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Gaming headsets for Xbox One (Gaming)

by cheapLEY @, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 22:59 (3415 days ago)

Seriously, I can't make heads or tails of this shit.

I want to get a pair of Astros (Had a pair for my 360, loved them, some unfortunate things happened and they got destroyed). Before I left the internet, Astros weren't working with the Xbox One and voice chat, something, something, I don't remember. The adapter wasn't out yet, or something.

Looking at new sets, I've heard they're not that great, drawing power directly from the controller and killing batteries and only stereo rather than surround sound. I've heard people recommend getting the original A40s with the mixamp for better sound.

Does anyone here run either setup, have any opinions, able to steer me in the right direction here?

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Astro A50

by Beorn @, <End of Failed Timeline>, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:25 (3415 days ago) @ cheapLEY

Does anyone here run either setup, have any opinions, able to steer me in the right direction here?

I run with Astro A50s (Gen2) and they usually work great. With come caveats. The default controller adapter that comes with the A50s is completely awful. I don’t know how the thing even got off the development floor because I’ve never had it function properly and neither has anybody else I’ve talked to or read about. When using that connector, the chat audio levels, both in- and out-bound are way too low and the mic is generally unresonsive.

The actual game sound, when piped through the wireless MixAmp via the optical connection, is absolutely superb and has full surround-sound. The headphones themselves are very comfortable for long gaming sessions, which is very nice, and the battery life is pretty darn impressive (as long as I keep them charged, they’ll run for 10+ hours without a problem).

To fix the chat issue you need:

*I actually got my chat cable for free when I emailed Astro customer support about the chat adapter issue. They shipped out a cable at no cost and I had it a couple days later.

PlayStation 4 is a lot easier because the PS4 recognizes the Astro MixAmp as a standard USB mic, so I don’t even need cables for the PS4… super nice.

Anyway, the whole setup took a while to nail down after the simplicity of the 360, but now it’s working great.

Good luck!

Astro A50

by DreadPirateWes, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:37 (3415 days ago) @ Beorn

I have the a40 and the Xbox stereo adapter. Works great for me! I'm not a sound expert/snob (no offense) like Beorn though... I generally buy cheap headphones -- the Astros were a gift. I think I'm getting surround because I swear I hear stuff behind me, but maybe that's just sophisticated stuff going on that I know nothing about.

I actually think this is much simpler than on the 360 when I had to use the mixamp. The mixamp meant like 3 more cables and one of them was always getting unplugged slightly. Now I never have trouble.

Astro A50

by DreadPirateWes, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:50 (3415 days ago) @ DreadPirateWes

I'm not a sound expert/snob (no offense) like Beorn though... I generally buy cheap headphones -- the Astros were a gift.

Too harsh. "Future Audiophile" better description of Beorn.

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Astro A50

by Vortech @, A Fourth Wheel, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:53 (3415 days ago) @ DreadPirateWes

As someone who has read a lot of audiophile forums and the gold plated cable-rising hokum they talk about I'd prefer "snob".

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Astro A50

by Beorn @, <End of Failed Timeline>, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 00:01 (3415 days ago) @ Vortech

As someone who has read a lot of audiophile forums and the gold plated cable-rising hokum they talk about I'd prefer "snob".

That's why it was too harsh. That stuff is hokum. Quality speaker drivers and comfortable fit are my jam.

I think the term "audiophile" carries a lot of baggage (and it's generally well-earned). I like to take the term back to its roots, "someone who likes audio."

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Astro A50

by cheapLEY @, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:52 (3415 days ago) @ DreadPirateWes

Yeah, I think I've got it figured out, now. I think in my head I was thinking about last time I looked into this stuff, before the chat adapter was out, and people were rigging things up and trying to make it work.

The new A40s come with a mixamp that plugs into the controller, and is only stereo. The A50s come with an independent mixamp and is surround sound, and wireless. Simple enough.

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Astro A50

by Kermit @, Raleigh, NC, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 14:47 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

Yeah, I think I've got it figured out, now. I think in my head I was thinking about last time I looked into this stuff, before the chat adapter was out, and people were rigging things up and trying to make it work.

The new A40s come with a mixamp that plugs into the controller, and is only stereo. The A50s come with an independent mixamp and is surround sound, and wireless. Simple enough.

You might be looking at the A40s that only support the Xbox One. There is also a model that is more flexible, for both Xbox One and PS4. You might consider the latter.

