Best gaming headset for the money

[Shyatic]

The Sennheiser PC350 are amazing. Comfortable with eyeglasses (I have thick glasses when I choose to wear them, mostly contacts though), great sound, great mic.

I've gone through a LOT of the 7.1 gimmick models; you can't get positional sound from the sound being so close to your ears, not that I've heard anyway.

 

[futurefields]

gonna give these $30 monoprice cans a try

the reviews look great

theyre just headphones mind you

 

[yhelothar]

Virtual < Real

Not really. You have two ears yet it's enough to perceive perfect directional audio in real life.

 

[HumblePie]

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Battlefi...rds=blackshark

I use these and they are awesome. I've used the G930s, A40s, and a bunch of other headsets. The reason I don't use those headsets anymore over the Blacksharks is that they have all fallen apart. Durability on those plastic gaming headsets are from 6-12 months on average. There are just certain failure points in the designs that don't take any wear and tear at all before snapping. I can point to the flaw in all them if you really care to know. But suffice to say, it is not a matter of IF other plastic game headsets break, but when they will. I promise you that they will fail. I went through several G930s and other headsets. Once you start throwing $100+ gaming headsets in the trash every 6 months or so you get a bit pissed off. This is coming from a guy who until recently had no kids, lived alone, and had a "gaming' center in my place. I took exceptional care of my computer and peripherals.

The blackshark is just SOLID. It has lasted me far longer now than anything I previously had. Sound quality is exceptional too. Only thing it lacks are inline cord controls, and the over the ear muffs are a tad on the small side. If you have big ears that can make them uncomfortable to wear over extended gaming periods. Other than that, they are built to last.

 

[BrightCandle]

Rather than looking at gaming headsets, which are typically overpriced for the audio capabilities they provide I would suggest looking at buying the mic and headphones separately. Then you can choose companies that do each aspect well and not get into the same cycle of rebuying rubbish over and over. Gaming headsets are basically rubbish, the mics are often pretty bad but the audio quality from the cans are usually really badly coloured.

Something like a modmic would solve the microphone on any pair of headphones issue. You get one of those and it will work with any headphones you choose to buy, and then you can go about getting a set of headphones that is good for soundstage, which helps in positional surround sound produced for headphones. Something like the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 will deliver a great gaming experience with a decent sound card, also do music and such really well and combined with an external mic gives you everything you need and a set of headphones that should last a decade or more.

 

[BlueWeasel]

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

If the cable is detachable and uses a standard 3.5mm (1/8") jack, then sure, the BoomMic will work fine.

 

[SLU Aequitas]

Rather than looking at gaming headsets, which are typically overpriced for the audio capabilities they provide I would suggest looking at buying the mic and headphones separately. Then you can choose companies that do each aspect well and not get into the same cycle of rebuying rubbish over and over. Gaming headsets are basically rubbish, the mics are often pretty bad but the audio quality from the cans are usually really badly coloured.

Something like a modmic would solve the microphone on any pair of headphones issue. You get one of those and it will work with any headphones you choose to buy, and then you can go about getting a set of headphones that is good for soundstage, which helps in positional surround sound produced for headphones. Something like the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 will deliver a great gaming experience with a decent sound card, also do music and such really well and combined with an external mic gives you everything you need and a set of headphones that should last a decade or more.

He already has the ATH-AD700s (I do as well, and I totally agree, beautiful sound and so darn comfy):

<snip>
[*]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?

And I totally agree with the point of your post: just grab a mic, you'll be downgrading sound and definitely comfort (seriously, 700s are crazy comfy) for a mic?

 

[BrightCandle]

Ah well in which case the answer is to buy a modmic, then you get a headset when you want to by attaching the microhone. Its cheaper than buying a new set of cans and it'll do the job better.

/Solved

 

[SLU Aequitas]

Ah well in which case the answer is to buy a modmic, then you get a headset when you want to by attaching the microhone. Its cheaper than buying a new set of cans and it'll do the job better.

/Solved

^^^ Second this, modmic has excellent sound quality + noise reduction, and it looks/works well.

