Questions about headphones for Xbox 360 and how to connect them

[Stansellnater]

Hello! This will be my first post here on head-fi and I would like to say I really enjoy reading the forums here.  There is quite a lot of information and the community seems very helpful, so I thought I'd ask my question(s) here.
 
I'm looking into buying a set of headphones to use with my xbox 360.  Right now I have the Turtle Beach X41 wireless headset.  I'm an audiophile at heart but a complete newbie when it comes to headphones.  I really wanted the Sennheiser PC 360 headset and I almost won an ebay auction for a set but lost by $5 (they went for $136, which I have found is extremely cheap for open box new)
 
Problem is I cannot find the PC 360 headset for cheaper than $169 on the 'net and I really don't have that much to spend on this endeavor right now.
 
I've been looking at the Creative Aurvana Live! and they seem to get some really good reviews for the price.  I'm also looking for more immersion and fun for my gaming than competitive play, so I kinda ruled out the AD700's (the lack of bass turned me off).
 
On to my question about connectivity.  I bought a Turtle Beach DSS processor off ebay for $20.  I wanted the Astro Mixamp but like I said before, budget doesn't allow it.  I will be hooking up the DSS to my xbox via USB cable for power (like my X41s) and I was thinking of just hooking the DSS up to my TV via optical cable (again like my X41's).  Reason for this is I like being able to switch from Xbox to TV to Bluray without having to change connections at all.
 
Will this setup work?  It works really well for my X41's so I don't really see a problem unless I'm missing something (and I probably am).
 
Question about mics.  I know I will have to change settings on the xbox going this route so it plays over speakers instead of headset.  Would I just hook the mic directly into the controller like I do my headset? Or will I have to hook it into the DSS somehow?
 
I appreciate all help with this because I want to be sure I know what I'm getting into before I drop the money.  I apologize for the wall of text but I had a lot of information to convey.
 
Thanks!

 

[Stansellnater]

One more small question just came up.  Would it be worth it just to wait until I have the money for the Sennheiser PC360 headset?  If I buy just headphones I will have to mod a mic on (either modmic or the Labtec one), which may be a hassle for me. (not much of a DIYer)
 
More or less, which would be better sound quality overall, the PC360 or the CAL?

 

[PurpleAngel]

You may not get Headphone Surround Sound when the optical is connected from the TV to the DSS.
Just depends if(?) your TV can send DDL (Dolby Digital live) out it's optical port.
Hooking the DDS up to the optical output ports on the xBox and or Blu-ray player should give you Headphone Surround Sound (might depend on the Blu-ray disk in the player).

 

[Stansellnater]

Quote:

You may not get Headphone Surround Sound when the optical is connected from the TV to the DSS.
Just depends if(?) your TV can send DDL (Dolby Digital live) out it's optical port.
Hooking the DDS up to the optical output ports on the xBox and or Blu-ray player should give you Headphone Surround Sound (might depend on the Blu-ray disk in the player).

 
Wow, I've had my Turtle Beach's hooked up wrong the entire time!  Thank you, its like night and day now.  I just received my Sennheiser PC360 headset and I'm loving it so far but I cannot get my mic to work.
 
I have a simple 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter, when I plug it into the controller, the xbox shows I have a mic plugged in.  If I plug the mic from the PC360 into the adapter, it goes away (like I have no mic plugged in).
 
Is there any solution to this? I found one person asked this back in 2011 and his solution was an Astro Mixamp (which I have no money for right now), anyone know if there is another solution to this? Thanks

 

[Stansellnater]

Still cannot get my mic to work.  I bought the Headset Buddy Xbox adapter (white puck) that is supposedly made just for PC headsets to work with the Xbox 360.  The mic seems to register if I blow air into it or tap on it but it will not pick up my voice on xbox.
 
I'm at a loss here, I've hunted the internet for days and no one seems to have the same problem I have.  Here is my setup
 
Sennheiser PC360 hooked into the TB DSS (which is hooked up via optical cable to the back of the Xbox and to the front of the Xbox via USB A to mini-B cable to power it.) the mic cord is plugged into the headset buddy and that is in the controller.
 
I tested the mic on my computer and it works fine, crystal clear, so its not my headset.  Its either the headset buddy adapter or the USB cord I'm using.  Its not the one that came with the DSS (I bought it off ebay so it didn't come with a cord) but I bought the exact same cord, USB A to mini B, its just not the "genuine Turtle Beach" cord.
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I'm about fed up with this.
 
Thanks

 

[Stansellnater]

Anybody know a solution? I've been hunting google for days and I can't unearth anything.  I've got it set up right according to a couple of places I've found.
 
The mic will work if I practically put it in my mouth and almost scream and the other people say I sound like I'm underwater and barely hear me.
 
I hate to beg but this is so frustrating.  I wish I had just waited until I had the money for the Astro Mixamp, apparently it doesn't give these kind of headaches about setup.