Ninbel

This review was originally posted on Amazon, but I figured anyone here trying to get this type of configuration working would appreciate it. While this specific configuration is used with an Xbox One, most of the following would still apply for other consoles or even PC.
I have been a big fan of Sennheiser products for a long time. I was looking for a headset solution for my Xbox One that significantly better than my current solution. I piped the optical audio from the Xbox through a Ear Force DSS 7.1 Channel Dolby Surround Sound Processor and then to Sennheiser RS 180 Digital Wireless Headphones. This worked fine for single-player/offline. However, to get voice comms I'd have to wrap the original Xbox One headset around my neck with the boom mic pointed up. Of course, XBL party chat would kill that option (as it wouldn't natively mix chat audio with game audio).
I gave the Turtle Beach Ear Force Elite 800X Gaming Headset a try, as the product description claimed to do everything I wanted (Plug and play, wireless, game/chat mixing, surround sound emulation, etc). Unfortunately, it turned out to be a mediocre, uncomfortable product. For that kind of money, everything should just work, and work well.
I went back to Sennheiser, because they make great audio products first. I tried to figure out how to adapt what they offered to fill my needs. I stumbled upon Sennheiser G4ME ZERO Gaming Headset, and I was very intrigued. The only problem was the leather padding. I've never liked it. Sennheiser offers velour on several models of headphones, and after wearing the RS180 for years, I'm sold on that padding. It breaths well, is less likely to fatigue my head, and won't crack/scratch. However, if you sweat a lot while wearing headphones, I wouldn't recommend it. This headset seemed like the ideal candidate. I accepted I had to give up wireless as an option. After perusing the internet for wired emulated surround sound configurations, this is what I settled on:

• ScanSound HM-1132 Microphone Windscreen, 32mm x 11mm internal (non-amazon)

Mar 26, 2020  Best Gaming Headsets For March 2020: PS4, Xbox One, PC, And Switch The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything.

Sennheiser Ps4 Headset

One thing that was hard to determine from reviews: the cable running to the headset base is removable. The headset comes with two cables (3m PC cable with 2 x 3.5mm stereo jack plugs, and a 1.2m console cable with 1 x 3.5mm 4Pol jack plug). The Astro amp comes with a PC combo audio adapter (2 x 3.5 stereo to 1 x 3.5 4Pol), so the longer PC cable can be used without buying the Sennheiser PCV 05 Combo Audio Adapter. The Astro amp doesn't come with a power supply (just USB cable), hence the need for the wall charger. The turtle beach cable is used to provide chat functionality via the Xbox One controller (works with both Playstation and Xbox). The optical audio input on the Astro is the mini-Toslink, so if a longer optical cable is used you'll need an adapter. The wind screen is something that is not provided by Sennheiser, and is the one shortcoming I can find with this headset. Unfortunately, I couldn't find one on Amazon that I could be certain would fit. However, the HM-1132 sold by ScanSound fits perfectly, and kills any wind sounds (e.g. fan blowing).
Wiring:
Xbox One -> Optical cable -> Toslink to mini adapter -> Astro Amp
Xbox Controller -> Xbox Headset Adapter -> Turtle Beach chat cable -> Astro Amp
Sennheiser G4me One -> PC split cable -> Astro Y adapter -> Astro Amp

Sennheiser Gaming Headset Wireless

Astro Amp -> USB cable -> USB wall charger

Sennheiser Gaming Headset Driver

FYI, the Xbox One controller may need a firmware update to work with the headset adapter. With the same configuration I've employed, the Xbox headset adapter will need to be adjusted to chat only. Press the chat volume (bottom left button, looks like a person) till it beeps. Then press the volume button (upper right, plus sign) till it beeps. This adjusts the game/chat mix completely to chat. Otherwise, game audio echoes can be heard from both the controller audio and the Xbox audio mixed at the Astro amp. I haven't had any mic problems with the Astro amp, nor have I applied a firmware update (unsure what firmware version I have).
FYI, if stereo audio (no surround sound emulation) is acceptable: only the Sennheiser headset and Xbox headset adapter are needed (use the 1.2m console cable). Windscreen is optional, but highly recommend.
-mhac続