 

[futurefields]

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

how do you like those?

was just about to order some but now I am hearing they are too tight on the head for extended use

 

[Nebor]

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Battlefi...rds=blackshark

I use these and they are awesome. I've used the G930s, A40s, and a bunch of other headsets. The reason I don't use those headsets anymore over the Blacksharks is that they have all fallen apart. Durability on those plastic gaming headsets are from 6-12 months on average. There are just certain failure points in the designs that don't take any wear and tear at all before snapping. I can point to the flaw in all them if you really care to know. But suffice to say, it is not a matter of IF other plastic game headsets break, but when they will. I promise you that they will fail. I went through several G930s and other headsets. Once you start throwing $100+ gaming headsets in the trash every 6 months or so you get a bit pissed off. This is coming from a guy who until recently had no kids, lived alone, and had a "gaming' center in my place. I took exceptional care of my computer and peripherals.

The blackshark is just SOLID. It has lasted me far longer now than anything I previously had. Sound quality is exceptional too. Only thing it lacks are inline cord controls, and the over the ear muffs are a tad on the small side. If you have big ears that can make them uncomfortable to wear over extended gaming periods. Other than that, they are built to last.

Those look like ass. I have some G35s that have survived a couple trips to Afghanistan and back, but the fake black leather stuff on the ear cups is coming off so I'd like to get something new.

 

[coloumb]

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Battlefi...rds=blackshark

I use these and they are awesome. I've used the G930s, A40s, and a bunch of other headsets. The reason I don't use those headsets anymore over the Blacksharks is that they have all fallen apart. Durability on those plastic gaming headsets are from 6-12 months on average. There are just certain failure points in the designs that don't take any wear and tear at all before snapping. I can point to the flaw in all them if you really care to know. But suffice to say, it is not a matter of IF other plastic game headsets break, but when they will. I promise you that they will fail. I went through several G930s and other headsets. Once you start throwing $100+ gaming headsets in the trash every 6 months or so you get a bit pissed off. This is coming from a guy who until recently had no kids, lived alone, and had a "gaming' center in my place. I took exceptional care of my computer and peripherals.

The blackshark is just SOLID. It has lasted me far longer now than anything I previously had. Sound quality is exceptional too. Only thing it lacks are inline cord controls, and the over the ear muffs are a tad on the small side. If you have big ears that can make them uncomfortable to wear over extended gaming periods. Other than that, they are built to last.

Aesthetically those look pretty bad ass and they are in my price range.

I'm using a Plantronics headset w/mic that is at least a few years old and show literally no signs of wear. What the hell are people doing - throwing theirs across the room?

 

[Topweasel]

Aesthetically those look pretty bad ass and they are in my price range.

I'm using a Plantronics headset w/mic that is at least a few years old and show literally no signs of wear. What the hell are people doing - throwing theirs across the room?

This is my question. I mean I have broken my fair share of headsets in my day but its always the same thing. They either fall from a great height, sat on, stepped on or rolled over by my chair. Those were all $20-$30

I have some overall chincy early wireless Turtle Beach Xbox headsets (they have gotten a lot better) and they are still in prestine condition like 5 years later. But I took reasonable care of those (but still not perfect care).

If someone is breaking something because they "are plastic and bound to break" then you are probably not treating them right, because you think their cheap and therefore it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Personally I use a USB desktop directional boom mic, and I use a good set of headphones (current ones are MrSpeakers Alpha Dogs, which are over the ear sealed design so they block out a lot of background noise).

 

[HumblePie]

Aesthetically those look pretty bad ass and they are in my price range.

I'm using a Plantronics headset w/mic that is at least a few years old and show literally no signs of wear. What the hell are people doing - throwing theirs across the room?

The Plantronics gaming head I last used the mic snapped off one day. It was not abused, just regular usage of gaming every night. I'd store it on a hook on the wall and leave it there when not in use. It was the GameCom 367 version where the mic tucks into the side of the headband. I was pulling it out and SNAP! The mic broke off with barely any force applied. Just the force needed to pull the mic out normally as I had done for the 4 months I had it. I went through 2 sets of those and gave up as the mic snapped off both of them.

I also use the standard Blackshark color pattern which is this one here.

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-BlackSha...rds=blackshark

I managed to get it on sale for $70 for mine. Again, these have lasted over a year with no sign of it breaking anywhere anytime soon.

 

[HumblePie]

Those look like ass. I have some G35s that have survived a couple trips to Afghanistan and back, but the fake black leather stuff on the ear cups is coming off so I'd like to get something new.

