POLK AUDIO 4SHOT - XBOXONE - Comparison verses other HEADSET

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  • GAMEPHRENIC GOD
    GAMEPHRENIC GOD Posts: 53
    edited February 2014
    Thank you. I look forward to there response.
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    Hello,
    I've sent your message to Polk HQ for you.
    Cheers, Ken
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  • Sirch
    Sirch Posts: 20
    edited February 2014
    So now I'm confused on a few things.

    The 4Shot says it includes POET, but there isn't a controller included with it, so it must be built into the headphones and it's passive? But yet we won't have surround sound in the headset from the controller, even through that is the only way the 4Shot is connected.

    I was also told multiple times from a Polk rep that the Melee would have simulated surround sound from the Xbox One controller via email. So something must have changed, but it's a little misleading. If you don't know, don't say anything. If it's not finalized, say so. It was asked explicitly and confirmed explicitly.

    Turtle Beach is not claiming surround sound on their products, and I swear the 4Shot said it had it, but I don't see any mention any longer, only the POET system.

    Also Slashgear is reporting the 4Shot release date is 03/06. So when are we going to receive our adapters for the Melee?

    Slashgear article:
    http://www.slashgear.com/polk-audio-4-shot-headset-for-xbox-one-lands-march-6-27318727/
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited February 2014
    Hello,
    I'll refer this to Jon at Polk for you.
    Ken
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited February 2014
    Hello,
    Here is the response I received:

    "Hi Ken,
    I can clear some things up here. First off, POET (Polk Optimized Electro-acoustic Tuning) is a method we use to tune our transducers.

    The Melee includes a DSP module that is on the in-line cable connecting the controller to the Xbox360 console. This module is where the simulated surround sound/immersion mode processing takes place. This module is not compatible with the Xbox One.

    The 4shot does not include the DSP module, and does not have the surround sound processing that the Melee has. However, we still use POET to tune the transducers. I think that may be where the confusion comes in.

    Let me know if this helps.

    Regards,


    Jason Kelly"
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  • Sirch
    Sirch Posts: 20
    edited February 2014
    That answers the question definitively. Did something change? Did the specs from Microsoft change or were they just assumed?

    The reason I ask is because Daniel from Polk said differently via email on January 2nd referring to the Melee connected to the Xbox One via the controller adapter. For background, I was inquiring as to the difference of the Melee vs the 4Shot, and the fact that the Melee does offer simulated surround sound due to the in-line cable, and the 4Shot forgoes the in-line cable and thus the simulated surround sound, which he assured me wasn't required for the Xbox One in order to continue to receive the simulated surround sound:

    He said:
    "The Headphones do receive directional information, and will give a great representation of surround sound. The additional wires are not needed for the Xbox One, only for the PC and Xbox 360. You will get the same experience without the additional wires.

    The only thing the Melee has over the 4 Shot is the ability to work with the Xbox 360 and PC. The only way to get game audio from these devices is with a direct attachment that is not required for the Xbox One."

    So he says it's same audio experience without the cables connected to the back of the Xbox One. Almost 2 months later that has apparently changed and I'm confused as to why.
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  • Blankman
    Blankman Posts: 51
    edited February 2014
    I can't go in-depth about the upcoming Xbox One audio capabilities on the March update due to the preview beta NDA, but a little bird might have told you that it will finally support DTS Surround Sound & Dolby. That is all.
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  • regnaston
    regnaston Posts: 38
    edited February 2014
    Blankman wrote: »
    I can't go in-depth about the upcoming Xbox One audio capabilities on the March update due to the preview beta NDA, but a little bird might have told you that it will finally support DTS Surround Sound & Dolby. That is all.

    The rumoured DTS and Dolby on the Beta is only through HDMI and Optical Audio. So unless your headset attaches somehow to the optical port then you will not be getting either of those.

    I spoke with Turtle Beach about this and they said this


    "The XO Four, XO Seven, and Titanfall Atlas headsets connect to the Xbox One controller via the Microsoft Headset Adapter to receive both Chat and Game audio. These headsets will faithfully play back whichever audio signal is delivered to them -- either stereo or surround sound. Microsoft has recently confirmed that the Xbox One will be sending a stereo signal through the controller for the foreseeable future. For any questions regarding the audio capabilities of the Xbox One system and the Stereo Headset Adapter, we kindly ask that you contact Microsoft for more details."
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  • Blankman
    Blankman Posts: 51
    edited February 2014
    regnaston wrote: »
    The rumoured DTS and Dolby on the Beta is only through HDMI and Optical Audio. So unless your headset attaches somehow to the optical port then you will not be getting either of those.