Or you could go with the A50s. I didn't want to worry about charging it, and I'm still not convinced that wireless headphones sound as good, but I'm a snob, as the post I'm about to make will prove. (Spoiler: it doesn't have a happy ending.)

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Astro A50

by cheapLEY @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 15:55 (3414 days ago) @ Kermit

Or you could go with the A50s. I didn't want to worry about charging it, and I'm still not convinced that wireless headphones sound as good, but I'm a snob, as the post I'm about to make will prove. (Spoiler: it doesn't have a happy ending.)

Honestly,, that's one thing I am worried about. I've personally never used wirless cans, so I don't have an first hand experience, but I've never heard great things about them. But so far I haven't really seen anyone say it's causing any issues with A50s (although some do say the A40s sound just a hair better). Personally, I'm not sure that's an issue. I think the conveniences outweighs the tiny sound quality downgrade. I won't use these for music, just gaming, so I don't think that it'll be a huge deal.

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Astro A50

by CruelLEGACEY @, Toronto, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 16:08 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

I haven't done an A/B test between the A50s and A40s, but I have compared my A50s to other wireless headsets and they sounded spectacular by comparison. Insanely low noise floor (most wireless sets have a base-level hiss that gets annoying, but not the A50s), and the overall sound quality was very very good.

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Astro A50

by Beorn @, <End of Failed Timeline>, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 19:54 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

Honestly,, that's one thing I am worried about. I've personally never used wirless cans, so I don't have an first hand experience, but I've never heard great things about them. But so far I haven't really seen anyone say it's causing any issues with A50s (although some do say the A40s sound just a hair better). Personally, I'm not sure that's an issue. I think the conveniences outweighs the tiny sound quality downgrade. I won't use these for music, just gaming, so I don't think that it'll be a huge deal.

I upgraded from the original A40s to A50s and I was never disappointed with the move. I haven’t heard the current-gen A40s, so I can’t compare, but the current-gen A50s do sound great.

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Astro A50

by cheapLEY @, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:46 (3415 days ago) @ Beorn

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll have to look into it some more.

For some reason, this whole thing has just been confusing me. Trying to figure out the set up and mix amps and stuff, I couldn't wrap my head around it for a minute.

I love my Xbox One, by man, why did MS have to go a screw everything up and make it more complicated than it was on the 360. The friends and party app on XB1 still blows, and having to jump through hoops to get a headset to work isn't helping anyone.

A50s do look like a good way to go, and look relatively uncomplicated.

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Astro A50

by MacAddictXIV @, Seattle WA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 12:19 (3413 days ago) @ Beorn

So what exactly are the difference between the A50's and the A40's?

So far what I'm getting is that the A50's have better sound quality and other minor perks.

But I would rather pay $100 less for slightly worse quality as long as they cover three things:
1. Surround sound
2. Works with XBox One
3. Has a functional Mic

Does anyone know if the most recent version of the A40 has all of these? Or would I have to get the A50?

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Astro A50

by Kermit @, Raleigh, NC, Friday, July 24, 2015, 12:37 (3413 days ago) @ MacAddictXIV

So what exactly are the difference between the A50's and the A40's?

So far what I'm getting is that the A50's have better sound quality and other minor perks.

But I would rather pay $100 less for slightly worse quality as long as they cover three things:
1. Surround sound
2. Works with XBox One
3. Has a functional Mic

Does anyone know if the most recent version of the A40 has all of these? Or would I have to get the A50?

I doubt seriously that the A40s have worse sound quality. If there's a difference, the A40s are better. A50s are wireless. A40s are not.

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Astro A50

by cheapLEY @, Friday, July 24, 2015, 12:39 (3413 days ago) @ MacAddictXIV

So what exactly are the difference between the A50's and the A40's?

So far what I'm getting is that the A50's have better sound quality and other minor perks.

But I would rather pay $100 less for slightly worse quality as long as they cover three things:
1. Surround sound
2. Works with XBox One
3. Has a functional Mic

Does anyone know if the most recent version of the A40 has all of these? Or would I have to get the A50?


This is where it gets tricky. Here's my understanding.

