Okay, I've only read the last couple pages of this thread, but it sounds like people are generally cool with the Turtle Beach X series of headphones for the Xbox 360 for a non-audiophile who wants integrated chat? I need a solution that will allow me to game quietly, but still have integrated chat in case I need to talk. I do not plan to use them for anything but 360 gaming, and I want a wireless setup.
I'm OK with them, but I'm upgrading to something like the Razer Carcharias + Wireless Mixamp 5.8. The background hiss and small ear cups never really did it for me. Sound's OK, but nothing exceptional. The X41's are good, I just wanted a bit better.
Unfortunately, the Mixamp's price just went from $100 to $140. Otherwise it would be the same price.
The mixamp has a far superior wireless implementation and being able to use your own headphones is a big plus. I think it is worth the extra money.
I played around with my cheap Klipsch IEM phone headset last night and the Mixamp 5.8, and I liked it quite a bit. Definitely quieter wireless signal (although not totally silent). Flipped to Media Center Extender mode and watched some HD TV, though, and it seemed the dialog didn't sound right in the sound stage in Dolby Headphone mode, though. I'll hold my opinion on that until I get some real headphones.
Got my HPA2's in from Turtle Beach and really liking them so far, clearly 5.1 audio the in line amp is tiny and out of the way, the microphone is leagues above my last one. Only complaint thus far is after 3+ hours of gaming my ears do get a little sore on top (guessing from something in the cups pushing down on them, and the auto adjust headband takes some getting used to.
Got my HPA2's in from Turtle Beach and really liking them so far, clearly 5.1 audio the in line amp is tiny and out of the way, the microphone is leagues above my last one. Only complaint thus far is after 3+ hours of gaming my ears do get a little sore on top (guessing from something in the cups pushing down on them, and the auto adjust headband takes some getting used to.
I seriously considered those (or the equivalent HPX's), but went with the Carcharias after not ever really liking the fit of the X41s. I'm deciding if I should ebay my X41s before the new PX5's take over. If I sell the X41s, I may order the HPA2's for my PC. If I keep the X41s, I'll just use them on the PC.
In was debating the x41's so i could use them both for PC and XBOX but realized that A i didn't want to shuffle the box/cables that much and B i don't late night game on the XBOX nearly as much as i do the PC.
In was debating the x41's so i could use them both for PC and XBOX but realized that A i didn't want to shuffle the box/cables that much and B i don't late night game on the XBOX nearly as much as i do the PC.
You could always get a wireless Mixamp and the appropriate TB adapter for the HPA2's. Or I think Steelseries has a wired non dolby headphones "Spectrum Audio Mixer" for $50-$60 that would allow you to use the HPA2's with the Xbox.
I think when you use the Mixamp with the HPA2's/HPX's you end up only using two drivers per ear since it's simulated surround, but they are still supposed to work great for audio positioning.
meh i have very little desire to put that much effort or money into it, i just want super comfy +3 audio quality and no hassle headphone/microphone.
Guess I'll wait and check out that new Turtle Beach product that was just referenced.
Guess I'll wait and check out that new Turtle Beach product that was just referenced.
I think it's mostly an X41 set with Bluetooth added for PS3 connectivity. In black. And another $50 in price over the X41s ($200 vs $250).
Fedaykin98 wrote:Guess I'll wait and check out that new Turtle Beach product that was just referenced.
I think it's mostly an X41 set with Bluetooth added for PS3 connectivity. In black. And another $50 in price over the X41s ($200 vs $250).
Yeah, and Amazon's price for the X41s is $169 today. If you want wireless, I wouldn't wait. I hardly play my 360 through my receiver now. I'd say 90% of my 360 gaming is through the X41s. I picked up a 3 way optical switch and I've also got my PS3 and PS2 hooked up to it as well. The PS3 can be a pain with the configuration changes to get sound out optical instead of HDMI and the game to recognize it, but it is possible.
I still think the Mixamp 5.8 is a better choice, even though it will ultimately cost more money. The ability to use your own headphone/headset is a huge plus. But the biggest advantage is that is is virtually silent and the voice feed is cleaner as well. The X41's are fantastic gaming headphones, but the wireless Mixamp is every bit as good for gaming, but you can pair it with a great pair of headphones and get a far superior experience and have a product that is easier to integrate with a computer or PS3 (USB Voice) in the future.
