Medusa 5.1's?

[sulanebouxi]

I'm thinking of buying myself a mid-range headset since I have a roomie and I'd prefer not to have sounds of explosions and gunfire going off everywhere . I'm pretty set on getting a headset since I need some kind of mic for VoIP, Ventrilo/Teamspeak and recording dialogue for my projects and whatnot. I figure a good pair of headphones is a good investment since I do watch a lot of movies and do a lot of gaming on my computer. I don't want to skimp too much.

I've narrowed my choices down to a few headsets.

Medusa 5.1 (So far, I've heard the best reviews on this since it has its own amp)
http://www.medusa-usa.com/medusa-51-progamer-edition-v2-p-896.html

Plantronics Gamecom Pro1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826106070

Sennheiser PC165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826159417

I'm seriously thinking of getting the Medusa's. It's manufactured by Speed-Link and it's a fairly unheard of brand but reviews have been very positive from what I've seen.

 

[Maluno]

For audio quality value, I would definitely recommend the Senns because of their excellent reputation. Generally speaking, most people will agree that 5.1 headsets have less to offer than conventional designs in terms of their audio clarity and

 

[Maluno]

For audio quality value, I would definitely recommend the Senns because of their excellent reputation. Generally speaking, most people will agree that 5.1 headsets have less to offer than conventional designs in terms of their audio clarity and

 

[potato28]

Why not consider buying a higher quality pair of Sennheiser HD280's, which won't let sound out, and a cheap mic that could clip onto the headphone cable?

 

[sulanebouxi]

I've actually just thought of that, potato. I figure I'm limiting myself by looking only at headsets. So, I've decided to get a good pair of headphones and separate mic. Forget those original picks! I've been searching these forums and I came across head-fi.org and there's some serious audiophiles there . I've found lots of great info but I'm totally overwhelmed by all the choices out there.

However, I am looking at the Sennheiser HD280's, the Audio-Technica A500/700 and the Beyerdynamic DT770/880. Mostly looking at the closed circumaural headphones right now since my room is next to a busy street and I'd also like to use them in quiet rooms.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Make sure you keep an eye on your wallet over at HeadFi

I've been quite happy with the isolation 280s provide.

 

[Maluno]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good mic for him? I am in the same boat as well, I just purchased a decent pair of closed cans (K81DJs), and am debating whether I should spend more to buy a second headset to replace my failing one for gaming or just buy a separate mic. I am leaning towards buying a mic because it would be less expensive, and I can make use of my nice headphones too. Are all cheap mics basically the same?

 

[potato28]

There's a cheap Zalman clip-on mic at Newegg and a few other places online which works fine.

 

[Never Knows Best]

I have the Medusa Pro Gamer 5.1 edition. It uses usb for the extra power and with an audigy 2 zs platinum it sounds great. Only thing is the wires connected to the microphone are not soldered on very well and when you rotate the microphone the wires inside can come off.

It's simple to fix just have to solder the wire back on, but with the new version in which you can't disconnect the microphone would make it hard to fix.

I suggest getting the Medusa 5.1 headphone with the amp and get a stand alone microphone. Although they might have resolved this issue with the microphone.

I have a Sennheiser PC 160 and it is good when you have eax on in games or open al, but with the 5.1 headset and eax there is just no comparison. No other stereo headphones can compete with 3 speakers per ear and one sub. Just make sure you set your bass redirection to 120hz which is the upper limit of the Medusa sub speaker.

 

[Slitherythesnake]

Originally posted by: sulanebouxi
I've actually just thought of that, potato. I figure I'm limiting myself by looking only at headsets. So, I've decided to get a good pair of headphones and separate mic. Forget those original picks! I've been searching these forums and I came across head-fi.org and there's some serious audiophiles there . I've found lots of great info but I'm totally overwhelmed by all the choices out there.

However, I am looking at the Sennheiser HD280's, the Audio-Technica A500/700 and the Beyerdynamic DT770/880. Mostly looking at the closed circumaural headphones right now since my room is next to a busy street and I'd also like to use them in quiet rooms.

According to this thread, most people recommended the Audio-Technicas above as they were supposedly some of the best sealed gaming headphones. However, I find my HD 280s quite suitable for gaming and I know that the Beyerdynamic DT 770/800 are fantastic headphones, although I have no idea whether they are good for gaming.

IMO, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the above headphones you mentioned.

 

[d0l0mite]

These Razer are about the best all around cans I've used. They sound great and are very comfortable. They're not cheap, but worth every penny. I bought them with the Razer Barracuda sound card, and I don't think a better setup could be had, not unless you spend way way more dollars. You can find the HP-1's on Froogle for 99 bucks. The mic is just regular quality, but the sound from these suckers is pretty damn amazing.

 

[BILDO]

I have been doing research for months, to tell you the truth. I recently dropped out of my gaming clan, so I had no rush to get a new headset.

