Best gaming headset for the money

[nsafreak]

I know that this could also go into the peripherals section but I figure since the primary use is for gaming I might as well put the post in here. I currently have a pair of Logitech G930 headphones that I've recently refurbished a bit myself by putting on a new pair of earpads and replacing the battery. They now pretty much feel like a brand new pair. The problem I'm running into is that even with a brand new battery for some reason the software shows that they're out of juice in a little bit under an hour of usage. After uninstalling the software, re-installing the software, removing the settings.json file in my app directory for the software and various other fixes I've gotten quite frustrated and have decided that perhaps I'd be better off getting a new headset. So here's what I'm looking for in a headset:

• Over the ear design - This is more of a comfort consideration. If you know of a pair of on ear headphones that still feel fine after several hours of gameplay I'd consider them as well
• Sound quality - Decent sound quality is to be desired although what's most critical for me is a good microphone as I need to be heard clearly when FCing EVE online fleets and various other voice related activities
• Cost - I really haven't set the budget but I don't want to go super expensive. I'm looking for about $100 to $200

Headphones I've considered so far:

• Astro Gaming A50 wireless - They look like a really nice set and have a good reputation but that $300 price tag is kindof high. Would need some strong justification for this set
• Corsair Vengeance 2100 wireless - Corsair has generally been good to me with PSUs and other parts that I've purchased. They seem to build decent peripherals and this set seems to get good reviews. Opinions from AT?
• Creative Sound Blaster Recon 3D - For a while I've shied away from Creative products because their drivers had some serious issues. Don't get me wrong, I used to love their products especially when I picked up the AWE64 Gold, that was an awesome card for its time. Also charges on a stand so I don't think I can use it while charging. I can deal with it though if the pros outway this con. Any opinions on this headset?

Feel free to suggest other headsets or if you think you have an idea for how to fix my G930 feel free. From what I've read it's an issue with the micro USB connector easily getting loose so it might be that it's simply not sending a full charge to the battery.

 

[Skott]

Have you considered just buying a new set of G930s? I bought mine when they first came out and I still get 10 hour charges. I know several people that I game with that use the G930 too and they get the 10 hour game time as well. Anyway when people ask me what I suggest I tell them G930.

 

[nsafreak]

It's worth considering as I did purchase these used so perhaps they got abused a bit and it just wasn't visually evident from the outside. I just like to keep my options open and hear about other headsets.

 

[TheFamilyMan]

Astro A50's hands down. If you can do the wired version, the A40's are nice. Most comfortable and best overall gaming headphones I've used.

The base with the pass through was a nice touch as well. Nothing but good things to say about them and I've had numerous wireless sets. Have the G930's as mentioned above and they're good for the money as well.

 

[nsafreak]

Bumping this thread back up because I'm still looking for feedback and have decided that going with a wired headset would be fine as well. The one issue that I'm running into is finding out just how comfortable these headsets are to wear. It's pretty easy for me to find out when shopping for headphones as there are several audio shops closeby that carry pretty much any headphone that I want to try out. They of course don't include gaming headphones. I have considered purchasing a pair of headphones and just adding a microphone to them (such as going with a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50X headphones) but I prefer having a highly directional boom mic directly on the headset itself.

Some additional headsets I'm now considering:

• Sennheiser PC 350 SE - Has a lot of good reviews and I've had a pair of Sennheisers before with the HD280 Pros. The potential issue with them is that they may clamp just as hard as the HD280s which as an eyeglass wearer didn't make them too great for long sessions. Anybody have experience with these headets?
• Astro A40 - The one headset that I've actually gotten to try on. The comfort level on them is quite nice and the sound was decent even though the person I borrowed them from didn't bring his mixamp along. Currently these are hovering around the top of my list
• Audio Technica ATHADG1 - I wish I could seriously consider these as they are essentially a pair of ATH-AD700s (which I have and love) with a microphone mounted to them. Has anybody seen these less than $300?
• Roccat Kave XTD - I do not have any personal experience with the brand but they seem to be reasonably priced and look fairly comfortable. However looks are definitely not everything and what's more valuable is if they'll fit my needs or not
• Razer Tiamat 7.1 - I've heard some positive things about this headset but I'm not sold (like on the Kave XTD) of having multiple drivers in a headset. Any forum goers used these?

 

[Eric1987]

I have the Tiamat 7.1 and they sound amazing. I get a boner from BF4 sounds.

 

[ThinClient]

I love my G430.

 

[Lyfer]

I use these:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Logitech-H...adset/14944825

They're organic and gluten free if you're in to that kinda stuff.

 

[Soccerman06]

I happened to notice you didnt mention doing a nice headphones + mic option. While it might be a little more complex with setup and management of the mic, they can offer a better mix of quality audio.

 

[futurefields]

im interested in this topic as well

right now im just using the earbuds i use to listen to music

and although the sound quality is great, it doesnt seem ideal for gaming, having the earbuds in

i feel a wireless over-ear headset would be extremely liberating in that regard

 

[nsafreak]

I happened to notice you didnt mention doing a nice headphones + mic option. While it might be a little more complex with setup and management of the mic, they can offer a better mix of quality audio.

