Gaming Headsets (seeking recommendations)

[Klarko]

Im looking for some advice on a new headset. I am about to get a new soundcard (Xonar DX PCI-Express)

My budget is about $70. As I need to keep my order under $150.

Did some reviewing but most of the recommended ones were $90+

Gaming is first concern. (bc2)
Music is second.
Comfort, and then the rest.

Gonna make a purchase tonight so all recommendations would be great

[cabbspapp]

I don't really know what headphones to recommend at that price range, but don't fall into the surround sound marketing. It doesn't work and makes everything sound muffled and music sounds like crap. Stick to stereo.

I use DT 770's, but they're out of your price range.

[Klarko]

Well i guess I would have look for the best price/performance headset. usually those fall into the $50 range...

[zanzabar]

there is an audio tecnica one that is $80-100, buy headphones and then a mic, that will save u a good $50-150 and u can get good headphones that way. most gaming oriented stuff is that fake 5.1 crap or some cheap stuff with a mic taped on

[Klarko]

Well i already have good headphones, so maybe we could find a good mic?

[cabbspapp]

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Microph...8396213&sr=8-1

That's what I use with my headphones.

[pcsky3]

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Microph...8396213&sr=8-1

That's what I use with my headphones.

looks cute stuff

[Erklat]

Damn, I liked Kave until I saw this.

So this is the reason why most gamers prefer Steelseries. They are stereo, right?

[cabbspapp]

Damn, I liked Kave until I saw this.

So this is the reason why most gamers prefer Steelseries. They are stereo, right?

Steelseries has stereo and surround headphones.

[Erklat]

Siberia v2 to be precise. Sorry.

[cabbspapp]

The USB version has virtual surround, but the non-USB version is stereo.

[Erklat]

Yeah, but I for sure wouldn't be using their crappy emulation while Xonar is sitting around doing nothing

So what do you think about them?

[cabbspapp]

I haven't used them personally, so I can't really say. Most people into audio usually don't have good things to say about "gaming" headphones though.

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/...echnika-ad-700

[jchow1]

there is an audio tecnica one that is $80-100, buy headphones and then a mic, that will save u a good $50-150 and u can get good headphones that way. most gaming oriented stuff is that fake 5.1 crap or some cheap stuff with a mic taped on

i agree with zanzabar, the audio quality of a lot of gaming headsets is crappy. I usually game with a set of Bose headphones or Sennheiser HD555's with a desktop mic, and it works great.

[S3RV0]

+1 for audio technica

I've been using http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica.../dp/B000E9VKUQ for over a year now and I love them. Don't get crappy headsets, stick with nice cans and a mic.

I personally cut up my original Rock Band USB mic and soldered a XLR jack to plug in my Shure SM58 for better sound quality and just ended up using for my PC as well.

[Klarko]

Well I looked at mics but they all are on the desk. (newegg)

I did like the zalman, which i assume clips onto the headphone cable. Unfortunately that is not on newegg

[S3RV0]

Can you only buy what sells on newegg?

[Klarko]

Well ive got a gift card there so that's my first choice :P

And I have had some bad experiences with amazon, so Newegg would be my first option every time.

[little_scrapper]

I'm going to through in my $.02. I'm sure it will tend to flame the Sennheiser crowd ( I will refrain from the word "fanboys"). Seriously, though thier rhetoric would tend to put them into this category, Sennheiser is some seriously nice equip. But... and her is the nice but for the rest of us NON-AUDIOPHILES. I have recently had the pleasure of trying out (thouroughly over several hours) a Sennheiser HD555. Damn they are nice!! No question. But for a non audiophile/regular gamer they are not SO much better then a pair of Steelseries or so-and-so other $50 headsets to be worth the money. Because, quite frankly, we cant tell the diference. Ok, i admit that the Sennheiser HD555 seemed to have better 'sound'. There just wasnt that much difference.

IMO, if your just a regular user, go for the $50 headset and dont spend the $150 on the 'high' end sets.

If you are a musician/sound editor... Definately spend as much as you can.

[Klarko]

Well ive got some good earbuds but getting a mic with them doesnt sound like a great idea.

I will look into some steel series tonight, the Serbia v2's are outside my price range though...

Thanks all for the input

[Stoner@Large]

I love my steel series, deffinitly try to get you some of those if there is anychance.
this is the set I have and swear by them. Save up the extra if needed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-043-_-Product

theres also these but not sure how good they are comepair to the V2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-006-_-Product

[sudo_euclid]

I have the sennheiser pc161's, and can definitely recommend them. They seem to be alot more expensive now than when i got them though for some reason..

[Taskforce]

Sennheiser FTW.

[acidpython]

HD555s is what i own great sound and can take a good beating if you're a bit rough with your headphones. I've also heard amazing things about AT-AD700 but they might be a bit out of your budget

[damha]

For gaming, don't spend more than 100$ on headphones. It's just not worth it. If you want to consider IEMs, I would suggest the headdirect re0 for excellent sound reproducibility and isolation.

There two factors that matter most to me when it comes to gaming headsets: bass and comfort. Sound isolation for immersion, but not as important.