A50s:

Wireless (except when utilizing the mic, needs to be plugged into the controller)
Surround Sound
$300

A40s (Xbox One Version)
Comes with M80 MixAmp, which replaces the Microsoft chat adapter, plugs directly into the controller
Only stereo sound, as that's the only thing piping audio through the controller currently supports
$200

A40s (Any other version)
Uses MixAmp Pro, which is an independent unit that everything plugs into
Surround Sound
Must plug headset into the MixAmp, and into the controller with a chat adapter for using a microphone
$250


So, in my opinion (and what I'm going to do), the A50s seem like the easiest, most convenient option for surround sound. I used to have A40s with my 360, and I loved them, but all those wires can be tedious. Easily worth the extra $50 to get rid of them.

Edit: And yes, from everything I've heard, Kermit is right, the A40s have better sound quality, although only slightly.

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Sounds about right

by kidtsunami @, Atlanta, GA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 15:00 (3413 days ago) @ cheapLEY

I'm pretty excited that I got the Mixamp 5.8 as it gives me plenty of options.

I'm considering A50's though just to cut down on the wires even more. Though I'd really just prefer consoles to allow dolby headphone processed audio through their controllers.

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Amber Alert!

by Vortech @, A Fourth Wheel, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:34 (3415 days ago) @ cheapLEY

I'm hijacking your thread bit in case somebody happens to have made some kind of chat headset which is anything like what I want.If someone knows of such a thing, let me know. My desires are the following, in order of importance:

1. Does not cover both ears so I can hear the speakers around my room and I don't get cauliflower ear.
2. Does not cover even one ear too much; just put a speaker near my ear so I can hear people talking and we're all set, thanks.
3. Good noise cancellation so I can stop driving people insane with my always-too-loud-at-any-volume-aparently sound system (this seems less a problem on XBONE?)
4. Wireless
5. somehow functional on XBONE and PS4


I feel like this should be fairly reasonable wishes, yet…

Amber Alert!

by DreadPirateWes, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:40 (3415 days ago) @ Vortech

I'm hijacking your thread bit in case somebody happens to have made some kind of chat headset which is anything like what I want.If someone knows of such a thing, let me know. My desires are the following, in order of importance:

1. Does not cover both ears so I can hear the speakers around my room and I don't get cauliflower ear.
2. Does not cover even one ear too much; just put a speaker near my ear so I can hear people talking and we're all set, thanks.
3. Good noise cancellation so I can stop driving people insane with my always-too-loud-at-any-volume-aparently sound system (this seems less a problem on XBONE?)
4. Wireless
5. somehow functional on XBONE and PS4


I feel like this should be fairly reasonable wishes, yet…

Earbuds and a stereo adapter? There's one wire to the controller, but the controller is wireless so it's not so bad.

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Amber Alert!

by Vortech @, A Fourth Wheel, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:48 (3415 days ago) @ DreadPirateWes
edited by Vortech, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 23:55

I'm hijacking your thread bit in case somebody happens to have made some kind of chat headset which is anything like what I want.If someone knows of such a thing, let me know. My desires are the following, in order of importance:

1. Does not cover both ears so I can hear the speakers around my room and I don't get cauliflower ear.
2. Does not cover even one ear too much; just put a speaker near my ear so I can hear people talking and we're all set, thanks.
3. Good noise cancellation so I can stop driving people insane with my always-too-loud-at-any-volume-aparently sound system (this seems less a problem on XBONE?)
4. Wireless
5. somehow functional on XBONE and PS4


I feel like this should be fairly reasonable wishes, yet…


Earbuds and a stereo adapter?

If a stereo adapter means something like this, that's a good idea that does not work on PS4. (I maybe should have mentioned that I have the launch XBONE controller but I'd buy the new one if it solved this problem)

EDIT, ok moving to page 2 of search results suggests you refer to the MS XBONE stereo adapter (which is a terrible title for the product as it is both misleading and painfully generic). I guess that could work, but it seems about as good as the included headset - which is serviceable except for wireless and other comforts that it lacks. Mostly this is a problem on PS4

But thanks for the effort. Keep the suggestions coming. My non-PS4-earbud-shapped ear hole thanks you.

There's one wire to the controller, but the controller is wireless so it's not so bad.

It's pretty hard to hold a controller and use a cocktail shaker and not have the cord get in the way, but I will forget my troubles soon after, so I can deal with it.

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Try speakers.

by Funkmon @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 07:40 (3414 days ago) @ Vortech

- No text -

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Not that it happens that much…

by Vortech @, A Fourth Wheel, Friday, July 24, 2015, 00:11 (3414 days ago) @ Funkmon

So far they have done a terrible job of letting people hear me talk.