I been looking at the Razer Barracuda hp-1's for sometime now, the few reviews that are out there say the HP-1 and the AC-1 (razer's sound card) together kick serious ass, but alone the HP-1 lacks a little in the rear speaker and the bass.

Now everyone is different in what they want from headphones, but user reviews all over the net are top notch.

I have a x-fi extreme music card, so I really dont wana shell out the extra $200 for a sound card when I already have a $100 one.

What I am looking for is great a great 5.1 experience with a Mic for team play. Im still unsure what to get and im lollygaggin around with my 2.1 dell speakers... haha.

Anyway, if you are concidering the Razers.... www.securemart.com has them for $95 for a total of $102 with the 7 buck shipping.

 

[LazyGit]

I got the medusa pro gamer headset. Waste of money. I have no idea why anyone thinks they're 'awesome.' The sound quality is poor and the actual surround sound is non existent, it never sounds like anything is behind you. Just by a decent pair of stereo headphones and buy a 7.1 surround system instead.
cheers

 

[Ika]

I agree with LazyGit; a pair of stereo headphones will give you all the surround you really need. Because I'm trying to keep this short, I'd recommend the Audio-Technica A500 or A700 (whichever one fits your budget). I have a more extensive write-up in the thread previously linked -> link

 

[Christobevii3]

I just got a pair of medusa 5.1s. First they are amazing comfortable. The price is high but the sound quality is excellent. Not everyone is listening to rap and wanting exagerated bass on everything. I highly recommend them, excellent quality.

 

[incabulos]

I got the medusa pro gamer headset. Waste of money. I have no idea why anyone thinks they're 'awesome.' The sound quality is poor and the actual surround sound is non existent, it never sounds like anything is behind you. Just by a decent pair of stereo headphones and buy a 7.1 surround system instead.

For those of us who don't have $1000 to drop for a decent 7.1 setup, I highly recommend the Medusa 5.1 headset. As far as hearing something "behind you", I've extensively used the Medusa 5.1 Home Edition (1st gen) for about 1.5 years now with Halo 2 on Xbox Live. Having the 5.1 headset is a world of difference over a stereo headset, and even the 5.1 home theater because of the volume required to hear such small details as footsteps around a corner. With the 5.1 home theater you rarely have the luxury of blasting Halo 2 throughout the neighborhood just so you can hear someone splashing toward shotgun in Sanctuary.

So here's my offer, LazyGit: I'll paypal you shipping and you send me that Medusa headset. I suppose I'd be doing you a favor.

 

[Capt Caveman]

For gaming, I use the Medusa 5.1 Classics and can't praise them enough. With a X-Fi, in games like BF2 I can hear people on the other side of a wall and know which direction they are going. Never get sneaked up on b/c I hear people coming up from behind. Not the best for music or watching movies.

 

[konakona]

cant really bash what I dont have, though I stay doubtful multichannel actually is anything more than a gimmick.

as for the mic, I like usb-based solutions. the one I have is made by logitech and its quite nice. comes with on/off button, gets auto-detected and sets all the audio settings by itself too. I paid about $15 shipped for it IRC.

 

[Opterpwn]

I've been thinking of buying the medusa 5.1 home edition for gaming and movies, and getting seperate higher quality stereo headphones (was thinking senn hd595s) to listen to music with, cause I live next to a bunch of old people in my apartment so a loud speaker system is out of the question for me. Would it be possible for me to plug the other headphone set I buy into the medusa amp?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Opterpwn
I've been thinking of buying the medusa 5.1 home edition for gaming and movies, and getting seperate higher quality stereo headphones (was thinking senn hd595s) to listen to music with, cause I live next to a bunch of old people in my apartment so a loud speaker system is out of the question for me. Would it be possible for me to plug the other headphone set I buy into the medusa amp?

The Medusa's do not have a built in amp that can be connected to.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Opterpwn
I've been thinking of buying the medusa 5.1 home edition for gaming and movies, and getting seperate higher quality stereo headphones (was thinking senn hd595s) to listen to music with, cause I live next to a bunch of old people in my apartment so a loud speaker system is out of the question for me. Would it be possible for me to plug the other headphone set I buy into the medusa amp?

The Medusa's do not have a built in amp that can be connected to.

Yes, you can use another headset and plug it into the external Amp - http://www.medusa-usa.com/medu...ome-edition-p-876.html

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Opterpwn
I've been thinking of buying the medusa 5.1 home edition for gaming and movies, and getting seperate higher quality stereo headphones (was thinking senn hd595s) to listen to music with, cause I live next to a bunch of old people in my apartment so a loud speaker system is out of the question for me. Would it be possible for me to plug the other headphone set I buy into the medusa amp?

The Medusa's do not have a built in amp that can be connected to.

Yes, you can use another headset and plug it into the external Amp - http://www.medusa-usa.com/medu...ome-edition-p-876.html

I guess I was referring to the progamer edition in the OP