Actually I did in the second post although it was a bit obscure. The problem I have is that the only boom mic I've seen that I've seen that can do this is the antlion modmic. Problem is that I have heard of stock issues, issues with product that they ship, etc. that make me mighty uneasy ordering a mic from them. I'm currently using a Zalman ZM-Mic1 attached to my Audio Technica ATH-AD700s and while the setup works the microphone is not as directional as I'd like. If you're aware of another add on mic that can do the job (boom style) I'm willing to look into that as well. Not interested in a desktop mic though as my desk is fairly crowded as it is.

 

[MongGrel]

I happened to notice you didnt mention doing a nice headphones + mic option. While it might be a little more complex with setup and management of the mic, they can offer a better mix of quality audio.

I was going to mention that one myself, but you did.

A lot of people don't go for the AIO headphone gig.

 

[PBat51]

Have you considered just buying a new set of G930s? I bought mine when they first came out and I still get 10 hour charges. I know several people that I game with that use the G930 too and they get the 10 hour game time as well. Anyway when people ask me what I suggest I tell them G930.

I'm right there with you.


I've had to replace the ear-pads and the pad at the top of the head phones, but I still get 10 hours worth of charge.

 

[BlueWeasel]

If you've a detachable headphone cord, the V-Moda BoomMic is a great alternative to the Modmic. I've been using it for a few weeks now, and it's way better than any other cheap mic I've used, including the Zalman.

 

[Grooveriding]

Yes, separate mic and headphones is a much better choice. Gaming headsets are all pretty bad in comparison. I use a Blue Snowball mic and some HD598s for gaming. There are plenty of good headphones around $100 and decent enough mics for $20-$30.

 

[nsafreak]

If you've a detachable headphone cord, the V-Moda BoomMic is a great alternative to the Modmic. I've been using it for a few weeks now, and it's way better than any other cheap mic I've used, including the Zalman.

Now this a very interesting piece of hardware and may well enable me to purchase a pair of decent headphones and simply add this microphone. This prompted me to go looking at headphones and initially I was looking at the Audio Technica ATH-M50x headphones, unfortunately the connector to the headphone is propietary. I'm not sure if this is true of all Audio Technica headphones or not. Anybody care to recommend some headphones with a detachable cable that uses a standard 3.5 mm connector on the headphone side?

 

[Eric1987]

Yes, separate mic and headphones is a much better choice. Gaming headsets are all pretty bad in comparison. I use a Blue Snowball mic and some HD598s for gaming. There are plenty of good headphones around $100 and decent enough mics for $20-$30.

Not on the Razer Tiamat 7.1. Very few gaming headsets are better. Mic is great on this thing too.

 

[yhelothar]

Not on the Razer Tiamat 7.1. Very few gaming headsets are better. Mic is great on this thing too.

7.1 headphones doesn't hold a candle to binaural audio with a high quality set of stereo headphones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx4k8qewC_8

Binaural = virtually infinite channels, including above and below you.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Now this a very interesting piece of hardware and may well enable me to purchase a pair of decent headphones and simply add this microphone. This prompted me to go looking at headphones and initially I was looking at the Audio Technica ATH-M50x headphones, unfortunately the connector to the headphone is propietary. I'm not sure if this is true of all Audio Technica headphones or not. Anybody care to recommend some headphones with a detachable cable that uses a standard 3.5 mm connector on the headphone side?

I don't have the newer M50x's, but I did pay member of Head-Fi.org to mod my M50's and make the permanent cable detachable. Not sure if that's possible with the M50x headphones - I didn't realize those used a proprietary connection.

 

[ThinClient]

7.1 headphones doesn't hold a candle to binaural audio with a high quality set of stereo headphones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx4k8qewC_8

Binaural = virtually infinite channels, including above and below you.

That works just fine on my 7.1 G430's.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Sennheiser.

Had a PC150 back in the day and then got a PC350. PC350 has been going strong for 4 years.

 

[nsafreak]

How comfortable are the PC350s? As an eyeglass wearer the HD280 Pros clamped pretty hard. Are the PC350s more comfortable?

 

[Eric1987]

7.1 headphones doesn't hold a candle to binaural audio with a high quality set of stereo headphones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx4k8qewC_8

Binaural = virtually infinite channels, including above and below you.

Virtual < Real

 

[DigDog]

for $200, i'd look into semi-pro audio, and then frankenstein a microphone on them. Sugru (google it)tends to wrk magic in this cases.

You can get much better sound quality from a AKG, Beyer, sennheser.. etc .. than from anything branded "for gamers"; or rather, you can get absolutely horrible headphones when you buy "gamer" barnded material, while you won't get anything as abysmal if you buy from an audio company.

 

[Mandres]

Now this a very interesting piece of hardware

Yea, that's a pretty clever solution. I wonder if it'll fit my Monoprice cans?

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?se...&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=COy_3qnF9cACFUKCMgodcS0A2Q