36 replies to this topic

[Kazaii]

So my plantronics stereo headset (cannot recall the model number) has finally bit the dust. After much testing, I've come to terms with the fact that they can't take anymore of my abuse, or my kittens' abuse for that matter (it's not really that serious, I took great care of them until recently). So now I'm ready to move on... hopefully to newer/exciting things...

Things to know:
-I want quality
-Please be under $150 before taxes, nothing too insane (unless it's an amazing product).
-Would prefer a true 5.1 surround experience; however, it's not necessary.
-Comfortable and visually appealing (when I say that, I mean nothing my girlfriend would take facebook pics of, when I'm not looking, to embarrass me).
-Doesn't have to be expensive if you really can vouch for the headset
-I'm not a huge multimedia fiend like I used to be (unless I sneak movies like a 12 year old sneaks porn)... so don't consider Blu-ray viewing when you consider suggestions, please try to keep gaming in mind (i.e. bad company 2, source games (css,dods,rnl,l4d1&2,etc), sc2, perhaps WoW after exams...)
-You may tell me if 5.1 audio in headphones is a bust, because I'm unaware.

Basically I'm asking for personal/professional/random reviews of gaming headsets, since I have been out of the loop for so long. So go ahead and tell me about your headsets, and why you like them; I'm practically open to all suggestions. I'm seriously considering the Tritton AX 51 pro or the Tritton 720, yet it will most likely conflict with my 4th rule

edit: so you're aware of my audio capabilities, my pc audio solution is an onboard sound card. My Motherboard

Edited by Kazaii, 11 December 2010 - 12:58 AM.

[PTrain]

I'd go with the fatal1ty headset and spend the rest of your money on something else. I've had mine for years now and I love it.

It looks like the standard suggestions, the HD555 and the ATH-A700, are a bit out of your price range. I believe I've herd good things about the Grado SR80i but I've never listened to them personally.

[Tree_]

Pretty much what PTrain said. Unless your willing to put the money into a decent set of stereo headphones; you're looking at Fat cans. Spending more money on promises of gimmicks (Clear surround sound, audiophile quality in a gaming headset, more speakers = better) just isn't worth it when you can get a $30~ headset that probably works even better for more than half the price.

[Sir_Slik]

I'm enjoying my sony XB500's that run between 50-80 depending on where you go. No mic attached but a quality set, surround sound headphones are a gimmick... its the source that gives the impression of surround sound, not the headphones themselves.

[Kazaii]

I'd go with the fatal1ty headset and spend the rest of your money on something else. I've had mine for years now and I love it.

It looks like the standard suggestions, the HD555 and the ATH-A700, are a bit out of your price range. I believe I've herd good things about the Grado SR80i but I've never listened to them personally.

Awesome suggestions, yet I wasn't clear enough with my OP. I need a headset for gaming (ie headphones with mic attached). All the headphones u sent me were pretty sweet though (especially the grado SR80i's, I know because my girlfriend has a pair).
I think tree cleared it up with his confession about the fatality headset,. I suspected I would get the answer "waste of money", but if its true then I can't deny it.
Only thing I want in a headset is comfort, crystal clear mic, and a better than averagegaming audio experience).

[PTrain]

Then I'd definitely go with the Fatal1ty headset. The mic is good and it's very comfortable.

In addition you can always use a zalman clip on mic if you find a regular pair of headphones that you want to use for gaming.

[Kazaii]

After much sadness when looking at a ton of headsets... I finally stumbled upon this. Razer Megalodon. Review/Unboxing
I think it perfectly matches everything I mentioned in my OP.... in every regard... I'm still 90% skeptical towards the surround sound portion, but reviews make it seem promising. I am happy with all the razer products I own thus far, especially my razer mamba, so I'm wondering why I did not go to them first...
If this headset turns out to be a bust, then I'll just turn to the Fatal1ty and be done with it.

edit: After further research, I am sad to realize that this is just 2 drivers per cup with 'virtual 7.1' surround sound . Apparently it really does give you a great experience, but it's not a 'true 7.1' audio experience, which I'm not sure why I'd need it anyways...

Edited by Kazaii, 11 December 2010 - 11:07 PM.

[PTrain]

Here is some reading on a discussion we had about headphones with multiple drivers.

http://www.purepwnag...amp;hl=fatal1ty

[Kazaii]

snip

Thanks, I had issues finding a former thread.

[Sir_Slik]

Let explain a little better.

Your playing a game, all of its sound files were mixed in stereo.

You buy a "surround sound" headphone set.

Stereo means 2 channels, 1 channel per earcup. Now you may have 3 (or more) speakers in one earcup but they are all receiving the same signal, your headphones will try, through hardwiring, split the signal into surround sound. However there is only so much room to put that wiring in there, so it might give a limited impression of 7.1 but in the end it's still a stereo signal you are listening to.

Buy a quality stereo headset (2 drivers) and a nice soundcard/source. Now these headphones aren't going to try to fuck with the signal, less distortion. However your source will play with the signal if you tell it to and because it is digital it has much more room to do more with that signal in an accurate way, as none of it is limited by a physical space unlike "surround sound" headphones. This is where the real magic of surround sound happens, before it ever makes it's way to your headphones.


That considered, take two evenly priced headphone sets... one is stereo and the other is "surround sound". You payed 100 for each. Taking a look at your surround sound set, you had to pay for 6 separate drivers vs the two you pay for with the stereo set. If the company that made the surround set prices theirs the same as the stereo set, they had to cut costs somewhere otherwise it just wouldn't be possible to offer it at an affordable price and guess where the costs get cut? That's right, they use lesser quality drivers.

