Xbox One owners have long had two basic options for voice chat: headsets or the Kinect microphone. Now Nyko has thrown a third option into the fray with the release of the SpeakerCom, an accessory that allows players to listen and talk through a controller attachment. But can it compare to real headsets? See on Amazon

Snapping on the SpeakerCom

Ever since the days of the original Xbox, Nyko has been making SpeakerCom accessories for Xbox consoles. The concept is simple: to allow voice communication without requiring the player to wear a cumbersome headset. The Xbox One version of the SpeakerCom attaches to the bottom of first-party controllers, much like the Chatpad. It connects to the controller via 3.5mm jack, so you can't use it with controllers that don't have a 3.5mm jack. Jack-less controllers have been out of production since June 2015, so hopefully everybody has one by now. (Third-party controllers won't work either, due to their different form factors.) Best VPN providers 2020: Learn about ExpressVPN, NordVPN & more The front of the SpeakerCom features a single large speaker through which voice chat (and optionally, game sounds) play. Just above the speaker sit a Nyko logo and a pinhole-sized microphone. On the bottom of the unit is a volume knob adjusts the speaker's volume and a micro-USB port allows for charging. A speakerphone for your controller

The unit's speaker automatically plays all headset audio, combining both stereo channels. Nyko recommends that you access the Xbox One's Settings menu (double-tap the Home/Guide button) and set the Headset chat mixer setting all the way to Voice. This makes the SpeakerCom output only voice chat rather than game audio. Game audio actually sounds fine while broadcast through the SpeakerCom, similar to the controller audio of certain PlayStation 4 games. Most people will prefer hearing their game sounds exclusively from the TV or surround sound though, only using the SpeakerCom for voice communication.

The SpeakerCom's speaker performs admirably when used for voice chat. The audio was a little quiet initially, but I just needed to turn up the Headset volume in the console settings. With that properly adjusted, you'll be able to hear everything your party or teammates say – as will anyone in the same room as you. That's one of the advantages of this peripheral – multiple people can listen to voice chat from a single source. And as with a speakerphone, your online friends will be able to hear other people in the SpeakerCom's vicinity talking as well. For people who game with family members around, this product is far less isolating than traditional headsets. What if you don't want the people you're chatting with to hear something, though? The inability to quickly mute is a major failing of the Kinect as a voice chat device. Luckily, the SpeakerCom is a push-to-talk device. People can only hear you when either of the green paddles on the rear of the unit is pressed. The SpeakerCom's push-to-talk paddles work the same way as the paddles on an Elite controller, only you hit them with your pinky finger. The Nyko logo light turns green while a paddle is held. I tested the SpeakerCom both one-on-one and in a large Party Chat setting. In both cases, everyone reported that I sounded very clear. Sound quality won't be a problem with this accessory. Nearly perfect