TurtleBeach Recon Air For Xbox User Manual
- June 4, 2024
- TurtleBeach
Table of Contents
Recon Air For Xbox
User Manual
About This Model
Wireless chat communicator. Compatible with Xbox consoles (Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S). Also compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices. For use for CHAT audio ONLY. Cannot be used for game audio.
IMPORTANT
Download the companion mobile app for iOS or Android to update your unit’s firmware as needed, without having to wire in.
PACKAGE CONTENTS
- Recon Air Wireless Chat Communicator (A)
- Recon Air Xbox Wireless Transmitter (B)
- Eartips (S/M/L) (C)
- USB-C Charging Cable (D)
CONTROLS
Headset
- **Power Button***
- Hold for 2 seconds – Power ON
- After powering on, double-press – Pair To Mobile Device
- Hold for 4 seconds – Power OFF
- Pairing LED Indicator – Headset
- See LED Behaviors
- Mic Mute
- When ON, press to mute/unmute mic
- Chat Volume Up/Down
*** When headset is ON, the Power Button functions as the Multi-Function Button. _See[ Features Legend**](https://support.turtlebeach.com/s/article /Recon-Air-For-Xbox-Quick-Start-Guide?language=enUS#multifunctionsbutton).
Headset – Back
- USB-C Charging Port
Recon Chat Xbox Wireless Transmitter
- Mic Mute
- Multifunction Button
- Connection Status LED (See LED Behaviors )
- Chat Volume Up/Down
LED BEHAVIORS
HEADSET
On the side of the headset itself, there is an LED; this will indicate the headset’s pairing and updating status, as well as whether the battery status.
HEADSET LED | MEANING |
---|---|
Double Blink (BLUE) | Headset Not Paired |
Solid (BLUE) | Headset And Transmitter Paired* |
Solid (RED) | Power Off |
Fast-Blinking (RED & BLUE) | Mobile Pairing Mode |
Fast-Blinking (RED & BLUE) – While Paired To Mobile Device | Firmware Updating |
Pulsing (RED) – While Powered On | Low Battery |
Pulsing (BLUE) – While Connected Via USB) | Fully Charged |
***** “Paired” indication dims 10 seconds after successful pairing.
RECON AIR XBOX WIRELESS TRANSMITTER
The transmitter itself also has an LED to indicate the pairing and mute status of the headset.
TRANSMITTER LED | MEANING |
---|---|
Fast-Blinking (BLUE) | Pairing |
Solid (BLUE) | Paired ***** |
Flashing (BLUE) | Not Paired |
Slow-Breathing (RED) | Mic Muted |
***** “Paired” indication dims 10 seconds after successful pairing.
CHARGING
The Recon Air gives you 10 hours of rechargeable battery life. After 10 hours of use, the headset will need to be charged before it can be used again. Make sure to charge the headset regularly, and to charge the headset fully before storing.
XBOX SETUP
Your Recon Air can pair to its transmitter and a mobile device simultaneously, but you will only hear audio from either the console or the mobile device at a given time.
When a headset is paired to both the transmitter and a Bluetooth device and is being used with the console for chat audio, the headset will consider the console the audio source. During normal gameplay, you will not hear the Bluetooth audio at all. If, however, a Bluetooth call is made, the headset will switch the audio source from the console to the Bluetooth device. During a Bluetooth call, you will not hear the console audio at all. When that call ends, the headset will switch the audio source back to the console, and you will then hear the chat audio from the console again.
1. Make sure your Xbox controller is connected to your console and powered on.
2. Connect your transmitter to your Xbox controller’s extension port and aux jack.
3. Press and hold the Power button on the headset down for 2 seconds. The headset will power on, and the headset and transmitter will pair automatically.
4. Go to Audio & Music in the Xbox menus.
Set Headset Volume to Maximum
- Adjust Headset Chat Mixer all the way to the right (towards the icon of a person )
- Set Mic Monitoring to your preferred level
NOTE: The headset and transmitter are paired out of the box, indicated by the solid LED on the transmitter. If your transmitter’s LED is double-blinking blue, follow the steps to pair your headset and transmitter.
- Plug the transmitter into the powered Xbox controller, while holding down the multi-function button.
- Press and hold the multi-function button on the transmitter until the transmitter’s pairing LED flashes rapidly, and then release that button.
- From the OFF position, press and hold the multi-function button on the headset for five seconds (until the LED flashes red and blue) to put the headset into pairing mode.
- Keep the headset and transmitter close together until the LED indicators are solid (indicating a successful pairing).