    I spoke with Turtle Beach about this and they said this


    "The XO Four, XO Seven, and Titanfall Atlas headsets connect to the Xbox One controller via the Microsoft Headset Adapter to receive both Chat and Game audio. These headsets will faithfully play back whichever audio signal is delivered to them -- either stereo or surround sound. Microsoft has recently confirmed that the Xbox One will be sending a stereo signal through the controller for the foreseeable future. For any questions regarding the audio capabilities of the Xbox One system and the Stereo Headset Adapter, we kindly ask that you contact Microsoft for more details."
    That is true about the optical audio and HDMI for DTS & Dolby. BTW: It's no longer a rumor. However, Xbox One's director of product planning, Albert Penello, has recently said that it's possible that the XB1 will be able to send SRS signal in the future. Currently, only the stereo signal is outputed to the wireless controller.
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  • regnaston
    regnaston Posts: 38
    edited February 2014
    Blankman wrote: »
    That is true about the optical audio and HDMI for DTS & Dolby. BTW: It's no longer a rumor. However, Xbox One's director of product planning, Albert Penello, has recently said that it's possible that the XB1 will be able to send SRS signal in the future. Currently, only the stereo signal is outputed to the wireless controller.

    I agree that it is possible to send SRS to the controller. Just no plans in the "foreseeable future"

    Kind of makes me not want to buy an XB1 specific headset and go with one that is capable of dolby (X42's for example)
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  • Sirch
    Sirch Posts: 20
    edited February 2014
    regnaston wrote: »
    I agree that it is possible to send SRS to the controller. Just no plans in the "foreseeable future"

    Kind of makes me not want to buy an XB1 specific headset and go with one that is capable of dolby (X42's for example)

    ^^This

    I went with the Polk because I was told I would get the directional audio. Otherwise, I was going to go with something like the X42's, wireless surround audio using the optical audio cable and only connected to the controller for chat. I had the X41's and I sold them since I had purchased the Melee.
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited March 2014
    Got my preorder in. Black version.
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  • GAMEPHRENIC GOD
    GAMEPHRENIC GOD Posts: 53
    edited March 2014
    I went with Black also, but the design is so great, it could look good in almost any color set. Great design, can't wait to experience a great performance

    Shizelbs wrote: »
    Got my preorder in. Black version.
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  • SwiftyCG
    SwiftyCG Posts: 29
    edited March 2014
    GAMEPHRENIC GOD wrote: »
    I went with Black also, but the design is so great, it could look good in almost any color set. Great design, can't wait to experience a great performance
    The headphones sound really great guys I have Melee same thing as 4 shot diff cords and watching movies great sounds and bass and Call of duty great sound coming from everywhere.
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  • sframsden3
    sframsden3 Posts: 52
    edited March 2014
    Just wish that with the XBox One the Melee could go a bit louder. Not sure if this is a limit of the way the controller receives the signal and powers the headset or what? I hook them up to my computer and listen to music and I can make the headset go so loud that I can't stand it, however on the XBox One the headset adapter doesn't allow me to take it to that level of loudness... Maybe the drivers on XBox One need to be updated, but the latest March update was supposed to include drivers for the third party headsets.

    Hopefully this is something that will change in the future via updates to the XBox One console or the XBox One controllers
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  • GAMEPHRENIC GOD
    GAMEPHRENIC GOD Posts: 53
    edited March 2014
    Reach out to the Development Team and inquiry about this. Ken should be able to help out.

    Ken, we need your help on this matter.
    sframsden3 wrote: »
    Just wish that with the XBox One the Melee could go a bit louder. Not sure if this is a limit of the way the controller receives the signal and powers the headset or what? I hook them up to my computer and listen to music and I can make the headset go so loud that I can't stand it, however on the XBox One the headset adapter doesn't allow me to take it to that level of loudness... Maybe the drivers on XBox One need to be updated, but the latest March update was supposed to include drivers for the third party headsets.

    Hopefully this is something that will change in the future via updates to the XBox One console or the XBox One controllers
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited March 2014
    Hi Guys,
    I've sent a copy of your question to Jon at Polk HQ, I'll post any responses once I receive them.
    Cheers, Ken
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  • criznag
    criznag Posts: 3
    edited March 2014
    sframsden3 wrote: »
    Just wish that with the XBox One the Melee could go a bit louder. Not sure if this is a limit of the way the controller receives the signal and powers the headset or what? I hook them up to my computer and listen to music and I can make the headset go so loud that I can't stand it, however on the XBox One the headset adapter doesn't allow me to take it to that level of loudness... Maybe the drivers on XBox One need to be updated, but the latest March update was supposed to include drivers for the third party headsets.

    Hopefully this is something that will change in the future via updates to the XBox One console or the XBox One controllers

    I'm also wondering about this - it's the only thing holding me back from purchasing this headset, multiple reports about the "low volume" Thanks!
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  • sframsden3
    sframsden3 Posts: 52
    edited March 2014
    criznag wrote: »
    I'm also wondering about this - it's the only thing holding me back from purchasing this headset, multiple reports about the "low volume" Thanks!

