Good Headset for Gaming

[Check]

I'm looking to get a new headset and I have yet to found anything looks all that amazing to me no matter what the price range is. 5.1 is absolutely out of the question and I would prefer a headset not just a good pair of headphones and a good mic, although I'm up for anything at this point.

Anyone who suggests something from logitech or Icemat gets an automatic kick in the balls as well.

 

[Kinslayer777]

Hmm...What a non hostile and welcoming question


I, of course, am useless. i would suggest though naming your price range. Even if you're looking for something no matter the price range, It'd still be useful to know what sort of price range you'd prefer...Ok, nevermind, i guess you did say 'no matter the price range' and therefore this post is useless. Wait, no, the first line. Few people like hostility.

 

[CP5670]

Since you haven't specified a price range, the Beyer DT291 (a DT250 with a microphone) will do what you want for about $200.

 

[ViRGE]

I'm curious to hear why you're set on a headset, and not just cans + mic. Going the former route really limits your choices, and unless you're going to be doing recordings or something, I really don't think anyone is going to notice/care if you're using a clip-on mic instead.

 

[benplaut]

cans and a mic? how about cans and headphones. Can and string will work fine for the voice part of things.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
I'm curious to hear why you're set on a headset, and not just cans + mic. Going the former route really limits your choices, and unless you're going to be doing recordings or something, I really don't think anyone is going to notice/care if you're using a clip-on mic instead.

This is what I use and it works great. I really cannot think of any good reason not to do this.

 

[Check]

I've found that open air mics in the past let a lot of ambient noise in that is unwanted. Since I am in a somewhat noisy atmosphere that is why I don't want to go with the cans and a mic.

edit:
Oh yeah, and as for the hostility. I know for a fact that Logitech and Icemat headsets aren't that great and I'm tired of people telling me to get those and that they are "Amazing".

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: check
I've found that open air mics in the past let a lot of ambient noise in that is unwanted. Since I am in a somewhat noisy atmosphere that is why I don't want to go with the cans and a mic.

Fair enough, but I use my clip-on mic in my 'den' with the windows open (dowtown urban centre) and I have not heard a lot of ambient noise, nor have I heard complaints from anyone else I game with.

Unless you are gaming in some sort of factory environment, with hammers hammering and welders welding, then I can't see that it would be a major problem.

How about those Sennheiser PC 160s, they look pretty nice: Review here (click me!)

 

[43st]

I use the Audio-Technica A900 and Zalman Mic-1. I've used various headsets, stereo cans, 5.1 cans, and these have been the best setup to date. The mic is fairly sensitive omni-directional near-field so you'll need to use PTT when using it.

Also see cr0ssfire's post here.

 

[Kinslayer777]

Ok It just seemed overall hostile at the time, but now it doesnt as much. Sorry, i must have been in a grumpy mood

 

[cryptonomicon]

what's the desired price range?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Why are 5.1's out of the question? I went from a nice headset(non-surround) to a set of Medusa 5.1's and it's like night and day. Love them for gaming.

 

[43st]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Why are 5.1's out of the question? I went from a nice headset(non-surround) to a set of Medusa 5.1's and it's like night and day. Love them for gaming.

The main issue I had with 5.1 headphones was the low frequency response.

From google I see that the Medusa 5.1 has a 30Hz - 16kHz range. I'd call 20kHz the bare minimum for a cheap set of headphones, maybe 24 if you're lucky, by contrast the A900 is 5Hz - 40kHz.

I've found that the frequency response makes a much larger and profound difference in gaming than 5.1 sound does, which arguably is rather unspectacular in current games. The 3D positional audio (in high quality stereo headphones) is just much better defined, both in accurate distance estimation and in sound intensity. I think it can be quantified easily with in-game footsteps. Footsteps at a distance require high frequency and low volume, as they get closer the frequency drops but the volume increases. Once they're next to you it's pretty much all volume and middle range frequencies. With A900 headphones I can hear the footsteps the very instant they enter my listening sphere, I didn't have that ability with the 5.1 headphones because the poor speaker couldn't reproduce the high freq./low volume sound.

I think hardware review websites do a real disservice to audio and gamers. Both in pumping up inferior audio products and in not providing audio eduction and references to gamers. I was in this boat for a long time, always searching for a better audio solution and not really having any frame of reference other than trial and error. All I can say is try out as many as you can and actually test them in games. Find several in-game objects that emit sound and test when they come within range, listen to footsteps of teammates, etc.. You'll start hearing the difference.

 

[Check]

For the Sennheiser PC 160s I have read that they are good, but not a good deal for the price you pay.

As for the my gaming setting I sit between two windows and it is generally pretty windy in the room so that's why I'm a little hesitant having never used clip on mics before.

 

[Machine350]

I've got a set of Sennheiser PC 150s, they sound surprisingly good for the price. I know where you're coming from on the logitech/Icemat issue. You can't go wrong with Sennheiser, they know their audio. I've had a set of HD 280's on my head and they sound phenomenal, but they don't have the mic. Also, I know what he means about 5.1 in a headset, it doesn't work, the pair I tried sounded like complete crap, I sent them back. I think it was an ezonics product, sounded horrible.

 

[GreySpear]

I have these 2, Plantronics 3.5mm and Plantronics USB. They are really comfortable, I usually wear them for long periods of time. Main reason being that they are pretty loose, they have yet to fall off though. I feel the USB one is kinda a waste of money, dont really remember why I even bought it.