I'm really getting fed up with these mics. Somehow, my 4th or 5th mic just broke. It was completely random, why did they change the input design? This shit is... well shit! Just to clear up any questions, it isn't really broken on the outside. When I plug it in, it works for about a second and then disconnects. I believe I broke it by twisting it very slightly. Should I buy another or save up for some expensive piece of equipment.

get a wireless the wireless headsets are awesome ergonomic, great battery life and good sound quality.
as for that twisting the mic while its plugged in is a big no no they changed the design for reliability issues and cost affectiveness.

Hmm, I have only had one mic die on me in the span of four and a half years almost. My main one is the one that came with my chatpad, which I prefer since I can use it with my phone and stuff!

Mine are breaking all willy nilly recently too. Why did I just say willy nilly? The world may never know.
 
On another note...
@WilliamRLBaker said:

" get a wireless the wireless headsets are awesome ergonomic, great battery life and good sound quality. as for that twisting the mic while its plugged in is a big no no they changed the design for reliability issues and cost affectiveness. "

My Halo 3 Wireless headset still works to this day and I've had no problems.

I have never had a problem with either of my 2 mics. I bought one from Best Buy just for the heck of it, and it ended up that it sucked ass. It was so blurry and apparently my voice was way too loud on their end. I guess the MS ones are optimized for the 360, because they have the best quality of the ones I used.

The quality is terrible.... I mean the sound they record and send is shit.  There's probably some third party vendors on the Webz somewarez.

mine is still going strong!  About 3 years old, outlasted 2 xboxs.

" Mine are breaking all willy nilly recently too. Why did I just say willy nilly? The world may never know.
 
On another note...
@WilliamRLBaker said:

" get a wireless the wireless headsets are awesome ergonomic, great battery life and good sound quality. as for that twisting the mic while its plugged in is a big no no they changed the design for reliability issues and cost affectiveness. "

I heard the wireless ones had some issues like constantly making static noise even when your not talking and bad stuff like that. You've had no problems with it so far? I kinda want to buy one but I had always heard bad things. "

Wireless headset is definitely the way to go. Way better quality and plus no one wants to play video games with a wire hanging around. haha

I find that there way to quite too, i have to turn my tv down, and can never listen to back ground music.

For me i think it isn't because it breaks too easily but its the fact that it comes out of the controller to much. 
I will never know why they changed such a good design.

" Wireless headset is definitely the way to go. Way better quality and plus no one wants to play video games with a wire hanging around. haha "

Yea... the wired 360 headsets suck.  Not that big of an issue, as they come with all system purchases.  Still, I almost find it offensive that Microsoft sells them as stand-alone products.  They should give them for free for anyone who has their headsets break, like Apple with their iPod earbuds.
 
The 360 wireless headset works well, but it's a bit overpriced IMO.  It's $50-60 for a headset that only works with the 360, and it's sound quality is only average when compared to other headsets at that price range.

" get a wireless the wireless headsets are awesome ergonomic, great battery life and good sound quality. as for that twisting the mic while its plugged in is a big no no they changed the design for reliability issues and cost affectiveness. "

I use to have the same problem. then I got a wireless 2 and 1/2 years alter still going strong.

" @avengedxsniper said:

" Wireless headset is definitely the way to go. Way better quality and plus no one wants to play video games with a wire hanging around. haha "

The controller is already wireless. A wireless headset is completely pointless unless you're a god damn giraffe. "

" @avengedxsniper said:

" Wireless headset is definitely the way to go. Way better quality and plus no one wants to play video games with a wire hanging around. haha "

The controller is already wireless. A wireless headset is completely pointless unless you're a god damn giraffe. "

" @MysteriousBob said:

" @avengedxsniper said:

" Wireless headset is definitely the way to go. Way better quality and plus no one wants to play video games with a wire hanging around. haha "

The controller is already wireless. A wireless headset is completely pointless unless you're a god damn giraffe. "

OR if you don't want it getting caught on shit and coming out of the controller at the wrong time, OR if you have big hands and the controller jack rubs on your thumbs, OR if you don't want to add wires to your WIRELESS controller, We use wireless for a reason..... "

i have 2 wireless headsets and i never have static problems. i've had them for over a year now and they still work like new. im not a giraffe though..... im a turtle and heavy sockem bopper user

the headsets are stupid. i like the older ones where the mute and volume buttons were connected to the controller. the newer ones are now in the middle of the headset wire. the headset thing spins like crazy. i'm on my third headset, i'm using one that i found around the house. it is not even a microsoft one.

buy a different one. 
I bought Trittons. good for talking to people, good in-game sound too.

I've gone through 3 wired ones and the one i have now is exhibiting the same patterns the other ones had before they died.
I'm not going to get a wireless official one though I'll probably pick up an actual gaming headset. maybe some Trittons, I'll have to do my research.

try it on another controller. ive had problems with mics with one and it turned out something in the controller got damaged (likely from being dropped) and the mics didnt work right. 
 
as far as changing the input. they just changed the design shortly after launch so the newer mics dont have the small plastic box at the end of the wire and the controls are on the wire up from the jack.
 
i would suggest a wireless mic. but they can be iffy sometimes when trying to connect them and the battery looses life after a while. i suggest you get a turtle beach headset. there a bbit expensive but work great.

Get one of those doobries from dealextreme that let you plug in anything from an old poundshop pc headset to top quality goodness.

i HIGHLY recommend the turtle beach X31 headsets

I have the wireless mic, its ok. The sound is good, its much louder and clearer than the wired mic. The bit that sticks into your ear is comfortable, the loop around the ear is a little odd (but not uncomfortable). And its very durable. I've tossed that fuckin thing on the ground about a dozen times the last few weeks, still works great.
 
Downside, 70$ price tag.

OR if you have big hands and the controller jack rubs on your thumbs