Headset is the Word
Pros:
Comfortable, durable
Cons:
Need Xbox Live Communicator (sold separately)
The Bottom Line:
Plantronics X10 is a great replacement mic.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I have some bad luck when it comes to the Microsoft brand headsets. After three months of use, the plastic clip that holds the microphone broke, and a second headset also gave out on me. Fed up with Microsoft’s offerings, I opted for the Plantronics Gamecom X10.
The biggest flaw of the Plantronics headset is that it doesn’t come with an Xbox Live Communicator. The Communicator is the device that plugs into the controller, and it contains a volume wheel, mute button, and the jack for the headset. But when you open up the package for the X10 you won’t find one. I don’t remember the box mentioning that it wasn’t included, but then again there might have been some small print I missed. Anyway, you need the Microsoft Communicator to use the headset. Since I had extra communicators from previous headsets, this wasn’t an issue for me.
Plantronics built this baby rock solid. I’ve had this headset for over two years, and I haven’t experienced any problems with its performance or appearance. It’s been stepped on numerous times and thrown across the room on countless occasions. It’s also comfortable. The adjustable over the head design is ideal for a person that wears glasses or likes to kick back and plant their head on a pillow. It can also be flipped around, so you can wear it on your left or right ear. The earpiece has a large foam cover that doesn’t get annoying during long gaming sessions, and the bendable boom allows users to find the perfect microphone placement.
The incoming sound quality is decent. It really depends on how you set up your sound settings in the game (headset only, mixed). I didn’t notice a lot of static when things got quiet during games, and I was able to make out what everyone was saying. Voice output is also on the same level. I sent a couple voice messages to some friends and they said they could hear me fine. Anyway, I haven’t received any complaints from other gamers, so I’m sure the mic is doing its job.
It’s stupid that you need a previous Microsoft headset in order to use this one. So if your Microsoft headset brakes, the Plantronics GameCom X10 is a perfect replacement. It’s comfortable, handles sound well, and most importantly it can take a lot of physical abuse.
