TurtleBeach Recon 500 Headset User Manual
- June 4, 2024
- TurtleBeach
Table of Contents
TurtleBeach Recon 500 Headset
User Manual
The information in this article applies to all Recon 500 models, in all colors.
PACKAGE CONTENTS
- Recon 500 Headset (A)
- Removable Mic (B)
HEADSET CONTROLS
- Microphone Mute Button
- Microphone Jack
- Master Volume Dial
SETUP FOR XBOX
- With the headset plugged in to the controller, press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Press the Right Trigger or scroll to the buttons at the bottom of the Xbox tab. Select the Speaker icon.
- Set Headset Volume to maximum
- Set Headset Chat Mixer to the middle setting
- Set Mic Monitoring to your preferred level
SURROUND SOUND SETUP
(AVAILABLE ONLY ON XBOX ONE SERIES X|S AND XBOX ONE)
- With the headset plugged into the controller, press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Go to the Profile & System Tab
- Select Settings >> General >> Volume & Audio Output
- Set Headset Format (under the Headset Audio column) to Windows Sonic for Headphones
SETUP FOR PLAYSTATION
- Connect your headset to 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’s mic.
- Go to Settings >> Sound >> Audio Output >> Output Device
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* Select **Headset Connected To Controller** for **Output Device** - Set Output to Headphones to **All Audio***
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- Go to Settings >> Sound >> Volume >> Master Volume >> Headphones
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* Set **Volume Control (Headphones)** level to **Maximum**
-
- Adjust your microphone levels by going to Settings >> Sound >> Microphone >> Adjust Mic Level >> Microphone Level
*If desired, go to Adjust 3D Audio Profile and enable the 3D Audio function to enhance the audio through your headset.
SETUP FOR NINTENDO SWITCH
*Nintendo Switch compatible in handheld mode only.
SETUP FOR MAC, PC, MOBILE
PC/Mac Setup
NOTE: If your PC uses separate Green/Pink connectors for audio, you will need a PC Splitter Cable, available for purchase here.
Mobile Setup
No Mic Audio
If you are having issues being heard in chat when using your Recon 500 headset, please be sure to check the following.
1. Mic Is Securely Plugged In/Is Not Muted
The Recon 500 has a removable mic boom. If this mic boom is not securely plugged in all the way to the headset, there may be issues with the outgoing mic audio.
To ensure that the mic boom is securely connected, gently grasp the base of the mic boom, and pull the mic boom away from the headset. Then, line the mic up with the jack on the headset, and plug the mic boom in until it is secure in the jack.
In addition, please make sure that the mic is not muted. The mute button is located on the Left earcup of the headset itself — it is outlined in red in the image below. When the headset is muted this button will be flush with the earcup. When the headset is unmuted this button will protrude slightly from the earcup.
2. Headset Works With Another Device
Once the mic is securely connected, plug the headset itself into a smartphone or similar device. (Click here for alternate versions of this test if you do not have access to a smartphone with the proper jack.)
Then, make a test call. Be sure to keep the smartphone itself either covered or in a pocket during this test.
Can you be heard clearly during that test call?
If you cannot be heard clearly, please contact our support team with the results of this test.
If you can be heard clearly and consistently, please move on to Step 3 (or Step 4 if using the headset with a PlayStation console).
3. Record a Test Message (Xbox Only)
- With the headset plugged in to the controller, press the Xbox button while in the home screen.
- Go to Parties & Chats tab, and select New Chat
- 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.
- 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.
- Select Record , and then speak into the mic. When you are done recording, stop the recording.
- 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 yourself when you play back that test recording, please move to Step 4.
If you cannot hear yourself when you play back that test recording, please contact our support team for further assistance.
4. Device And Game Settings Are Configured Correctly
If the headset works well with another device, the issue may not be with the headset itself.
First, check the audio settings for the device/platform you are using the headset with.
For PC :
- Right-click the Speaker icon on the Taskbar, and then select “Open Sound Settings”.
- Double-check that the Output and Input devices are both listed as the headset.
For Mac :
- Click the Apple menu, and then select System Preferences >> Sound.
- Double-check that the Input and Output devices are both listed as the headset.
For PlayStation , please check that the settings are configured as shown here.
For Xbox , please check that the settings are configured as shown here.
For Nintendo Switch , you will need to check the settings within the game itself.
Once you’re sure the device settings are configured correctly, double-check the game’s settings. Many games have audio settings that are independent of the console’s settings, so it’s important to double-check that those settings are configured correctly, as well.
If you are having issues specifically with Fortnite, please click here. Please note that this article does mention Xbox, but the Fortnite menus will be the same regardless of the console you are playing on.
If you are having issues specifically with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Call of Duty: Warzone, please click here for Xbox/PC, or click here for PlayStation.
If these issues persist even after double-checking that the settings for both the game and the console are configured correctly, please contact our support team for further assistance.
Nintendo Switch Setup
Please note: The Recon 500 headset is compatible for use with a Nintendo Switch when the Switch itself is in the handheld mode only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Recon 500 model headset
COMPATIBILITY
1. What devices can I use my Recon 500 with?
The Recon 500 is a wired headset, and 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 500 a surround sound headset?
No. The Recon 500 is a stereo headset. There are features on certain devices that can provide this headset with surround sound.
- When used with an Xbox console or on a PC, it is compatible with Windows Sonic for Headphones or Dolby Atmos.
- When used with on a PS5, it is compatible with Sony’s 3D Audio feature.
2. Does the Recon 500 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 500 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 500 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 500 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?
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 another device 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.