AGE CONTENTS
- Recon Air Wireless Chat Communicator (A)
- Recon Air Xbox Wireless Transmitter (B)
- Eartips (S/M/L) (C)
- USB-C Charging Cable (D)
CONTROLS
Headset
- **Power Button***
- Hold for 2 seconds – Power ON
- After powering on, double-press – Pair To Mobile Device
- Hold for 4 seconds – Power OFF
- Pairing LED Indicator – Headset
- See LED Behaviors
- Mic Mute
- When ON, press to mute/unmute mic
- Chat Volume Up/Down
*** When headset is ON, the Power Button functions as the Multi-Function
Button. _See[ Features Legend](https://support.turtlebeach.com/s/article
/Recon-Air-For-Xbox-Quick-Start-Guide?language=enUS#multifunctionsbutton).
Headset – Back**
- USB-C Charging Port
Recon Chat Xbox Wireless Transmitter
- Mic Mute
- Multifunction Button
- Connection Status LED (See LED Behaviors )
- Chat Volume Up/Down
LED BEHAVIORS
HEADSET
On the side of the headset itself, there is an LED; this will indicate the headset’s pairing and updating status, as well as whether the battery status.
HEADSET LED | MEANING |
---|---|
Double Blink (BLUE) | Headset Not Paired |
Solid (BLUE) | Headset And Transmitter Paired* |
Solid (RED) | Power Off |
Fast-Blinking (RED & BLUE) | Mobile Pairing Mode |
Fast-Blinking (RED & BLUE) – While Paired To Mobile Device | Firmware Updating |
Pulsing (RED) – While Powered On | Low Battery |
Pulsing (BLUE) – While Connected Via USB) | Fully Charged |
***** “Paired” indication dims 10 seconds after successful pairing.
RECON AIR XBOX WIRELESS TRANSMITTER
The transmitter itself also has an LED to indicate the pairing and mute status of the headset.
TRANSMITTER LED | MEANING |
---|---|
Fast-Blinking (BLUE) | Pairing |
Solid (BLUE) | Paired ***** |
Flashing (BLUE) | Not Paired |
Slow-Breathing (RED) | Mic Muted |
***** “Paired” indication dims 10 seconds after successful pairing.
CHARGING
The Recon Air gives you 10 hours of rechargeable battery life. After 10 hours of use, the headset will need to be charged before it can be used again. Make sure to charge the headset regularly, and to charge the headset fully before storing.
XBOX SETUP
Your Recon Air can pair to its transmitter and a mobile device simultaneously, but you will only hear audio from either the console or the mobile device at a given time.
When a headset is paired to both the transmitter and a Bluetooth device and is being used with the console for chat audio, the headset will consider the console the audio source. During normal gameplay, you will not hear the Bluetooth audio at all. If, however, a Bluetooth call is made, the headset will switch the audio source from the console to the Bluetooth device. During a Bluetooth call, you will not hear the console audio at all. When that call ends, the headset will switch the audio source back to the console, and you will then hear the chat audio from the console again.
1. Make sure your Xbox controller is connected to your console and powered on.
2. Connect your transmitter to your Xbox controller’s extension port and aux jack.
3. Press and hold the Power button on the headset down for 2 seconds. The headset will power on, and the headset and transmitter will pair automatically.
4. Go to Audio & Music in the Xbox menus.
- Set Headset Volume to Maximum
- Adjust Headset Chat Mixer all the way to the right (towards the icon of a person )
- Set Mic Monitoring to your preferred level
NOTE: The headset and transmitter are paired out of the box, indicated by the solid LED on the transmitter. If your transmitter’s LED is double- blinking blue, follow the steps to pair your headset and transmitter.
- Plug the transmitter into the powered Xbox controller, while holding down the multi-function button.
- Press and hold the multi-function button on the transmitter until the transmitter’s pairing LED flashes rapidly, and then release that button.
- From the OFF position, press and hold the multi-function button on the headset for five seconds (until the LED flashes red and blue) to put the headset into pairing mode.
- Keep the headset and transmitter close together until the LED indicators are solid (indicating a successful pairing).
PAIRING
Your Recon Air can pair to its transmitter and a mobile device simultaneously, but you will only hear audio from either the console or the mobile device at a given time.
When a headset is paired to both the transmitter and a Bluetooth device and is being used with the console for chat audio, the headset will consider the console the audio source. During normal gameplay, you will not hear the Bluetooth audio at all. If, however, a Bluetooth call is made, the headset will switch the audio source from the console to the Bluetooth device. During a Bluetooth call, you will not hear the console audio at all. When that call ends, the headset will switch the audio source back to the console, and you will then hear the chat audio from the console again.
