Turtle Beach Z6A

[Lab Rat 3947]

This POS broke while I was wearing it.
Do not waste your money.
I have had three in the past year.
Yes, that means I'm dumb, I'll be the first to admit it. The sound was good and I liked the mic.

When the first one cracked in the headstrap, I thought it might have been my fault.
When the second one broke, I thought maybe I had spread them too far when I took them off and on.
I saw them on Amazon for $ 79.00, instead of $99.00 and decided to try once more.

Tonight, 8 Nov 2012, while flying, I heard a crack and told the others on 138 what I heard. After a few minutes I took them off to check and found there was a crack in the headstrap, above the earcups, just like the other two
I will never buy anything from Turtle Beach again.

Do not waste your money on this headset.

Butch

[lyric1]

Really?

[guncrasher]

electrical tape is your friend.  also use toothpicks or dental floss sticks cut to whatever size you need.  that has been holding my really good headset till somebody decides to make a good 6 speaker headset.


semp

[Motherland]

You really shouldn't buy anything marketed toward Xbox gamers.

[Lab Rat 3947]

didn't know that they were designed for Xbox.
I'm open to suggestions for something that will last, preferably made with a metal headstrap, if one exists.

[MajWoody]

I'm using a Plantronics gamecom headset & it has been serving me well for quite some time.   

[Kermit de frog]

Same thing happened to my Turtle Beach headphones that I paid $79 for.  It snapped after the 2nd day of use. 

[Mar]

I had the previous turtle headset, was a great headset, but it got old, suffered a little abuse, and fell apart. Got the Z6A soon afterwards, and SNAP! Not only did it sound worse than the old one, but it did the same thing everyone else's did, broke right above the ear cup.

This is what I use now: http://www.cmstorm.com/en/products/audio/sirus/

It is either USB or it can use your sound card. It's built with a hard plastic and feels solid. Bends enough to get it on and off your head and doesn't feel like it'll break at any moment. Extending the speakers from the top band will reveal a much more thin strip of plastic with a bulge in the middle for the wires. This strip does not bend, and it feels very strong. Where this strip is attached to the speaker allows for the bending and some twisting. The whole thing feels like it'll last a good while, though I don't recommend using it for a tug-o-war. The sound still doesn't beat the older turtle though, it seems to be heavy on bass. It's probably not your best choice if all you do is listen to music.

Note: Where I say "speaker" I mean the entire housing for the four surround speakers.

The USB "module" as I'll call it, has two buttons for muting the speakers and the mic, a button in the middle for selecting Front, Rear, Center, Bass, and Master volume, and a big ol' wheel for adjusting the level of the selected volume control. The whole thing feels solid and rather heavy for its size.

I don't play many games that utilize detailed surround sound at the moment, so I can't give insight on how it performs in that regard.

[Stalwart]

I've been using Logitech G930 for a year and LOVE em.  
They are heavy, but they're sturdy.
Good quality sound with or without the software features.
My kid has a pair too and loves them for the music quality.
Find em on sale if you can.

[Lab Rat 3947]

I'm going to be getting a low cost 5.1 surround sound set of speakers, probably the $90 Logitech system.
I seem to remember seeing a post that it is possible to route the VOX through a headset and yet have the game sounds come through the speakers.
If this is possible, I would only need a simple headset w/ mic and not a 5.1 headset.
Just one that is substantial, possibly with a metal headstrap and doesn't break easily
Any comments greatly appreciated.   

[Lab Rat 3947]

for music I listen to my stereo. My computer is just for email, WW2 history searches and AH; the only game I play.

[Stalwart]

A word of caution if you've got a low end computer, like a single P4 3.1GHz system. If i don't disable the logitech 5.1 software, frame rate drops <10 even with the graphics bells and whistles turned all the way down.

[coombz]

Had my turtle beach x11s for nearly 3 years now and they are still n great shape despite being dropped on the floor a number of times

I am a lot more careful of them nowadays though with the trackir attached

[Lab Rat 3947]

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/9/2012, 02:31:54
       Machine name: TROLL
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.120821-1629)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.               
       System Model: Dell DXP051                 
               BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A05
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 3582MB RAM
          Page File: 493MB used, 22924MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 7300 LE
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D1&SUBSYS_035610DE&REV_A1
   Display Memory: 512.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0012.9610 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 2/29/2012 16:58:00, 4309760 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 2/29/2012 16:58:00, 13417632 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4291-11CF-E456-5A2300C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x01D1
        SubSys ID: 0x035610DE
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: SigmaTel Audio
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7680&SUBSYS_102801A7&REV_1036
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: sthda.sys
         Driver Version: 5.10.4548.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 6/6/2005 01:40:48, 180736 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: SigmaTel
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0xB5B
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 44100, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

            Description: Modem #0 Line Playback (emulated)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID:
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 81
                   Type: Emulated
            Driver Name:
         Driver Version:
      Driver Attributes:
            WHQL Logo'd:
          Date and Size:
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider:
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0x0
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: SigmaTel Audio
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: sthda.sys
         Driver Version: 5.10.4548.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 6/6/2005 01:40:48, 180736 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x41
           Format Flags: 0xCC0

            Description: Modem #0 Line Record (emulated)
  Default Sound Capture: No
  Default Voice Capture: No
            Driver Name:
         Driver Version:
      Driver Attributes:
          Date and Size:
              Cap Flags: 0x20
           Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
        DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
     DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
    Acceleration: n/a
           Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
                  Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
        Registry: OK
     Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
      Device Name: Mouse
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: CH PRO THROTTLE USB
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x1
Vendor/Product ID: 0x068E, 0x00F1
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: CH FIGHTERSTICK USB
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x068E, 0x00F3
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Saitek Pro Flight Combat Rudder Pedals
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x2
Vendor/Product ID: 0x06A3, 0x0764
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: HID-compliant consumer control device
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x1267, 0x0103
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: HID-compliant device
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x1267, 0x0103
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
         Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x27CA
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 4/13/2008 11:45:37, 59520 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/4/2004 03:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1267, 0x0103
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
| Driver: kbdhid.sys, 4/13/2008 11:39:48, 14592 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 11:39:47, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/13/2008 17:13:20, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 11:39:47, 24576 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x0461, 0x4D15
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 11:39:47, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/4/2004 03:00:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/13/2008 17:13:20, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 11:39:47, 23040 bytes

this is what I'm using, its a 6 year old Dell XPS 400 that I upgraded to a 650W power supply

[B4Buster]

Great timing on this thread. My headset broke a few nights ago - needed some ideas for a new one.