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Amber Alert!

by JDQuackers ⌂ @, McMurray, PA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 12:34 (3413 days ago) @ Vortech

Have you considered a headset with open-back ear cups? These will allow ambient sounds to mix in with your game/chat audio. A lot of people prefer these kinds of headphones because it allows your sound to "feel bigger" and not just inside your head.

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Amber Alert!

by Vortech @, A Fourth Wheel, Friday, July 24, 2015, 16:00 (3413 days ago) @ JDQuackers
edited by Vortech, Friday, July 24, 2015, 16:04

Have you considered a headset with open-back ear cups? These will allow ambient sounds to mix in with your game/chat audio. A lot of people prefer these kinds of headphones because it allows your sound to "feel bigger" and not just inside your head.

I'd consider it , but I have never seen one. Point me in a direction? (though it still seems crazy to me that there isn't a market for people who don't want game audio but do want a good chat headset. This was totally a thing last generation)

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Amber Alert!

by JDQuackers ⌂ @, McMurray, PA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 16:21 (3413 days ago) @ Vortech

I'd be lying if I gave you any recommendations, as open back has never appealed to me so I've never researched them.

I see that the top result on amazon is the Audio Technica ATHADG1 Open-Back Gaming Headset ($282.11). :-)

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I use stereo adapter and cell phone headphones with mic.

by Funkmon @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 07:45 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

I have a set of Nokia headphones that came with my Lumia handset. So nice. Also works with iPhone, HTC, Samsung headphones. Cell headphones with microphone. Works every time.

I'm also cartoonishly cheap, so I went with the Microsoft Stereo adapter. Works great.

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I can't get the mic to work on the iphone headphones.

by red robber @, Crawfish Country, Sunday, July 26, 2015, 03:54 (3412 days ago) @ Funkmon

I just bought the adapter. Stereo sound is great from the game. Chat voices are nice and clear. But the mic doesn't work? Wish I had another type of headphones with mic to test out.

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Probably get another set.

by Funkmon @, Sunday, July 26, 2015, 04:42 (3412 days ago) @ red robber

I have dozens of headphones because I lose them or break them frequently. So, when my iPhone mic stopped working, I just tossed it and got a new set from my headphone drawer.

In my experience, when something like this happens, it is probably your headphones starting to go. There is a chance it is the jack in your adapter, but it is less likely. They might just not play nice.

Try going on amazon and searching for HTC or Samsung headphones from their phones, or just search for any headphones with a microphone and buy the cheapest one from a brand you've heard of. Should cost $5 or so. Test. If no work, return the adapter as defective. You're out $5, but probably got an emergency set of headphones, so that's not too bad.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by Kuga, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 08:59 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

I use the controller adapter with Sennheiser 350 SE and have no real issues. I use rechargeable batteries.

My headsets

by TheeChaos @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 10:03 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

I use turtlebeaches PX4 on my PS4, love them. Great sound, long battery life. Comfortable. I wish They had some truly wireless headsets, With this one I have to use the little digital optical box on my playstation which ties up a USB port. then I have to have the cable going to the PS4. Good for the Money

When I got my Xbox one I went rather cheap. Gamestop was having a sale so the Xbox stereo headset was like 40 bucks I think with the adapter. They work really well for the price. Comfortable, provides some surround sound. Good bang for the buck. Only complaint is sometimes the sound feels a little like youre listening through a can and not fluid. Another issue I have with this is that they dont have the voiceplayback, so when you talk you hear your voice muffled from outside your headset. Which gets REALLY annoying.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by Schedonnardus, Texas, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 11:37 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

Looking at new sets, I've heard they're not that great, drawing power directly from the controller and killing batteries and only stereo rather than surround sound.


Buy Eneloop batteries.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by cheapLEY @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 15:32 (3414 days ago) @ Schedonnardus

Looking at new sets, I've heard they're not that great, drawing power directly from the controller and killing batteries and only stereo rather than surround sound.

Buy Eneloop batteries.

I have Eneloops (have for years), but I still don't want to be draining batteries left and right and changing them every day. First world problems, I guess, but convenience is king.

I think I'm going to get a set of A50s. After reading up more, they seem like a great headset (and I loved my old A40s, so I can't imagine not like a set of Astros), even though they're pricey.

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"Pricey" is an understatement

by MacAddictXIV @, Seattle WA, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 15:38 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

I think I'm going to get a set of A50s. After reading up more, they seem like a great headset (and I loved my old A40s, so I can't imagine not like a set of Astros), even though they're pricey.

