recommend headset around $50 for SC2

[Rekonn]

Looking to get a new headset for Starcraft 2 for around $50. A friend recommended the Earforce X11, what do you think? Any others I should check out?

 

[Rhezuss]

I just ordered the Razer Orca (headphones with no mic) after reading so much good things anout them. Great for music and games...if you can pass the intense green color, i'd say get those.

If you want a mic, I heard the Plantronic Gamecom series is quite nice! You can get the Gamecom 367 for under 40 bucks or the Gamecome 777 for like 70-80 bucks.

 

[Pia]

Sennheiser PC151 works fine. I can't say I have tried others in that price range though. (edit: I think it's about $60)

 

[JackSpadesSI]

I'd like to know about recommendations for a $50 headset (w/ mic), too. Oddly, I'm also interested in it for playing SC2.

Any more recommendations?

 

[Rhezuss]

In the $50 price range and after reading lots of reviews i'd get the Plantronics Gamecom 367 or 377.

Check the webs and read reviews about them, for the price you can't get better they say.

 

[zebano]

http://xkcd.com/841/


Sorry, I know some of you actually care about sound, but I found this hilarious.

 

[Rhezuss]

http://xkcd.com/841/


Sorry, I know some of you actually care about sound, but I found this hilarious.

Pwahahah nice!

 

[CurseTheSky]

Sennheiser PC-151 if you have 3.5mm audio jacks available, or PC-161 if you want to use them via USB.

The sound quality is acceptable, they have decent audio positioning, the mic is pretty good, they're quite comfortable, and they've held up very well over the course of several years for me.

The PC-151's are $40 on Amazon right now http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-.../dp/B000NOR89Y.

 

[IndianScout]

I have 3 pairs of the turtle beach HPA2 and love them..

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/pc-gaming-headsets/ear-force-hpa2.aspx

all our boxes here at home run them with XFI cards..

 

[Rhezuss]

Just to add some thoughts, I just received my Orcas today. Tried them with music (2.5 hours) and gaming (Two Worlds 2 for 3 hours).

First, they are VERY comfortable even though they are heavier than my over 7 years old POS Sony MDR-XD100.

They come with an male/female 3.5 jack so you don't have to get behind your case to plug them.

Sound quality in both music and games is amazing...again compared to my old Sonys.

They are a little more expensive ($60) than many other options out there but oh man was I impressed and if you can go over the flashy green color, i'd recommend the Razer Orca to my best friend.

 

[IndianScout]

Just to add some thoughts, I just received my Orcas today. Tried them with music (2.5 hours) and gaming (Two Worlds 2 for 3 hours).

First, they are VERY comfortable even though they are heavier than my over 7 years old POS Sony MDR-XD100.

They come with an male/female 3.5 jack so you don't have to get behind your case to plug them.

Sound quality in both music and games is amazing...again compared to my old Sonys.

They are a little more expensive ($60) than many other options out there but oh man was I impressed and if you can go over the flashy green color, i'd recommend the Razer Orca to my best friend.

fully agreed, those rock also..

 

[coxmaster]

I just ordered the Razer Orca (headphones with no mic) after reading so much good things anout them. Great for music and games...if you can pass the intense green color, i'd say get those.

If you want a mic, I heard the Plantronic Gamecom series is quite nice! You can get the Gamecom 367 for under 40 bucks or the Gamecome 777 for like 70-80 bucks.

My headset is a Gamecom 777. It has survived nearly 2 years of heavy abuse.

Also i only paid 30$ for it because it was refurbished. Keep an eye on ebay for a good deal, thats where i got mine

 

[Rekonn]

If you have the choice between using audio jacks vs USB, would you prefer audio jacks? I've been reading some reviews about headsets having a hissing sound when using USB.

Also, just found what looks to be a pretty good roundup.
http://gamebattles.com/forums/t/Headset-Guide-Round-Up-Review-Updated-6-11-2010-3085578

 

[Pia]

If you have the choice between using audio jacks vs USB, would you prefer audio jacks? I've been reading some reviews about headsets having a hissing sound when using USB.

