TurtleBeach Recon Spark Gaming Headset User Manual

Recon Spark Gaming Headset

User Manual

PACKAGE CONTENTS

1. Recon Spark Gaming Headset  (A)
2. PC Splitter Cable  (B)

HEADSET CONTROLS

Note: Over-Rotating Mic
Turning the mic past positions 1 & 3 may cause damage to the mic.

1. Mic Mute
   • Flip up mic to mute (see position 2).
2. Master Volume
   • Adjust the master volume of the incoming game and chat audio.

PC/MAC, NINTENDO SWITCH, & MOBILE SETUP

If your device has a single port for both headset and mic audio, simply plug the headset in.

If your computer has separate ports, one each for headset audio and mic audio, you’ll need to use the included PC Splitter Cable.

PROSPECS GLASSES FRIENDLY DESIGN

Originally created for the Elite Pro Tournament Gaming Headset, Turtle Beach’s exclusive ProSpecs glasses friendly technology is built into the Recon Spark, featuring an advanced ear cushion design and materials that allow gamers who wear glasses to finally play in comfort.

XBOX ONE SETUP

Volume Setup

1. Plug the headset into the Xbox controller, and flip the mic down to unmute it.
2.  While in the Home screen, press the Xbox button on the controller. Scroll down to the buttons on the bottom of the left sidebar, and then select the  Speaker  icon (Audio).

   •   * Set  **Headset Volume**  to  **Maximum**

   • Set  Headset Chat Mixer  to your  Preferred  Game/Chat balance
   • Set  Mic Monitoring  to your  Preferred  level

Surround Sound Setup
(Available Only On Xbox One)

1. Go to  Settings >> Audio Devices >> Audio Output

   •   * Select  **Windows Sonic For Headphones**

PS4 SETUP

1. Go to  Settings >> Devices >> Audio Devices
   • Set  Input  &  Output  Device to  Headset Connected to Controller
   • Set  Output to Headphones  to  All Audio
   • Set  Volume Control (Headphones)  level to maximum
   • Select  Adjust Microphone Level  and follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your microphone.

Voice Chat Issues On Nintendo Switch

If you are experiencing the following symptoms when you use your headset with Fortnite on a Nintendo Switch, please try the steps below:

• Mic Not Working in Chat   (you can’t be heard in chat)
• Chat Audio Not Working   (you cannot hear other people in chat)

You may need to re-enable the in-game chat. In addition, you may need to disable the Push-to-Talk feature.

To do so:

1. Make sure you are logged in to your profile. Once you are logged in, press the  +  button on the switch to bring up the Social menu. Scroll down to and then select the gear icon on the bottom of the left sidebar.

2. The sidebar will change in appearance from your friends list to a list of several different options. Select the “ Settings ” option, as shown below.

3. You will see several tabs on the top of the screen. Scroll to the Speaker tab – this is the Audio Settings tab. Then, scroll down to section labelled “ Voice Chat ”.

There will be two toggle settings:  Voice Chat and  Voice Chat Method.

•   Voice Chat  is  ON  by default. To be able to hear and be heard in chat, this setting needs to be  ON. If this setting is turned off, you will not be able to hear the chat audio, and you will not be able to be heard in chat.
• Voice Chat Method  is set to  PUSH-TO-TALK  by default. To be able to be heard in chat whenever you speak, this setting needs to be  OPEN MIC. If this setting is set to PUSH-TO-TALK, you will not be heard in chat unless you press a specific button when you speak into the mic.

Make sure that the  Voice Chat  is  On  and the  Voice Chat Method is set to  Open Mic , and then test the headset again. You should be able to hear and be heard in the chat.

No Mic Audio On PC

If other players are unable to hear you in chat on PC, please try the following.

1. Mic is Not Muted/Headset Works With Another Device

Flip the mic down to position 1, as shown in the following image.

Then, plug the headset into a smartphone, and make a test call. Please be sure to keep the smartphone itself covered/in a pocket for this test, to ensure the headset’s mic is what picks up the sound, and not the smartphone’s internal microphones.

Can you hear and be heard clearly during that call?

If you can be heard, please continue to step 2.

If you can not be heard, please contact our  support team.

