Xbox LIVE headset preference?

[drummy]

I am new to the Xbox scene, and am planning to get Xbox Live in the very near future, depending on how my luck goes. Anyways, I am not getting a Starter Kit, so I have my pick of Xbox headsets. I hear the original ones included in the Starter Kits are not too bad, although they're not too good either. I hear Plantronics' special Halo 2 headset is the shit; however, it is more than I am willing to pay. I hear their X10 is also not too great, although their X20 is very good. Give me preferences and brief reviews of various Xbox headsets. I am not interested in wireless headsets, as they cost too much and seem to be a hassle. I'm not very much into wireless things.

[tholly]

i just use the normal headset that comes with the starter kit....i see nothing wrong with it....

[hezeuschrist]

The standard headset is far and away the best. The platronics one sucks asshole, for $50 you can get a headset that flat out doesn't work well.

Absolutely go with the standard MS headset. When Halo 2 came out my roommates and I went through a good 10 to 12 headsets (people stepping on them and the like) and always looking for a cheaper alternative, none of them ever worked as well as the original one or were anywhere near as comfortable.

Although, if you've got a handsfree headset for your cellphone you can just use that, and I've actually used my XBL headset on my cellphone ;)

[tholly]

I've actually used my XBL headset on my cellphone ;)


and here i thought i was the only one

[dan2357]

the only thing that pisses me off about the standard one from the starter sets, is the fact it wraps around the back of your head. It takes a bit of adjustment when you want to lay back and play, with your head on a pillow or such.

[Darth Sensei]

I've bought several, but I like this one:

XBOX Live Headset X10

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=801870

[drummy]

I've bought several, but I like this one:

XBOX Live Headset X10

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=801870
I personally heard that one was crap and tha the X20 was much better. Anyways, the official one seems to be one of the cheapest, and is reliable and comfortable from what I've tried. Anyone hear about the Madcatz Headcom? I want to hear about this one.

[hezeuschrist]

The madcatz one was far and away the worst one we've used.

[s1lence]

Sorry, but I like the Halo 2 edition one. I cant stand the others that are avalible.

[PapaStu]

I've actually used my XBL headset on my cellphone ;)


and here i thought i was the only one

Make me #3

[Darth Sensei]

I've bought several, but I like this one:

XBOX Live Headset X10

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=801870
I personally heard that one was crap and tha the X20 was much better. Anyways, the official one seems to be one of the cheapest, and is reliable and comfortable from what I've tried. Anyone hear about the Madcatz Headcom? I want to hear about this one.

I like this one over the standard because it goes over your head, not behind it. Therefore, I can lay my head back and play, which I can't do with the standard unit. The speaking and hearing functionality seems to work great too.

I'd love to have the wireless headset, but there's no way I can justify the $70-80 on it.

[bargora]

Did you know that an adapter must be plugged into the Xbox controller to go between the controller and the 1/8 (or 1/16?) inch plug of the headset? I don't know if you can get that adapter outside of an Xbox Live Starter Kit. At the very least you should look into that issue, as none of the replacement headsets I've seen come with the adapter piece.

Anyway, assuming that you get the adapter somehow, I've got a MadCatz headset (not sure if it's the "Headcom") that was both cheaper and decent enough quality for me. To compare with the official headset:

The official Xbox Live headset ($30.00) wraps around your head and has a microphone on a longish stalk that brings it out to the corner of your mouth.

The Madcatz headset ($5.00) that I bought clips onto one ear (your choice which one) and its microphone is on a much shorter stalk that places it next to your cheek. Nevertheless, it transmits adequately except for every once in a while when it can swing away from your face. This usually only happens if something pulls on the cord between the controller and the headset. (Actually, I probably have this problem much more often than most players because I'm usually playing Steel Battalion: Line of Contact on Live; this game requires that you use a special controller to play the game, but you still have to plug the headset into a standard controller, which you then rest on the couch or on a chair next to you. This creates more opportunity for the cord to get hung up on things and pull the mic away from my face.)

Given that the MadCatz headset costs one-sixth what the official headset costs and performs adequately enough, I would recommend trying it if you can find it and can think of something to do with an extra $25.

[Dobie]

I prefer the official one myself, but the one that comes packaged with Rainbow Six 3 wasn't bad. Its still not as good as the original though. Considering you can find RS3 w/ headset for less than $20, its a good alternative if you want a cheap (but not spectacular) headset, and are looking for games other than Halo 2 that you can play online.

