[bearman3784]

Originally Posted by majnu

Can the processor be purchased separately? If so does it have any inputs for headsets and microphones? Creative have always been superior when it comes to audio processing and the audio decoder/processor box looks like a viable replacement to the Astro Mix Amp to me.

Sound Blaster Recon3D - Sound card - USB

[majnu]

Cheers, I saw it was slightly cheaper at Pixmania UK and they did 5% quidco too so I just placed my order with them.

and I said that I wouldn't buy any gaming hardware until games got better

I'll give my impressions, review, criticisms when it arrives

[leamspaceman]

Originally Posted by majnu

Cheers, I saw it was slightly cheaper at Pixmania UK and they did 5% quidco too so I just placed my order with them.

and I said that I wouldn't buy any gaming hardware until games got better

I'll give my impressions, review, criticisms when it arrives

Did you order just the processor? It's a great bit of kit. Creative have said it's their highest spec soundcard...either internal or external. I know I keep saying it, but it's so flexible in its use. In my lounge I have 360, PS3, WDTV Live Hub and Sky all going into an optical switcher and then one output that goes to the Creative card. All I then have to do is use the USB of each device for power...no mains. For PC it runs solely off USB.

Let us know how you get on.

[Pinky Floyd]

Chaps, have bought pair of Audio Technica ATH AD700. I'll be using it on PS3 and 360 with an astro mix amp 5.8

I need a mic, does anyone know if this mic will work ok?

Speedlink Spes Clip-On Microphone: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Thanks!

[majnu]

Originally Posted by leamspaceman

Did you order just the processor? It's a great bit of kit. Creative have said it's their highest spec soundcard...either internal or external.
Let us know how you get on.

Yup, I just got the processor as I am happy with my current headset. I'll be using it wired. It's packed full of features. How does Scout mode work on it with games like BF3? How many user profiles can you create?

Originally Posted by Pinky Floyd

Chaps, have bought pair of Audio Technica ATH AD700. I'll be using it on PS3 and 360 with an astro mix amp 5.8

I need a mic, does anyone know if this mic will work ok?

Speedlink Spes Clip-On Microphone: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Thanks!

The reviews on Amazon seem to be good. The Labtec LVA 7330 was the best sound quality microphones to use and is only available on ebay now from some dude in Isreal.

[Pinky Floyd]

Great, will buy and report back if it's any good or not.

[Se777eN]

Originally Posted by pixelpixel

I sent you a friends request. Next time I am on you can test the headset with me. I find that the docking station sometimes gives a false reading regarding the battery. Try making sure that the station is flat and that the headphones go on flat also.

Got the request thanks


I have thrown the manual away so don't shout hahaha


When the headset is charging i thought they was meant to stay red then go green when done? anyways all mine does is flash red i had in on charge for 5 hours and it was still flashing even though it make to take 3 hours.

[bearman3784]

Originally Posted by Pinky Floyd

Chaps, have bought pair of Audio Technica ATH AD700. I'll be using it on PS3 and 360 with an astro mix amp 5.8

I need a mic, does anyone know if this mic will work ok?

Speedlink Spes Clip-On Microphone: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Thanks!

I use that mic with my mixamp when im not using my Siberia V2's and it works great

[Pinky Floyd]

Originally Posted by bearman3784

I use that mic with my mixamp when im not using my Siberia V2's and it works great

Excellent!

[pixelpixel]

Originally Posted by Se777eN

Got the request thanks


I have thrown the manual away so don't shout hahaha


When the headset is charging i thought they was meant to stay red then go green when done? anyways all mine does is flash red i had in on charge for 5 hours and it was still flashing even though it make to take 3 hours.

Manual available via here

Found this in the manual.

If the power in the headset drops below a 10% charge, a beeping sound will be emitted from the unit at a 2 minute interval. At this point, please charge the headset.

Mine only flashes red when the connection from the headset and the docking station is not correct. Try putting you hand over the top of the headset and pressing down on it. You might need to play with it until it goes fully red.

I have had no issues it terms of charging. The only thing I can think of is regarding the batteries.

[Se777eN]

Originally Posted by pixelpixel

Manual available via here

Found this in the manual.



Mine only flashes red when the connection from the headset and the docking station is not correct. Try putting you hand over the top of the headset and pressing down on it. You might need to play with it until it goes fully red.

I have had no issues it terms of charging. The only thing I can think of is regarding the batteries.

I have done that and it goes red for 1min then starts flashing again..

[pixelpixel]

Originally Posted by Se777eN

I have done that and it goes red for 1min then starts flashing again..

Have you tried changing the batteries. I mean taking the left one and putting it on the right and the right on the left ? Maybe a dodgy connection ??

