice up the hiss I mentioned before intensifies significantly, I attribute this to the controller putting out some white noise, but it is noticeable. It won't bother you while you are talking and playing, but I found myself unplugging the voice when no one was talking because the hiss was a bit disruptive. I wouldn't call this a deal breaker, but it is a minor imperfection and worth mentioning. Even with that small problem, the X4 is easily the best implementation of voice in a 5.1 headset, and a must own if you plan to play multiplayer while using your headphones.

Overall, the X4 is a very good attempt at a gaming centric pair of 5.1 headphones. The wireless is great and does not seem to degrade the audio. The headphones are comfortable and provide clear and rich sound, with good sound fields for the 5.1 support. The voice implementation is the best found anywhere, and works great aside from some slight background noise. I would recommend the X4 headphones to anyone wanting a great pair of headphones for use with their Xbox 360 and other game consoles and audio sources. With gaming in mind they are the best solution available. However, if you do not own a 360, I can't really recommend the X4 over other headphones, because the thing that really sets them apart is the voice support. They are very good headphones in their own right, but for less you could get a similar pair of headphones for movies and music and such without the voice that would sound just as good.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ear Force X4 Dolby Digital Wireless (Headphones)

Product Description:
The Ear Force X4 wireless headphones push your Xbox 360 gaming experience to a whole new level with the thrill and realism of Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound. Pump up the volume without disturbing friends, family, or neighbors. Freely move around as you play. Hear every nuance of the game - from an opponent sneaking behind you to your teammate's voice right next to you. Trash talk online. Block out distractions. Feel the game expand all around you and become a better player. Conventional Xbox 360 communicator headsets compromise the gaming experience by covering one ear for chat, leaving only a single ear for game audio from the speakers.The Ear ForceX4 Wireless Headphones overcome this problem by playing both the game audio AND the online chaton a single set of high fidelity headphones.The result is the intense experience, privacy, clarity, and competitive edge of PC headphones on the Xbox 360 platform.The Ear Force X4 Xbox 360 Wireless Headphones let you totally focus on your game play and not become distracted by the noise around you. With Dobly surround sound pumped right into your ears, you can hear every nuance of the game all around you in a way that isn't possible when hearing it as background sound with speakers. In addition, because the Xbox Live chat is mixed in with the game signal, you can hear what everyone is saying right in the middle of your head, enabling you to communicate more effectively with other players. As a result, the Ear Force X4 can actually make you a better player. By combining the best of both worlds, avid Xbox 360 gamers no longer have to make the no-win choice between using headphones or talking online.When you're ready to get serious about your gaming, it's time for an X4.

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Creative Labs EF0210 Fatal1ty USB Gaming Headset with Sound Blaster X-Fi Technology (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Let me start by saying I am a hardcore mmo player. Anyone else who plays mmo's know that large guilds communicate through voice chat programs like Ventrillo (and similar). I myself use mostly ventrillo these days anymore. The testing that I did with this device was largely with guild mates of mine telling me how it sounds and how it performed from their end hearing me.

Right after I installed the software I tested these out on ventrillo. With literally zero tweaking time.. they sounded perfect. My voice was very loud and extremely clear. The music sounded great in the headphones. What more could I ask for.. they were trouble free! The best part was the microphone didn't need to be shoved against my lips for people to hear me speak. I have bought wired usb headsets in the past that required the mic to be so close it was annoying to use. This you can keep the mic 2-3 inches away from your mouth and it still sounds loud and clear (great little mic on this headset)

My only annoyance with these headphones is the tight headband. I have been told before I have a big head, but I thought they were being sarcastic! I am joking of course but they do fit snug and almost hurt a bit after a little while of use (*laughing* and I am pretty sure I have a normal size head!). Perhaps over time these headphones will loosen up and get more comfortable. I did of course try to outwardly flex the headband to loosen it but its all plastic so it didn't really work like it would have if it was metal. I still gave this product a 5 star rating, but I would knock off a 1/2 star for this tightness if I could.