To pair your headset with your mobile device, please do the following.
1. Press and hold the power button on the headset to power the headset on. Then, double-press the Multi-Function Button (same as power button) to put the headset into the mobile pairing mode.
2. Locate the headset within your device’s Bluetooth settings. Select the headset to connect to it.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
MULTI-FUNCTION FEATURES
When the headset is ON and paired to a mobile device, the multi-function buttons on the headset and transmitter will allow you to switch between your console chat and a Bluetooth phone call.
ACTION | FUNCTION |
---|---|
Single Press (During Incoming Call) | Answer Call |
Press And Hold (3s) (During Incoming Call) | Reject Call |
Press And Hold (3s) (No Incoming Call) | Activate Your Device’s Smart Assistant |
(if available)
Press And Hold (3s) (During Active Call)| End Calls
EARTIP REMOVAL
To change the eartip, pull the eartip fully to remove.
To replace the eartip, first choose the eartip that fits best, and then align the earbud and stretch it around the grill.
ADJUSTING THE EAR HOOK
The Recon Air may be worn on your left or right ear. Remove the ear hook to switch its direction.
Low Volume On Xbox
If you are having issues with the volume of the incoming audio being low when using your Recon Air for Xbox with an Xbox console, please check that the headset setup and the settings are configured properly. Please note that this will apply to both the Xbox One, as well as the Xbox Series X|S.
- First, pair the headset to the transmitter, as indicated here.
- Then, go to Audio & Music in the Xbox Menus.
- Make sure that Headset Volume is set to Maximum , and that the Headset Chat Mixer is set all the way to the right.
- Test the headset. Can you hear that audio at a higher volume now?
If that Headset Volume setting is not set to maximum, this may result in low volume through the headset, even if the volume controls on the headset are turned higher up. If the Headset Chat Mixer is set too far to the left, the console will be emphasizing the game audio — but since this is a chat communicator, you will only hear less chat audio.
If you are still having issues hearing the audio even when the Headset Volume setting in the Xbox Menu is set to Maximum and the Headset Chat Mixer is set all the way to the right, please contact our support team.
No Mic Audio
If you are having issues being heard in chat when using your Recon Air For Xbox, please do the following.
1. The Headset And Xbox Wireless Transmitter Are Paired/Headset Is Detected By Console, Mic Is Not Muted/Bluetooth Call Is Not In Progress
The Recon Air For Xbox has a mic mute button on the headset itself, as well as on the Xbox Wireless Transmitter, as shown below. To use the mic, make sure the mic itself is unmuted.
In order to transmit your outgoing mic audio to the chat, the headset and its transmitter need to be paired. You can verify whether the headset and transmitter are paired by looking at the LEDs on the headset and transmitter. If the LEDs on both the headset and transmitter are solid blue , the headset and transmitter are successfully paired.
To check whether the headset is being detected by the console:
- Press the Xbox/Home button on the Xbox controller.
- Go to Settings >> All Settings >> Kinect & Devices >> Devices & Accessories
- You will see the controller you are currently using; you should be able to scroll to the right to see other devices being used with the console. The headset will appear in the list as “ Headset “.
Do you see the headset in that list?
- In addition: Your Recon Air can pair to its transmitter and a mobile device simultaneously, but you will only hear audio from either the console or the mobile device at a given time. If the headset is paired to the console and a Bluetooth-enabled device, and a Bluetooth call is active, the headset will switch the audio source to the Bluetooth device. If you usually use the headset with both a console and a Bluetooth device, make sure there are no active Bluetooth calls.
If the LEDs on both headset and transmitter are solid blue, you can see the headset in that list, and there are no active Bluetooth calls, but you still cannot be heard, please proceed to Step 2.
2. Party Test — Check For Icon Ring
If the console is detecting the headset, you’ll next want to verify that the console is detecting when the mic is being used.
- Press the Xbox/Home button on the Xbox controller.
- Scroll to the Parties & Chats tab, and select Start A Party. You don’t need to invite other players to this party; you can still perform this test even if you are the only party member.
- Speak into the mic. As you speak into the mic, look at your icon next to your Gamertag in the list of party members. When you speak into the mic, does a ring light up around your icon?
Regardless of the results of this test, please continue to Step 3 — but if you did not see that ring around your icon light up, please keep that in mind for now.
3. Record A Test Message
You’ll also need to verify whether your mic audio can be transmitted to other people. To do this, record a test message.
- Press the Xbox/Home button on the Xbox controller.
- Go to the Parties & Chats tab, and select New Chat
- Select someone from the list. You will not actually be sending the message, so you do not have to choose a specific person. Once you have selected someone, tap the menu button to complete the selection.
