Customer Reviews

Xbox 360 Wireless Headset Communicator

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(19)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

The "earloop" design is a little unsettling at first, but with a little readjusting it will fit quite comfortably (for many people, anyway). It does happen to be twice the size of most Bluetooth headsets currently available, but since this is the first wireless headset for the Xbox 360, I'll give them a little bit of leeway. Also, the lightweight nature of its design somewhat negates this fact. The unit also has no problems connecting with a 360 controller either. The real fault actually comes from using the headset on Xbox Live. You won't really notice any difference hearing other people than if you are using the regular wired headset, but the microphone is just the way too sensitive. While hosting a number of games, I noticed every once in a while there was a player whose microphone would seem to pick up a constant string of background noises, if not, the player breathing himself. That players mic always seemed to be constantly sending feedback (or white noise), as if they were constantly rubbing up against the mike. I now learned that it was actually a byproduct of the Wireless Headset itself, not the fact that someone just had and "over-sensitive" mic. Now that I knew the problem was in fact the wireless headset itself, I found that the only thing you could do was to turn it OFF and then back ON again, which would alleviate the problem. Depending upon which game you're using at the time, this might happen to you at least once every two hours. Yet, on other games it might not happen at all.

It's nice and having a wireless headset, but if you like to play a lot of Xbox Live (20+ hours a week), you might just want to stay with the standard wired headset. It might have an extra lyre going from the headset tier controller, but if you're like most people you probably don't really find it in the way that much. Unfortunately, since Microsoft has proprietary technology on any wireless product, will have to wait until they decide to fix the problem themselves. Honestly, just find yourself a normal headset for around $10-15 and you'll never have any trouble, because even though the wireless headset has dropped in price recently, it's really not worth the frustration at even $40. besides, we'll probably see a "streamlined" wireless headset version for Microsoft not too long from now -- then we don't need to deal with that "earloop" thing.

After waiting months for this to arrive I was very disappointed with this product. The earloop took a little getting used to but over all it did fit comfortably. I was a bit surprised at the size of this thing, its twice the size of most bluetooth headsets out on the market. I had no problems hearing my friends on XBOX Live, they came in loud and clear. It was also very easy to link the headset to the XBOX 360. The real problem comes in with the sensitivity of the microphone. The mike would pick up every little sound in the room which became very distracting to the other players. It would also start broadcasting feedback to the other players for no apparent reason. Once it started doing this the only thing you could do to stop it is to turn it off and on again. After having to do this 5 or 6 times in one evening I decided it was time to bring it back. Hopefully Microsoft will resolve this issue in future releases, until then its not worth the money or frustration.

I picked up MS's new wireless headset a couple of days ago. I have to say I was very impressed with the unit. It is small, light, and all things considered, comfortable to wear. I hopped on Gears of War and it worked like a charm. I could hear everyone crystal clear.

*However*....during the game, a few people were complaining about racket. They said it sounded like someone's tv was too loud.....or perhaps a fan was going in the background. I came to discover in the lobby, that my in-game voice-active indicator (the little cartoon bubble that appears over your character when you speak) was ALWAYS on. That was a clear indication to me that it was *I* who was responsible for the racket.

Everyone yelled at me and said it was very distracting. I turned my TV all the way down, and my fan was off. It was *completely silent* in my room, but it was still happening. I ended up having to switch to my old headset to keep from annoying everyone.

On a side note - a friend of mine also bought one (before me) and I remember telling him the same thing ("turn your TV down..........turn your fan off..."). Even he said it wasn't loud, and the fan was off.

All in all, this headset is a big disappointment. The people with whom you play will be very irritated with you due to the constant "buzzing" sound coming from your mic. I have a feeling I'm going to be muting a lot more people now that this mic is available for retail purchase. I would stay away from this mic and wait for second generation...

If you read most of the negative reviews look at the date. Most of them are from 2006. This is 2009. Yes there are a few from 2009. The thing about the headset is it does work, in fact it works very well. I read a lot or reviews who were stating that they could not get it to sync up and buzzing sounds and drop outs.

I can tell you this I do not have any of these issues. Keep in mind it runs on a 2.4 gzh wave the same as oh cordless phones, wireless routers, etc...so people maybe having problems with that. Me I have a wireless network and no home phone, just use cell and this headset works awesome.

The mute button works (silver button that just has to be pressed 1 time), I can hear every one and they can hear me. I know that in Left 4 Dead on the wired headset (which I just got my xbox for Christmas of 08) I had to some times have to have the mic litarly in my mouth for me to be heard or speak very loudly. Not the case here.

