Xbox 360 Compatible Headset (Cheaper Turtle Beach Alternative)

This instructable will show you how to use a PC gaming headset with 1/8 jacks with the Xbox 360.

An alternative to purchasing Turtle Beaches.


For this instructable, I will be using a Plantronics GameComm 377 headset, and my Xbox uses a VGA adapter.

Supplies

Step 1: Materials List

Things you must have for this to work;

Xbox 360 using either the COMPONENT or VGAcables

Any PC headset withSEPERATE headphone / microphone 1/8 jacks


Things you need to buy;

1/8 Stereo to 3/32 Mono adapter - $5.99

Dual RCA to 1/8 Stereo jack - $5.59

1/8 Stereo coupler - $3.69

20ft. Stereo Headphone extension cable - $12.99

Step 2: Assembly

Assembling the adapters for your headset.

Click the links for better pictures, because it might not let everyone see them for some reason.


Plug the red/white RCA cables coming off the Xbox into the Dual RCA to 1/8 Adapter

Stick the coupler onto the end of that

Next, plug in your headsets headphone line.

Congrats! You can now hear sound through your headphones, now to make your microphone work!

Plug the headsets Microphone line into the 1/8 to 3/32 mono adapter.

Now, plug that into your controllers headset jack, and you're almost done!

Step 3: Configuring Your Xbox and Game Audio Levels

Your new headset won't work properly until you change some of your Xbox's settings.


Turn on your Xbox, and bring up the Guide (xbox button on controller).

Go to the Settings tab, and select Preferences.

Select Voice.

Make sure Voice volume is set to 10, and check Play through speakers.


That's it! You're done!

Enjoy your headset, and kicking everyone's ass with it.

Step 4: Troubleshooting

Problem:
Voice chat is very quite / can't hear it over the game noise.

Solution:
If your game has an actual in-game volume adjustment, turn that down until voice chat becomes audible.
(MW2 has the volume slider under Options at the pause screen in multiplay)


Problem:
Now that I've adjusted my game volume to be able to hear voice chat, my game volume is too quiet.

Solution:
I had this problem, my solution was to buy an inline headphone amplifier. You can find them online for between $10 and $20, This is the one I use, works beautifully.

Comments

[BrunoT2]

how does the video get to the tv? do you use an HDMI cable as well?

[Mr_Rep]

I wanna use Apple earbuds.... Since it has a built in mic, is it possible?

[socalcovey]

INGENIUS!!! I have been looking for an alternative and you just answered it. Thank you so much!

[tstenner]

when i use my head set i cant hear anything but i can talk through it

[gh0stest]

there is a headphone mic adapter you can buy its not that much. I just ordered those headphones and the adapter 

[Elektriksheep]

@gh0stest: Which mic adapter are you referring to? Do you have a name/brand/link for it? Thanks.

[Baby Fark McGee Zax]

He's probably talking about http://www.xjacker.com

[antiping]

Also, if you have a surround sound processor you can just plug into a headphone extension cord and then plug it into the processor. You wouldnt need the splitter then.

[milesduggan]

The only thing that kinda comes to question is volume range.

[idgaf]

you do not need to buy a 3.5mm stereo to 2.5mm mono adapter, stereo one works just fine