Customer Reviews

Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 Headset

5 star:		(120)
4 star:		(80)
3 star:		(37)
2 star:		(27)
1 star:		(37)

 

 

I just purchased this headset yesterday because I was looking for a decently-priced gaming headset. While this headset markets itself largely toward the WLM users, it does claim to be useful for gaming as well. I figured that since it was made by Microsoft, there shouldn't be any compatibility issues when using with Windows.

I was right about that. I installed the software first, as instructed, then plugged in the USB cable attached to the headphones. At first I thought I was having problems with the headphones conflicting with my Creative X-Fi soundcard, but I just needed to restart my Media Player and it worked fine (so there was no adjustment needed to my audio devices, even though Windows seems to identify the headphones almost like another sound card).

The ear pads are very comfortable, which is good because the new headset does have quite a bit of pressure on the head. I do have to adjust them from time to time to keep a maximum comfort feel. Music sounded excellent--crystal clear sound reproduction. I listened to a piece that involved a large string orchestra and it sounded beautiful.

Gaming was great. I really wanted a 5.1 surround sound headset, but they're either too expensive or not reliable enough at this point, so I decided to hold off. In gaming, it's fine. I hear footsteps to the left or right accurately and clearly, and voice chat in-game is quite clear (I was in the same room as someone else playing online with me and I was able to hear my voice communication).

I don't use WLM, so I can't speak to its functionality at all.

The in-line remote is fairly useless for any functions other than WLM. It does have an independent volume control (it doesn't affect the volume of your system--just of the headset), which is very useful. But the mute and call buttons don't function for anything other than their intended purposes.

Overall this headset is very good for the price. It fits tightly around the head, which may be a bit uncomfortable at first, but I found that with some adjustment I was able to get a comfortable fit. If you're looking for a nice gaming headset and don't want to shell out over $100 for a high-end headset, this is a strong choice.

As a pair of headphones the LifeChat LX-3000 is pretty decent. Good, clear response across all frequencies. Notably, the bass range is beefy without being too muddy. They are comfortable and don't make my head sore after extended use, compared to some other headphones I own. (Your mileage may vary.)

The microphone is my favorite component of these headphones. It is responsive and doesn't pick up very much background noise. The windscreen (the foamy thing) eliminates some of the effect of breath sound, and pops and plosives to a certain extent, giving one's voice a more polished sound. You might think of it as a minor feature, and perhaps a little ugly or bulky, but it adds a tremendous value to the headphones in my opinion.

In addition to Automated Gain Control (AGC), there seems to be the option in the Sound & Audio Properties control panel of applying effects to the incoming signal. Maybe it has something to do with the sAPO technology in Windows Vista, but I'm using the headphones on Windows XP exclusively at the moment. There aren't any effects included with the installation CD that comes with the LifeChat headphones, but the idea is intriguing. At least I know that since this headset comes from Microsoft, if the technology develops further I'll be able to take advantage of it. It would be good to apply some effects such as a compressor or equalizer to one's voice, even for something as simple as chatting or making calls online, in order to give one's voice more clarity and punch. In any case, that's all a side point to actually reviewing the product.

I've tried recording my voice (both speaking and singing) into Audacity (a wave editor) and Ableton Live (a music/audio production package) and the results are favorable. I can see using this for some quick voiceover work or demo vocals if you happen to be a music production enthusiast as I am. Granted, an actual studio quality dynamic or compressor mic in the right environment is ideal, but this headset functions as a good tool to use a "notepad" for my voice.

The "remote" with the volume, mute, and livechat controls is definitely handy. Only thing is it weighs down the cord. It's placed about a foot and a half down the cord from the headset itself, which makes it possible to place it on the desk; however if you tend to move around while working at your computer (and I would hope you do) you'll pull it off. I don't imagine it's heavy enough to cause any sort of neck strain or such thing, but the weight is noticeable.

Another thing to note is that the headset uses the USB interface exclusively. There are no analog jacks to fall back on. This is a problem since it uses USB bandwidth, which can be a problem if you have many devices hooked up to your computer (and especially if they are hooked up to the same controller by way of a USB hub). I'm not using a hub on this computer currently, and I only have three other devices hooked up. Nevertheless, I ran into a problem with my audio recording interface (a Digidesign Mbox 2) and the headset competing for bandwidth. Windows produced an error message to this effect. The end result is that I can't use the interface and the headphones concurrently; I have to have one or the other plugged in. Granted, this isn't that big of a deal, since I use the headset for "consumer-grade" activities like watching movies and chatting, and use hardware and a microphone plugged in to the recording interface when I am working on a music or audio project. Unfortunately though I can't use the headphones with my recording interface to do quick vocal demos or voiceovers (one of the handy features of a headset I alluded to earlier). Granted, I don't need the recording interface since the headset isn't being run through it, but the latency issues with my onboard sound card makes monitoring my voice while recording untenable.

The takeaway from all this is that the LifeChat LX-3000 headset is great for normal recreational use, although I would caution that if you have a lot of USB devices hooked up to your system you may run into some problems, and in that case I'd suggest a headset with analog microphone/audio jacks.