2. PC Settings Are Configured Correctly.

Note: Device Names vary by Windows PC.

1. Plug the headset into a PC. If your PC has separate jacks for headset audio and game audio, make sure to use the included PC Splitter Cable.

2. Right-click the Speaker icon in the taskbar and click ‘Recording devices’.

3. Right-click the Microphone/Line In input that the headset is plugged into. If you do not see a green check next to the device, click ‘Set as Default’.
   NOTE:  The headset will not appear as a separate device in the Playback and Recording lists.

4. Speak into the mic to see if green bars appear next to the Microphone/Line in input.

If you do see the green bars, then the headset and mic boom are communicating with the PC properly. If other players still can’t hear you in chat, check your network connection and in-game chat settings.

Please note that some chat programs like Discord or Skype do have their own audio settings, independent of the computer’s settings. If the headset and mic seem to be working, and the computer’s settings are configured correctly, double-check that the settings for the chat program you are using are also configured correctly.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, please contact our  support team ; please be sure to let them know you have performed these tests.

No Mic Audio On Xbox

If you are having issues being heard in chat when using your Recon Spark headset with an Xbox console, please do the following. Please note that this information applies to both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

1. Mic is Not Muted/Headset Is Assigned

The Recon Spark has an adjustable mic. To use the mic, gently push (‘flip’) the mic forwards. When the mic is fully pushed forwards, the mic will “Lock” into position.

To mute the mic, just flip the mic back the other way.

Also, check that the controller is assigned to your profile. To do this:

1. Press the  Xbox/Home  button on the Xbox One controller.
2. Go to  Settings >> All Settings >> Kinect  & Devices >> Devices  & Accessories
3. You will see an image of the controller you are using. Below this image there will be a  “…”  Button. Select this  “…”  Button to bring up the device screen for the controller. On the left side of the screen there will be a sidebar with information; at the bottom of that sidebar, there should be a Headset listed as being assigned to the controller.

If you can see the headset listed as being assigned to the controller, and the mic is unmuted, proceed to the next test. If you do not see that headset listed, please proceed to Step 3.

2. Record a Test Message

1. With the headset plugged in to the controller, press the Xbox button while in the home screen.
2. Go to  Parties & Chats tab, and select  New Chat
3. Select someone from the list (you do not have to select anyone in particular, as you will not be sending this message), and then tap the Menu button to complete the selection.
4. After you choose a person, two options will appear:  Write a Message  (pencil icon on left) and  Record a Message  (mic icon on right). Select the  Record a Message/Mic  icon on the right.
5. Select  Record , and then speak into the mic. When you are done recording, stop the recording.
6. The new recording should appear under the Write a Message/Record a Message icons. Select  Play , and listen to that recording you made. This will tell you how your voice will sound to other players. Can you hear your voice clearly?

If you can hear your voice clearly, the mic itself is working well.

If you cannot hear your voice clearly, please proceed to the next step.

3. Power Cycle Console

To perform a quick power cycle with the console, please do the following, in this order:

1. Shut down the console from the menus, and disconnect the headset from the Xbox One controller.
2. Unplug any USB Cable going into the controller, turn the controller off, and unplug the Xbox console itself from the wall/outlet it is plugged into. Make sure the console itself is unplugged.
3. Let everything sit for a minute, and then:
4. Plug the console itself in.
5. Turn the console on, and sign into your profile. If your profile automatically signs in, please make sure to sign out and then sign back in.
6. Then connect the headset, and assign it to your profile.

To assign the headset to your profile:

1. With the headset plugged into the controller, go to  Settings >> Kinect  &   Devices >> Devices & Accessories. Select the controller that you are using; in the controller’s menu, select  “Assign to Someone”,  and choose the Gamertag/Xbox Live account that you are currently signed into.

If the Power Cycle does not resolve this, please contact our  Support Team.

No Mic Audio On PlayStation

If other people/players cannot hear you in chat when you speak into the mic, please check the following.

1. Mic is Not Muted

The Recon Spark has an adjustable mic. To use the mic, gently push (‘flip’) the mic forwards. When the mic is fully pushed forwards, the mic will “Lock” into position.

To mute the mic, just flip the mic back the other way.