- After you complete the selection, two options will appear: Write a Message (pencil icon, on the left) and Record a Message (mic icon, on the right). Select the Record a Message/Mic icon (on the right).
- Select Record , and then speak into the mic. When you are done recording, stop the recording.
- The new recording should then appear under the Write a Message/Record a Message icons. Select Play , and listen to that recording you’ve just made. This will tell you how your voice will sound to other players.
Can you hear your voice/what you had recorded clearly?
If the ring around your icon lights up during Step 2, and you can hear what you had recorded in Step 3 clearly and consistently when you play it back, the mic itself is working well — please proceed to Step 4.
If the ring around your icon does not light up during Step 2, and you cannot hear what you had recorded in Step 3 clearly and consistently when you play it back, please contact the support team with the results of Steps 2 and 3 for additional assistance.
4. Bluetooth Test Call
If the console settings are configured properly, but the issue persists, the next step would be to test the headset with a different device.
*For this test, you will need to have access to a Bluetooth-compatible smartphone.
- First, pair your headset with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone. The full instructions for doing so are available here , but essentially you will need to do the following:
- Press and hold the power button on the headset to power the headset on.
- Then, double-press the Multi-Function Button (same as power button) to put the headset into the mobile pairing mode.
- Locate the headset within your device’s Bluetooth settings. Select the headset to connect to it.
- When your headset is paired to that Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, then make a test call. Be sure to keep the phone itself covered and away from you, to make sure that the headset’s mic is the one picking up the sound, not the internal microphones in the smartphone itself.
During that test call, could you be heard clearly and consistently when you spoke into the mic, even when the smartphone itself is kept covered/away from you?
If you can be heard clearly during that test call, the headset itself is working well.
If you cannot be heard clearly during that test call, please contact our support team.
5. Power Cycle Console
To perform a quick power cycle of the headset and console, please do the following, in this order.
- Press and hold the power button for 4 seconds, until the LED on the headset goes dark and the headset itself powers off. Disconnect the transmitter from the controller.
- Power down the Xbox console through the menus. Do not put the console into Sleep or Rest mode; for this power cycle, you will need to turn the console off completely.
- When the console has fully powered off, unplug the console from the wall outlet it is plugged in to.
- Let everything sit for a minute.
- Plug the console back in, and power the console back on again.
- When the console has fully loaded up, reconnect the transmitter to the controller. Once you see a message on screen that a headset has been connected, then press and hold the power button for 2 seconds, until the headset’s LED lights up and the headset powers on.
- The headset and transmitter should automatically pair to each other.
- Now, test the headset out again.
Can you be heard clearly?
If the Power Cycle does not resolve this, please contact our Support Team.
Mobile Setup
To pair your headset with your mobile device, please do the following.
1. Press and hold the power button on the headset to power the headset on. Then, double-press the Multi-Function Button (same as power button) to put the headset into the mobile pairing mode.
2. Locate the headset within your device’s Bluetooth settings. Select the headset to connect to it.
When the headset is ON and paired to a mobile device the multi-function button on the headset will allow you to switch between your console chat and a Bluetooth phone call. That button will also control the various mobile features the Recon Air provides, as detailed below.
ACTION | FUNCTION |
---|---|
Single Press (During Incoming Call) | Answer Call |
Press And Hold (3s) (During Incoming Call) | Reject Call |
Press And Hold (3s) (No Incoming Call) | Activate Your Device’s Smart Assistant |
(if available)
Press And Hold (3s) (During Active Call)| End Calls
PLEASE NOTE: Your Recon Air can pair to its transmitter and a mobile device simultaneously, but you will only hear audio from either the console or the mobile device at a given time.
When a headset is paired to both the transmitter and a Bluetooth device and is being used with the console for chat audio, the headset will consider the console the audio source. During normal gameplay, you will not hear the Bluetooth audio at all. If, however, a Bluetooth call is made, the headset will switch the audio source from the console to the Bluetooth device. During a Bluetooth call, you will not hear the console audio at all. When that call ends, the headset will switch the audio source back to the console, and you will then hear the chat audio from the console again.
Turtle Beach Audio Hub
The mobile version of the Turtle Beach Audio Hub can be used to update the firmware for your Recon Air For Xbox headset.
To use the headset with the mobile version of the Audio Hub, please do the following.
PLEASE NOTE: Since the Recon Air can be used with either a Bluetooth connection or a console connection at a time, please make sure that the headset is not paired to the transmitter before you attempt to update the firmware.
- Make sure the headset and transmitter are not paired. The best way to do this would be to disconnect the transmitter from the controller, if it is plugged in.