After my big disappointment with Logitech's "gaming" headphones (Logitech Precision PC Gaming Headset), I decided to go with Microsoft LiveChat, and I made the right choice. I'm a gamer and I use programs called TeamSpeak and Vent to communicate with my teammates. Here are the basic pros and cons

Pros
- Crystal clear mic picks up your voice with no problems
- Sound quality is excellent
- The headphones fit nicely
- Easy installation, up and running in less then 5 minutes

Cons
- There is no clip on the back of the volume and mute buttons, making it slide around your lap
- Have to adjust head headset every so often due to the tight fit around the ears. Makes you feel like you are in an airplane prolong use.

Other then some minor adjustments, this does exactly what I need. As for the whole push to talk buttons and syncing with WLM, I haven't gone down that route, but if you're a gamer, this would be something to definitely check out.

Length:: 8:23 Mins

Even though this was a MS product and I am a Mac person, I took the plunge. I have to say that I like these much better than my previous Logitechs. the over-the-ear fit is great. There's even an inline remote and the volume up/down buttons and microphone mute button even work! I just plugged it into my keyboard USB and iChat was happy and the volume/mute buttons worked. To be sure, the volume up/down buttons are for the output and they actually change the OS volume, so it will be changed wether you're listening through the headphones or through other speakers. And the mute button is for the microphone and it only mutes the headset microphone, not the internal microphone or anything else.

The sound is really nice too, but that probably has a lot to do with the background noise that is removed by the nice fit of the ear pieces.

Note: The 'other' button on the remote isn't currently doing anything. I'm not actually sure what it's supposed to do.

Design-wise, these fit well on my large head and the wire/control box are not irritatingly heavy. The volume control is functional, although unfortunately it's easy to hit the large, centrally placed lifechat (what an absurd name) button, which creates a popup urging you to install microsoft's VoiP software. The first time it minimizes a full screen application like a game or a movie you'll want to break the button.

The sound quality is functional. You can't expect a lot of thump in the bass from headsets, especially for thirty bucks, but I'm not an audiophile and am happy with the audio.

The bad news is that you are really gambling when you buy these, because they're unreliable and break frequently. All headsets with volume boxes set midway along the cord are prone to breaks in the wires leading out of it, the box getting under a chair wheel somehow, etc, but from my own experience and anecdotal evidence collected by talking to fellow purchasers (as well as a review I happened to notice a page below this one...) this headset appears to be especially prone to breakdowns. Two months after I bought it, my headset started crackling loudly when the volume box was jostled. A day afterward, the microphone stopped working. The audio now functions only intermittently and I expect it stop working completely soon. I turned out two of my co-workers who had bought the same headsets had the same problems. Although the design is there, the manufacturing is not.

I would love to recommend these headphones, but the chances your money might go to waste seem too high. Pass on it.

EDIT: I forgot to mention the microphone is of excellent quality with clear sound, although the mute button is too easy to hit accidentally.

If you want to be fully "surrounded" by music or sound, this is your headset. It is lightweight, comfortable, and it delivers. It's a little work to set it up for those who are not computer savvy, but it's worth it.

For those of you who are having trouble getting it to work beyond windows sounds and Live Messenger, there is a trick you have to do to unlock its full potential, and I found this out the hard way. You have to go to your Control Panel (Either Start->Control Panel or My Computer->Control Panel), then go to the "Sounds and Audio Devices" Option. It will bring up a screen with a series of tabs. Click on the Audio Tab, and set the Default Sound Playback and the Sound Recording Sections to the "Microsoft LiveChat LX-3000" option. Then Click apply. Next, in the same screen, look in the "Sound Playback" section, you will see the Advanced button. Click that, and it opens up the "Advanced Audio properties" screen. You should be on the Speakers Tab already. Set the "Speaker Setup" to "Stereo Headphones" and again, click "Apply". Click Ok to get back to the previous menu and Click ok to exit. You should now be able to listen to your music and other sounds because it's no longer conflicting with the default stuff.

Before buying this headset, I came here and read all the negative reviews, about it being a piece of junk that broke after some days.

I disregarded this reviews, as I am very careful handling my objects, and thought that you were handling it badly. Well, I was wrong. After 5 months, handling it with all the care, it simply died, the wire teared apart inside out of nothing, as it naturraly rots with time.

Yes, now I agree with you. This really IS a piece of junk.

I bought Microsoft Mic because I tought it would be well constructed and have great sound quality. I figured paying more would improve the quality. It worked for one month, and then microphone and sound went bad. The conection to the ear peace became loose. I took it back and exchanged it for a new one and it lasted about one month as well. It may be the heavy volume control in middle of cord. Since this is the 2nd one I have used I must assume its a poor design! I would not recomemmend anyone buy this!

I have been through about 1 to 2 headset every year for the past 5 years.
This one has weathered my abuse for a little over eight months now. I am using this with Vista. I didn't have to use the accompanying CD. The headset was immediately recognized by the computer as soon I plugged it into the computer's USB port. My chat program had some trouble though; I had go to the options and specifically select LX-3000 as the input/output device. No problemss with any other programs.

The friends and family have claimed that they hear my voice much clearer sounds than now than anytime in the past. The headset is very comfortable with a soft leather-like material for the ear pads.

I use this headset for chatting, gaming; listening to music; while watching DVD movies and TV on Vista Media Center.