The little microphone plugs in and out of the headphones in case you want to use these as pure headphones. I also assume if the mic boom ever fails over time you could more easily replace it being that its designed like this (I have had wires fail inside of headphone mic booms from years of over bending, so this is handy to be able to replace it so easily).

Lastly, these are "on ear" headphones .. not "around ear" headphones. So you will feel them sitting on top of your ear not go wide around the outside of your ears. The internet is hard to judge the sizes of products for things like this so I just wanted to let people know what to expect. The felt pad on headphones ear muffs are very soft and well cushioned so this shouldn't be a problem of comfort with most users.

Overall I am very pleased with this product. When I want to use a great working/great sounding plug and play headset I am now grabbing this for some long gaming sessions.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Creative Labs EF0210 Fatal1ty USB Gaming Headset with Sound Blaster X-Fi Technology (Black)

Product Description:
Compete with Creative Fatal1ty USB Gaming Headset Co-Developed with Johnathan -Fatal1ty- Wendel. Dominate the competition with 3D positional audio and the power of Sound Blaster X-Fi in a USB gaming headset. The Fatal1ty USB Gaming Headset is designed with comfort in mind for those long gaming sessions, while delivering precision sound and explosive bass in your games. Plus, with the noise-canceling microphone you can be sure your orders will be heard loud and clear by your team.

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Steel Series SteelSound 5H V2 Headset ( 20065 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Now, to start off I got this item when it was 60% off which was a major selling point for me. I was a little apprehensive. I was torn between the icemats or this. I'm really glad I got this however.

The thing I like most about it is it's amazing sound quality. I am often tricked while gaming into thinking the sounds I hear from the headphones are actually coming from my room. The headset is unbelievably comfortable. Often times I wear it for hours at a time and forget I even have them on. The microphone is another main reason I bought this item. I play with a group of friends when gaming and we all like to talk to each other through vent. There is nothing more annoying than a distorted voice or noise. I'm always being commented on how clear I sound. The ability to take it apart into 3 pieces seems to have payed off while traveling. It ensures me that they won't snap in half or anything like that. The ability to hide the microphone is great as well. I don't like detached microphones so i wanted a headset with one built in and when I'm not using it to talk to anybody I can just hide it and it's virtually invisible.

My least favorite thing about this headset is that everyone around me can hear what I'm listening to. This only tends to happen when I'm blasting noise into my head though. It's not that big of a deal however because I don't turn it up that loud often anyway. In case you were wondering it doesn't create an echo through the microphone.

Overall I give this thing a 5/5 with only one flaw that I have noticed. Great quality sound, very comfortable, and a great quality microphone. If you're wondering if you should buy these I would definitely recommend it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Steel Series SteelSound 5H V2 Headset ( 20065 )

Product Description:
Asus Steelsound 5hv2(steelseries) Professional Gaming Headset.

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Astro A40 Audio System - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had these headphone for about 4-6 months now, and they are spectacular! I should mention that for Xbox 360 havingA40 MixAmp is aknist a plus as it allows you to adjust for Game and audio volume, so you can find the perfect balance for you. Now I'm going to break it down into pros and cons.

PROS:
Very comfortable to wear...I've had these on for upwards of 6 hours at a time for long gaming sessions, and have had no problems with comfort.

DURABLE...These are solidly constructed and have never felt like I was in danger or them wearing out (granted it's only been about 6 months)

Sound Quality is very very good. With the MixAmp you get very accurate positional Audio so it makes gaming that much better (it even works well with movies too)

Microphone...top notch microphone, that also detaches so you can just use them as regular headphones, and it comes with a quick mute switch so u can quickly turn off your mic for a private conversation if need be. Only caveat is that the noise canceling could be better, but it's not really an issue in the grand scheme.

Cables...the audio system comes with pretty much every audio cable you could ever need (minus fiber optic game, which is an option to purchase) so that, to me, is a plus.

PS3 compatibility, yes it works with the PS3 as well, and sounds fantastic when watching Blu-Ray movies.

