Customer Reviews

Ear Force X1 Stereo Headset with Chat

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

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.

Length:: 2:48 Mins

I wanted this so that I could play Xbox 360 with the volume where I wanted it without disturbing my family while being able to still play on live. It gets the job done, so I recommend it.

Pros:
- The sound is good (not fantastic, but definitely good)
- Seems to be pretty comfortable

Cons:
- Number of wires are annoying
- If I have the play and charge kit hooked up when the controller battery is already charged, it seems to cause a little background hiss. This is probably the fault of the controller, though.

Wishes:
- Make the Xbox Live headset functionality wireless on all models
- Make a version that is totally wireless is a rechargeable base

Bottom line:
Recommended

UPDATE: I have since bought the Ear Force X3. My review for it is on that product page: http://www.amazon.com/Ear-Force-X3-Headset-Wireless-Audio/dp/B000VHY3GO/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

I bought the headset for my Xbox. I heard that you can hear people sneaking up behind you with the headset. It is completely true. I play Team Fortress and I can't hear people sneaking up, or maybe I just don't pay attention. But, when I play Call of Duty World at War; I can hear them a mile away. I just bought CODMW2 and I can hear almost as well. I say "almost" because I haven't figured out how to turn down the in game music --- probably can't. :(

Anyway, here is my story. I got the wired controller so i wouldn't have to replace batteries all the time. I kind of wish I would have gotten the wireless headset even though I have heard that it may sometimes get interference. The reason why is because of the cord. It is a very narrow cord. The plastic surrounding the many fine wires inside of it should be a bit tougher. When I had a heavy dog crate on the wire and accidentally tripped over the cord; the wires' insulating plastic wore through and frayed a few of the many fine wires inside.

Now comes my wonderful experience with Turtle Beach customer support. I emailed them telling them about my clumsy nature. I asked if I could send it in and get it fixed and possibly upgrade to the wireless version.
I was told by Turtle Beach support team: "Dear Matt,
Thank you for your receipt. Please note that our Headphones come pre-molded
from the factory and this issue is not repairable and your headset should be replaced.
If you send the damaged headphones (with all of the available components) here
using an RMA No. that I will issue for you, after we receive them, I will give
you a 1/2 off discount for a new "Ear Force X1" from our Web Site at this link:"

Ok, it is what it is. I am clumsy. Half off is better than nothing. I sent my controller in and waited. About two weeks later I get an email from Fed-Ex saying that I have a package on the way. I thought to myself, "why didn't they just email the RMA No. to me" then I saw the weight of the package and thought, "their sending me the old controller back and somehow I may not get the discount, or I may be getting a brand new controller. One week of ground mail and my package arrives. I open it, and what do I find but a brand new Turtle Beach headset!


Well done Turtle Beach! In my opinion, It is customer support like this that will keep a company in business for a long time.

Hope this long drawn out review helps,
Matt

the x1 headphones are a really great product at a great price. i make a huge deal of what headphones i like to use. and theses just cut the cake for video gaming. other lower rating reviewers are quite foolish. il tell you what u need and why these are great headphones.

USE : these headphones are ment specifically for gaming and chat. (xbox 360, pc)

SOUND/PERFORMANCE: i carefully listened to numerous games and music types. and a lot of them had hidden sounds. in call of duty 5, i could definetly hear things i didnt know were there. i noticed that when reloading guns there was an additional sound i never noticed. same goes for firing weapons. besides the fact that you can hear certain sounds, the device makes everything sounds so rich and crisp, i could even hear bass strings in guitar hero be strummed in some songs, which i never noticed before. one con is that if you listen closely you can hear a faint fuzz noise if your listening in utter silence. but this is easily forgiveable and makes sense. once you begin playing it stops. the fuzz is NOT INTENSE. turn up any high powered sound device and youl probably hear a fuzz. ex. turning up your car speakers with no music. there is a fuzz. yea and what happens next? it delivers LOUDLY. YES, you can blast the phones up high, but instead of hurting you ears, it adds a greater sense of focus, like a relaxing yet alert feeling. Explosions sound great with the built in bass, and its great for music. the bass stays under countrol when playing and poses no threat to ruining focus. THESE HEAPHONES WILL HELP YOUR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT!

COMFORT : these have got to be the most comforting headphones of the limitless pairs i have. i always seem to rub my ears with most headphones, but these just feel great, no probelems with my ears getting irratated. and u can adjust the size of the headphones to fit your head, and the ear cups can automatically adjust to your ears. as a person with big ears like me, oh they fit alright, my ears even got wiggle room. truth is. if u wanted you can definetly fall asleep with these on. they are comfortable

TECHNICAL SPECS : the cable for the heaphones is close to 8 feet or so. they are very long and may cause issues. but yet again poor reviewers cant be creative enough to make it work to your convenience. there is a strap that lets you valcroe extra slack. the microphone works great on the x1, i dont have issudes with it and i can chat with ease.

OVERALL : these are definetly covenient both night and day. these make excellent headphones that will most likely suprise you for your money. for pro gaming, these ARE a neccesity. they WILL give you an edge in gameplay. or if you just wanna be quiet at night these will be a smart choice. get these. they will help you more than youd like. BE A PRO WITH THESE GREAT LOW PRICED HEADPHONES.

