Help me choose a headset!

nickCR

nickCR

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Feb 5, 2010
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Hi All

So I do a bit of gaming once in a while when I have free time. Sound is one of the best upgrades you can make as it can pin point your opponents in FPS games.

I am looking for headsets that have a good microphone (skype) and a "TRUE 5.1" surround sound that actually provides positional sound. Essentially True 5.1 means that there are actually 4 or 5 speakers in each ear.

I have the following list of possibilities. Always open to more options. BTW as a pointer for anyone else even considering it DO NOT EVER BUY Turtle Beach what a fucking major failure those were, sound was spectacular but the build quality was terrible, the right side ear piece broke off the upper band less than 30 days after purchase.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Sharkoon-X-Tatic-Surround-Not-Machine-Specific/dp/B003H4QIC0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343849321&sr=8-1&keywords=true+5.1+headset]Amazon.com: Sharkoon X-Tatic True 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound Gaming Headset: Video Games[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Surround-Headset-SGH-6000-KK5R1/dp/B005HO1ULM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1343849321&sr=8-7&keywords=true+5.1+headset]Amazon.com: Cooler Master Storm Sirus True 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset (SGH-6000-KK5R1): Electronics[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-CD79051100A1-04-Call/dp/B00409SOBO/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1343849321&sr=8-11&keywords=true+5.1+headset]Amazon.com: Mad Catz CD79051100A1/04/1 Call of Duty: Black Ops Dolby Digital True 5.1 ProGaming Headset for PC - Powered by TRITTON: Electronics[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Tritton-PC510HDa-Powered-Surround-Headset/dp/B004W7PHVO/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1343849363&sr=8-18&keywords=true+5.1+headset]Amazon.com: Tritton PC510HDa USB Powered 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset for PC: Electronics[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Razer-RZ04-00600100-R3U1-Tiamat-Surround-Headset/dp/B007CS9WYI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1343849508&sr=8-3&keywords=positional+sound+headset]Amazon.com: Razer RZ04-00600100-R3U1 Tiamat Elite 7.1 Surround Sound Analog Gaming Headset: Computers & Accessories[/ame]


Thanks in advance!
 


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[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Gaming-Headset-Surround/dp/B003VANOFY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343865329&sr=1-1&keywords=g930]Amazon.com: Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 with 7.1 Surround Sound: Electronics[/ame]

No competition in the price range, I've owned 15+ headsets in the past year due to my line of work and this one honestly shits on the competition. The warranty is amazing (I complained over the phone to Logitech about sound being slightly louder in 1 ear than the other one year after owning it, they sent me a brand new one no questions asked, didn't even have to send back the old one). It can be either wired or wireless, I can have skype chats while walking around my house and the range is pretty nice. Brilliant audio, however it isn't top notch for gaming if that is what you are going for. It is also very sturdily built and comfortable. Everything else I've used thus far (with the exception of Astro A40/A50s) have been flimsy plastic pieces of shit.
 
So I jumped on another forum which is where I go for my computer needs and asked the same question.

The suggestion was the following:

Refurb X-Fi Titanium - $50
Sennheiser PC360 - $209

The X-Fi is a killer sound card for gaming specifically FPS games. The Sennheiser is exceptional quality sound. Basically the sound card is what does most of the work to ensure the sound you hear is in line with the game.
 
Engineer said:
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Click to expand...
Falian is wearing this.

Plantronics Audio 995 Wireless Stereo Headset

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-995-Wireless-Stereo-Headset/dp/B001SEQN3U"]Amazon.com: Plantronics Audio 995 Wireless Stereo Headset: Electronics[/ame]


I own 2 pairs of the same.
 
nickCR said:
So I jumped on another forum which is where I go for my computer needs and asked the same question.

The suggestion was the following:

Refurb X-Fi Titanium - $50
Sennheiser PC360 - $209

The X-Fi is a killer sound card for gaming specifically FPS games. The Sennheiser is exceptional quality sound. Basically the sound card is what does most of the work to ensure the sound you hear is in line with the game.
Click to expand...

+1 for Sennheiser.

I went through like 4 pairs of the PC350's because my dog kept chewing the damn cords. Best headphones I've ever had.
 
erifdekciw said:
+1 for Sennheiser.

I went through like 4 pairs of the PC350's because my dog kept chewing the damn cords. Best headphones I've ever had.
Click to expand...

The PC350 and PC360 are both extremely highly recommended on avsforum as well which is a Audio Video Forum full of Audiophiles.

The sound card will help, but I really need to invest in a headphone amp which is really what will take the sound quality, clarity and volume to the next level.
 
I'm in the same boat as you.

What I've heard is that if you're going to spend >$100, you might as well just pick up a pair of top notch headphones and attach a clip-on mic. I suggest you post over at head-fi to hear opinions from people who actually know what they're talking about.

If you're serious about gaming and surround sound, you should probably check out this thread.
 
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One thing I've learned about headsets and online gaming is... the more expensive the headset, the better it is. This definitely isn't true in all facets of life where money and quality might not always intermix but when it comes to online gaming, it's time to get serious bros.

I use Bose.
 
MyOwnDemon said:
One thing I've learned about headsets and online gaming is... the more expensive the headset, the better it is. This definitely isn't true in all facets of life where money and quality might not always intermix but when it comes to online gaming, it's time to get serious bros.

I use Bose.
Click to expand...

Audio is generally one of those categories where more expensive is normally better.

Also Bose, meh. I recently got a pair of Bose IE2 earbuds, and they are far from fantastic, but great for the gym. If it wasn't for how well they stick in your ear I would have taken them back.

Now I'm not trying to knock all of Bose's line but haven't really been that impressed by hearing their stuff in the past.
 
Wireless is the way to go for me - I'll take a drop off in sound quality to not have the damn wire getting caught up in my chair or feet. The plantronics are pretty good.
 
Thanks for your suggestions!

@Staccs: Thanks for the link to head-fi. Read quite a few posts there. Basically it's hard to compete with the value that the PC360 brings to the table when you consider price, sound, etc. Only $200 on Amazon. The headset at the next level up was about $400 and change.

@Rage9: There are lots of much better headsets out there which obviously cost more than $200. I have seen some that are in the thousands and of course those deliver absolutely amazing results. BOSE is not recommended by experienced audiophiles as the value of BOSE is not what it is with other companies. A while back I was looking for in-ear plugs for flights and I asked on avsforum about bose, beats, etc... In the end Klispch S4i is what I got after following the advice on the forum. BOSE isn't a "BAD" product but their prices are out of whack for what you get. Your paying for the brand really.

@HeavyD: For just skype and stuff like that I can see a wireless headset being quite useful. However for Skype I have my iPhone, which I can't wait to replace with a Windows Mobile 8 phone! Nothing like direct skype integration with the phone system itself.
 
try creative headset,they have good sound quality and the price is also reasonable when compared to others or else try philips,they are also good option
 
Thought I would report back on my findings...

Thanks to Staccs for pointing me to Head-Fi where I learned a lot about headphones. I got my PC360 and my X-Fi Titanium card. I was too lazy to install the card so I just used the onboard.

The sound was incredible. I turned on STS and it was even better.

So today I decided I need to take the time to clean my computer (filters on the fans), air can it and install the card.

With the X-Fi Titanium installed all I can say about the sound is "Precise Precision". The sound is perfect. Positioning someone just with sound is effortless.

I didn't really think adding the card was going to be worth it... But I can tell you that even though onboard sound has come a very long way. X-Fi still kicks it's ass.
 
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