MixAmp. The mixamp can also be used a headphone amp for your PC, or iPod, and the results are impressive. It's also portable as it has the option for battery power that lasts for roughly 12-14 hours using 4 AA batteries.

CONS

Price, Yes these are expensive, and cheaper from Astro Gaming directly, but I've used them so much that, to me, they were worth it

Music...Now I've put this in the cons but there's a catch. If you plan on using these for music from your 360 or PS3, well it;'s not gonna sound that good, but to me Music doesn't sound that good on 360. However, I use these on my computer as I have a Sound Blaster X-Fi, and after some tweaking, the music is fantastic on them, good base, and excellent treble. Having Said that, getting high quality stereo headphones will still be a Better choice for music, but again these sound great to me.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Astro A40 Audio System - Black

Product Description:
The Astro A40 Audio System combines crystal-clear voice communication with pinpoint-accurate 5.1 Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone surround utilizing the most user-configurable headset on the planet.In addition to the A40 Headset's removable speaker tags (which are high-quality collectibles in their own right), you'll find a completely user-configurable microphone boom. It attaches to either side -- or removes completely for solo gaming and music sessions.The A40 Audio System includes the external A40 MixAmp, providing Xbox and and Xbox 360 users with combined voice and game sound -- ideal for tournament play and discrete "midnight gaming" sessions. A discrete game/voice balance control enables you to find the ideal in-game setting.PC Gamers benefit as well, by offloading surround decoding and voice communication duties to the A40 system. Combine multiple A40 MixAmps and you'll be provided a private, hands-free, full-duplex voice communication channel -- much higher-quality than VoIP systems, with zero network and system lag.Every A40 MixAmp is daisy-chainable, and each comes complete with everything you need to connect the built-in voice communication feature of multiple MixAmps.The A40 Audio System gives in-person teams the competitive edge by selectable/mutable Xbox Live communication while maintaining a dedicated, private chat channel when daisy-chained.The A40 Headset comes with a quick-disconnect cable and multiple ends: an A40 MixAmp cable (also compatible with portable audio players), and a standard dual-jack PC connector with in-line volume and mute control. Inject your games with your own soundtrack. Connect your mp3 player through the mixer itself with the included cable. Free up valuable system resources, and put your music within arm's reach.*Please Note: This version of the MixAmp is compatible without an adapter for use on the PS3

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Logitech Extreme PC Gaming Headset (980233-0403) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you wear glasses, consider getting a different headset. Because this is a behind the head model, it rests on your ears -- similar to a pair of glasses.If you already wear glasses (like I do) you will most likely find it uncomfortable.The headset does have exceptional voice pickup and sound quality (for gaming) however.It is just a bit uncomfortable with glasses.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech Extreme PC Gaming Headset (980233-0403)

Product Description:
Gain the edge you need in online gaming with the Logitech Extreme PC Gaming Headset. Its behind the head design stays comfortable even after hours of intense action. The 30mm stereo drivers produce high quality audio, and the noise-canceling microphone blocks unwanted background noise. Best of all, the ratchet boom lets you precisely adjust the microphone for optimal positioning... so that it stays put even in the heat of battle.

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RCA Audio Cable Adapter for XBOX 360 + Slim Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have a perfectly functional cable, which works great when used with an HDMI cable, but it took about 5 minutes of soldering.If you aren't comfortable with this, don't buy this product, as it likely won't work correctly out of the box.If you do purchase, you can fix it by following the steps below.

NOTE: If you break your Xbox, it's your fault and only your fault.If you burn your house down or your finger with a soldering iron, it's your fault and only your fault.Proceed at your own risk.

1) Check the cable... there is a chance it will be wired correctly when you get it.If so, lucky you :-) Make sure you try changing the TV HDMI input to another input, then back to the XBOX.If the XBOX resets, sorry, you need to plug in your soldering gun.

2) Open the plastic on the end of the plug that goes into the Xbox.You might need to tape it closed later, as it tends to break.Not a huge deal, as this won't kill the plug, just make it a little less attractive.Set it aside.