I tried actually playing BC2 last night with people using the Mixamp 5.8 and my Klipsch IEM headset. Man it's weird to not be able to hear yourself talk mixed into the voice channel, along with the fact that since your ears are plugged, you aren't even getting what you would from headphones.
Had to switch back to my X41s. Hopefully the headset gets here today from Amazon and I can give the whole thing a real test.
Also, Razer looks to be finally shipping their wireless headset, the Chimaera.
I think your headset mic. isn't sensitive enough. The Mixamp 5.8 does have the same voice feedback feature as the X41's. I don't get the plugged ear feeling using the A30, which is a closed headset. I do understand what you mean, though. When I tried my closed Senn. HD528's (sans mic.), I missed the talkback feature, because it reminded me my ears were covered/plugged. It makes it hard for the headphones to "disappear."
Everybody else heard me loud and clear, and I even recorded a voice message and it sounded perfectly fine.
As I said, I was using IEMs. With the 4 pole 3.5 mm connector in the headset slot, the mic works, but there is no mixed in voice. Maybe if I used a splitter into the Xbox side, too. I'll see later today with a real headset.
Also, with the A30s I would assume you'd still be able to hear your actual voice a bit, where with IEMs, your ears are literally plugged 
I think your headset mic. isn't sensitive enough or positioned in the optimal place. The Mixamp 5.8 does have the same voice feedback feature as the X41's. I don't get that plugged ear feeling using the A30. So far the A30 inline mic. has worked better than all of the other mics. I have used.
Also, with the A30s I would assume you'd still be able to hear your actual voice a bit, where with IEMs, your ears are literally plugged :)
True, but I can hear myself talk through Astro mics. Maybe the talkback only works with the Astro mics. It is a possibility.
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I've probably asked this before, but are there any earbuds that don't fall apart after a month? I can't seem to buy any in-ear earbuds for less than $100 that won't fall apart after 2 months of use.
I've probably asked this before, but are there any earbuds that don't fall apart after a month? I can't seem to buy any in-ear earbuds for less than $100 that won't fall apart after 2 months of use.
If you watch for deals and like IEMs, reportedly the Klipsch S5i's are pretty rugged. Supposedly the S4 variants are good, too.
Engadget shows them getting wet.
Speaking of this family of IEMs, Tiger Direct as a version of the S4/S5 series that's called the Klipsch 1012134 ProMedia Gaming Headphones for $50 after a coupon ($90 everywhere else). They seem to have a different driver than the S4s. It has the K25A (vs the K25 in the S4's), which looks to also be used in the S5i's. The main difference from non "game" IEMs is that they have a single button on the mic vs the more advanced audio controls on the S4i/S5i. So the mic looks like my cheap S2i's. They also include a PC splitter.
Anybody seen anything on these? I'm really tempted, because my S2i's are probably the most comfortable IEMs I've had. I just suspect the sound isn't quite up to what the mid-range Klipsch stuff has. I've mainly been using the S2i's with a Sansa Clip+ for podcasts and audiobooks, so they are perfectly fine for that, but for music they could be a bit better.
On the Earforce PX5...
I just took a gander at all the new features and it kind of worries me. Voice Morphing, Ear Guard, Sonic Lens, and Sound Field Expander are some examples. These all sound like gimmicks. The bluetooth is a great addition, but all this other crap just makes me ask why? Why all this crap?
After reading the description of features I thought of this immediately:
http://www.creative.com/soundblaster...
Astro is going to rule this realm. Their strategy seems more geared toward quality sound reproduction and simple versatility. I truly believe they want to make a high quality dolby headphone system and their products get better and more polished with each generation. Seems like Turtle beach is going a different route. Just jam a bunch of relatively superfluous features that appeal to people who only buy based on marketing bullet points on the box, "Look. This one has a built in Sound Wave Crystalizer with Advanced HDE Technology!"
Well, obviously, any product that doesn't have a Sound Wave Crystalizer must be crap.
Well, obviously, any product that doesn't have a Sound Wave Crystalizer must be crap.
I'm sure that's powered by a flux capacitor.
That new Razer Chimaera I posted above does look a bit more of an Astro competitor. Even looks like it's got the daisy chain functionality (although I assume teams wouldn't use the wireless at MLG events).
EDIT: There is some cool stuff that the TB's do, such as allowing you to amplify or cut certain frequencies from a Windows program. Even advanced bluetooth support of A2DP and phone connectivity.
Just received my Mixamp 5.8. Man, they could shave $20 off the cost by simplifying the packaging. This is a crazily serious box.