[hezeuschrist]

Did you know that an adapter must be plugged into the Xbox controller to go between the controller and the 1/8 (or 1/16?) inch plug of the headset? I don't know if you can get that adapter outside of an Xbox Live Starter Kit. At the very least you should look into that issue, as none of the replacement headsets I've seen come with the adapter piece.

Anyway, assuming that you get the adapter somehow, I've got a MadCatz headset (not sure if it's the "Headcom") that was both cheaper and decent enough quality for me. To compare with the official headset:

The official Xbox Live headset ($30.00) wraps around your head and has a microphone on a longish stalk that brings it out to the corner of your mouth.

The Madcatz headset ($5.00) that I bought clips onto one ear (your choice which one) and its microphone is on a much shorter stalk that places it next to your cheek. Nevertheless, it transmits adequately except for every once in a while when it can swing away from your face. This usually only happens if something pulls on the cord between the controller and the headset. (Actually, I probably have this problem much more often than most players because I'm usually playing Steel Battalion: Line of Contact on Live; this game requires that you use a special controller to play the game, but you still have to plug the headset into a standard controller, which you then rest on the couch or on a chair next to you. This creates more opportunity for the cord to get hung up on things and pull the mic away from my face.)

Given that the MadCatz headset costs one-sixth what the official headset costs and performs adequately enough, I would recommend trying it if you can find it and can think of something to do with an extra $25.

But the official headset comes with the adapter for the controller, and as you said, as far as I know is the only one to come with the tap.

[bargora]

(A buncha stuffs)
But the official headset comes with the adapter for the controller, and as you said, as far as I know is the only one to come with the tap.
So I guess that drummy better go ahead and get the official headset or starter kit or whichever comes with the "tap", or else the only way he'll be able to talk to his teammates by sticking his head out the window and shouting.

[petewhitley]

I personally love the one where it has a speaker, a mic and no headset at all. People seem to have no difficulty whatsoever hearing me and I can take a piss or grab a beer without adjusting the fit of the headset and all that garbage. They're on clearance all over the place right not. I believe it's called the "SpeakerCom" or something to that effect.

[Tony Montana]

Did you know that an adapter must be plugged into the Xbox controller to go between the controller and the 1/8 (or 1/16?) inch plug of the headset? I don't know if you can get that adapter outside of an Xbox Live Starter Kit. At the very least you should look into that issue, as none of the replacement headsets I've seen come with the adapter piece.

Anyway, assuming that you get the adapter somehow, I've got a MadCatz headset (not sure if it's the "Headcom") that was both cheaper and decent enough quality for me. To compare with the official headset:

The official Xbox Live headset ($30.00) wraps around your head and has a microphone on a longish stalk that brings it out to the corner of your mouth.

The Madcatz headset ($5.00) that I bought clips onto one ear (your choice which one) and its microphone is on a much shorter stalk that places it next to your cheek. Nevertheless, it transmits adequately except for every once in a while when it can swing away from your face. This usually only happens if something pulls on the cord between the controller and the headset. (Actually, I probably have this problem much more often than most players because I'm usually playing Steel Battalion: Line of Contact on Live; this game requires that you use a special controller to play the game, but you still have to plug the headset into a standard controller, which you then rest on the couch or on a chair next to you. This creates more opportunity for the cord to get hung up on things and pull the mic away from my face.)

Given that the MadCatz headset costs one-sixth what the official headset costs and performs adequately enough, I would recommend trying it if you can find it and can think of something to do with an extra $25.

But the official headset comes with the adapter for the controller, and as you said, as far as I know is the only one to come with the tap.

I think the wireless one is the only one that comes with the "puck" or maybe one other generic one has it. But you can buy the piece separate <a href ="http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=801929">here</a> or at other GameStop stores.

[Half Japanese]

You can get the adapter outside of the starter kit, but you'll need that anyway to get on live (no more free trials). Pelican makes the generic replacement.

The MadCatz $5 headset sucks an elephant's dick. I had a hard time hearing anything out of it and I doubt that people were hearing me well on it as I didn't get many replies while using it.

The pack-in headset is what I still use, but you might as well pick up some electrical tape for the eventual day where you'll break it and have to 'Dukes of Hazzard' it back into place. I don't know anyone personally on Xbox Live who doesn't have a makeshift headset because the official one breaks so easily.

[SkiDragon]

I like the original, but its rather fragile. It broke and I had to use some super epoxy to fix it.