I would love to get some headphones, but frankly there is no way that I could convince the wife to spend $300 on gaming headphones... You can buy a console for that! I mean really, wow.

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"Pricey" is an understatement

by Cody Miller @, Music of the Spheres - Never Forgot, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 15:40 (3414 days ago) @ MacAddictXIV

I think I'm going to get a set of A50s. After reading up more, they seem like a great headset (and I loved my old A40s, so I can't imagine not like a set of Astros), even though they're pricey.


I would love to get some headphones, but frankly there is no way that I could convince the wife to spend $300 on gaming headphones... You can buy a console for that! I mean really, wow.

Just put them on. I remember the first time I was on asylum after getting my A40s, and I could hear the flies buzzing around the plants!

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"Pricey" is an understatement

by MacAddictXIV @, Seattle WA, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 15:50 (3414 days ago) @ Cody Miller

I think I'm going to get a set of A50s. After reading up more, they seem like a great headset (and I loved my old A40s, so I can't imagine not like a set of Astros), even though they're pricey.


I would love to get some headphones, but frankly there is no way that I could convince the wife to spend $300 on gaming headphones... You can buy a console for that! I mean really, wow.


Just put them on. I remember the first time I was on asylum after getting my A40s, and I could hear the flies buzzing around the plants!

Oh, if I had the choice I would totally get a pair! I remember my brother got a nice pair and telling me that he could hear the chest jingle sound through walls.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by Schedonnardus, Texas, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 16:52 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

Looking at new sets, I've heard they're not that great, drawing power directly from the controller and killing batteries and only stereo rather than surround sound.

Buy Eneloop batteries.


I have Eneloops (have for years), but I still don't want to be draining batteries left and right and changing them every day. First world problems, I guess, but convenience is king.

I think I'm going to get a set of A50s. After reading up more, they seem like a great headset (and I loved my old A40s, so I can't imagine not like a set of Astros), even though they're pricey.


I don't know your playing habits, but my eneloops generally last me 2-3 nights (so maybe 10 hrs or so). When the warning pops up telling me to change batteries, i generally have bout 20 mins of game time left, so i can wait for a wipe, or for a match to end.

I use a turtle beach headset, so i don't know what the power draw for that would be in comparison to the surround sound headsets.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by cheapLEY @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 17:06 (3414 days ago) @ Schedonnardus

Okay, thanks for the info.

And I mean, I don't realistically have to change batteries every day, but I always assume the worse. I don't really think it would be an issue. But also, the bigger issue is there's no way to do surround sound through the controller, so that makes me lean toward an independent mix amp rather than the M80 that plugs into the controller.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by Kermit @, Raleigh, NC, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 17:26 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

Okay, thanks for the info.

And I mean, I don't realistically have to change batteries every day, but I always assume the worse. I don't really think it would be an issue. But also, the bigger issue is there's no way to do surround sound through the controller, so that makes me lean toward an independent mix amp rather than the M80 that plugs into the controller.

Wow! When I last looked at this a few months back you only needed the Microsoft stereo adapter to use with the independent mix amp, so you could buy the A40s with the independent amp and use with either console. Now they're implying you have to buy M80 to use the A40s with the Xbone at all. That sucks.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by cheapLEY @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 18:12 (3414 days ago) @ Kermit

Wow! When I last looked at this a few months back you only needed the Microsoft stereo adapter to use with the independent mix amp, so you could buy the A40s with the independent amp and use with either console. Now they're implying you have to buy M80 to use the A40s with the Xbone at all. That sucks.

You definitely don't have to use the M80. That is what they imply on their site; that's what you get if you get the "Xbox One" version of the A40s. But you can just get the 360 version instead with the MixAmp Pro, along with a Microsoft adapter for chat. At least that's my understanding.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by Kermit @, Raleigh, NC, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 18:46 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

Wow! When I last looked at this a few months back you only needed the Microsoft stereo adapter to use with the independent mix amp, so you could buy the A40s with the independent amp and use with either console. Now they're implying you have to buy M80 to use the A40s with the Xbone at all. That sucks.