Also, just found what looks to be a pretty good roundup.
http://gamebattles.com/forums/t/Headset-Guide-Round-Up-Review-Updated-6-11-2010-3085578

If your onboard sound is known-bad and you have no wish to invest further in sound, you should get the USB. The trouble is you don't know the quality of your onboard sound until you plug in good speakers or headphones and listen. However, most onboard sound these days does not hiss, or does not hiss enough that you'd ever hear it with a $50 headset. My onboard sound is just like this - I can hear distortion introduced from something (hard drives operating?) with $150 headphones, but not with a $50 headset.

I'd just go with audio jacks, and later pick up a sound card, external DAC or other suitable device *if* the onboard sound is obviously terrible.

 

[JackSpadesSI]

Those are all full headsets with over-ear speakers. I'm sure those are very nice for audio quality, but that's not what I'm looking for.

As this is for playing SC2 (not a FPS where directional sound is important) I'm just looking for a one-ear piece with a mic. Basically, I'd like the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, but for the PC (it doesn't have to be wireless, but I just like that form factor).

Anything like that to recommend??

 

[Pia]

Those are all full headsets with over-ear speakers. I'm sure those are very nice for audio quality, but that's not what I'm looking for.

As this is for playing SC2 (not a FPS where directional sound is important) I'm just looking for a one-ear piece with a mic. Basically, I'd like the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, but for the PC (it doesn't have to be wireless, but I just like that form factor).

Why don't you just use speakers and a cheap desktop mic or clip-on mic? Mics are cheap and the setup would be more comfortable.

 

[Rekonn]

If your onboard sound is known-bad and you have no wish to invest further in sound, you should get the USB. The trouble is you don't know the quality of your onboard sound until you plug in good speakers or headphones and listen. However, most onboard sound these days does not hiss, or does not hiss enough that you'd ever hear it with a $50 headset. My onboard sound is just like this - I can hear distortion introduced from something (hard drives operating?) with $150 headphones, but not with a $50 headset.

I'd just go with audio jacks, and later pick up a sound card, external DAC or other suitable device *if* the onboard sound is obviously terrible.

Thx for advice, will go with audio jacks. I've been playing SC2 (campaign) and listening to music using my computer's onboard sound without issue so far.

 

[Rekonn]

Those are all full headsets with over-ear speakers. I'm sure those are very nice for audio quality, but that's not what I'm looking for.

As this is for playing SC2 (not a FPS where directional sound is important) I'm just looking for a one-ear piece with a mic. Basically, I'd like the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, but for the PC (it doesn't have to be wireless, but I just like that form factor).

Anything like that to recommend??

How about Logitech G330 currently going for $33 from amazon?

My requirements are pretty different, that's why I started the thread off with the full over ear X11's. I need a headset that will:
1) work well as a pc gaming headset, good mic with noise cancellation
2) block out the noise of others watching tv in the other room
3) be lightweight and very comfortable, plan to have them on for hours at a time, sometimes wearing glasses
4) have good audio quality so I'll enjoy listening to music with them too
5) look good - I prefer understated black

Think I'm heavily leaning towards the Razer Carcharias for $70 right now. The one thing that's holding me back is deciding whether the microphone monitor that comes with the X11's is something I want. Being able to hear myself would be nice, and I'm not sure if the Razer has that feature.

 

[coxmaster]

Think I'm heavily leaning towards the Razer Carcharias for $70 right now. The one thing that's holding me back is deciding whether the microphone monitor that comes with the X11's is something I want. Being able to hear myself would be nice, and I'm not sure if the Razer has that feature.

Windows supports this no matter what microphone/headset you use. I forget exactly where it is located but i've never had a problem enabling it for any headset i've used.

Hell, i can even monitor my microphone (USB with headset) through my speakers (3.5mm)

 

[Rekonn]

Windows supports this no matter what microphone/headset you use. I forget exactly where it is located but i've never had a problem enabling it for any headset i've used.

Hell, i can even monitor my microphone (USB with headset) through my speakers (3.5mm)

True, should have thought of that earlier, thanks!

 

[Bryf50]

Those are all full headsets with over-ear speakers. I'm sure those are very nice for audio quality, but that's not what I'm looking for.

As this is for playing SC2 (not a FPS where directional sound is important) I'm just looking for a one-ear piece with a mic. Basically, I'd like the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, but for the PC (it doesn't have to be wireless, but I just like that form factor).

Anything like that to recommend??

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC2...7211115&sr=1-1
I have the usb version(PC26) of these. They work very well and everyone says my voice is very clear.