XBOX 360 Wire

Hardware Review - Plantronics Gamecom x30 Headset

Since the Xbox 360 came out I had been searching for a better headset, not
that I don’t get along with the supplied one, but that the 360 felt new,
space age and high specified, with a wireless controller it felt great, but
the wired head set was an irritation; it didn’t seem to fit with the rest of
the hardware, so several head sets later….

The item in review is the Plantronics ‘under slung’ headset.
Most Xbox users will instantly notice the shape and design will be reminded
of the Halo 2 collectors head set for the original Xbox.

The Plantronics is an ergonomic design, the ear bud fits into your ear and
the boom for the mic and body hang underneath. A rubber arm
stretches under your ear and nestles against the cartilage at the back of your
ear. The rest can be adjusted manually so that it will angle the headset
into a good position.

This design fits well on most, the rubber rests on the harder part of your
ear and can give many hours of gaming in comfort, it is quite easy to
forget that you are wearing it.

The downside is that gamers come in different shapes and sizes and
undoubtedly some will find a one size fits all just wont suit them.
The headset has been designed with best fit for all in mind so
Plantronics have done the best they can.

The plug in for the head set is just the standard jack input, and the mute
and volume buttons are located a quarter length along of the cable.
This provides easy reach during game play.

In use the headset surprised me, many headsets tout noise cancelling
features of some kind, but few deliver and not half as well as the Plantronics.

The mic, provided the angle is suitably adjusted, picks up voices clearly
and others were able to hear me without trouble.

The sound produced by the speaker part of the headset was clear and audible
and had a good range of adjustment via the volume control. Although the
‘bud’ plugs into your ear, it is in no way invasive, like some inner-ear
headphones of today.

The headset is by no means for everyone, and if you already get on well with
the standard headset then the upgrade is only worth it for comfort and
clarity. If your after a better than the rest headset then the Plantronics
headset is the most “elite” out there.

Posted by Colonel - February 16th, 2008 -