[Darth Sensei]

I personally love the one where it has a speaker, a mic and no headset at all. People seem to have no difficulty whatsoever hearing me and I can take a piss or grab a beer without adjusting the fit of the headset and all that garbage. They're on clearance all over the place right not. I believe it's called the "SpeakerCom" or something to that effect.

IMHO this option sucks ass too because a friend has one that always echos back everything everyone says. It's maddening.

[buttasuperb]

The platronics one sucks asshole, for $50 you can get a headset that flat out doesn't work well.

Mine works fine.

And it doesn't suck my asshole. But I wish it did. LOL

[petewhitley]

I personally love the one where it has a speaker, a mic and no headset at all. People seem to have no difficulty whatsoever hearing me and I can take a piss or grab a beer without adjusting the fit of the headset and all that garbage. They're on clearance all over the place right not. I believe it's called the "SpeakerCom" or something to that effect.

IMHO this option sucks ass too because a friend has one that always echos back everything everyone says. It's maddening.

That was my worry when I bought it, but for $5 clearanced, I couldn't resist. I would imagine his gaming set-up (and mine for that matter) has something to do with it. I play several feet away from my speakers and don't exactly blast the volume. I've not once had a complaint or even a comment of anything abnormal. My main problem with wired headsets being the inconvienence of pissing, getting beer, bong hits, etc., I suppose I'd like a reliable wireless headset just as well, but this was a helluva lot cheaper.

[xxdemonic_gamer]

yea i have 3 headsets the one i got with my xbox live starter kit which isnt very good right now its ducked tape and has a screw in it, and the sound isnt very good, my other one is the plantronics halo2 headset which the volume and sound that comes out of it is awesome its so clear, and the last one i got is the logitechs wireless headset which is $80 but i stole it out of gamestop because where i live there is no cameras or beepers in the store.

[bargora]

The MadCatz $5 headset sucks an elephant's dick. I had a hard time hearing anything out of it and I doubt that people were hearing me well on it as I didn't get many replies while using it.
Well, I reiterate that it works fine for me. I've never had problems with transmitting signal and it receives signal loudly enough for me to hear just fine.

Now the caveats: I don't play with the game sound cranked up to 11, and I only play SB:LOC, which has open broadcast in the lobbies but only two-way communication in-game. It's possible that the MadCatz $5 special doesn't transmit strongly enough to make you heard over the roar of a 16-player Slayer match where everybody has their home theater cranking the bass. Since that's not my usual playing conditions, I couldn't tell ya.

[bargora]

the last one i got is the logitechs wireless headset which is $80 but i stole it out of gamestop because where i live there is no cameras or beepers in the store.
Way to go, dude! Where's your Gamestop located? I want free stuffs too! Better yet, could you just steal stuff and then mail it to me? Again, much props to your thievery.

[drummy]

I got the official one, and it seems to be fine at the moment. I also do not have LIVE on my own Xbox at the moment (I'm expecting it in a week or two), but I brought it to a friend's house, and it's fine. As for it's fragility, I am very careful when it comes to my gaming things, so I don't think breaking it will be a problem, unless it's the wiring or something. Then I'm fucked. If it does break though, I might just get the Halo 2 Plantronics headset, because I've pretty much only heard good of it. It's just that I don't want to spend the money for it at the moment...

[Darth Sensei]

yea i have 3 headsets the one i got with my xbox live starter kit which isnt very good right now its ducked tape and has a screw in it, and the sound isnt very good, my other one is the plantronics halo2 headset which the volume and sound that comes out of it is awesome its so clear, and the last one i got is the logitechs wireless headset which is $80 but i stole it out of gamestop because where i live there is no cameras or beepers in the store.

Hey dude, read my lips: http://img155.echo.cx/img155/9742/pennstfusig3jl.gif

Nobody here will be impressed by your low life antics. :roll:

[norkusa]

The MadCatz $5 headset sucks an elephant's dick. I had a hard time hearing anything out of it and I doubt that people were hearing me well on it as I didn't get many replies while using it.

No way. That's the best headset I ever had. Sounds so much better than my offical Xbox headset and much more durable too. Doesn't feel like anything is clipped onto your ear too when wearing it.

I don't think they make them anymore though. If you want to buy one, you'll have to go to Ebay or someplace else to get it.[/code]

[drummy]

Wha tdo you guys know about the Plantronics' X20?