59 replies to this topic

[Catamount]

Normally I'm giving advice when it comes to this particular product segment, but I find myself on the market for some headphones, and not solidly aware of a product that really fits me.


After only about a year, my second Razer Carcharias is breaking from normal wear and tear, so between that and the terrible sound insulation (other people tended to hear what was coming through the headphones very loudly in VOIP), I'm finally about through with that headset, but can't seem to figure out a good replacement.


While I'll take a good full PC headset if it has good sound quality and a decent price, I'd like something without a mic, preferably, because the sound quality is usually better on dedicated headphones (the Carcharias being somewhat of an exception at its price point), and it's easy enough to get a cheap clip-on mic, and I really like my dad's Sennheiser HD280s, which have good sound quality, great insulation, and are easy to get for only about $60 if you're willing to go refurbished, but they clamp on your head some damned hard, that I just can't stand using them for long periods of time. I'd gladly accept some more bleed on the sound if it meant not dealing with the 280s' skull-breaking clamp force (6N, I believe it is).



Does anyone have any suggestions for some good headphones or a good headset, that run $80-$100 new, with good sound quality, and preferable at least passable insulation? I'm looking for something circumaural.

Edited by Catamount, 18 January 2012 - 12:52 PM.

[Vincent Vascaul]

I have the thermaltake SHockspin setup and I like it pretty well the mic is seperate to it can be where ever you want it or not there at all and my only complaint is they the do not insulate me from outside noises super well but not an issue since I am surrounded by concrete

[Vulpesveritas]

I've heard nothing but good reviews for the sound quality of the Corsair Vengeance 1500 headset (7.1 surround sound with sound card inline on wire); (getting one myself)
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826816005

It's really the only good option in that price range. And outclasses many more expensive headsets in sound quality according to every review I've read.

[Catamount]

Hmm, after reading some reviews, I have to admit, I'm intruiged by those. They are highly rated.

Of course, if I was to do that, I'd have to consider the Roccat Kave too, now that they've come to the US.


It wasn't the direction I was thinking of going in, but for something that's going to be used primarily for gaming, maybe it would be the best route. Thanks for the input

Vincent Vascaul, on 18 January 2012 - 12:53 PM, said:

I have the thermaltake SHockspin setup and I like it pretty well the mic is seperate to it can be where ever you want it or not there at all and my only complaint is they the do not insulate me from outside noises super well but not an issue since I am surrounded by concrete

I looked around, but can't seem to find this headset cheap at the immediate moment (not as cheap as reviews were suggesting).

If that changes though, I might consider it. Thanks

Edited by Catamount, 19 January 2012 - 07:31 AM.

[Jacob]

AKG K404 and KOSS Porta Pro are both wonderful pieces of hardware. K 404 has nominally better sound and isolation than Porta Pro but the latter one is really light on the ears, after 10 hours your ears may be aching but only because of constant stream of sound.

[Catamount]

I've noticed a lot of people around various forums seem to like the Turtle Beach X12s, and I can't argue with the price (they're like $40-$50!); anyone have any experience with them?

Edited by Catamount, 19 January 2012 - 09:36 AM.

[Vulpesveritas]

I know just about the moment stores around here get them they get sold out. Of course when I've gotten people to compare them to this Creative Labs Fatal1ty headset, they find the creative labs headset to sound better: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826158082 .
Personal experience from my part time job.

[Catamount]

Vulpesveritas, on 19 January 2012 - 09:48 AM, said:

I know just about the moment stores around here get them they get sold out. Of course when I've gotten people to compare them to this Creative Labs Fatal1ty headset, they find the creative labs headset to sound better: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826158082 .
Personal experience from my part time job.

Hmm, I personally found the Carcharias to do a much better job than the Creative headsets, so if the X12 isn't as good as either, I'll probably look elsewhere.

All in all, I still like your suggestion for the Corsair set. USB headsets are more expensive, but they have their advantages.


Surround would also be interesting to play with. I'm not the "listen for footsteps" type, even if I do play FPS games I lot, but before they died, I liked my logitech 5.1 system a lot just for immersion.

Edited by Catamount, 19 January 2012 - 10:05 AM.