You definitely don't have to use the M80. That is what they imply on their site; that's what you get if you get the "Xbox One" version of the A40s. But you can just get the 360 version instead with the MixAmp Pro, along with a Microsoft adapter for chat. At least that's my understanding.

that's how it used to be.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by kidtsunami @, Atlanta, GA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 11:17 (3413 days ago) @ Kermit

Wow! When I last looked at this a few months back you only needed the Microsoft stereo adapter to use with the independent mix amp, so you could buy the A40s with the independent amp and use with either console. Now they're implying you have to buy M80 to use the A40s with the Xbone at all. That sucks.


You definitely don't have to use the M80. That is what they imply on their site; that's what you get if you get the "Xbox One" version of the A40s. But you can just get the 360 version instead with the MixAmp Pro, along with a Microsoft adapter for chat. At least that's my understanding.


that's how it used to be.

Yeah even the PS4 one says "compatible with XB1* needs chat adapter for chat"

astro store

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by Kermit @, Raleigh, NC, Friday, July 24, 2015, 12:38 (3413 days ago) @ kidtsunami

Wow! When I last looked at this a few months back you only needed the Microsoft stereo adapter to use with the independent mix amp, so you could buy the A40s with the independent amp and use with either console. Now they're implying you have to buy M80 to use the A40s with the Xbone at all. That sucks.


You definitely don't have to use the M80. That is what they imply on their site; that's what you get if you get the "Xbox One" version of the A40s. But you can just get the 360 version instead with the MixAmp Pro, along with a Microsoft adapter for chat. At least that's my understanding.


that's how it used to be.


Yeah even the PS4 one says "compatible with XB1* needs chat adapter for chat"

astro store

Right, but then it lists the M80 as if you need that.

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You don't keep an extra pair charged up?

by ZackDark @, Not behind you. NO! Don't look., Thursday, July 23, 2015, 17:12 (3414 days ago) @ Schedonnardus

I thought the whole point of Eneloops was that you could keep an extra pair charged up to quickly swap whenever you run out.

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You don't keep an extra pair charged up?

by cheapLEY @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 17:18 (3414 days ago) @ ZackDark

Oh, of course. I use Eneloops in everything in my house that needs batteries. I pretty much always have 8 full batteries on hand for whatever happens to need a swap.

I'm just lazy, and the least amount of time I can spend physically changing batteries, the better.

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Heh, not you

by ZackDark @, Not behind you. NO! Don't look., Thursday, July 23, 2015, 17:35 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

I was asking that to Schedonnardus, but in hindsight, he probably does exactly what I said.

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Heh, not you

by Schedonnardus, Texas, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 18:28 (3414 days ago) @ ZackDark

I was asking that to Schedonnardus, but in hindsight, he probably does exactly what I said.

yeah, i have multiple sets. What i mean is that if the warning pops up, it's not critical to stop everything right there and change. I can wait for the PvP match to end, or for a PvE game to wipe, or find a safe spot if in a nigthfall.

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I've got the A40's and A30's, but want a native solution

by kidtsunami @, Atlanta, GA, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 12:22 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

As well as an original Mixamp and the Mixamp 5.8 (the wireless variety)

It's pretty important to have the mixamp if you want surround as people have mentioned. I do highly recommend Astro products in general. They have great support, and their build quality seems much higher than their competitors.

Anyways, I'm just hoping that the PS4 and XB1 are going to update to allow us to select Dolby Headphone as an option of what audio to send to the controller subsequently cutting out the need for the mixamp (outside of chat/game volume balance).

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And if you support Dolby Headphone for controller audio

by kidtsunami @, Atlanta, GA, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 12:25 (3414 days ago) @ kidtsunami

Can you vote on this poorly worded request?

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by Kermit @, Raleigh, NC, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 14:52 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

Full confession: I’m kind of an audio snob, or I would be if could afford truly high-end stuff, but I’m not crazy (for instance, I used lamp cord for speaker wire).
Also a disclaimer: my issues may be my own.

I had a40s for years and they worked really well with my 360, but not consistently with my Xbox One or my PS4. Microphone issues have driven me nearly crazy. I can’t tell you the number of things I’ve tried. I’m a decent troubleshooter, and just when I thought I’d found a workaround, the workaround would stop working. Replacement cords, replacement adapters—tried everything. When one of my A40s ear cups would no longer stay in place, I decided to start investigating other options—maybe there were better options! Maybe I could finally have some true high-end headphones for music that I could also use for gaming!

I found this site. That’s when I went down the rabbit hole.

