Best ~$50 computer gaming headphones

[Fraggable]

I have decided that I need some new computer gaming headphones because the ones I have are dying. I have looked at Radio Shack, BB, HH Gregg, Sears and Gamestop and didn't find anything appropriate. It needs to have a microphone. Please post reccomendations.

If it matters, I'll be playing mainly BF2, C+C Generals + ZH, BF 1942, Far Cry and similar.

Thanks.

 

[Excelsior]

Sennheiser PC150s.

 

[bub]

Best that I've used so far = Sennheiser PC150
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/ecsplash/shop/detail.asp?dpno=265386

New and better(?) = Sennheiser PC160:
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=445940

 

[HDTVMan]

Sennheisers they rock. Any of them.

 

[Fraggable]

Are the USB headphones any good? I have onboard sound now and don't have any immediate plans for getting a sound card and if the sound quality is better with USB I might not need to get a sound card.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
Are the USB headphones any good? I have onboard sound now and don't have any immediate plans for getting one and if the sound quality is better with USB I might not need to get a sound card.

Id say the onboard is just fine.

 

[Fraggable]

Yeah I think I'll stick with onboard for now. I have a 5.1 setup too but rarely use it because everyone else in the house complains about it. From what I've read, sound quality is high enough out of onboard sound if you're using headphones. Only problem i've had with it is in Far Cry when there's a huge explosion it crackles a bit but I can live with that.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[daftpunkit]

those Sennheiser PC150s have a good built in mic?

I am looking for a decent headphone/mic setup for using ventrilo in CS:S, etc and WoW. The Sennheiser's look good for $35, but I was always under the impression Sennheiser was expensive.

 

[Ike0069]

I've never used them, but everywhere I read the PC-150's are always listed as the best headset for <$50.
Should work perfect for Vent.

 

[jjiral]

Definitely the best headset for bout 50 bucks is the AudioFX from edimensioinal. http://www.edimensional.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=30
The vibration p0wnz w/ CSS and BF2
great sound and mic
I got em at newegg.

 

[konakona]

If you dont mind going seperate mic + phones I am willing to bet HD-201 + logitech USB mic will be much nicer than pc-150.
never really used it, but pc-150 really isnt known for its high quality output, plus it is open. HD-201, on the other hand, is closed and touted as best value under $50.
I was going to pick up a pair of AKG 26p for portable use, but reports of newer batch sacrificing sound quality for efficiency, I am leaning towards the senns.

 

[earthscapeone]

I'm not sure of the quality, but Zalman makes a true surround sound 5.1 headphone for around $50, and they also have an -m version of the same thing that includes a microphone. (see Zalman website). Each earphone has 3 drivers (front, middle, rear), so it's not simulated surround sound but real. Pricegrabber told me to go to Zipzoomfly to get it for about $50, and as I was about to order, the website informed me I could get the same quality, same functionality phones for about $30 (the MM Gear M500FL 5.1 Channel Headphone), but that doesn't have a mic. That's what I'm getting, and hope I made a good choice.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: earthscapeone
I'm not sure of the quality, but Zalman makes a true surround sound 5.1 headphone for around $50, and they also have an -m version of the same thing that includes a microphone. (see Zalman website). Each earphone has 3 drivers (front, middle, rear), so it's not simulated surround sound but real. Pricegrabber told me to go to Zipzoomfly to get it for about $50, and as I was about to order, the website informed me I could get the same quality, same functionality phones for about $30 (the MM Gear M500FL 5.1 Channel Headphone), but that doesn't have a mic. That's what I'm getting, and hope I made a good choice.

Generally I think 5.1 headphones are a gimmic.

For one thing, to get that number of drivers in a headphone for the same price as a similar stereo set, the quality has to be significantly lower.
I think you'd be better off with a stereo set and doing headphone surround effects with an A2 or something.

Search for headphone of headphones in the peripherals section and you'll hopefully find several threads on the matter.

 

[xtknight]

For $50: Sennheiser PC150.

Slightly off topic: Is there a reason to avoid professional headphones like the SENNHEISER HD 280 for gaming? You avoid the pro video cards like Quadro because of their inferior gaming performance. Does the same apply here? Or is it 'the more expensive the better'? Which would you guys say would produce better sound? SENNHEISER HD 280 or SENNHEISER HD 485? Also how about the SENNHEISER HD 497 headphones? They have a higher model number than the HD 485 (also seem to be the same "class"), yet the HD 497s are cheaper. Anyone have first-hand experience with any of these? Right now I have HD 457s, and I'm impressed, but still want even better sound. I have an Audigy 2 ZS Gamer sound card. Is that enough to blow me away, or need I step up to other M-Audio solutions? I see deeper bass in my future.

 

[Excelsior]

I would avoid the Rs120s simply because they are wireless.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
I would avoid the Rs120s simply because they are wireless.

Sorry, I posted the wrong model. I was actually looking at the SENNHEISER HD 280. I'd never buy anything wireless, ever again, since my experience with a Logitech wireless mouse.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: Excelsior
I would avoid the Rs120s simply because they are wireless.

Sorry, I posted the wrong model. I was actually looking at the SENNHEISER HD 280. I'd never buy anything wireless, ever again, since my experience with a Logitech wireless mouse.

I got my 280s for $60 a while back and I'm very pleased with them.

No reason to avoid "professional" models as far as I know.

 

[xtknight]

The reason I asked is because on the pro ones it says, "for critical monitoring applications", I didn't know if that meant it "oversaturated" the sound so it was easier to hear, or it was just because the headphones were extremely good.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: xtknight
The reason I asked is because on the pro ones it says, "for critical monitoring applications", I didn't know if that meant it "oversaturated" the sound so it was easier to hear, or it was just because the headphones were extremely good.

Well, they isolate you well from outside noise... so that might be part of it.

I think they're pretty neutral for their response for a pair of headphones.

 

[konakona]

it would be stupid to get the audiophile headphones just for the sake of gaming, but why not use them if you already have them.. my hd-650s work fine for games

there was a pretty good deal on hd280 from ecost a while ago... again, my vote goes to HD-201 unless for some ungodly reason you HAVE TO have much worse headphones with built-in mic.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: VanillaH
it would be stupid to get the audiophile headphones just for the sake of gaming, but why not use them if you already have them.. my hd-650s work fine for games

there was a pretty good deal on hd280 from ecost a while ago... again, my vote goes to HD-201 unless for some ungodly reason you HAVE TO have much worse headphones with built-in mic.

Yeah, ecost is where I got mine for $60.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: VanillaH
it would be stupid to get the audiophile headphones just for the sake of gaming, but why not use them if you already have them.. my hd-650s work fine for games

Why?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: VanillaH
it would be stupid to get the audiophile headphones just for the sake of gaming, but why not use them if you already have them.. my hd-650s work fine for games

Why?

Higher quality headphones make more of a difference for music. It's nice to have good headphones for gaming, but not required at all.

 

[xtknight]

What about compressed music such as off of a site like LAUNCH? Will it make the sound more "aired out", or just accentuate the compression artifacts?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: xtknight
What about compressed music such as off of a site like LAUNCH? Will it make the sound more "aired out", or just accentuate the compression artifacts?

I haven't used LAUNCH.

You'll certainly be able to hear more flaws with a good set of headphones or better sound equipment in general, but if they did a good job making their songs, then it will sound that much better.