Product Description

The Xbox 360 Headset heightens the experience of the unprecedented online gaming community, Xbox Live, allowing you to strategize with teammates, trash-talk opponents or just chat with friends while playing your favorite games. You can record and leave short voice messages for friends or family through the free Xbox Live Message Service or connect with buddies online using the headset in place of the phone. Turn it up or turn it down, and experience the most intense gaming experience possible.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #340 in Video Games
• Brand: Microsoft
• Model: B4D-00001
• Released on: 2005-11-15
• Platform: Xbox 360
• Dimensions: 10.80" h x 2.80" w x 7.30" l, .33 pounds

Features

• Boom microphone can be adjusted for optimal sound quality
• In-line volume control and mute switch let users adjust the headset volume or switch mute on and off easily
• Noise-canceling microphone improves game response to voice commands, and provides crisp and clear voice communication
• Lightweight, over-the-head design enables comfortable use
• The headset plugs directly into either the Xbox 360 Controller or Xbox Wireless Controller for easy use

Customer Reviews

Bad sizing options but overall a decent set
If you're playing on XBox Live, you really need a headset. Most games involve voice coordination between people on the same team, and sometimes even discussions with your opponents.

I'm not sure why my experience was so different than the previous reviews. Maybe they got an older version of the headset? It definitely seems to be the same unit - made by Microsoft, for the XBox 360, the basic model.

This headset is relatively inexpensive, and has a padded earphone and microphone. The earphone is adjustable, to have the headband part expand and contract. This lets it fit on larger and smaller heads. The microphone rotates, so that the unit can be worn on the left or right side. It only spins down to just under a 90 degree angle, though, so this forces you to wear the headset with the band right over the top of your head. At that spot, the microphone is pretty much right in front of my mouth (I prefer it a bit lower) and the opposite-side "bracer" part is digging into the skin just over my non-earphoned ear.

I don't know what it is with these headset creators - but at its smallest setting, the unit is still too large for several adults I know. That makes it even worse for teens and kids! That being said, I find this problem with a lot of headsets, so it's something you just have to deal with.

There's a relatively long cord, and it plugs right into the base of your controller. It doesn't interfere at all with wireless controllers. The base part has a mute button as well as a volume control.

I didn't have any problem at all hearing other players when I was online - their voices came through very clearly. Also, the unit fit very snugly into the base - I didn't have any problems with static or dropped signals. In fact for a while I was letting my boyfriend drive in PGR3 while I talked in the headphone/mic, and even with the cord stretched out between us two I could hear fine. Other players could hear me. I didn't notice any issues with lag, our conversations went back and forth rather quickly.

eh...
A headset is a must have for any 360 online game. You'll find it hard to get anyone on your friends list without one, but you really don't need THIS headset.

I agree that the Official headset isn't the greatest, and some people might not take the best of care with them, but I can say that there are 3 of them in my apartment, 2 are almost a year old, and they're all as good as the day they were purchased. You just have to realize that they aren't very durable and treat them as such.

If you do go the route of a third party headset (any cell phone headset will do), I highly suggest that you get one with an in-line volume control and try to get one with a mute. If you don't get an in-line volume control you may have problems with things being too quiet.

Bearable, but uncomfortable.
This headset is just like the PS2 Online one in the respect that its over the top, too small, and has an annoying thing on the other side that digs into your head constantly. They're good for about 20 minutes, but thats only about one game and most people will play for about an hour or so.

You should buy a Plantronics headset (the one Armstrong used on the moon). They've come out with three that are made for Xbox Live, but are made for the Xbox. They are compatible with the 360, but there isn't a volume control, but they work well on the default. The three they've came out with are the GameCom X10 (its an over-the-head one just like this one, only better), the GameCom X20 (single ear bud thing), and the Halo 2 Edition of the GameCom X20 (same concept, but pay the $55 if you want just because it says Halo 2 on it...).

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/682/682282p1.html