3) Remove the copper outer casing on the plug.This is the trapezoid thin metal outer part of the plug, with no wires connected to it.Slide it offthe end of the plug by inserting a blade to release the two plastic tabs in the rectangular holes.Try not to damage this part if possible.Set it aside.

4) Get lined up to which pin is which.You need to focus on pins of even numbers 18 - 30.I have added a customer image to the product for reference.The easiest way to find these is to look at the wire side of the plug, find the three wires in a row (the optical wires) on the wide side and look at the 7 on the narrow side on the same end.

5) Remove the hot glue from these pins gently using a razor.

6) Make sure there are no connections between or to the last three: 26, 28, and 30.If there is a connection, desolder it.Mine didn't have any, but it is important you check this.

7) Jump (place a blob of solder) pins 22 and 24.

8) Jump pins 18 and 20.

9) Check your connections.This can be done with a continuity meter.18 and 20 should be connected, 22 and 24 should be connected, and also check for lack of connections between the two groups and 26, 28, and 30.

10) Time to check your work.Your Xbox should not reset when changing HDMI inputs away from and back to your Xbox, and the optical plug on your adapter should be glowing red.You should get sound through the cable.I did this to get 5.1 optical so that I can hear someone behind me just before they shoot me in the head in Halo: Reach.

11) If there are still problems, recheck your work and use Google.You're on your own.

12) Did you remember to unplug your soldering iron?Are the curtains on fire?Why did you think a windowsill was a good place to put a hot soldering iron?

13) If it works, time to put everything back together.Replace the hot glue if you have some to keep things from touching, slide the copper cover back in place, and replace the plastic casing.You may need some tape or glue here.Easiest thing to do is wrap it a few times with electrical tape, stretching it to keep things nice and tight.

14) Game on.Please leave a comment if this worked for you.Sorry about those curtains dude, but things could have gotten much worse.Good thing you had that fire extinguisher handy.Some Halo will take that off your mind.It's hard to think about burnt curtains when a Covenant Mothership has you pinned down.

Click Here to see more reviews about: RCA Audio Cable Adapter for XBOX 360 + Slim

Product Description:
This RCA adapter cable allows HDMI video to be routed to the HDTV with the audio routed separately to the home theater system. This is a generic / aftermarket product.

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SteelSeries 5H v2 USB Headset with Soundcard (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Let me start off by saying, for gaming i don't think there is a better headset out there. The virtual 7.1 works flawlessly and the mic on this thing is crystal clear. Its relatively comfortable, although I start to sweat around my ears around the 1 hour mark. Also if you are considered one with a small head, i might go try it on first. I have what you call a large head with some hair and i have this thing cranked all the way down. Works for me but not so sure about others.

Music - Very mediocre. i know it is optimized for GAMING but i still feel it fell short in this department. don't expect to be blown away or even satisfied if you want to listen to music a lot on headphones.

All in all its a solid headset, and is well worth the money if you are into gaming.

UPDATE:so it has been 4 days and the right side of the headphones has stopped working. i am very surprised/annoyed because i handled these things like a baby and still went out on me. i thought it was something funky with vista so i turned on the "flip sound" so the left side plays on the right and visa versa and no sound still. plugged it into a friends computer and same thing. not very happy that i spent $100 on these and they fail within such a short amount of time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SteelSeries 5H v2 USB Headset with Soundcard (Black)