[Se777eN]

Originally Posted by pixelpixel

Have you tried changing the batteries. I mean taking the left one and putting it on the right and the right on the left ? Maybe a dodgy connection ??

Yes i have fella still doing it.

[pixelpixel]

Originally Posted by Se777eN

Yes i have fella still doing it.

Do your headphones sit flat on the docking station ?

[Se777eN]

Originally Posted by pixelpixel

Do your headphones sit flat on the docking station ?

Yes i have done everything and its really starting to pish me off now!!!

[pixelpixel]

Originally Posted by Se777eN

Yes i have done everything and its really starting to pish me off now!!!

I have one last option. The batteries are dead ?

Can you try some new batteries. Even non chargeable ones.

[Dinky Dragon]

Sounds faulty to me, get em replaced already!

[moo_2002]

question for you experts..

interested in some Turtle beaches, I see the new X42s would fit the bill for wireless and x360 chat

but they look on the ear rather than completely covering the ear
if you have surround sound, wouldnt you rather the ear encased?

secondly, does the wireless suffer much interference with wifi networks? there are a lot where i live and it would be positioned right next to my router

thanks,

[majnu]

Having a headset over the ear rather than on ear is a comfort preference especially after long gaming sessions.

With regards to wireless I guess it cause contention with your existing network and cause drop outs. But whether it effects the performance with your headset I don't know i'm afraid.

[majnu]

blimey that was quick - I received my recon3d sb1300 today.

[majnu]

Early impessions:

Fantastic unit, playing using THX 3D surround is amazing and definitely no gimmick. It works my HD595's so much so that it causes lots of noise leakage. Maybe it's due to the preamp

It's almost as if the dynamic range has increased and positional awareness is more precise with footsteps, audio spotting or approaching air support. Every sound is so crisp in this mode, it's great.

Scout mode works very well. I tried it with the notorious Black Ops which previously with the Mix Amp footsteps were audible but very faint. Now they are very clear when the enemy is within close proximity. But I prefer THX mode.

The Mute button. This mutes all in game sound. I initially thought it was a microphone mute button, but it's not.

Microphone gain controls. TBD. (I have a crappy mic and need to test it in Party Chat)

Customisable Settings using software: TBD. (Not used it yet)

Some draw backs however are:

Volume buttons. There is no way to tell what level you have set it at. With the Mix Amp you have the dial as an indicator. The Recon3D when I switch my xbox off also reverts back to the default volume setting.

Additionally the volume buttons do not respond, I find that rebooting resolves the problem, but it's obviously a bug. This only happens when xbox mode is not selected when you turn the console on.

Hiss. I noticed terrible amounts of hiss when I was on the dashboard. Whilst in game this is not noticeable as it gets masked by the game sound. However, I pin pointed this down to the provided chat lead which lacks a ferrite core suppressor. I used the chat lead of my Mix Amp and the hiss disappeared. I will contact Creative about this issue by raising a support ticket. This is something they obviously overlooked.

[Dinky Dragon]

Sounded good at first Maj, then it got horrible!

Keep us updated :/

[majnu]

Originally Posted by Darryl Kensley

Sounded good at first Maj, then it got horrible!
Keep us updated :/

Yeh it has it's niggles but great nevertheless. I'm currently trying to get the pre-sets from the XP500's, I know that there is a way to transfer them from the XP500 to the PX5's but they are both turtle beaches.

If I can get the XML file, hopefully the eq settings should be defined. I'll see how it goes.

[Se777eN]

Originally Posted by Darryl Kensley

Sounds faulty to me, get em replaced already!

Yup sound it to me as well i managed to get them charged got the green bar when fully charged and after 20min it starts bleeping and turning off..

[pixelpixel]

Originally Posted by Se777eN

Yup sound it to me as well i managed to get them charged got the green bar when fully charged and after 20min it starts bleeping and turning off..

I did get the same thing the first time I ever tried mine. The problem I found was that the connection on the base station and the headphones was not right.

[leamspaceman]

Originally Posted by majnu

Early impessions:

Fantastic unit, playing using THX 3D surround is amazing and definitely no gimmick. It works my HD595's so much so that it causes lots of noise leakage. Maybe it's due to the preamp

It's almost as if the dynamic range has increased and positional awareness is more precise with footsteps, audio spotting or approaching air support. Every sound is so crisp in this mode, it's great.

Scout mode works very well. I tried it with the notorious Black Ops which previously with the Mix Amp footsteps were audible but very faint. Now they are very clear when the enemy is within close proximity. But I prefer THX mode.

The Mute button. This mutes all in game sound. I initially thought it was a microphone mute button, but it's not.

