Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (8/18/2022: iFi GO Blu Review Added)
May 19, 2011 at 1:00 AM Post #1,171 of 48,568
Hey guys, I got a friend getting into Xbox Live for the first time. He's an IEM-only guy, so I thought it'd be sweet to connect a 3rd-party mic for voice chat. What are the options for doing sth like that?
 
May 19, 2011 at 1:12 AM Post #1,172 of 48,568
http://www.nox-audio.com/Products/Negotiator-12

http://steelseries.com/products/consoles/steelseries-spectrum-audio-mixer-xb

http://www.astrogaming.com/mixamp/mixamp-usb (follow the link also for the 5.8 which is a wireless version)

http://www.trittonusa.com/index.php/products/gaming_audio_technology/ax-720/ (this one comes with the box AND headset)


The last 2 links will give you Dolby Headphone, for that virtual surround most of us are raving about. The first two links are stereo only, but are cheaper. I'd personally choose the Astro Mixamps.

BTW, though I don't find IEMs ideal for console gaming, I did find the Hifiman RE0 to work exceptionally well for gaming, especially with Dolby Headphone. Like a baby K701, without the soundstage.
 
May 19, 2011 at 1:39 AM Post #1,174 of 48,568
Lol, I happened to be on (just got home). XD

There are cheaper options still, but they won't have voice and game volume mixing, and sound quality will also be inferior to what you're getting here.
 
May 19, 2011 at 1:54 AM Post #1,175 of 48,568
Just save up and get this bad boy and be done.
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Headphone-Headset-Converter-Adaptor-Xbox-360-Xbox360-/260750646510?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3cb5f31cee
 
For bonus lolz read the instructions.
 
May 19, 2011 at 2:08 AM Post #1,176 of 48,568
Hahaha. Yeah, that's be a quick and painless route if you're just trying to hook up a mic... though I'm sure the SQ is gonna be lacking... But anyways. :D
 
May 19, 2011 at 2:23 AM Post #1,177 of 48,568
I'm confused as to how the Nox and Steelseries devices work.  Are they grabbing stereo game audio it from the controller somehow??
 
May 19, 2011 at 2:27 AM Post #1,178 of 48,568
I haven't looked into it, but I assume it connects to the the 360's audio out... whatever it may be. I dunno.
 
May 19, 2011 at 2:33 AM Post #1,179 of 48,568
Haha...you guys...
Steel Series' Spectrum looks the best bet, at the moment. They've got local distributors in Singapore, so it should be easier to get hold of the product.
So let me see if I understand this right: the Spectrum taps into both the chat audio out of the controller, and the game audio from the system (via male-to-female RCA adapter that sits in between console's RCA plugs and TV's ports?), yes? I.e.:
 
Xbox 360 ---RCA---> Spectrum's RCA adapter --> 1. TV/amp
                                                                   L--> 2. Spectrum Audio Mixer (at controller)
 
Edit: found a video that seems to detail the Spectrum setup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xha1H6odOo8
 
May 19, 2011 at 2:37 AM Post #1,180 of 48,568
Ya, both devices have to pull audio directly from the 360, which makes sense. 
 
They're actually messier than a mixamp cable wise IMO, as your controller is tethered to your console and your headset, instead of just your amp...
And your controllers got that fat dongle hanging off it with cables coming out in 3-4 directions
 
 
 
 
May 19, 2011 at 2:39 AM Post #1,181 of 48,568

 
May 19, 2011 at 2:40 AM Post #1,182 of 48,568
Head-fi ate my posts :'(
 
May 19, 2011 at 2:49 AM Post #1,183 of 48,568
That's why I think the AX720 has the best setup.

I just blame the stupid fact that you have to run a cable from the controller to the amps for voice chat. It's a hassle, which is why I tend to not play with voice chat.
 
May 19, 2011 at 3:07 AM Post #1,185 of 48,568
Yeah, gaming with headphones on the 360 specifically isn't exactly the cleanest setup.

The easiest one as I mentioned before is the AX720, where everything is ran to the Decoder Box (which you leave near the 360), and only one cable goes from the box to you, and one from the cable's puck to the controller for voice chat, that's it. Though if you're not using the included headset, then it's gonna be the IEMs to the cable, and the mic to the cable, as well as the one from the controller to the cable.

It's as clutered as it sounds... @_@




The "cable' I'm mentioning is the AX720 cable that has a puck on it with all the controls and inputs you need.
 

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