I have the other color pattern

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-BlackSha...rds=blackshark

but the G35's I've gone through 4 of them. The all do the same thing. The nylon cord on them tends to bunch up constantly from normal usage. It will bunch up and split eventually. On top of that, as you mentioned, the faux leather comes off after about 6 months of regular usage. Faster if you have a sweaty head. The real problem with the logitech series of headphones is the swivel part on them. IF you look carefully where the headphone cans swivel on the headband, you'll notice that all that connects the cans to the band is a piece of plastic about 3 millimeters thick in diameter. That swivel piece is also hollow as the cords run through there. There just isn't any real structural stability in that spot as it is a tiny piece of plastic designed to move back and forth. It is not a matter of if it breaks but when. They WILL break and that is because of shitty design on that spot. Intentional or not, I have no clue, but it is a design flaw in all their product lines for gaming headsets and has been there for years.

This image of the G430's shows it best what I am talking about.

You can see that thin connecting black line connecting the cans to the band. The cans swivel on that piece of thin plastic that will wear out and break eventually.

 

[cbrunny]

http://us.playstation.com/ps3/accessories/higher-end-stereo-headset.html

I use these for my PC. Comes with a USB dongle so sound comes from that. They're just ok. I would not recommend based on what else is out there. The sound is pretty good imo, and they're quite soundproof - even with max volume others can't hear when they're being worn. The fit around the ear is excellent, but the fit above the head is poor. They're just not comfortable. The design is such that if you make them tighter the fit around the ear is excellent but across the top is uncomfortable, but if you loosen it the fit around the ear is poor and becomes more likely to fall off.

Too many good products out there to put up with that crap.

 

[Craig234]

Not 'the best', but I use a nice pair of Plantronics also ('game commander') that lasted for several years. Finally I needed to replace them and got the same basic model.

What not to get: the World of Warcraft headphones, 'on sale' for $100, heavy, uncomfortable, poor sound quality. Should have returned them.

 

[nsafreak]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments that you folks have given so far in this thread. I haven't finalized a decision as of yet but I'll post what I end up purchasing and my thoughts on it in this thread. I should note for the folks that mentioned going with the modmic route it's something I've considered as it would be a less expensive solution but I've decided not to go that route for a couple of reasons:

• The headphones I currently have (Audio Technica ATH-AD700 and Grado SR-125i) are both open designs and I prefer a closed back when I'm gaming
• I've considered adding it to a closed back set as well but one of the key features that I've grown to like of the G930 is the mic mute on boom arm swing. The Sennheiser PC350 headset has this feature as do some others that have been suggested. If I decide I can go without it and can deal with the mic mute button instead I may re-visit it

Thanks again for the suggestions, feel free to keep making them as I haven't made a firm decision yet and there are some other folks I've noticed in this thread with the same question.

 

[futurefields]

ordered some Sony MDR-V55's

 

[Eric1987]

Not really. You have two ears yet it's enough to perceive perfect directional audio in real life.

Real is always better than virtual. My Tiamat > Any 2.1 headset.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Real is always better than virtual. My Tiamat > Any 2.1 headset.

That is totally untrue. I'll put it to you this way: why try to simulate the way a theater plays sound with hardware when you can accurately simulate the way you actually hear sound? The problem is that you've never used a pair of headphones with good positional ability (such as the Creative Live Aurvana! or the AKG Q701). Here's a basic guide to the software of virtual surround.

 

[steve wilson]

I have had a pair of Sennheiser PC 350's for over a year now. They are very comfortable and sound quality is good. I wear them for hours sometimes when doing marathon gaming sessions. Would highly recommend them. I wear glasses with the headset, so in case you do too, they are very comfortable.

Do not touch the 330's, they are awful.

 

[Nebor]

I think I'm gonna go for the Sennheiser PC350s. I have some HD600s, and RS220s that I like (but rarely use,) as well as some of their sports earbuds that I use every day. I've always bought Logitech headphones for my PC since my mouse & keyboard are Logitech and it all seems to integrate well... But after 4 or so years of faithful service my G35s need replacing. And those Razer headphones are hideous.

 

[Ampersand38]

Real is always better than virtual. My Tiamat > Any 2.1 headset.

In this particular case, it's like saying 7 Atoms > 2 i7's.