Product Description:
The SteelSeries 5H v2 USB soundcard offers a consistent sound experience allowing gamers to always play with the exact same sound and settings, no matter where in the world or at what computer they are playing. This product was designed for gamers with onboard soundcards and/or gamers who regularly find themselves playing at third party computers. The USB soundcard supports the following systems: Win XP/Win 2000/Win 98/Win ME/Mac OS/Windows Vista SteelSeries 5H v2 USB is one of the most popular gaming headsets on the planet. This headset has been used by talented gamers to win major international events like Electronic Sports World Cup, World e-Sport Games, World Series of Video Games, Kode 5, World Cyber Games, Samsung Euro Championship, ESL Extreme Masters and many others. When wearing the SteelSeries 5H v2 USB you'll immediately notice the enormous full-size ear cushions which gently fit around your ears and reduce background noise. The comfort is something that has to be experienced first hand, either at a friends house or at one of the many LAN-centers and Internet cafees that offers the headset to their customers. The headset features a custom-engineered soundscape designed to enhance performance and immersion in FPS-games. This headset was developed and optimized specifically for in-game sound frequencies found in the most popular shooters - making in-game sounds like footsteps, alerts and gunfire especially clear. You will be able to hear and pinpoint the location of your opponents, often before they hear you. Thanks to the USB soundcard you can boost and lower frequencies of your own choosing, allowing optimization for your favourite games. The SteelSeries 5H v2 USB an easily be dismantled into 3 separate parts, that easily fit into a bag or a carrying case. This makes transportation of the headset both easy and safe. The pull-out microphone is practically invisible when not in use.

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Edimensional Audiofx Gaming Headset Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This headset is an absolute must for any hardcore gamer, especially if you play any of your games online.I have found these headphones to be superior not just to all of the cheap lightweight headsets on the market, but to other pure headphones that I have tried as well.The sound quality is excellent, so much that I can hear little details with these headphones that I can't hear otherwise.The vibration feature is everything that it is advertised to be and more.It's one of those things that I don't want to live without now when I play my games.It can be overpowering if you turn it up too high, but if you fine tune it, it adds a subtle layer of intensity to any first person shooter or any game with lots of explosions or heavy sounds.The microphone is too short, but I haven't had any problems with it.It's a little bit like using a cell phone.

My only problem with these headphones is that the durability isn't what I would have hoped for.I am on my third set in about three years, but I would never buy anything else.I have never come close to finding anything else that augments my gaming experience like these headphones, and if you are still in doubt, I highly recommend them.

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Product Description:
EDIMENSIONAL AUDIOFX GAMINGACCSHEADSET

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Ear Force X1 Stereo Headset with Chat Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought the Turtle Beach X1 headset, worked great initially. GF was happy the 360 would no longer disturb her with sounds at night. However, once I plugged the puck and mic into the controller, all went downhill. I play on LIVE in games that needs a mic to communicate with friends (Call of Duty 4). Whenever the mic is plugged in, there is a LOUD annoying buzzing sound that won't go away until I unplug the puck and mic from the controller. Without the mic attached, sound works great, but the left speakers had a tendency to go out intermittently. Really had high hopes for this headset, will probably return.

Update 5/22/08:
Buzzing sound problem: I was able to identify the source of the buzzing sound from the headset. After plugging in different controllers, mics and set-ups, the culprit is the wired charge kit adapter that connects from the 360 to the wireless controller that is being charged. The solution is to use only a wireless controller with the headset. That means now I have to charge the wireless controllers when I am not using the headset or purchase a separate battery pack charger. Turtle Beach website support is not that easy to navigate, but the FAQ does mention a ground AC connector causing interference, and I assumed it meant the charge kit cable. I wish the FAQ/support site was more clear in their wording.

Left-side speakers losing sound: The problem was identified and solved. Reason was hook-up to Onkyo sound system. Onkyo sound system is hooked up to 360 by digital connection and then the Turtle headset uses analog. Had to turn off digital surround sound, which caused the fluctuation in right/left headset speakers and switched to stereo sound. This also reduced the loud bass BOOMs. (Shotgun blasts in COD4 are incredibly LOUD). I decided to connect to the Sharp Aquos LCD directly and avoid having to switch settings on the Onkyo sound system.

