Whether you're looking to hear those sneaking footsteps or simply need to keep your gaming quiet, gaming headsets can be extremely divisive. Some are really good, others are terrible. Here are some of the best headsets to enhance your Xbox 360 gaming experience.
Note:*The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Turtle Beach PX51
If you’re looking for a top of the line wireless gaming headset, then the Turtle Beach PX 51 headset is your best bet. Not only does it operate on a Dual-Band Wi-Fi wireless system that’s more reliable and clear than RF systems, but it has built-in bluetooth that allows for you to listen to music or take phone calls right from the headset. That might sound like a hellish scenario for battery life, but Turtle Beach claims 15 hours of continuous battery life from a single charge of the rechargeable battery. On top of that, you’re getting a full Dolby Digital Surround Sound experience to make sure of the dual-band system. Most importantly, the top band and ear cups are heavily padded, making for extreme comfort under long play sessions.
Specs:
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Razer Chimaera
Let’s just get this out of the way up front, the Razer Chimaera headset looks straight out of the future. Its 5.1 Channel Dolby Surround Sound capabilities are even more impressive, especially on a wireless headset. The Chimaera utilizes the available 5.8Ghz frequency to wirelessly transfer audio without interference. If you’re in a situation where you need to communicate with local teammates and don’t have internet to do so, up to four Razer Chimaera base units can be connected directly for quick, lag-free communication. 5.1 channel surround can be hard on battery life, but the Razer Chimaera still manages to squeeze out about eight hours through the included rechargeable AAA batteries. That isn’t as good as other headsets, but the charging stand makes it easy to recharge in between play sessions. They’ve even got a 33ft. wireless range, so you can use them on your couch or wear them when grabbing something on the other side of the room without having to worry about them cutting out.
Specs:*
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Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven
The Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven headset isn’t your average gaming headset. In fact, it’s all about quality and reliability that professional gamers demand, which is why the XP Seven is the official gaming headset of Major League Gaming. It features full Dolby Surround Sound and a digital signal processor that allows gamers to mix and customize which signals you want in your ears at all times. Even better, there’s presets that allow you to quickly switch between different pre-made audio setups for optimal modes during different styles of games. While the XP Seven is a wired headset, as it has to be connected to the mixamp, you’ll never have to worry about batteries or lag. Best of all, its customizable to your preferences, so you can choose whether to keep the mic plugged in or what custom tags you have on your ear cups. It’s all up to you.
Specs:*
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Tritton Warhead 7.1
The Tritton Warhead 7.1 is the ultimate wireless surround headset specifically designed for the Xbox 360. Through a partnership with Microsoft, the Warhead 7.1 has access to Microsoft’s custom, secret chat protocol that allows for a truly wireless gaming experience that doesn’t require a chat cable to communicate online. It pulls from the standard 5.8Ghz frequency to avoid congestion and interference that comes with broadcasting 7.1 surround audio over the 2.4Ghz frequency. Despite this, it still manages to hold a 33ft. range. Perhaps the best feature to come with the Warhead 7.1 is the inclusion of two battery packs. When one battery pack dies, you can simply pull the second off the docking base and continue playing. Since it’s developed with Microsoft in mind, it works right out the box and doesn’t require any additional cables or weird setups.
Specs:*
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Astro A40 Audio System
Astro has cemented themselves as a staple of the gaming community by constantly producing high-quality, durable headsets and mixamps. The Astro A40 audio system is a shining example of this, featuring a sturdy over-ear headset that ties directly into a mixamp that allows for direct control over voice and chat volume. More than that, the mixamp allows for Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound without the need for a large bulky box. The mixamp's compact design works with all Astro products and matches that of the A40. It also *puts the player in charge of what they want to hear by enabling custom volumes for both chat and game audio. Most importantly, they’re extremely comfortable and work with whatever system you can plug them into. The main system is wired, but there’s a wireless version available if that’s a deciding factor in your purchase.
Specs:
See It At:
Alex Rubens is a freelance writer based in Seattle who spends too much time talking about Star Wars and The Fast and The Furious. Yell at him about things on*Twitter at @alexrubens.
