Connect the P11 to the PS3 in two ways: plug its USB lead into the console for power and voice chat, then connect its red and white analog audio leads to the PS3’s AV MULTI audio output for game sound. USB alone is not the complete game-audio connection. You can keep HDMI connected to the TV for video.
What you need
- A Turtle Beach Ear Force P11 with its inline control box and cables.
- A PS3 with a working USB port and Multi-AV output.
- A PS3 A/V cable, or a compatible breakout that exposes red and white analog stereo audio.
- An HDMI cable if you want the TV to display video over HDMI.
The P11’s standard PS3 setup uses USB for power and chat functions, and a separate analog connection for game audio, as shown in the P11 user guide. The PS3’s AV MULTI connector supplies two-channel analog audio; HDMI, optical, and AV MULTI are distinct output paths in Sony’s PS3 audio-output guide.
Compatibility depends on having those connections and working cables, not just on the PS3 model. Check the label on the headset or inline control box: similarly named Turtle Beach models may use different wiring.
Connect the P11
Turn down the P11 volume before plugging it in, and make sure the headset lead is fully seated in the inline control box.
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- Amplified Audio - Oversized 50mm speakers enhance game sounds for a more immersive PS3 gaming experience
- Independent Volume Controls - Allows for personalized balancing of game and chat audio
- Microphone Monitor - Let's you hear what you're saying while communicating with others
- Bass Boost - Built-in Turtle Beach bass boost adds depth and realism to game audio
- Disconnect from the amp to use with PS4, Wii U, PS Vita or other mobile devices
PS3 USB port ───── P11 USB plug (power and chat) PS3 red audio ───── P11 red/right audio PS3 white audio ───── P11 white/left audio PS3 HDMI ───── TV HDMI (video) PS3 yellow video ───── Leave disconnected when using HDMI
- Plug the P11’s USB connector directly into a PS3 USB port.
- Connect the PS3 A/V cable or compatible breakout to the console’s Multi-AV output. Connect its red audio plug to the P11’s red/right input and its white plug to the P11’s white/left input.
- If HDMI carries video to the TV, leave the A/V cable’s yellow composite-video plug disconnected. HDMI does not replace the P11’s red/white audio connection.
- Connect the P11 headset to its inline control box and check that each plug is firmly seated.
Do not use optical as a direct P11 connection: the documented standard setup is analog game audio plus USB chat. Optical would require an additional compatible audio processor or converter.
Set the PS3’s game-audio output
- On the XMB, open Settings > Sound Settings > Audio Output Settings.
- Select Audio Input Connector / SCART / AV MULTI as the audio output connector and confirm the selection.
- For this stereo analog headset, use ordinary two-channel output rather than selecting surround formats or high sampling rates as a troubleshooting workaround.
Menu wording can differ across PS3 software versions. Sony’s current online guide describes system software version 4.80 or later; older screens may label options differently. See the PS3 online guide for its version context. If you choose HDMI instead, audio is directed along that path rather than to the P11’s analog connection.
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Set up voice chat and microphone input
- Open Settings > Accessory Settings > Audio Device Settings.
- Set Input Device to the Turtle Beach P11 or the Turtle Beach USB headset entry shown on your console. The displayed name may vary.
- Set Output Device to the same P11/Turtle Beach USB device so chat is heard in the headset.
- Speak at a normal volume and adjust Microphone Level until the level is clear without clipping.
Sony identifies Input Device, Output Device, and Microphone Level as separate controls in its Audio Device Settings guide. Selecting the P11 does not by itself set an appropriate microphone level. Individual games can also have their own voice-chat options or restrictions.
Test the two audio paths separately
- Play a game or menu sound and confirm that game audio comes through both earcups.
- Return to Audio Device Settings, speak into the mic, and check that the microphone-level indicator responds.
- Join a voice chat or game session and ask another player to confirm that they can hear you.
- Have another player speak, then adjust the P11’s chat control and overall volume as needed.
Separating these checks helps identify whether a fault is in the analog game-audio connection, USB chat path, microphone settings, or headset.
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- Lightweight & Comfortable – Play for hours in complete comfort.
- 40mm Speakers Hear every crisp high and thundering low with these 40mm over-ear speakers.
- Convenient In-line Controls – Convenient in-line controls place Master Volume and Mic Mute right at your fingertips.
- Crystal Clear Chat – Turtle Beach’s renowned high-sensitivity mic picks-up your voice loud and clear, and can be removed when watching movies or listening to music.
