When one first signs up for the Xbox Live service, it's usually after purchasing one of the 12 Month Starter Kits (although more and more people are using the free trial certificates found in some Live enabled games). The most recent Starter Kit offered a card with an access code, a copy of the popular Live game Crimson Skies, and the all-important Xbox Communicator headset. While playing on Live with friends can be a blast, being able to chat with them in real time adds a lot more to the experience.

Although the standard headset is good enough for many gamers, there are some people who want a bit more bang for their buck. Whether it's the ability to eliminate the number of wires you've got to deal with, or simply getting rid of the headset altogether, there are plenty of Xbox Live accessories available at your local game store. It's not just limited to headsets, either: wireless networks adapters and controllers with built-in Live support can also be had for the right price. We'll be taking a lot at some of these accessories today, starting with the Communicator headsets.

Nyko's SpeakerCom is perfect for slow-paced games like Splinter Cell Chaos Theory.

Nyko SpeakerCom: Not only will the SpeakerCom allow you to cut the proverbial cords tethering you to the controller, it also eliminates the need for a headset altogether. The unit, which attaches to the standard Communicator base, features a large, feedback-free speaker, so you can hear what your teammates have to say without having an earpiece lodged firmly in your ear. The only real drawback to the system is that, in order to speak to friends, you have to press a Talk button on the side of the unit, which forces you to take your finger off one of the controller buttons. While this might not be a big deal in some slow-paced games, it can mean the difference between life and death in fast-paced first-person shooters.

Logitech Wireless Xbox Live Headset: If you've played with the Live Communicator (and if you're reading this column, chances are you have), you've no doubt gotten caught up in the cord that stretches from the top of the controller to the headset. Logitech's lightweight (yet surprisingly sturdy) little beauty eliminates the need for this by featuring a 2.4 GHz wireless signal that goes from the included Communicator to the headset. If you play in a noisy environment (like a shooting range or the cargo hold of an airplane, for instance), you'll be happy to hear that it also sports an excellent noise-cancelling microphone. Some people aren't crazy about having to recharge the battery every 6 hours, but if you're on Live for that many hours in a row, you've probably got bigger things to worry about.