It picks up my voice. Also this is very light weight. You almost forget you have it on. It does have a tendency if it's not on your ear right you can feel it which is why I gave this 4 stars. I would have given it a 4 1/2. This is a 5 star headset. Do yourself a favor, I know it's as much as a game, but it's worth it.

i figured that microsoft would put a decent product on the market when it released this wireless headset for the xbox 360. unfortunately, the headset hasn't met ANY of my expectations. it is AWFUL, DO NOT PURCHASE!!! it continuously disconnects from the xbox, so u find yourself turning the power off and then back on so it reconnects. if you leave the room that the xbox is in, it loses connection (and either must turn off/on again, or wait a long time for it to reconnect). the technology in this headset is abominable. i bought this headset when it was $75. needless to say, i wouldn't pay $20 for it. i've since switched to the bulky and irritable, but consistent wired headset that comes with the xbox. thanks for a great product microsoft...NOT

In a glance, this looks like a nice product. It's nicely designed, although it might be a little uncomfortable at first. You have to pull your ear though the little loop. The sound comes out nice and clear. The charger is nice, and the little LEDs are nice. Finally, i can go to the bathroom without having the lug the controller.

HOWEVER, people in your game will complain getting feedback. It will sound like your voice is echoing to others. The worst part is, is that it will make everybody else's mic echo too.

Problems from not syncing to feedback has been reported EXTENSIVELY on the official XBOX forums.

DO NOT BUY THIS

The first thing that I noticed when using it is that the voice quality you hear is very good. I couldn't tell a difference from the standard wired headset. However, after speaking to a friend of mine over Live the very first thing he says is that I sound "funny". He described it as my voice having a high pitch. The general consensus among my three regular play buddies was that the wireless headset makes me sound "like a robot."

Also, the range sucks. Maybe it is 30 feet without any obstructions, but walking around my house it only goes half as far as my regular controller with wired headset would.

I also have to echo the comfort issues mentioned by a previous reviewer. You have to fit your ear through the ear piece, and after a while this is uncomfortable for me. They do provide an extra piece that is slightly smaller, but how is this supposed to help if the standard loop is already too small? I definitely agree, they should have gone with the simple and proven method of a hook.

Don't get me wrong, I still like the headset and will continue to use it as I find it to be less of a hassle without the wires, but it definitely doesn't meet the expectations MS made for it with all the things they have been saying about it. Improved voice quality? Yeah, right.

If you are on the fence about this headset, I'd tell you not to get it. If you are really interested in it because you want the convenience of being completely wireless while playing your 360, I'd say go ahead and get it - just readjust your expectations of it.

******UPDATE*****

After using this headset a little bit more, I feel compelled to update my review. This thing definitely goes into the DO NOT BUY column. After anything resembling an extended play period with this thing on, my ear really starts to hurt. The two ton anvil to break the camel's back though is feedback and interference. The headset is highly vulnerable to interference from other wireless devices operating on the same frequency. When my laptop is on with wireless near me, my friends tell me the quality of the sound from me decreases dramatically. I have a laptop, desktop, 360 adapter, and phone system all operating on the same frequency. It's a very typical setup and if you are reading this review I bet you have something very similar too.

The interference creates FEEDBACK. When using this headset people will hear lots of static coming from you when you are talking, and often even when you are not talking. Makes you a liability to your team in online games. I wish I could change the rating I gave it to 1 star. It's terrible and not worth the money.

i like the headset and the quality of the sound and convenience of the wireless part. but i've gone through 3 of them already apparently they just stop working they turn off and you can't turn them back on or charge them. I'm hoping that if enough people complain microsoft will resolve the problem because other than that i liked it i didn't even mind the random disconects.

I just got this yesterday and was amazed at how uncomfortable it is. You have to pull your ear through the "earloop" instead of just hooking a ring around your ear (like EVERY bluetooth headset for a cellphone). How could Microsoft not notice that this thing is crazy uncomfortable? Also, why not go with a proven method (ear hook) thats been used on millions of headsets? In its defense, the sound quality is good and it hooked up to the xbox 360 with ease. Also 2 earloop sizes are supplied on the headset small and medium. Both of these sizes are too small for my ear. And no, I don't have unusually large ears. I am currently thinking about cutting the bottom half off of the loop and seeing if that works.....

The sound quality is good, but it is about the same as the free headset that comes with the Xbox 360 premium. The good thing about it is that it has no wires, but that is about it. The first thing I noticed was that the earpiece seemed a little strange. It was not overly comfortable, but was tolerable. The main problem is that it keeps un-synching from my Xbox. When I looked in the instruction book, it says that this will interfere with wireless LANs. So, what's the point? If it will interfere with your wireless LAN, then is this just for people that have their Xbox wired directly? I used this headset for two hours and was disconnected 5 times to where I had to stop what I was doing and re-synch. I do not recommend this product at all. Mine is definitely going back to the store.