- Download the mobile version of the Turtle Beach Audio Hub, available here.
- PLEASE NOTE: The Recon Air is not compatible for use with the desktop version of the Turtle Beach Audio Hub. This headset can be used only with the mobile version of the Turtle Beach Audio Hub.
- Pair the headset to your mobile device via Bluetooth, as indicated here.
- Once the headset and mobile device are paired via Bluetooth, open the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app.
- On the first screen you see, there will be a “Get Connected” option. Tap this option, and wait for the app to connect with the headset.
- Once the headset and app connect, you will see the Turtle Beach Audio Hub’s home page.
- If a firmware update is available, you will see a message on the home page prompting you to perform that update.
HOME PAGE
If there are no available firmware updates, you will see the following home screen
The battery level will be visible at the top, under the model name. Below the image of the headset, you’ll see the version number for the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app, as well as the firmware version number for the headset itself. There will also be links to the Turtle Beach privacy policy and tech support team, as well as an option to send feedback. Below those options are links to the official Turtle Beach social media accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Recon Air Headset.
COMPATIBILITY
1. Which platform(s) is this headset compatible with?
- Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
- Bluetooth devices for CHAT AUDIO ONLY
2. Can I use this headset with my PlayStation console?
- No. You will need the Recon Air For PlayStation if you are interested in PS4 or PS5 compatibility.
3. Can I use this headset for game audio?
- No. This is a chat communication headset. You will not be able to use this headset for game audio at all.
CHARGING
What is the battery life of the headset?
- The headset has a battery life of 10 hours when fully charged. After 10 hours of use, the headset will need to be charged before it can be used again.
Can I charge the headset while I use it? Do I have to charge the headset with the console?
-
We recommend charging the headset between uses, for the best experience.
-
While we recommend charging the headset via the console for convenience, the headset can be charged via a USB port on a different device (a PC, for example) or via a USB Wall Adapter.
FEATURES AND CONTROLS
1. Where are the controls for this headset? Can I mute myself?
- The headset has a Chat Volume Up/Down control, located on the top side of the headset; just below this Chat Volume Up/Down control, there is a Mic Mute button.
- When the headset is powered ON, the power button also acts as a Multi-Function Button for Bluetooth controls. Those controls are detailed in the table below.
ACTION | FUNCTION |
---|---|
Single Press (During Incoming Call) | Answer Call |
Press And Hold (3s) (During Incoming Call) | Reject Call |
Press And Hold (3s) (No Incoming Call) | Activate Your Device’s Smart Assistant |
(if available)
Press And Hold (3s) (During Active Call)| End Calls
PLEASE NOTE: Your Recon Air can pair to its transmitter and a mobile device simultaneously, but you will only hear audio from either the console or the mobile device at a given time.
When a headset is paired to both the transmitter and a Bluetooth device and is being used with the console for chat audio, the headset will consider the console the audio source. During normal gameplay, you will not hear the Bluetooth audio at all. If, however, a Bluetooth call is made, the headset will switch the audio source from the console to the Bluetooth device. During a Bluetooth call, you will not hear the console audio at all. When that call ends, the headset will switch the audio source back to the console, and you will then hear the chat audio from the console again.
2. Do I need to use the transmitter?
-
For use with an Xbox console: Yes. The headset will pair to the Xbox Wireless transmitter, which will send the chat audio from the console to the headset itself.
-
For use with a Bluetooth-enabled device : No. The headset will pair to a Bluetooth-enabled device wirelessly, without needing a transmitter.
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-
TROUBLESHOOTING
1. My mic is not working/I can’t be heard in chat.
- You’ll want to make sure that the mic is not muted, and that the settings for the console/game are configured properly. We have in-depth troubleshooting for this issue available here.
2. The volume of the incoming audio is low.
- If the volume of the incoming audio is too low for you to hear clearly, please give the steps in this article a try to make sure the Xbox settings are configured properly.
3. I can’t hear my Bluetooth audio when I play games, and I can’t hear my game audio during a Bluetooth call.
-
Your Recon Air can pair to its transmitter and a mobile device simultaneously, but you will only hear audio from either the console or the mobile device at a given time.
-
When a headset is paired to both the transmitter and a Bluetooth device and is being used with the console for chat audio, the headset will consider the console the audio source. During normal gameplay, you will not hear the Bluetooth audio at all. If, however, a Bluetooth call is made, the headset will switch the audio source from the console to the Bluetooth device. During a Bluetooth call, you will not hear the console audio at all. When that call ends, the headset will switch the audio source back to the console, and you will then hear the chat audio from the console again.
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