2. The Headset Works With Another Device

Plug the headset into a smartphone, and make sure that the mic is flipped down/unmuted. Then, make a test call. During that test call, make sure the smartphone itself is kept covered/in a pocket for the duration of the call, so that the phone’s internal microphones do not pick up the sound instead of the headset’s mic.

If you could be heard during that test call, continue to Step 3. If you could not be heard during that test call, please  contact our   Support Team .

3. The Chat Settings are Configured

If you can be heard during that test call, then the mic itself is working properly, but the settings on your console may not be configured for headset use.

If you have a PS4/PS4 Pro:

1. Go to  Settings >> Devices >> Audio Devices

   •   * Set  **Input**  and  **Output Devices**  to  **Headset Connected to Controller**

   • Set  Output to Headphones  to  All Audio
   • Set  Volume Control (Headphones)  level to  Maximum
2. Select  Adjust Microphone Level  and follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your microphone

If you have a PS5:

1. Go to  Settings >> Sound >> Audio Output >> Output Device

   •   * Select  **Headset Connected To Controller**  for  **Output Device**

   • Set Output to Headphones to All Audio
2. Go to  Settings >> Sound >> Volume >> Headphones

   •   * Set  **Volume Control (headphones)**  level to  **Maximum**

3. Adjust your microphone levels by going to  Settings >> Sound >> Microphone >> Adjust Mic Level >> Microphone Level

If the microphone still isn’t working, or if you don’t see any activity on that Adjust Microphone Level screen when you use the mic, please  contact our   Support Team .

PC/Mobile/Nintendo Switch Setup

The Recon Spark headset can be used with a PC, mobile device, or a Nintendo Switch.

In some cases, an alternate setup may be necessary.

PC SETUP

If your PC has a single jack for both headset and mic audio, simply plug the headset in.

If your computer has separate jacks, one each for headset audio and mic audio, you will need to use the included PC Splitter Cable for full functionality with that computer.

Plug the headset into the PC Splitter Cable, then plug the PC Splitter Cable into the computer, making sure to match the Splitter Cable’s plugs to the correct jacks. Usually these separate jacks are identified either by color (Green/Pink), or by images of a mic/headset next to the individual jacks.

MOBILE DEVICE/NINTENDO SWITCH SETUP

To use the headset with a mobile device or a Nintendo Switch console (while in handheld mode), simply plug the headset’s main cable into the 3.5mm headset jack on the mobile device/Nintendo Switch.

Recon Spark – Xbox Setup

To set your wired headset up for use with an Xbox console, please do the following. Please note that these instructions will apply to both the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X|S consoles.

1. Plug the headset into the Xbox controller, and flip the mic down to unmute it.

2. While in the Home screen, press the Xbox button on the controller. Scroll down to the buttons on the bottom of the left sidebar, and then select the Speaker  icon (Audio).

3. Configure your settings as shown:

• * Set  **Headset Volume**  to  **Maximum**

  • Set  Headset Chat Mixer  to the  Middle Setting
  • Set  Mic Monitor  to  Maximum

WINDOWS SONIC SURROUND SOUND

1. While in the Home screen, press the Xbox button on the controller. You’ll see the following screen:

2. Navigate to the  Profile & System Tab, and select “ Settings “.

3. Go to  General >> Volume & Audio Output

4. In the  Headset Audio  column (right side of the screen), set Headset Format  to  Windows Sonic For Headphones.

PlayStation Setup

This article details the best way to set up your headset for use with a PS4  or  PS5  console.

PS4 SETUP

To set your Recon Spark up for use with a PS4 console, please do the following.

1. Plug the headset in to the controller, and flip the mic down to unmute the mic.
2. Go to  Settings >> Devices >> Audio Devices
   • Set  Input  &  Output  Device to  Headset Connected to Controller
   • Set  Output to Headphones  to  All Audio
   • Set  Volume Control (Headphones)  level to maximum
   • Select  Adjust Microphone Level  and follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your microphone.