- Versatile Compatibility – Works great with PS5, PS4, and PS4 Pro and works great with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC & Mobile devices with 3.5mm Connection.
Fix common problems
Chat works, but game audio does not
- Check that the red and white audio plugs connect to the PS3’s analog A/V audio output, not just to the TV or an unused adapter.
- Confirm that Audio Input Connector / SCART / AV MULTI is selected under Audio Output Settings.
- Raise the P11 game-audio control and reseat both RCA plugs.
- Verify that the PS3 A/V cable actually carries red/white analog audio; a video-only lead will not work.
- If possible, test the PS3’s red/white output with another analog audio input.
Game audio works, but the microphone does not
- Reconnect USB directly to the PS3 rather than through an unpowered hub.
- Set Input Device to the P11/Turtle Beach USB device and raise Microphone Level gradually while speaking.
- Check the microphone mute control and position the boom near your mouth.
- Test the mic on the PS3 Audio Device Settings screen. If the level does not respond, check the USB cable and inline control box.
You cannot hear other players, but your microphone works
- Set Output Device to the P11/Turtle Beach USB device.
- Check the game’s voice-chat, team-chat, or communication settings.
- Raise the P11 chat control and ask another player to speak while you adjust it.
Only one earcup has sound
- Reseat the red and white RCA plugs and the headset plug at the inline control box.
- Check the P11 adapter and each analog channel for damage or a loose connection.
- If the same side remains silent with another analog source, the fault is more likely in the cable, connector, or headset channel than in PS3 chat settings.
The sound echoes or feeds back
- Lower or mute the TV speakers if game audio is already playing in the headset, and keep the microphone away from speakers.
- Lower Microphone Level and check whether another nearby microphone is active.
- On the PS3, open Settings > Accessory Settings > Audio Device Settings, select Input Device, press Triangle, choose Settings, then select Set Echo Canceller and follow the prompts. Sony notes that this option may not be adjustable for every microphone.
TV sound stops after you change the output
This can happen when the PS3 routes audio to AV MULTI instead of HDMI. Sony notes that changing the selected output can stop sound from another connector. If you want sound on more than one output, try Settings > Sound Settings > Audio Multi-Output > On; simultaneous output behavior and available formats can vary. For the P11’s direct analog game audio, AV MULTI is the relevant path.
Sound is intermittent or missing after changing format settings
Return to ordinary two-channel output for this stereo headset. Sony warns that some 88.2 kHz and 176.4 kHz Linear PCM selections may produce intermittent or missing sound on unsupported devices. Dolby Digital, DTS, and multichannel settings are not fixes for a basic stereo analog P11 connection.
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The PS3 does not show the P11 as an audio device
- Disconnect the P11 and shut down the PS3 fully.
- Reconnect the USB plug directly to a different PS3 USB port and reconnect the red/white audio plugs.
- Restart the console and check Audio Device Settings again.
- If it is still absent, test another USB port and inspect the headset cable and inline control box. If available, test the headset on another compatible source.
If you are missing the original PS3 A/V cable
You need a PS3-compatible Multi-AV cable or breakout that exposes working red and white analog audio. Match red to right and white to left. A cable that exposes only yellow composite video is not enough, and the fit of a connector alone does not confirm its pinout. Choose a cable with a return option if its audio wiring is uncertain. If you already have the correct cable but need more reach or a connector change, use a properly matched RCA extension or coupler; unnecessary or poorly wired adapters can cause one-channel, noisy, or intermittent audio.
Using a legacy P11 today
The P11 can still serve a PS3 setup when the headset and its cables work, but it is a legacy wired design. Its replacement-part availability is uncertain, and a used unit should be checked for cable damage, working microphone, and functioning inline controls. Current PlayStation headsets are generally marketed for newer platforms; neither a PlayStation-compatible label nor a Turtle Beach name establishes PS3 compatibility. Confirm explicit PS3 support before choosing a replacement.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Amplified Stereo Sound - Turtle Beach P12 delivers high-quality digital game and chat for an enhanced audio experience when used with PS4.
- High-Quality Chat - High-sensitivity microphone on a flexible boom keeps you heard loud and clear
- Microphone Monitor - Hear your voice in the headset so you don't have to shout
- Simple Setup - One simple USB connection delivers all game and chat audio
- Mobile Gaming Versatility - Disconnect from the in-line amp to use the P12 on the go with your mobile devices including PS Vita
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
