CheapyD's Xbox 360 Wireless Headset Video Review

CheapyD

CheapyD

Head Cheap Ass
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The Xbox 360 Wireless Headset was released today (11/2) in Japan.
Check out the video and the accompanying text below for my mini-review!


Sorry, the audio is out of sync. I am going to buy a real video camera soon...promise!
If you don't look at my mouth, you won't even notice! ;)

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxleQt9ZOjI[/media]
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Cheapy's $0.02
It's a bit hard to justify the $60 MSRP for the novelty of removing the wire between headset and controller and slightly improved comfort.
The audio quality of the standard headset isn't that great, and the Wireless Headset is a bit worse. You probably won't notice a difference on the incoming audio, but those listening to you will likely hear more static than if you were using the standard headset. We are not talking about a big decrease in audio quality, but it is noticeable. Also, if you were thinking of using this device to walk around your home and chat with your friends, you will likely be disappointed in the shorter range compared to the standard headset/controller combo.

However, the Wireless Headset is much sexier looking on your end table (and takes up a lot less room), so if you can pick up one of these on sale (or aren't turned off by the $60 price) and don't mind giving your friends a tad more static than they are used to, you may want to consider taking the plunge.

Amazon has it for $50 shipped, which is a little more than I paid for it here in Japan.
After tax, I paid the equivalent of $48 and received $4.80 in store credit via my Yodobashi Camera Point Card.

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*comfort/convenience
*small size
*sexy
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*shorter range than standard 360 headset/controller combo
*slightly increased static for your friends
*$60 price

Since you asked:
*The battery is supposed to last for 8 hours of playtime and is not replaceable.

*When you use the mute button, you hear a two pitch tone, going from a high to low pitch when you are muting, and from low to high when you are unmuting. You can hold down the volume buttons to adjust. However, if you are in a hurry, you might as well just take the headset off your ear as it is very easy to take it on and off.

*You do not need to have the controller on to use the headset.



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headset1.jpg


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I just figured that all English speaking video from Japan was meant to be out of sync, just like it would be when it is dubbed....

So now that I know this I probably won't waste my money on this. Thanks for the review Cheapy. Now the question is, what is the best available headset for the 360?
 
No orange shirt?

Can you replace the battery in the set?

Is it worth the money?


Great and informative review. You should do these more often.
 
Thanks for the review Cheapy. I was really hoping this headset would solve all my headset problems, but I guess not. I'll stick with the Halo 2 headset then.
 
Son of a fuck, the quality of sound on the original headset is horrid, I don't think I could stand to go even worse! I have one ordered and I'm going to stick with it.... but god, what happened to the days of Halo 2 when it sounded like my friends were in the same room as me?

Okay, granted I haven't really played any 360 games online yet, so maybe most of the crappy quality was from the communication emulation from Halo 2. I guess I'll find out when I start up GOW....
 
I added a "Since you asked" section to the end of the review. I'll add answers to your questions there.

"The battery is supposed to last for 8 hours of playtime and is not replaceable."
 
Thanks for the review. Man it sounds terrible. I'm not getting this headset until (or if) it reaches a very low price. I'll stick with my current wired and my Motorola "Head Coach" headsets.

Also SEXY for a headset...NOT A FEATURE(or thumbs up)!!!!
 
I knew this was going to happen...I don't trust Wireless accessories as much as other people do.

What's the big deal anyway? I know it's smaller...but the controller itself is already wireless...it's not like you are stuck to your console due to your wired headset...

meh @ the wireless headset
 
[quote name='cruzincontrol']Also SEXY for a headset...NOT A FEATURE(or thumbs up)!!!![/quote]

i disagree. ugly headsets dont get sales.
 
[quote name='dastly75']I think I'll stick with my bluetooth headset since I can use it in the bathroom ;)[/quote]

which headset would that be?
 
[quote name='orntar']i disagree. ugly headsets dont get sales.[/QUOTE]

Tell that to my Motorola "Head Coach" Headset....Which I definently will stick with rather that the poorly reviewed wireless item....Also I would use that term more for babes if you know what I mean....
 
I was on the other end of the test conversation, and it's not quite as bad as what it seems. Sure there is a little more garbly-$$$$ in the audio, but it's not anymore heinous that what most of us hear on Live already. It does an adaquate job of communicating on Live.

The lack of range and the price are what are keeping this from being an instant purchase for me right now. Convienence of not having to mess with the cable is a big plus and so is sexiness... right now, if mrs. shipwreck comes home and sees me playing Chromehounds with the wired headset, she isn't instantly turned on. Maybe this wireless headset is the key.
 
I wouldn't get it for the fact that I mute my mic constantly while I game online. I guess it would be to much work to keep moving my hand up and down to my ear to mute it.
Add a clap on/off style feature for the mute and im sold!
 
[quote name='shipwreck']I was on the other end of the test conversation, and it's not quite as bad as what it seems. Sure there is a little more garbly-$$$$ in the audio, but it's not anymore heinous that what most of us hear on Live already. It does an adaquate job of communicating on Live.