PS5 SETUP

If you instead have a PS5 console, please do the following:

1. Plug the headset into the aux port in the DualSense controller. Once you do this, the microphone function will automatically switch from the controller’s integrated mic to your headset.
2. Go to  Settings >> Sound >> Audio Output >> Output Device
3. • Select  Headset Connected To Controller  for  Output Device

  * Set Output to Headphones to All Audio

3. Go to  Settings >> Sound >> Volume >> Headphones
4. • Set  Volume Control (headphones)  level to  Maximum
5. Adjust your microphone levels by going to  Settings >> Sound >> Microphone >> Adjust Mic Level >> Microphone Level

*As desired, you can enable the 3D Audio function to enhance the audio through your headset. Then, go to  Adjust 3D Audio Profile  to select the best profile option for your game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Recon Spark model headset.

COMPATIBLITY

1. What devices can I use my Recon Spark with?

The Recon Spark is a wired headset that can be used with:

• Xbox One controllers
• Xbox Series X|S controllers
• PlayStation 4 controllers
• PlayStation 5 controllers
• Nintendo Switch consoles
• Laptops and PCs equipped with a 3.5 mm combo jack (one jack for Audio and Microphone purposes).
• Smartphones and Tablets equipped with a 3.5 mm jack.

If you have a laptop or PC that has separate jacks for Audio and Microphone purposes, you would need an additional cable known as a PC splitter cable.

HEADSET FEATURES

1. Is the Recon Spark a surround sound headset?

No.  The Recon Spark is a  stereo  headset. There are features available on certain devices that can provide this headset with surround sound:

• When used with an Xbox console or on a Windows PC, it is compatible with Windows Sonic for Headphones and Dolby Atmos.
• When used with on a PS5, it is compatible with Sony’s 3D Audio feature.

2. Does the Recon Spark require any firmware updates? It is not being recognized by the Audio Hub!

• No.  There is no need to worry about updating your headset. The Recon Spark is a wired headset and does not have any sort of updateable firmware. Due to that, it will not be recognized by any version (mobile or desktop) of the Audio Hub.

TROUBLESHOOTING

1. My Recon Spark is plugged in and is not showing up as a separate device within my PC’s sound control panel. Am I doing something wrong?

• No.  The Recon Spark is an analog headset and will not be recognized as a separate device by your PC. Your PC will only recognize the jack/port that your headset is connected to. Your PC may refer to those jacks/ports as a “High Definition Audio Device” or “Realtek Audio Device” depending on your PC’s audio drivers.

If you need assistance in getting your headset set up properly on your PC, please reach out to our  support team  for further assistance.

2. I can only hear audio out of one side of the headset. How can I clear that up?

• Ensure that your headset’s microphone is rotated to the unmute position and, If possible, try testing the headset away from the device you’re using it with. If you are using it with your console’s controller, try using the headset with a device like a smartphone or tablet. If you do not have access to a smartphone, you can perform this test with a different device, as detailed  here.

If the headset continues to have the same inconvenience when tested with another device, please reach out to our  support team  for further assistance.

3. The audio in my headset is distorted (pops, clicks, crackles, static, etc.). Is there anything I can do about that?

• Please test your headset with a smartphone or mobile tablet, as suggested in the question above. If you do not have access to a smartphone, you can perform this test with a different device, as detailed  here.

If the distortion continues when tested with another device, please reach out to our  support team for further assistance.

4. No one can hear me when I try to chat. What should I do?

• Testing your headset with another device, like a smartphone, would be the best course of action here. If you do not have access to a smartphone, you can perform this test with a different device, as detailed  here.
• If you’re experiencing this inconvenience in Fortnite specifically, please double check your Fortnite settings — we have a guide to do so available  here. (Please note that while that article does mention Xbox, the settings within the game would be the same regardless of which console/platform the game is being played on.)

NOTE 1:  These suggestions would be applicable to all versions of Fortnite (Xbox/PlayStation/Nintendo Switch/PC)

• If you’re experiencing this inconvenience specifically in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Call of Duty: Warzone, please check your in-game settings and ensure they match up with what we have suggested in the applicable article below:

Xbox/PC Recommended Call of Duty Settings

PlayStation Recommended Call of Duty Settings

NOTE 2:  For Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Call of Duty: Warzone, the “Open Mic Recording Threshold” setting should be set as low as possible. Setting that too high can cause your voice to cut out completely.

If you need further assistance, please reach out to our  support team  for further assistance.

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