Wireless headset - random loud static

[Owltoid]

A couple of weeks ago I ordered a Creative wireless headset (http://us.creative.com/products/prod...ct=17506&nav=1)

80% of the time the headset works very well. I can hear clearly and others on the other end say they can hear me clearly. However, there are times where I apparently just sound like extremely loud static, or like I'm in a loud windtunnel.

I don't know if it's a faulty headset or if something is interupting the signal. I live in an apartment building so who knows what wireless devices others around me are using.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

2.4GHz is the same freq as microwave ovens, WiFi (802.11x) and Bluetooth. If it's intermittent and "HOLY SHIT WTF WAS THAT" loud, that's probably someone running a microwave nearby. You can test it with yours and see if it does the same thing.

There are basically two types of wireless headsets: standard broadcast RF and Bluetooth-based.

The standard RF ones are just basic "spew some signals and have the headset pick them up," sorta like FM radio. Normally, it is fine but it IS susceptible to RF interference degrading the quality of the audio.

Bluetooth is a "stateful" digital connection between the transmitter (which usually plugs into USB or your audio port) and the headset. Bluetooth also uses adaptive frequency hopping to identify which portions of the 2.4GHz set of channels are "clean" and only uses those most of the time. The downside is that if too many of the channels are dirty, you lose available digital bandwidth so your audio may begin breaking up/stuttering or stopping from time to time. Also, the Bluetooth headsets tend to have higher cost, lower battery life and shorter range as the cost of higher quality sound.

So, just have to decide which method you'd prefer. Personally, I prefer bluetooth over basic RF as I understand how to "debug" things if it acts up.

[BoxingGeeks]

I would suspect interferance as well... Unless your totally attached to being wireless.. I would suggest a set of "Sennheiser PC-350" they are OMG good :P

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/rev...-pc-350-review

Expensive but great... Wearable for hours and hours since they are over the ear and not on the ear. Wife hates them cuzz they are noise canceling so i can hear #$#$

[Owltoid]

Damn, I already shipped it for an RMA. I wish I would have seen these replies first! When the new one arrives I'll have to test the microwave theory. If that's the case then am I just out of luck? Shipping fees are going to start adding up!

I'm stuck on wireless because I actually sit on my couch about 8 feet away from my monitor (TV).

[BoxingGeeks]

Couch????

You are multiboxing you dont need room for friends... get a lazy boy like me.. :P

[Owltoid]

All in good time, my friend, all in good time. I need to buy a house first!

[Starbuck_Jones]

We have headests at work and if anyone on the line has a cell phone with their stupid bluetooth turned on it will do a buzz dut dut dut dut buzz. Hell you can hear bluetooth interference just about anywhere. Even your car radio.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

When the new one arrives I'll have to test the microwave theory. If that's the case then am I just out of luck? Shipping fees are going to start adding up!

I'm stuck on wireless because I actually sit on my couch about 8 feet away from my monitor (TV).

Yep, if that's it, you're outta luck. Of course, you can always get headphone extension cables for pretty cheap.

[Fizzler]

Well not completely out of luck. You can put on the headset than go into the kitchen get some tin foil and start wrapping your headphones to your head. Once you have a few layers (make sure you do not cover your eyes) than call your wife or girlfriend (of BF as it maybe) and show them your new invention.