My previous review gave 2-stars. Amazon does not allow for changing of stars but I would say 4 stars now. After troubleshooting, I have decided to keep the Turtle Beach headset. Future buyers be aware that you may need to troubleshoot depending on your set-up.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ear Force X1 Stereo Headset with Chat

Product Description:
The Ear Force X1 Xbox 360 Stereo Headset's integrated design overcomes the limitation of Xbox communicator headsets that block game sound from one ear and eliminates voice chat interference caused by the headset microphone picking up sound from external speakers. Pump up the volume without disturbing friends, family or neighbors with these Xbox 360 Stereo Headsets.Hear every nuance of the game - from an opponent sneaking up behind you to your teammate's voice right next to you. Trash talk online.Block out distractions.It's everything you need for an amazing gaming experience.

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Plantronics GAMECOM 1 PC HEADSET ( 67003-01 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This headset has a good sound and, because they are lighter than other similar headsets and they have very soft cushioned ear pads, they are extremely comfortable to wear. I have also been extremely pleased with the quality of the sound recorded from the microphone. I've used this headset for voice-over recordings, online gaming, and talking on Skype, and I've been thrilled with the quality. I've recommended this set to numerous friends and family members because of the high quality combined with the low price. However, although this set has a good sound and records very well, this set won't last very long. I bought my headset about a year ago, and it has worked splendidly for the last year. But, today I was using it to record some audio for a project and it crapped out on me. The earphones still sound fantastic, but the microphone no longer works. However, because of the cheap price and great quality, I've decided to purchase another set. Some people have reported sound problems, which also happened to my sister. I suspect that problem might be related to the long cord. The cord on this headset is about six feet long, which is great for an extended reach, but bad because it means there's a bigger chance that you're going to roll over the cord with your chair or snag it on something and yank it off your head (I believe my sister did that, which damaged the headset). So, if you're careful you may be able to avoid that problem. In my case, the mic stopped working, so I assume that the wires in the positionable microphone have become frayed or loose. Although I'd expect that to happen over time, I do not expect that to happen in just a year. However, this headset is so cheap and the quality of the sound is so good, I'm still going to purchase another set. The bottom line with this set: Fantastic sound reproduction and recording capabilities from a cheap-as-dirt headset, but you pay for that in shortened lifespan.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Plantronics GAMECOM 1 PC HEADSET ( 67003-01 )

Product Description:
MODEL- GAMECOM1 VENDOR- PLANTRONICSFEATURES- GameCom 1 PC Gaming Headset Take command of your gaming experience with the Plantronics GameCom1 stereo PC gaming headset. Offering rich stereo sound withmaximum bass it is great for gaming as well as music. With convenient inline volume and mute controls and a noise-canceling microphone the GameCom 1 is the best choice for an exceptional gaming experience. Not for use with XBOX PS2 or GameCube. * Comfort for long gaming sessions* QuickAdjust boom assures ideal microphone placement* Noise-canceling microphone delivers exceptional speech recognitionaccuracy.* 40mm Speakers for Maximizing Bass response- feel the game!* Preferred by competitive gamers worldwide

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GameComPro1 PC Gaming Headset Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Excellent sound from the built in DSP - Almost as good as my 5.1 surround speaker setup. Crystal clear reception from the mic on the other end based on feedback from others in-game while listening to me talk. Headset cord length more than adequate. Very comfortable ear foam - even after hours of gameplay.

Some people have reviewed this item and claim to have had trouble with this headset. Specifically, they can hear sound fine, but the mic seems not work in games but works fine in windows. This is just plain false - the same thing happened to me initially. This is a USB headset and you have to realize that most games are designed to search for your sound card or mobo's default mic as opposed to the headset's mic.The reason being, that many people like to have a separate mic only for talking but want to hear the game sound on their PC speakers. Obviously, if you are reading this, you probably want an integrated solution like I did.

Here is how to fix this: Go into Control Panel / Sounds & Audio Devices. On BOTH the Audio and Voice Tabs for the Sound Recording and Voice Recording menus, respectively, you need to UNCHECK the Microphone and Line-In boxes on the Properties tab for your sound card or mobo's onboard audio.This will force the game you are playing to then default to the next available mic which will be on your Plantronics headset, and you will be golden! By the way, I informed Plantronics of this fix because they were unable to help me (but their customer service is top notch, FYI).