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Note:*The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Turtle Beach PX51
If you’re looking for a top of the line wireless gaming headset, then the Turtle Beach PX 51 headset is your best bet. Not only does it operate on a Dual-Band Wi-Fi wireless system that’s more reliable and clear than RF systems, but it has built-in bluetooth that allows for you to listen to music or take phone calls right from the headset. That might sound like a hellish scenario for battery life, but Turtle Beach claims 15 hours of continuous battery life from a single charge of the rechargeable battery. On top of that, you’re getting a full Dolby Digital Surround Sound experience to make sure of the dual-band system. Most importantly, the top band and ear cups are heavily padded, making for extreme comfort under long play sessions.
Specs:
- Connections: Dual-Band WiFi; Bluetooth
- Audio: Stereo
- Compatible systems: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC/Mac, Bluetooth-enabled phones and tablets.
See It At:
Razer Chimaera
Let’s just get this out of the way up front, the Razer Chimaera headset looks straight out of the future. Its 5.1 Channel Dolby Surround Sound capabilities are even more impressive, especially on a wireless headset. The Chimaera utilizes the available 5.8Ghz frequency to wirelessly transfer audio without interference. If you’re in a situation where you need to communicate with local teammates and don’t have internet to do so, up to four Razer Chimaera base units can be connected directly for quick, lag-free communication. 5.1 channel surround can be hard on battery life, but the Razer Chimaera still manages to squeeze out about eight hours through the included rechargeable AAA batteries. That isn’t as good as other headsets, but the charging stand makes it easy to recharge in between play sessions. They’ve even got a 33ft. wireless range, so you can use them on your couch or wear them when grabbing something on the other side of the room without having to worry about them cutting out.
Specs:*
- Connections: 5.8Ghz Wireless
- Audio: 5.1 channel surround
- Compatible systems: Xbox 360, PC
See It At:*
Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven
The Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven headset isn’t your average gaming headset. In fact, it’s all about quality and reliability that professional gamers demand, which is why the XP Seven is the official gaming headset of Major League Gaming. It features full Dolby Surround Sound and a digital signal processor that allows gamers to mix and customize which signals you want in your ears at all times. Even better, there’s presets that allow you to quickly switch between different pre-made audio setups for optimal modes during different styles of games. While the XP Seven is a wired headset, as it has to be connected to the mixamp, you’ll never have to worry about batteries or lag. Best of all, its customizable to your preferences, so you can choose whether to keep the mic plugged in or what custom tags you have on your ear cups. It’s all up to you.
Specs:*
- Connections: Wired 3.5mm cable
- Audio: Dolby Surround Sound
- Compatible systems: Xbox 360, PS3, PC/Mac, Mobile
See It At:
Tritton Warhead 7.1
The Tritton Warhead 7.1 is the ultimate wireless surround headset specifically designed for the Xbox 360. Through a partnership with Microsoft, the Warhead 7.1 has access to Microsoft’s custom, secret chat protocol that allows for a truly wireless gaming experience that doesn’t require a chat cable to communicate online. It pulls from the standard 5.8Ghz frequency to avoid congestion and interference that comes with broadcasting 7.1 surround audio over the 2.4Ghz frequency. Despite this, it still manages to hold a 33ft. range. Perhaps the best feature to come with the Warhead 7.1 is the inclusion of two battery packs. When one battery pack dies, you can simply pull the second off the docking base and continue playing. Since it’s developed with Microsoft in mind, it works right out the box and doesn’t require any additional cables or weird setups.
Specs:*
- Connections: 5.8Ghz Wireless
- Audio: 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound
- Compatible systems: Xbox 360
See It At:
Astro A40 Audio System
Astro has cemented themselves as a staple of the gaming community by constantly producing high-quality, durable headsets and mixamps. The Astro A40 audio system is a shining example of this, featuring a sturdy over-ear headset that ties directly into a mixamp that allows for direct control over voice and chat volume. More than that, the mixamp allows for Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound without the need for a large bulky box. The mixamp's compact design works with all Astro products and matches that of the A40. It also *puts the player in charge of what they want to hear by enabling custom volumes for both chat and game audio. Most importantly, they’re extremely comfortable and work with whatever system you can plug them into. The main system is wired, but there’s a wireless version available if that’s a deciding factor in your purchase.
Specs:
- Connections: Wired 3.5mm cable
- Audio: 7.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound
- Compatible Systems: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, anything with a 3.5mm jack
See It At:
Alex Rubens is a freelance writer based in Seattle who spends too much time talking about Star Wars and The Fast and The Furious. Yell at him about things on*Twitter at @alexrubens.
More...
