Comments on: USB Headset with distorted audio

Question: USB Headset with distorted audio

lemonfridge — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 14:42:32 -0800

I just bought a USB Headset, but the audio through the earpiece is majorly distorted. Ive tried plugging it into my iBook and Laptop and it sounds fine. Whats my Desktop doing differently?

Its one of these headsets, the kind that was included with the original SOCOM on the PS2 (infact thats EXACTLY what it is. I have discarded the game and kept the headset).

High pitched stuff sounds tinny, bassy stuff is completely distorted. The mic works fine (actually sounds really great). Ive tried all the settings i can think of but cant seem to improve it :(

I'm using a Dell XPS 600 if thats of any use.

By: Effigy2000

Effigy2000 — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 15:43:00 -0800

My first thought is it has something to do with your soundcard. Is it a cheap one? An old one? Do other headphones do the same thing when plugged in?

By: BorgLove

BorgLove — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 16:26:55 -0800

Could be as simple as, you've got the outgoing volume at max on your Desktop and it's causing the outgoing sound to distort?

By: advil

advil — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:03:39 -0800

My first thought is it has something to do with your soundcard.

If its really a USB headset the audio probably isn't going through the onboard sound card at all -- the USB device is functioning as an external sound card (at least that's the way a USB headset adaptor I have functions).

By: Steven C. Den Beste

Steven C. Den Beste — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:19:04 -0800

It cannot use the internal sound hardware; the USB interface is exclusively digital.

By: lemonfridge

lemonfridge — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 00:49:22 -0800

Other headphones (either plugged into the speakers or headphone port) work just fine.

Interestingly if i Plug it into the USB Hub instead of into the USB port on the front of the PC it works perfectly. So i guess i have a fix - it's just not ideal.

(now why cant i get Teamspeak to use the headset and BF2 to use the speakers? grr!)

By: girlgeeknz

girlgeeknz — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 03:19:05 -0800

I had the same issue with a USB soundcard + regular headphones. Someone suggested it could be interference from the inbuilt wifi in my laptop. I got a USB extension cable, and it worked fine.