Click Here to see more reviews about: GameComPro1 PC Gaming Headset

Product Description:
GameCom Headset Pro1- Plantronics GameCom Pro1 headset- Binaural over-the-head- 40mmspeakers- Real-time equalization performed by DSP chip, frees PC processor for faster game play- Digital stereo PC gaming headset- Rich digital sound with maximum bass- Great for gaming and music- Comfortable design- Inline volume and mute controls- Noise-canceling microphone- USB plug and play- 1 Year manufacturer's warranty- SilverPLGAMECOMPRO1

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Logitech G35 7.1-Channel Surround Sound Headset Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)These headphones are a lot of fun.

I'm not a gamer - can't play many games because I get dizzy, but I am sort of a collector of headphones.Frankly, I expected these to be awful and was more than pleasantly surprised to find that they are really quite good.

OK, so they look like some kind of boy toy science fiction gizmo.For me, I could do without all the buttons.But having a volume button on the headphone and a mute for the mic is very useful.

Most headphones depend upon the right combination of source and headphone to get a good sound.If you plug most high end headphones directly into your ipod or computer soundcard the sound quality is atrocious.The right mate of source and sound can mean that the right $20 headphone in your ipod can give surprisingly good sound if it is a good match.

The good (and the bad) of a USB headset is that it bypasses the amp in your computer soundcard.Instead, the digital to audio processing occurs through USB.This approach can allow very high quality sound, and in the case of this headset, it succeeds.

As to sound quality.I am impressed with the surround sound where normally I find surround unbearably processed and artificial, the software does a good job.With the surround sound turned off, and these headphones are in pure stereo mode, forget it, it's awful.But that isn't what these headphones are for.Bass is excellent with good low extension and not even the slightest touch of boominess.Artifical bass enhancement is one of the things I hate about most processed sound, and I was delighted to find that none was present.Logitech is to be commended for making that choice in the design because most people equate sloppy boomy bass with high quality (think car stereo woofer).

The mid range is outstanding.That's where the sound really excels.I have a few very high end headphones where the midrange is weak.With these headphones subtleties of tone and shading in human voices are easy to hear.

The high end of the sound spectrum is the weakness of the sound signature.Lost highs are the big price for processed sound.Imagine a bell ringing.After the bell rings the sound hangs in the air and slowly fades.When the highest highs are lost, and the sound is processed, the sound gets artifically cut off and the "air" is gone from the sound.At the present state of technology this seems to be unavoidable in all processed sound.The good news with this headset is that this loss of highs is not too horribly bad.I could listen to music (which is not what these are for) and it was not too distracting.The offset was the beautiful mids and the realistic sound stage.

Listening to movies, other than gaming, is where this headset excels.This is where location of sound can make a huge difference, and the ambiant sounds contribute to the experience.Watching a movie with these headset while sitting right in front of my computer screen is immersive and exciting.I can imagine that in games, where location of sounds is critical, that these would greatly enhance the experience and give the player an extra edge.

Finally, they are pretty comfortable.The choice of cushioning is very appreciated.

My partner and I both want to use them.I was given these to review but I might have to buy another set.The price, when you consider that it includes the digital audio converter and amplification, is very reasonable for a headset of this quality.

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Product Description:
The Logitech G35 headset. Game-changing immersion with 7.1 surround sound powered by Dolby technology for a detailed soundfield. Featuring three swappable headband pads; three customizable G keys; on-ear audio controls; and an adjustable, noise-canceling microphone.

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Tritton TRIAX-720 AX 720 Dolby Digital Surround Sound Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did this video review to help anyone out there with the same issues I had.

Hopefully this will help gain the insight you'll need to make a decision.

Please leave feedback, did I miss anything?

