Xbox Gaming in South Africa

Communication is of utmost importance when it comes to multiplayer gaming. You need to know where your squad members are, what your next objective is, and of course, you need to be able to scream profanities at foreign strangers when things go badly for you and your team. To facilitate this crucial element of the Xbox LIVE experience, Microsoft has been kind enough to pop a very basic but functional set of wired headphones in all but the most basic of Xbox 360 console configurations. Those who picked up an Xbox 360 Arcade, or "Core" from ye olden days, are left to find a set for themselves if they need one, either from Microsoft themselves or a third party version, like this, the ORB Wired Headset.

Just like the official Microsoft version, the ORB wired headset is about as straightforward as could be. Just one earpiece, a firm but flexible microphone boom for barking commands at your friends, a cable with volume controls, a mute switch, and an adjustable headpiece to keep the whole affair in place. Even the construction and materials are basic, unremarkable white and grey plastic (it's also available in black) and a foam earpiece which does what it's meant to do and nothing more. 

If you've used the standard Microsoft wired headset, you'll know what to expect from this one too. Just like the official version it is light enough to not be much of a burden even after extended use (you know, those Call of Duty sessions which just don't seem to end), although the small padded section on the open end of the headpiece feels slightly harder and edgier on the ORB headset, but not enough so to be a problem. The only significant difference between this and the official version is that while Microsoft's headset allows for the microphone boom to swing around both front and back, here it can only adjust in a forward arc. This means that you can't turn the headset around and bring the boom over to give one ear a rest, so it's not 'reversible' as the Microsoft headset is. Not a major issue, but still a slightly strange design decision when you consider how easy it would have been to allow the mic boom to rotate fully.

Voice chat over Xbox LIVE works perfectly with the ORB headset, pretty much identical in sound quality to that of the official headset. Then again, the Microsoft version isn't renowned for high fidelity sound quality to begin with, but for basic communication it's good enough. Don't expect to be blown away with rich tones and nuanced soundscapes. Incessant cursing and desperate cries of "I need a damn medic!", on the other hand, come through just fine. The bottom line here is that if you are looking for a basic headset for everyday communication over Xbox LIVE, this wired headset from ORB does exactly what it says on the box. Build quality is similar to the official product, except that the cable feels thinner and the mic boom feels more sturdy, so there's really not much to separate this product from the Microsoft edition. There are pricier options, including the official wireless Bluetooth earpiece which makes you look like an FBI agent (or a cell phone obsessed yuppie), but at just R139 RRP, the ORB Wired Headset should be good enough to see you through countless hours of online action.

Pros:

• Perfectly functional, doing what it sets out to do
• Well priced compared to the official Microsoft headset

Cons:

• It's not a particularly exciting bit of hardware
• Limited to use on one side only due to mic boom positioning

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