After much research and thinking I found something that I thought would work, so I purchased some AKG Q701 headphones, an Antlion ModMic, and a Schiit Audio Vali amplifier (translation: I spent mucho delores). I use all three with my original Astros Mixamp (which, BTW, is not an actual amp, but a sound processer that creates faux surround sound).

The good news. This setup works great with my PS4, and I’m sure it’s because the PS4 uses USB for audio output. The sound is truly great—noticeably better than Astros. The modmic works fine.

The bad news: Can’t get the mic to work on the Xbox One. I won’t go into details, but it could be something about the way I’ve got it hooked up to the controller. I even bought one of the newer controllers that doesn’t require the stereo adapter, and it still doesn’t work. Could be user error, but I gave up. I spent months researching and working on this, and ended up just using the standard Microsoft headset when I want to talk just because I grew tired of dealing with it. I’ve heard the newer Mixamps with upgradable firmware work fine, but I haven’t had the inclination to spend another $100 on something I’m not sure of. I’ve also heard the bass is punched up more than the original mixamp, and that tendency to punch up the bass was why I avoided buying another headset designed for gaming—most of them are base heavy. At some point I’ll probably dive back in and actively pursue tech support or something, but for now, I’m done.

I know several people who are happy with their Sennheisers, and I probably would’ve gone that route if I hadn’t read that they can be a tight fit, and I have an enormous noggin.

Bottom line: the new A40s or A50s probably work fine, but you might consider others like Sennheisers or Turtle Beach.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by cheapLEY @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 15:45 (3414 days ago) @ Kermit

I actually have two sets of Sennheisers, the 280 Pro and 380 pro. I absolutely love them both (the 380s stay connected to my computer most of the time, the 280s are my travel set). I thought about trying to find a way to rig up a mic with one of them, but honestly, I'm lazy, and I loved my old A40s enough that I want to get another set of Astros.

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Gaming headsets for Xbox One

by Kuga, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 20:05 (3414 days ago) @ Kermit

I know several people who are happy with their Sennheisers, and I probably would’ve gone that route if I hadn’t read that they can be a tight fit, and I have an enormous noggin.

Not sure what model you read that review on Kermit, but I wear a size 8 fitted hat and have no issues with my Sennheiser 350 SEs. I even have large ears and they are actually covered over the ear. Looks like the 363D replaced it and has 7.1. If someone would go with one of their PC headsets you need the PCV 05 adapter to bring the lines together or an equivalent adapter from monoprice/your favorite online audio part retailer.

Are the A50's wireless?

by DreadPirateWes, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 18:31 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

Are the A50s actually wireless? I see a cord:
[image]

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Are the A50's wireless?

by cheapLEY @, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 20:44 (3414 days ago) @ DreadPirateWes

Are the A50s actually wireless? I see a cord:


They're wireless from the MixAmp. Still need a cord from the headset to the controller for chat. :( But if you're not playing something with chat, then yes.

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Platform dependent

by Beorn @, <End of Failed Timeline>, Friday, July 24, 2015, 11:46 (3413 days ago) @ cheapLEY

On XB1/360, the A50s have to use a chat cable to the controller because they pipe chat audio through the controller. No way around it.

PS4 and Mac/PC, on the other hand, do allow for true wirelessness because the A50 base station connects via USB and is recognized as a microphone device, so the chat audio is transmitted directly to the headset. It's pretty slick.

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I personally just use the Xbox One Stereo Headset

by Xenos @, Shores of Time, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 18:34 (3414 days ago) @ cheapLEY

It's not perfect, but for the price I think it's great.

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Same

by Speedracer513 @, Dallas, Texas, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 18:37 (3414 days ago) @ Xenos

It's not perfect, but for the price I think it's great.

I have no complaints really, and only spent $30 on it. It even works perfectly fine on my PS4! (Although I usually us the Playstation Gold Wireless headset there)

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My recommendation: HyperX Cloud Headset

by JDQuackers ⌂ @, McMurray, PA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 12:39 (3413 days ago) @ cheapLEY
edited by JDQuackers, Friday, July 24, 2015, 13:26

I use thesewith the official stereo headset adapter, and they are incredibly comfortable. I can wear them with or without glasses for hours with no strain, and the sound is incredible.

They are pretty cheap now-a-days because there is a Butt II version that doesn't really add much to the original version. I would highly recommend these.

Also keep in mind that once the new controller launches, you could use these without the stereo headset adapter. All of the function of that POS are built into the new controllers, and they even include chat mixing (sorry, meant mic monitoring), which is not part of the current adapter.