    I'm thinking it's something they would just need to work with Microsoft on... Maybe like letting the headset adapter allow for just a few more clicks up on the volume.
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  • Sirch
    Sirch Posts: 20
    edited March 2014
    So the 4Shot is available today.Any word on when we are going to receive our adapters?
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited March 2014
    Hello,
    Concerning the headphone volume issue, the Polk engineer has asked where you have the game/chat mix set? The buttons on the left of the headphone adaptor control the mix between game and chat volumes. If you turn up the chat volume the game volume goes down.
    Regards, Ken
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  • sframsden3
    sframsden3 Posts: 52
    edited March 2014
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    Hello,
    Concerning the headphone volume issue, the Polk engineer has asked where you have the game/chat mix set? The buttons on the left of the headphone adaptor control the mix between game and chat volumes. If you turn up the chat volume the game volume goes down.
    Regards, Ken

    Once you get passed the mid-point on the game/chat audio mix, the game volume doesn't get louder, the chat just gets quieter... I have done it with game volume and overall volume all the way up. The loudness is "ok", but I feel like it could/should be able to go louder. Reason I say that is because if I plug the headset into my computer I can blast my eardrums out of my head, but that's not the case on the XBox One.

    At the end of the day, maybe it's just me. I'm interested to see what everyone else thinks when they are able to start using them with their XBox One. Does the engineer feel as though the loudest volume is where they expected it to be, or do they feel as though it is the headset adapter limiting the volume?
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  • GAMEPHRENIC GOD
    GAMEPHRENIC GOD Posts: 53
    edited March 2014
    Picking my headset up tomorrow from GAMESTOP. Cant wait and I will be getting Metal Gear.
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  • kuntasensei
    kuntasensei Posts: 3,263
    edited March 2014
    Seeing lots of reports from people on various forums saying that the mic on the 4Shot doesn't pick up voice well and that they're just about having to scream. Kind of disconcerting. At least everyone's saying that they sound phenomenal, but... if they don't pick up your voice well, what use are they for gaming?
    Equipment list:
    Onkyo TX-NR3010 9.2 AVR
    Emotiva XPA-3 amp
    Polk RTi70 mains, CSi40 center, RTi38 surrounds, RTi28 rears and heights
    SVS 20-39CS+ subwoofer powered by Crown XLS1500
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player
    DarbeeVision DVP5000 video processor
    Epson 8500UB 1080p projector
    Elite Screens Sable 120" CineWhite screen
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  • sframsden3
    sframsden3 Posts: 52
    edited March 2014
    kuntasensei wrote: »
    Seeing lots of reports from people on various forums saying that the mic on the 4Shot doesn't pick up voice well and that they're just about having to scream. Kind of disconcerting. At least everyone's saying that they sound phenomenal, but... if they don't pick up your voice well, what use are they for gaming?

    I am reading similar things. Mainly on reddit, at least one user so far has said this. Something about it sounds like they are talking with a pillow over their face. I really hope if true this is something Polk can fix without needing all new headsets. Seems like this built in mic thing may not have been the best idea.
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  • criznag
    criznag Posts: 3
    edited March 2014
    That's what I'm hearing, the mic "muffles" your voice, maybe a defect - I am still going to give them a chance, but will quickly return if I get complaints about the way I sound.
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  • SwiftyCG
    SwiftyCG Posts: 29
    edited March 2014
    criznag wrote: »
    That's what I'm hearing, the mic "muffles" your voice, maybe a defect - I am still going to give them a chance, but will quickly return if I get complaints about the way I sound.
    Yes i hear the same thing. My friend got 4 shot yesterday and he sounds muffled and low. That's also what all the reviews say.
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  • criznag
    criznag Posts: 3
    edited March 2014
    SwiftyCG wrote: »
    Yes i hear the same thing. My friend got 4 shot yesterday and he sounds muffled and low. That's also what all the reviews say.

    Yep right after I posted this I saw some more reviews, I think I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it's just too consistent, seems like unfortunately I need to get another set, I want something for Titanfall Monday night!
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  • GAMEPHRENIC GOD
    GAMEPHRENIC GOD Posts: 53
    edited March 2014
    Greetings, Ken

    I know you are monitoring this site. Please check into this issue. If it is possible to resolve this via a software update. Reach out to Microsoft to resolve this issue asap. If we can find a way to increase the level of Mic Sound for Chat. By increase to receiving db on voice control. We may need to open the hood on this. It should not be necessary, because the hardware is good.

    Picking my headset up today. We can also create a guide for trouble shooting this.

    Ken, we need the developers attention on this. Its not a huge issue that can not be resolved. Once I get my headset tonight, I will troubleshoot this and see what can be done. But, in the meantime we need support on this.

    criznag wrote: »
    Yep right after I posted this I saw some more reviews, I think I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it's just too consistent, seems like unfortunately I need to get another set, I want something for Titanfall Monday night!
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  • shepx2
    shepx2 Posts: 646
    edited March 2014
    Very disappointed to hear this, and don't understand how Polk could let these get made with such a design flaw.
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  • Zeros
    Zeros Posts: 940
    edited March 2014
    That is the same problem I was having with my Melee's, so I think it it a design flaw.

    Here are Reddit users with the same problem:

    http://www.reddit.com/r/xboxone/comments/1zsmwc/polk_4_shot_mic_problems/?sort=confidence

    And Amazon reviews:

    http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-4Shot-Headphone-Black-Xbox/product-reviews/B00E1L78N6/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_img?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
    My Basement / Home Theater Room
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