Just received my Mixamp 5.8. Man, they could shave $20 off the cost by simplifying the packaging. This is a crazily serious box.
They're trying to be Apple in product presentation.
I got my headset yesterday, and I just don't hear my own voice back in my ears. Maybe it's internal to the A30s and A40s. But it's not there with other sets.
Not that much of a problem with real headphones, because you can still hear a bit of yourself anyway on the Razers. Might be a problem with really closed headphones.
I'm a slight bit disappointed in the comfort of the Carcharias. The ear cups are still rubbing my ears a bit like the X41s. Not quite as bad, as the cups are a bit larger. I think I probably just prefer oval ear cups.
They are very light and don't squeeze my head too much.
Sounds seems OK. Need a bit of break in I think, but there's potential here for sure. Cable is crazy long for using on the Xbox, and the volume/mute controls hang down to my waist when I'd prefer to have them mid chest. If I stick with this long term I can see myself making some cable changes. Maybe a disconnect allowing for replacement with a shorter cable for console play and the original for PC or when I'm sitting way away from the source.
Im in need of a new headset for gaming and casual music listening and I have my eye on the Sennheiser pc350s, is that money well spent? or is there something else in that price range better suited to PC gaming? Typical price I see them at is 170ish.
The PC350's are supposed to be nice and have a great mic, but very light on bass.
The PC350's are supposed to be nice and have a great mic, but very light on bass.
There's a mod that supposedly opens up the bass. Basically take them apart and drill some holes into the cup surrounding the driver. I saw it on head-fi.
There are also the newer PC360s. A bit more expensive though.
In doing my research for headsets with mics, it came down to the PC350/PC360s, the Turtle Beach HPA2/HPX (same headsets with different connector attachments in the box), and the Razer Carcharias.
Went with the Carcharias based on some gamer reviews on sites. They were cheaper and supposedly at least competitive on performance. One of the most helpful set of reviews I found was this thread on the MLG forum.
I'd agree with the 'light on bass' comment. I hadn't really noticed, because when I was first testing them I didn't think to try anything really bassy, and I don't normally use them for anything but voice chat. But a couple weeks ago, I put in some Lonely Planet, and they just don't have a whole lot down low.
Very comfortable, excellent isolation, good mic, but not much bass response. Superb for voice chat, not so good as a general-purpose headphone.
Interestingly, my 'high impedance' HD600s get a lot louder on the same input. Not sure what's up with that.
Well I'm going to pick up the Xonar DX sound card and see how that improves my quality.
Thanks a ton to Malor and everyone else for all your help. It is greatly appreciated.
One last question before I think I'm good in the audio dept for another year 
:
I need a good headphone that I can bring to the gym. 280s are just a little bulky. I can't use an in-ear/earbud style as they bother my ears and never fit right. Sennheiser has some Adidas branded sporty headphones. Anyone have any experience with them? Otherwise, what else is out there that doesn't leak sound, sounds pleasing, and won't get in the way during my routine? Integrated mic for use with my iPhone is a plus, since I often have to take work calls during the time I work out.
I need a good headphone that I can bring to the gym. 280s are just a little bulky. I can't use an in-ear/earbud style as they bother my ears and never fit right. Sennheiser has some Adidas branded sporty headphones. Anyone have any experience with them? Otherwise, what else is out there that doesn't leak sound, sounds pleasing, and won't get in the way during my routine? Integrated mic for use with my iPhone is a plus, since I often have to take work calls during the time I work out.
What about the cheap but reasonably well regarded Koss KSC75 clips? No mic, but they've been around for awhile and give good performance for $20.
Since they're cheap, they're also disposable for rough duty stuff like the gym.
Thin_J wrote:The PC350's are supposed to be nice and have a great mic, but very light on bass.
There's a mod that supposedly opens up the bass. Basically take them apart and drill some holes into the cup surrounding the driver. I saw it on head-fi.
There are also the newer PC360s. A bit more expensive though.
In doing my research for headsets with mics, it came down to the PC350/PC360s, the Turtle Beach HPA2/HPX (same headsets with different connector attachments in the box), and the Razer Carcharias.
Went with the Carcharias based on some gamer reviews on sites. They were cheaper and supposedly at least competitive on performance. One of the most helpful set of reviews I found was this thread on the MLG forum.
My wife has the Razer Carcharias and she loves them (wow player), although cheaper, are they better than the pc350s? would the bass of the pc350s be tweakable with just the computer equalizers?
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