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My recommendation: HyperX Cloud Headset

by Xenos @, Shores of Time, Friday, July 24, 2015, 12:46 (3413 days ago) @ JDQuackers

Also keep in mind that once the new controller launches, you could use these without the stereo headset adapter. All of the function of that POS are built into the new controllers, and they even include chat mixing, which is not part of the current adapter.

Am I misunderstanding what chat mixing is? Isn't it the ability to change the volume between gameplay and chat? Because that's built into the stereo adapter with physical buttons (which I like) while the new controller you'll have to go to a setting screen to adjust it.

Also, the new controller is already out!

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My recommendation: HyperX Cloud Headset

by JDQuackers ⌂ @, McMurray, PA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 13:06 (3413 days ago) @ Xenos

Also keep in mind that once the new controller launches, you could use these without the stereo headset adapter. All of the function of that POS are built into the new controllers, and they even include chat mixing, which is not part of the current adapter.


Am I misunderstanding what chat mixing is? Isn't it the ability to change the volume between gameplay and chat? Because that's built into the stereo adapter with physical buttons (which I like) while the new controller you'll have to go to a setting screen to adjust it.

I used the wrong term! I meant mic monitoring (hearing your own voice through the headset). This has bothered me that it's not included in the current stereo adapter. I hope they can add it with a controller firmware update soon.

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My recommendation: HyperX Cloud Headset

by cheapLEY @, Friday, July 24, 2015, 16:18 (3413 days ago) @ JDQuackers

I used the wrong term! I meant mic monitoring (hearing your own voice through the headset). This has bothered me that it's not included in the current stereo adapter. I hope they can add it with a controller firmware update soon.

I've seen a lot of people complain about this, but I don't get it. I'm talking, I know what I'm saying, why would I want to hear myself through my headset? I've heard people talk about wanting to monitor their mic volume or something, but I've never had issues with that either. I always just talk with my normal speaking voice and volume, and if there's a problem, I assume people would let me know that it's overly quiet or loud (I know I would let someone else know!).

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Does anybody here have the new controller?

by JDQuackers ⌂ @, McMurray, PA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 13:08 (3413 days ago) @ Xenos

Also, the new controller is already out!


I have questions! I heard they redesigned the shoulder buttons. Are they more like the original 360 shoulders??

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Does anybody here have the new controller?

by Kermit @, Raleigh, NC, Friday, July 24, 2015, 13:09 (3413 days ago) @ JDQuackers

Also, the new controller is already out!

I have questions! I heard they redesigned the shoulder buttons. Are they more like the original 360 shoulders??

I've got one, but I haven't noticed a difference. I'll have to compare tonight and get back to you.

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Does anybody here have the new controller?

by Xenos @, Shores of Time, Friday, July 24, 2015, 13:10 (3413 days ago) @ JDQuackers

Also, the new controller is already out!

I have questions! I heard they redesigned the shoulder buttons. Are they more like the original 360 shoulders??

I don't have the new controller, and haven't had issues with the current bumpers, but according to everyone that's used the new one it takes less pressure to push them down (especially from the inside of the bumpers) and to hold them down.

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My recommendation: HyperX Cloud Headset

by cheapLEY @, Friday, July 24, 2015, 16:14 (3413 days ago) @ Xenos

Also, the new controller is already out!

But . . . but . . . but that one doesn't have the nifty Day One decal that's on my current one. What ever will I do?!

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My recommendation: HyperX Cloud Headset

by MacAddictXIV @, Seattle WA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 12:57 (3413 days ago) @ JDQuackers

I use thesewith the official stereo headset adapter, and they are incredibly comfortable. I can wear them with or without glasses for hours with no strain, and the sound is incredible.

They are pretty cheap now-a-days because there is a Cloud II version that doesn't really add much to the original version. I would highly recommend these.

Also keep in mind that once the new controller launches, you could use these without the stereo headset adapter. All of the function of that POS are built into the new controllers, and they even include chat mixing, which is not part of the current adapter.

Can you confirm these work on XBone?

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My recommendation: HyperX Cloud Headset

by JDQuackers ⌂ @, McMurray, PA, Friday, July 24, 2015, 13:04 (3413 days ago) @ MacAddictXIV

Yes I use them on Xbone with the Stereo adapter. I also use them on my PC for gaming and for conference calls! They get a lot of use.

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