Microphone gain controls. TBD. (I have a crappy mic and need to test it in Party Chat)

Customisable Settings using software: TBD. (Not used it yet)

Some draw backs however are:

Volume buttons. There is no way to tell what level you have set it at. With the Mix Amp you have the dial as an indicator. The Recon3D when I switch my xbox off also reverts back to the default volume setting.

Additionally the volume buttons do not respond, I find that rebooting resolves the problem, but it's obviously a bug. This only happens when xbox mode is not selected when you turn the console on.

Hiss. I noticed terrible amounts of hiss when I was on the dashboard. Whilst in game this is not noticeable as it gets masked by the game sound. However, I pin pointed this down to the provided chat lead which lacks a ferrite core suppressor. I used the chat lead of my Mix Amp and the hiss disappeared. I will contact Creative about this issue by raising a support ticket. This is something they obviously overlooked.

Good write-up there.

I'd agree with most of what you've said, except to say that I haven't suffered from any of the drawbacks you've noticed. I'm using the wireless card and the proprietary Creative headphones. These have independent controls built-in so perhaps that's making the difference? I cannot recommend this Creative system highly enough.

[majnu]

Does anyone know where I can get a good quality Toslink cable as shown in the picture in the link?

StarTech.com Toslink to Mini Digital Optical SPDIF Audio Cable - Digital audio cable (optical) - Male TOSLINK to M Optical plug 3.5 mm

[virtual_boy]

Originally Posted by majnu

Does anyone know where I can get a good quality Toslink cable as shown in the picture in the link?

StarTech.com Toslink to Mini Digital Optical SPDIF Audio Cable - Digital audio cable (optical) - Male TOSLINK to M Optical plug 3.5 mm

There a quite a few available from Amazon
Ex-Pro TosLink to Mini Optical Cable, 2m: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

or you could use an adaptor for an existing optical cable
Cables 4 ALL Digital Toslink TO Digital 3.5mm JACK: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

[oobster]

Well I decided to go for the TB X41's, ordered them today through eBay (as there seems to be hardly anywhere else with stock) and they should be here on Tuesday hopefully!

[majnu]

Originally Posted by leamspaceman

Good write-up there.

I'd agree with most of what you've said, except to say that I haven't suffered from any of the drawbacks you've noticed. I'm using the wireless card and the proprietary Creative headphones. These have independent controls built-in so perhaps that's making the difference? I cannot recommend this Creative system highly enough.

The sound reproduction and potential customisation is the Creative Recons strong point, but then the PX5', PX500's also have this.

I've raised my concerns at the creative forums with the drawbacks of the recon3d.

Q1) What I don't understand is that it is advertised as having these profiles (40 seconds into video), but they don't exist in the software control panel. All I can find is the generic jazz, rock, pop etc in the eq settings. When I go to profiles and select FPS, RPG these profiles contain no pre-loaded customised settings nor does it contain the settings pre-selected by gaming pro's.

Sound Blaster Recon3D - USB sound card for your Xbox 360®, Playstation® 3, PC or Mac - YouTube

Q2) The Recon3d has Cross Over Frequency. It describes it as " Set the lowest frequency your front speaker can produce to enhance bass effect. I am hoping to get advice on what I should set this to. The HD595's according to the technical specs have a:

Frequency response (headphones) 12 - 38500Hz

The crossover slide can go from 10-1000Hz

I have it set as 10Hz as the slider goes up or down in increments of 5Hz. Have I got it set up correctly?

Do I even need to have this on? Isn't Crossover the cut off frequency which sends sounds at the selected cut off to the subwoofer, thus involving 2 speakers? How would it work with stereo headsets? The crossover is automatically turned on when the bass is boosted and a cross over selection must be made.

Q2.1) Additionally bass boost does not seem to do anything.

Q3) The volume buttons do not respond when the Recon3d is plugged into the xbox on PC Mode and then you switch it to XBOX mode. I find that you have to ensure XBOX mode is on before you plug it in. Is this a bug?

Q4) I noticed terrible amounts of hiss when I was on the dashboard. Whilst in game this is not noticeable as it gets masked by the game sound. However, I pin pointed this down to the provided chat lead which lacks a ferrite core suppressor. I used the chat lead of my Astro Mix Amp and the hiss disappeared. Will Creative supply me a chat lead? When using the Recon3d wired it picks up inteference something which Astro resolved by adding a suppressor.

Q5) Crystal Voice does not work at all.

Q6) Scout Mode is missing from the software. Is this only in the PC software? If it is there should be separate defined TruStudio software for consoles, as I mentioned in question 5, crystal voice does not work at all which allows microphone customisation, if this is for PC only then it should be advertised as such.

Q7) Using the microphone causes echo and low reproduction of voice chat even when I have followed the guide here: http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowA...aspx?sid=96619