Plantronics GameCom Pro 1: $46.99 - Almost Hot

[imported_Dhaval00]

I think these are arguably the best headphones for < $50. This was the best deal that I was able to find; I have read horror stories flaming www.Buy.com's customer support, but I am sure it's not worse than multi-million (billion) corporations like DELL. Personally, I haven't had to return anything, so can't comment on Buy's customer service.

http://www.buy.com/retail/Product.asp?s...5084&Type=PE&Category=Comp&dcaid=15938

There was another post for the Sennheiser PC-150 headset, but I think they are ususally overpriced. Here's a good thread that I came across before I made this investment: http://www.thetechlounge.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3060. I'd go for the Plantronics any given day, especially for the onboard DSP module that they have. In a nut shell, here are the features:

-- Hear every aspect of the game through 32 bit digitally-optimized audio bandwidth
-- 24-bit 100dB signal-to-noise ratio codec transforms analog audio into exceptional digital audio
-- Real-time equalization performed by DSP chip, frees PC processor for faster game play and maximum system performance
-- Comfort for long gaming sessions
-- QuickAdjust boom assures ideal microphone placement
-- Noise-canceling microphone delivers exceptional speech recognition accuracy
-- 40mm speakers for maximizing bass response ? feel the game!
-- Preferred by competitive gamers worldwide
-- USB plug and play

Let me know if any of you can find a better deal on these. Here is one more link - the review is not breathtaking, but it gives you an idea of what you are getting into: http://www.thepcforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2998

 

[KaosFaction]

Does 3PK actually mean a 3pack of headphones??

 

[imported_Dhaval00]

Originally posted by: KaosFaction
Does 3PK actually mean a 3pack of headphones??

I wish. As I said, I just ordered another pair for my other machine. I will update this post if I actually receive 3 of them. LOL.

 

[Reiniku]

I'm curious, but the sennheisers you were posting this against seems to go over the ears (noise cancelling and my personal preferences for headphones), these seem as though they do not... or I'm blind. Just checking. :b

 

[imported_Dhaval00]

Originally posted by: Reiniku
I'm curious, but the sennheisers you were posting this against seems to go over the ears (noise cancelling and my personal preferences for headphones), these seem as though they do not... or I'm blind. Just checking. :b

They do. At least I wear them that way. Maybe I am a mutant if I can get them to fit my ears... .
The difference is in the size of the ear cups, I think. But I wear these for prolonged sessions, and never ever felt a twinch of pain in either of my ears. I don't know about the comfort levels of the Sennheisers. I got excited once in DoD, and snagged in my chair. The left headset did come off, but not abruptly. I could be nit picky and hold the "grip" of these headphones against them. But then I have grown over the past month
or so to not get too emotional in my chair while playing a WWII game.

NOTE: The grip is not loose to the extent that it wouldn't even allow basic body movement. Again, if you are going to jump in your chair while sniping someone, don't buy these (or for that matter any headphones, unless Michelin designed the ear grips).

 

[imported_Dhaval00]

For those of you who wanted to know if BUY was actually shippinh a "3PK" - it is not. I received the package yesterday, but was able to check it only an hour ago. Sad, but the headset rocks anyway.

 

[Havoc13]

I've tried several different headsets including the non-pro version of these and now I use the pro version. I will agree that they are the best for the money.

My club did a group buy from this site as they have a lower base cost, but shipping varies. It will be cheaper for some depending on location. http://www.provantage.com/buy-22094767-...er-headset-gamecomm-pro-1-shopping.htm

As a side note because these have a independent "sound card" if you use these for gaming and ventrilo they avoid the problem of the game fighting ventrilo to take command of the sound card.

If you are gonna go in on the buy.com deal, before you order sign up for the e-mail updates they are always sending out coupons.

For those of you asking about the 3pk statement, I went round and round with people at buy.com and had a customer service rep. tell me it was indeed a 3pk, but no dice, it's they will only send you one.

 

[510kut]

these look a lot like the DSP 500 although probably improved a lot since the dsp 500 has been out for quite a while. Funnything I go to school in the same city as Plantronics I wonder if I could get an internship from them.....

 

[Prince of Persia]

How long is the cord? Can it reach from the back of desktrop sitting on the ground to aperson in a normal chair?

I'm about 6ft if that helps.

 

[imported_Dhaval00]

Originally posted by: Prince of Persia
How long is the cord? Can it reach from the back of desktrop sitting on the ground to aperson in a normal chair?

I'm about 6ft if that helps.

The cord is looooooooooong - 10 ft (3 meters).. And yes, they are almost identical to the DSP 500; probably an improvement in the DSP chip.
*EDIT* Also, the USB input is wonderful - I plug it in and the control panel in XP makes it the defualt audio device; I unplug it, and my sound card becomes the defualt device. Truly plug and play. I have an Audigy 2 ZS Platinum.

 

[IBUYCHEAP]

Does this support any eax features? The audigy makes bf2 sound pretty nice with the 3d effects but if I switch to this to gain a mic that seems like a waste.

 

[imported_Dhaval00]

Well, you won't get the same quality for <$50. I don't know what else you expect - BOSE 3800 Lifestyle Series System? And I have tried all my audio settings - as soon as I plug these in, XP makes the respective changes all by itself... 5.1 to headphones and vice versa. Plus I did have one of those cheap-O mics that cost me like $9.99. But I seriously think playing any multiplayer game using those is like annhilating your ears (EAR-RAPE). Plus I don't know about anyone else, but I put my headphones (regardless of the brand) on, and I seem to hear more sounds - I have tried it a few times. It should't be a surprise anyway; if you look @ the reviews of the newer Xi-Fi chips, you'll find everyone has honored them for delivering wonderful sounds to headphones.
I personally don't use these for movies or music, but if you are into multiplayer games, you must have a headset. I just though this was a good deal - no hard feelings for any other companies you may prefer

 

[Havoc13]

Originally posted by: IBUYCHEAP
Does this support any eax features? The audigy makes bf2 sound pretty nice with the 3d effects but if I switch to this to gain a mic that seems like a waste.

Yes, I use it for the HL & HL2 games...