Enjoy your 6 subpar drivers while I indulge in my 2 high quality drivers.

Edited by Sir_Slik, 15 December 2010 - 08:31 AM.

[Kazaii]

Let explain a little better.

Your playing a game, all of its sound files were mixed in stereo.

You buy a "surround sound" headphone set.

Stereo means 2 channels, 1 channel per earcup. Now you may have 3 (or more) speakers in one earcup but they are all receiving the same signal, your headphones will try, through hardwiring, split the signal into surround sound. However there is only so much room to put that wiring in there, so it might give a limited impression of 7.1 but in the end it's still a stereo signal you are listening to.

Buy a quality stereo headset (2 drivers) and a nice soundcard/source. Now these headphones aren't going to try to fuck with the signal, less distortion. However your source will play with the signal if you tell it to and because it is digital it has much more room to do more with that signal in an accurate way, as none of it is limited by a physical space unlike "surround sound" headphones. This is where the real magic of surround sound happens, before it ever makes it's way to your headphones.


That considered, take two evenly priced headphone sets... one is stereo and the other is "surround sound". You payed 100 for each. Taking a look at your surround sound set, you had to pay for 6 separate drivers vs the two you pay for with the stereo set. If the company that made the surround set prices theirs the same as the stereo set, they had to cut costs somewhere otherwise it just wouldn't be possible to offer it at an affordable price and guess where the costs get cut? That's right, they use lesser quality drivers.

Enjoy your 6 subpar drivers while I indulge in my 2 high quality drivers.

Who are u arguing with? Its already been clearly stated in this thread and the other thread linked that stereo is far superior to surround sound in quality.

[Weiman]

Well, the original poster of the linked thread didn't really agree I guess. Oh well.

[Sir_Slik]

No one really, just trying to steer people clear of buying junk.

[ThrashTitan]

No one really, just trying to steer people clear of buying junk.

And that you did. I am picking the Fatal1ty ones up tomorrow.

[Kazaii]

I ended up going with Psyko 5.1 headset for $160. Very impressed and they serve me exactly as I wanted (meaning the surround sound actually works). I think I'll go with the HD 555's in the future when I want a true quality listening experience, but for now these are serving me well in BFBC2 Vietnam =].

before u come at me bros: I'm aware of the lack of quality and the many drawbacks of my headset, but I still do not regret my purchase. I am 100% satisfied.

Edited by Kazaii, 18 December 2010 - 08:35 PM.

[Tree_]

After everything you were originally told you went with a horrendous looking $160 headset I doubt anyone here has even heard of ... I'm impressed

Edit: For anyone who wants to check them out: http://www.psykoaudio.com/. They are *the ugliest* thing I have ever seen.

[Sir_Slik]

Sigh* fail

Your headset is doing the same thing a soundcard with 3d mixing does, except yours is it doing using a rusty spoon and everyone else is using a surgical scalpel. You'll regret that purchase down the road.

Edited by Sir_Slik, 18 December 2010 - 11:18 PM.

[Kazaii]

After everything you were originally told you went with a horrendous looking $160 headset I doubt anyone here has even heard of ... I'm impressed

Edit: For anyone who wants to check them out: http://www.psykoaudio.com/. They are *the ugliest* thing I have ever seen.

They're not just ugly, they're ridiculous looking. They also weigh 1.2lbs, they sounds fully seeps thru the headband so u broadcast your audio, the mic isn't adjustable but luckily picks up my voice with pretty good quality; however, none of this bothers me lol. I wanted a 5.1 audio solution in a headset, this is the only one that works properly from a design standpoint. Yet, I kinda do miss getting laid

Edited by Kazaii, 19 December 2010 - 12:12 AM.

[BlG_BALLS]

Kazaii....how are you enjoying those new headphones? What soundcard are you using(if any)?

I just purchased a pair,on account that they sound great,the reviews,and what it potentially provides....and they were on sale.
It's been almost two years since I've purchased a gaming headset,so figured it's about time for a new exp. Plus,if they are junk,I can return em.

I do have Senns HD650's for non gaming apps,and the wifey uses on her puter,HD595's,which she uses exclusively for gaming. No clue personally how the 595's are in gaming,as I haven't used em,but she seems to love em. She only plays WOW. Playing the game WOW,would it aid a player,having true 5.1 directional sound?

I play mainly FPS games,and having "true" 5.1 directional sounds,is a big aid in my gaming exp.

[Kazaii]

Kazaii....how are you enjoying those new headphones? What soundcard are you using(if any)?

I just purchased a pair,on account that they sound great,the reviews,and what it potentially provides....and they were on sale.
It's been almost two years since I've purchased a gaming headset,so figured it's about time for a new exp. Plus,if they are junk,I can return em.

I do have Senns HD650's for non gaming apps,and the wifey uses on her puter,HD595's,which she uses exclusively for gaming. No clue personally how the 595's are in gaming,as I haven't used em,but she seems to love em. She only plays WOW. Playing the game WOW,would it aid a player,having true 5.1 directional sound?

I play mainly FPS games,and having "true" 5.1 directional sounds,is a big aid in my gaming exp.

I'm nothing but impressed with the performance of this headset so far. My sound card was shit so i ripped it out last month. I'm gonna upgrade to an HT Omega or a X-FI fatal1ty next month. What's your impression so far? I had problems with the volume of the mic at first but now it's crystal clear.