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tritton TRIAX-720 AX 720 Dolby Digital Surround Sound

Product Description:
Introducing the Tritton AX 720 high performance gaming audio system. Specifically designed for the XBox and PS3 systems, the AX 720 delivers superior voice communication while creating an immersive 3D surround sound environment utilizing Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone technology. The convenient inline audio controller features independent voice and game volume controls so that you can clearly hear your teammates during those crucial gaming moments. From the casual gamer to the hardcore gamer, the AX 720 is sure to improve your game.

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Razer Carcharias Gaming Headset (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I must admit I was a bit put off by the price of this gaming headset and the lack of features.Other PC headsets such as the Logitech G35 and Senn's PC350 were priced more but came with more features and of course, a bigger brand name.But when it comes down to gaming and listening to music, you aren't really asking for a lot.The Razer Carcharias delivers what one would need to enjoy listening to music, and of course, long comfortable gaming sessions.

Out of the box, the Carcharias seems pretty normal, perhaps even a bit cheaply made.Padding is placed in appropriate places, including the headband and loudspeakers.The padding is exceptionally soft, especially around the loudspeakers where the material is felt-like.The thin plastic that covers part of the headphones may seem flimsy, but is very light.A nice mesh around the headphones is also present, and also takes away a bit of weight.A nice part of the construction is the wire that connects the speakers to the headband.It is not only quite sturdy, but also gives some range of motion without compromising that integrity.Speaking of wires, the cable for the headset itself is very lengthy (nine feet) and is braided in fiber.The mic is sturdy itself and can be turned 270 degrees.It is also bendable at the midsection to some degree.

No sense praising the construction if it isn't even comfortable, and this is the part where the Carcharias excels at.Placing these headphones on for the first time felt amazing, as if it was conforming to the shape of my head.Of course, I felt this way about many headphones at first, so naturally I decided to start up a few games (which easily lasted several hours), after which I listened to a few hours of music while studying.There was absolutely no discomfort at all after all that time.The lightweight construction and circumaural design is a real blessing to the ears.The headphones themselves are also very easy to adjust.

The audio quality for these headphones is quite exceptional, enough to justify wearing these headphones for hours.As probably mentioned, audiophiles may want to look elsewhere, but for the casual listener, the quality is more than good enough.Although the bass is quite deep ("boomy"), it does not overwhelm the treble.The highs for this headphones can be quite distinct (ie loud), and since the volume can go quite high on this thing, may be overwhelming sometimes.Much of this is perfectly suited to games, especially first-person shooters.Keep in mind that this headset does not provide surround sound, and never was intended to.You can take a look at the aforementioned models for that.

The noise-filtering mic for this headset works well.I tested it with Ventrilo, Skype, and Left 4 Dead, and others could hear me very well, with a noticeable lack of background noise from my side.I should note that I had the mic at its default positioning (no additional bending).It can be adjusted to be a bit closer or further.

Overall, the Razer Carcharias does its job as a gaming headset very well.I consider it Razer's best headset in terms of price vs performance; a step above the Mako, and better than the Barracuda and Megalodon.I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys long gaming sessions and listening to music.The comfort along with its exceptional audio quality and mic justifies the pricing; just don't expect any extra features.

Side note: I also think the name for this headset is awesome.As someone who's interested in cartilaginous fishes, I don't think they could have picked a better name.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Razer Carcharias Gaming Headset (Black)

Product Description:
Get ready to experience extreme comfort and quality audio as you have never experienced them before. Were proud to introduce the Razer Carcharias. Like its ferocious predecessor the Razer Megalodon the Carcharias delivers superior, realistic audio with clarity and deep, thumping bass. The headset encompasses a circumaural earpiece with interchangeable leatherette ear-pads for maximum comfort during extended gaming sessions. The in-line remote control provides fast and easy volume control while the adjustable, noise filtering microphone ensures high quality audio clarity. The Razer Carcharias is fully geared and ready to plug-and-play. The Razer Carcharias is a circumaural gaming audio headsetdesigned for extended hours of gameplay with superior gaming audio, clarity and bass. The Razer Carcharias is a complete and comfortable gaming communications package that gamers can wear for hours on end.

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