Xbox 360 Headset Sound Quality to be Upgraded in Future Dashboard Update

When Microsoft updates the Xbox 360 dashboard this fall, primarily to introduce its latest peripheral to consoles, it will also boost the quality of sound that comes out of Xbox 360 headsets.

According to Eurogamer, Xbox Live Studios boss Jerry Johnson explained that the current codec and audio infrastructure that determines the quality of voice communication will be upgraded to increase the overall quality of communication over Xbox Live.

According to Johnson, the original "64k connection" required for Xbox Live at the time no longer fits the standard definition of "broadband" and Xbox Live's old "low bit rate" is in need of an upgrade.

"It's time for us to move on," he said at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival. "Especially if we want to think about broadening--a crackly headset on the top of your head--not what people think of when they talk about popular entertainment."

Since the inception of the service, Xbox Live users have struggled with poor headset sound quality. We welcome an upgrade if it helps our tactical decision making during intense matches of (insert your favorite shooter here).

Sadly, the codec upgrade will not increase the quality of speech used during online gaming.