USB headphones not working with USB 360 controller.

man, have I been all over the net with this, and not one person can help.

It has been posted here before, but It wouldn't let me bump it.
http://www.vistax64.com/vista-hardware-devices/104409-usb-headphones.html

Basically, if I plug in the 360 controller, all the audio in my USB headphones Plantronics 550 DSP
Plantronics )) Computer )) Computer Headsets )) .Audioâ„¢ 550 DSP Ultimate Performance Headset & Software

Turns to pure ****, and once I remove the controller and reboot, everything is fine again.

My guess is a driver issue, and not a vista issue.

Certainly sounds like a driver conflict. I dont suppose you have been on the Plantronics website to have a look at the support section, or send a query to Plantronics? Also the connections..is it only usb input or are there options to input the cans via a normal plug? If so i would try the normal plugs. If you are using the can just for VOIP, then you can use the 360 headset with the controller on the PC.
If all else fails I would either not use the controller or get a pair of non-usb cans. The latter will at least not rely on the usb bandwidth thereby you will be able to use the phones normally.
I know this may not be what you are really looking for in an answer, but to be honest I have never come across this before, so my knowledge on this is limited..but at least I had a try!

Thanks for the response!

First of all it's a 360 game controller for windows, not a headset, sorry about the confusion.

I enjoy my USB headphones for sound and VOIP, but once I plug the game controller in, all sound goes to crap.

I have no made a query to plantronics, and I guess I should really do that.

Found a solution! Registered to post it, since I could not find the solution ANYWHERE on the internet...

Using an Xbox 360 controller or any other Xbox 360 peripheral with 95% of USB sound cards or headsets will produce HORRIBLE sound input and output. It sounds like a robot has swallowed and spat back out the waveforms. Even if the 360 peripheral is removed any USB audio devices plugged in after the fact will still sound corrupted until a fresh reboot without the 360 peripheral plugged in.



I believe that the problem is somehow linked to the "generic root hub" driver, which hasn't been updated since 2001, thanks M$.

The solution (pick one of 3):
As long as the 360 peripheral is on it's own internal virtual root hub it will not interfere with other devices. You can force it to use another root hub by doing ONE of the following:
1) Fill up your usb ports with other devices till it shifts to using a secondary root hub, then plug in the 360 peripheral. This could take up to 10 USB things, depending on your motherboard and the maximum devices on each root hub.
2) Use an extra internal PCI-USB card for the 360 peripheral.
3) Use an extra external USB hub for the 360 peripheral.



NOTE: A reboot is usually required to clear up the driver's confusion.

I didn't even think of a hub, kind of annoyed that I have to go through that, but I am really happy that there is a solution, thanks alot.