[Vulpesveritas]

and if you don't want to pay quite as much there is a 3.5mm analog version of that headset;
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826816004 $75

[Catamount]

Hmm, the thought had occurred to me, but then you lose the 7.1, right? The extra cost isn't that much for the 1500. I can swing $80-$90 or so.

I still think the 1500 is my top choice (reading reviews, the Roccat set is heavy and doesn't play nicely with all sound cards, for some odd reason, so I don't think I'll get the Kave).

You are right, reviewers love it.


As far as other options, have you heard anything about the Steelseries Siberia V2?


Out of curiosity, where do you work? I never sold sound equipment, even headsets, but working for both Staples and Target, I used to sell a lot of that general type of stuff myself, lots of cameras and entry-level laptops; selling cameras was always fun (at the time the first fixed-lense superzooms that were worth anything were starting to appear, and DSLRs were finally getting prevalent ).

[Vulpesveritas]

I'm part time at a 24 hour Super Kmart with a Office Max and a Best Buy next door.

[Nav]

I use and can recommend the Logitech G35.

However it is USB only (Has its built in soundcard), so if you want to be able to plug it into anything other than your PC, it wont really work.

Edited by Nav, 25 January 2012 - 03:44 AM.

[Vulpesveritas]

The corsair is $30 cheaper and you get true 7.1. not virtual 7.1.

[xlynn]

If you are looking for headphones for the iPod or iTouch I can highly recommend Shure SE310's or Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro's. Both are excellent mp3 headphones for the money. The bass response is a little better on the SE310's, but the UE's have a better overall sound in my personal opinion.

[kration]

I'm looking at getting a headset too. I'm tempted by the 'Plantronics Gamecom 780' headset. They are roughly the right price for me and I don't mind that they are USB only. (I've also got separate headphones which I use to listen to music)

http://www.amazon.co...d=3V7BGBRV5M189

Any thoughts on these?

What are the standard comms programmes these days? I used Ventrillo ages ago (in MW4) but haven't used it since. Will these headsets work with the current favourite comms software?

Edited by kration, 19 May 2012 - 10:01 AM.

[Gut]

I'm looking for a pair of circumaural headphones that basically do not touch my ears at all and rest securely on my head instead. I want them for use with a mic for gaming, but also something that is portable for use with an iPod.

I've only seen a few that meet this criteria, some of which go into the $250 range, which isn't out of the question for me but I want to know what the community suggests.

[Vulpesveritas]

Gut, on 01 June 2012 - 07:04 AM, said:

I'm looking for a pair of circumaural headphones that basically do not touch my ears at all and rest securely on my head instead. I want them for use with a mic for gaming, but also something that is portable for use with an iPod.

I've only seen a few that meet this criteria, some of which go into the $250 range, which isn't out of the question for me but I want to know what the community suggests.

I don't believe that the Corsair 1500 Vengenace touch your ears, but I would ask Cat. The Corsair Vengeance 1300, 1500, and 2000 headsets all have great reviews.

[Gut]

Vulpesveritas, on 01 June 2012 - 07:13 AM, said:

I don't believe that the Corsair 1500 Vengenace touch your ears, but I would ask Cat. The Corsair Vengeance 1300, 1500, and 2000 headsets all have great reviews.

Looking at the 1500, they are USB only, so that wouldn't work for the iPod. The 1300 are dual 3.5 so they should work. How are the earphones, Cat?

[Vulpesveritas]

Gut, on 01 June 2012 - 07:28 AM, said:

Looking at the 1500, they are USB only, so that wouldn't work for the iPod. The 1300 are dual 3.5 so they should work. How are the earphones, Cat?

Ah, sorry didn't read the iPod bit. Still, the 1300 are the 3.5mm version of the 1500 so they should be a good choice to look at... Cat loves his 1500's by what he's told me.

[Toothman]

Cyber Snipa Sonar 5.1 Championship Headset about $60

These are USB but I got them recently because my old logitech headset was a moving casualty. They are super comfortable, have very good sound and don't let the person in the next room listen to every shot you fire. I haven't tried out the mic a lot yet but its been fine so far.

http://www.tigerdire...5321&CatId=6898