5 stars

these are 60 or 70 dollars at best buy. dont be fooled by that monopoly. choose amazon.

thank you amazon for your amazing deals and service!!!

(customer service may vary)

I was looking for a headset for night time gaming on Xbox live, and this seems to be the recommended model. The wire clutter was expected, but mind you, it has three cables (mic, sound, and USB for power) that are each 10 feet or so, so it could get a little crazy.

When plugged in there was a constant hissing sound even when I turn the volume down. As another reader suggested it could have been the controller design, or simply the poor materials chosen to build the electronics for this thing.

My biggest upset was with the chat feature for xbox live. Since the headset sports a great bass output, EVERYONE's voice turned into this deep mumble that did not resemble speech, even after I toyed with all the different possible settings (volume, headset vs. speaker output, etc...). I just could not understand a word that people were saying through Live. Needless to say I returned it.

In a brief summary, great sound through the headphones (although a little hissing), but the terrible way the chat voice is brought out makes this a no no for multiplayer gaming, which is why I bought it in the first place. I highly recommend trying it or buying it somewhere where returns are simple.

It's worthwhile to grab for the money.. however, if you're really looking for professional grade headphones, I wouldn't be satisfied.

The bass is -WAY- too loud, and there's no way to change it on the headphones nor on the 360. The voices that come in are extremely muffled and hard to understand. I can easily hear them well enough if I turn the volume up, but then I can hardly hear the game sound when anyone else is talking, which defeats the advantages of having them in the first place.

Got this great headset for christmas, and was amazed. First of all, these are the most comfortable speakers of any kind i have ever worn on my head. padding everywhere, everything just fits perfectly. Now for sound. Left 4 Dead, (by the way, a fantastic must-have) was taken to a new level with constant, loud surround sound. Bose over-ear headphones, you know, the $300 ones? this thing kicks Bose's @$$. Seriously.

>2 days later<

After a while of playing, i drop the headset from about 1 foot off my carpet flooring, and it hits my spare xbox controller. no biggie with the cheap little one-speaker mic the xbox comes with, but with the beefy $50 dollar X1s? THE LEFT SPEAKER FREAKIN FALLS OFF!! That should NOT HAPPEN!!

In summary, here we have the..
Pros:
-extremely comfortable, even through hours of playing
-perfectly tuned sound
-crystal clear mic
-runs on power from the xbox (no replacing batteries)

Cons:
-can be hard to hear voice chat on xbox live when game volume is loud

Really important cons:
-NOT FOR USE WITH THE PLUG AND PLAY CHARGE KIT THING!!!! USE WIRED CONTROLLER, AAs, OR ALWAYS HAVE A BATTERY CHARGED AND READY!!!! (theres a loud, annoying buzzing noise unless you do that)

-BREAKS EASILY!!!! 2, 2mm plastic prongs hold each speaker on to the rest of the headset, and the whole thing is useless with a speaker just dangling from the side!! BE CAREFUL!!!

and by the way, turtle beach's help and support service is... pretty much nonexistent.

--[...]


edit: ps: if the speaker falls off yours, (and the wiring is still good) strong superglue over the entire joint there fixes it very well. Still, though, that should NOT HAPPEN!!!

I have my Xbox 360 in the computer room, to use a monitor for a HDTV. I didn't want to use my speakers and disturb my wife on her computer. I jury-rigged a set of headphones and a cellphone earpiece to use, but neither worked well at all. I found this item and wow! Huge difference! First, it's well made. Feels like i could toss it around with no issues. Second, it's got it's own built-in amplifier; really make a difference. It's usb powered, so it takes up on of the controller slots, but I only use one so that didn't bother me. Third, the microphone is wonderful. Bonus, it comes will all the adapters you need and it works with your computer too!

/I have no idea why the amazon title says [CD-ROM}. There is no cd included nor is there one necessary.

I bought these headphones specifically to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, online multiplayer. I chose the X1 because of the price point as well as the reliability of a wired connection. I did not want to take any chance with wireless interference with my router, which is located right near the 360.

On the subject of wires - when I was searching out X1 reviews, it seemed like some people really had a problem with them. "Too many wires!" "Wires everywhere!" Well, in real life, it's not that bad at all. Once you hook the splitter cable up to the back of your TV and 360 (simple) there's one wire coming from your entertainment system going to your headphones, and then a small wire branching off that connects to your 360 controller. That's it. And if you're not chatting on XBOX Live, then you can disconnect the second one.

As for the sound - I consider the output to be very good. Although I have never tried the pricier headphones from Turtle Beach, Tritton, etc. and I am aware that the X1's are only stereo sound as opposed to true surround, I can honestly say that they do make for a much richer gaming experience. You can definitely tell if gunfire is coming from the side or behind you. Footsteps do seem more noticeable, and I find myself hearing things in the game (ambient noises in the maps) that I was not aware of before.

The only con I noticed with these was a slight electronic "phut" sound that I heard in both ears every few seconds, but it didn't happen consistently...very, very infrequently. I seem to recall it happening most on Estate. Not a problem for me, as it only happened rarely, but I will be sure to update the review if it happens more often.

Obviously, the headphones won't aim for you or make your shots more powerful. But you will hear things a bit better than you would with regular speakers, and that will help you concentrate. Playing with these headphones makes for a better, more immersive experience, and I enjoy the game a lot more because of them.