The lack of range and the price are what are keeping this from being an instant purchase for me right now. Convienence of not having to mess with the cable is a big plus and so is sexiness... right now, if mrs. shipwreck comes home and sees me playing Chromehounds with the wired headset, she isn't instantly turned on. Maybe this wireless headset is the key.[/quote]
Yeah, that was what I was going for in the review...did it not come across that way?
I guess if I had to give it a score, it would probably be a 7.5/10.

I feel like the problem isn't so much the headset(s) fault. It's likely how voice is handled on the Xbox 360/Xbox Live.
Do you guys think it's gotten worse since regular Xbox?
I wonder if the quality improves if you use a wired controller.
 
[quote name='CheapyD']Yeah, that was what I was going for in the review...did it not come across that way?[/quote]

i think it did, but people tend to hang on certain things, and audio quality is a big issue with a headset.

whytf doesnt it charge with usb like the controllers? who wants another damn plugin?

and... are there any other good wireless headsets that you can get to work with the 360?
 
I'm often in another room when I'm masturbating chatting on Live, so I guess I'll pass for now. Thanks for the great review, Cheapy! Wow, your apartment is huge for Japan.
 
What a great video review CheapyD. I hope you will continue to bring more reviews like this to us. :applause:
 
[quote name='CheapyD']Yeah, that was what I was going for in the review...did it not come across that way?
I guess if I had to give it a score, it would probably be a 7.5/10.

I feel like the problem isn't so much the headset(s) fault. It's likely how voice is handled on the Xbox 360/Xbox Live.
Do you guys think it's gotten worse since regular Xbox?
I wonder if the quality improves if you use a wired controller.[/QUOTE]

No, I think your review came across the right way. I was just trying to emphasize that it's not too huge of a difference since people seemed to be latching onto the audio quality part of your review.

Edit: But, I'm just basing my views off of the test and the written review. I have not yet seen the video.
 
[quote name='orntar']i think it did, but people tend to hang on certain things, and audio quality is a big issue with a headset.

whytf doesnt it charge with usb like the controllers? who wants another damn plugin?

and... are there any other good wireless headsets that you can get to work with the 360?[/QUOTE]

The AC Charger is kinda disappointing. I don't think you'd want to charge the Headset while play via AC Charger or USB charger.
 
[quote name='CheapyD']Yeah, that was what I was going for in the review...did it not come across that way?
I guess if I had to give it a score, it would probably be a 7.5/10.

I feel like the problem isn't so much the headset(s) fault. It's likely how voice is handled on the Xbox 360/Xbox Live.
Do you guys think it's gotten worse since regular Xbox?
I wonder if the quality improves if you use a wired controller.[/QUOTE]

I Agree. Regular Xbox's voice chatting was great. It was Clear and Loud. I wish we could get that back. Too much loud music killed my ears :(
 
[quote name='shipwreck'] so is sexiness... right now, if mrs. shipwreck comes home and sees me playing Chromehounds with the wired headset, she isn't instantly turned on. Maybe this wireless headset is the key.[/QUOTE]

Instantly makes shipwreck my favorite CAG member....agreed if videogames werent bad enough "ussy" blocker already the try headset from motorola,the head coach one someone mentioned. This purchase is automatically justified on those grounds alone and sexy sells bitches ;) at least this combo and lumines girls dont mind one bit, trust me
 
Nice! Concise and informative review.

"I was hoping to take it in the bathroom with me."- hahaha.

Funny that you mention the audio quality is not as good as wired...I vaguely remember Major Nelson's podcast saying it was actually slightly better.
 
I really like this--reviews are always made better with pictures and video. Great job Cheapy, and thanks for the review!
 
I didn't think sound quality could get worse than the Xbox 360 wired headset.

How I miss the good old days of the Xbox 1 headset, even if the damn thing wrapped around the back of your head.
 
Cheapy, could you post a picture of the power connector on the headset? I have a feeling its a standard Mini-B USB connection, meaning you could use a mini-b usb cable to charge it off your 360.
 
I think the wireless MS brand headset would actually make me less sexy for the vision cam, as the motorola head coach headset covers up my bald spot real good. Women swoon for coaches mike holmgren and Bill belichek, right? CheapyD or anyone who actually has both the ms wireless and motorola headset make a comparison? (would that make one a headsetophile?) I find the motorola to be a decent improvment sound quality wise over the stock wired ms headset.
 
[quote name='Billservo']Nice! Concise and informative review.

"I was hoping to take it in the bathroom with me."- hahaha.

Funny that you mention the audio quality is not as good as wired...I vaguely remember Major Nelson's podcast saying it was actually slightly better.[/QUOTE]

Major Nelson does work for MS so I bet he is a little bias ;)
 
I thought the quality was suppose to improve. I had plans on buying this.

Now, I'll just wait for a deal for the sexiness.

Or, I'll invest in the Bluetooth headset haxorz project.
 
[quote name='zewone']Did you just glue the Jabra to the back of your controller?[/QUOTE]

it comes with a velcro thing that has a self-adhesive thing on one side so it's attached to the battery pack. No obstruction either and it's really light so the controller feels the exact same.
 
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