What you need to know
- Microsoft is testing a firmware update for the Xbox Wireless Headset.
- The update increases mic monitoring levels.
- Mic monitoring's effectiveness is limited by the arm length of the headset.
The Xbox Wireless Headset is about to address one of its most noticeable flaws. The latest Xbox Alpha Skip-Ahead build includes a firmware update that increases the mic monitoring levels of the headset. As it's in an Alpha build at the moment, it might be some time until we see it roll out generally, but when it does, it should improve the budget-friendly headset.
The Xbox Wireless Headset delivers excellent value for its price tag. It has an impressive feature set that combines Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless audio for dual-source mixing. It quickly earned a spot as one of the best Xbox Series X and Series S headsets. That being said, it isn't perfect.
In his Xbox Wireless Headset review, our senior editor Jez Corden explains how the headset's microphone arm limits the effectiveness of mic monitoring:
Another minor gripe I have is the microphone arm, which doesn't extend further than your cheek. Even with the mic monitoring boosted to maximum volume, the mic will be too far away from most adults' mouths to register any side-tone whatsoever, giving the feature reduced effectiveness.
Hopefully, the increased mic monitoring levels that Microsoft is testing will help this issue. It won't fix how short the microphone arm is, of course, but it could minimize the limits caused by its length.
The same Insider build also removes the free-to-play paywall from Xbox consoles.
Best-value Bluetooth Xbox Wireless combo.
If you're a gamer who wants to combine Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless audio into a single headset's audio stream, this is the best-value option on the market right now.
