What gaming head set do you use?

[KaOTiK]

From everything I read about 5.1/7.1 headsets is they are not worth it and just getting a really good quality headset instead is where you should spend the money. There are a few, very few 5.1/7.1 headsets that actually have all those speakers in the unit (the Razer one comes to mind) and they are supposedly pretty good, but the vast majority just emulate.

 

[Childs]

I switch between ATH-AD700 or JVC RX900, an ATR2500USB mic, and Xonar DX. I probably buy new headphones/headsets every couple of months just to try out, but I stick with these. Best value would probably be JVC RX700 ($37) and Zalman clip on mic ($10), or Gamecom 380 ($38), or Gamecom 780 ($57), which is USB and does Dolby Headphone. But good stereo headphones, mic, and sound card like the Xonar DG can be had for under $100 and sound better than any gaming headset you can get for the same price range.

 

[Destiny]

From everything I read about 5.1/7.1 headsets is they are not worth it and just getting a really good quality headset instead is where you should spend the money. There are a few, very few 5.1/7.1 headsets that actually have all those speakers in the unit (the Razer one comes to mind) and they are supposedly pretty good, but the vast majority just emulate.

I agree... I have Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 that does real 5.1 and the sound was okay- BUT the build quality is crap and I already went through 3 RMAs in the past 6 months due to the part above the cans breaking through normal use.

I recently purchased an ATH-AD700 and believe it or not - Sounds better than the Turtlebeach Z6A and made better too... :thumbsup:

Now I know why people have been recommending ATH-AD700 for the past 7 years and they are still selling strong.

 

[Bobisuruncle54]

Sharkoon Xtatic V3 5.1 Dolby Digital headset.

Has all the features I want and it's a great bit of kit overall.

 

[shurato]

I have the G35 and they are kind of uncomfortable to wear for a long duration. The emulation is decent enough that I can tell if someone is creeping up from behind me and from which direction. Most of the times I just use my speakers because the headsets are so big and cumbersome. I think I have a regular size head, whatever regular might be I guess.

 

[KeithTalent]

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD555s and a separate lapel microphone. Been using the setup for years and am very happy.

KT

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I have some 7.1 corsair one that they sent me when my older one died under warranty. My older ones were a little more comfortable to wear, but they're both really good. When I used google voice to call my parents one time with the older one (haven't used the newer one) they actually said I was coming in great too. My only complaint is I have a suspicion that the cloth covered cord probably makes them prone to failing faster.

 

[Arg Clin]

Sennheiser HD465 and seperate microphone. Not the most elegant solution, but it works.

 

[sandorski]

I got a set of Logitech G930 simply because wireless and long battery life were paramount to me, though there's nothing else particularly remarkable about them imo. Logitech support has been very good to me though so there is that as well.

Ya, the best part of the G930's is that they are cordless. Their Construction and Audio quality are pretty poor though. A month(got these in Aprilish)after i bought them, Corsair came out with their Cordless HP and I wish I had them. I replaced my Corsair HS1's with these, as the cord on my HS1 began failing for the second time. Other than that, the HS1s were superior in everyway, especially Audio quality, not once in the 2 years I used the HS1 did any Audio suffer from distortion due to the HPs themselves. Everyday something Distorts really badly with the G930's, they just don't deserve the >$100 cost.

 

[Karstein]

Sennheiser PC350s through an Asus Xonar STX. They sound amazing but I don't think their positional audio is as good as some others I've had (eg, Logitech G35 - but those had their own other issues...)

 

[VulgarDisplay]

I agree... I have Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 that does real 5.1 and the sound was okay- BUT the build quality is crap and I already went through 3 RMAs in the past 6 months due to the part above the cans breaking through normal use.

I recently purchased an ATH-AD700 and believe it or not - Sounds better than the Turtlebeach Z6A and made better too... :thumbsup:

Now I know why people have been recommending ATH-AD700 for the past 7 years and they are still selling strong.

ATH AD700 were my go to headphone for gaming for over 5 years. Amazing headphones on a budget. Their open back design makes their positional audio just as good as the overpriced 5.1/7.1 headsets, but you get far better sound quality out of the AD700's.

I recently switched over to the AKG Q701's which are the AD700's on steroids. Better bass, midbass/mids that will make your mind explode, and far more crisp highs. Better positional audio, and far better build quality. The k701/Q701 design used to sell for around $600, but you can get the updated q701's for around $200 at the right place. These are headphones with flagship sound quality for dirt cheap compared to what you are getting.

Better yet, don't buy the AD700's or Q701's and just continue to enjoy your 5.1/7.1 overpriced headsets. If you never learn what sound quality is you won't get the hi-fi bug. It's an expensive hobby.

 

[z1ggy]

I see the AD700 getting a lot of recommendations in here, so I think I will look into it. Would the "open air" set for $92 on amazon be any different than the regular ad700 which looks like it's going for $135?

Also, how much better would that Xonar DG card on PCI be than what is current stock with my mobo?

 

[Karsten]

Logitech G35. The only headset I ever owned that didn't hurt my ears when used for long stretches!

 

[Craig234]

FYI the Logitech G930 won one 'headset competition' I saw as the best one, and it's on sale for $90 at Newegg with code EMCNAJJ46.

 

[jacktesterson]

I don't. No need to talk online to other folks while shooting them between the eyes.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Senn PC360-

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DA4D2U/..._df_B003DA4D2U

A few big to huge advantages over the 350s-

100 Ohm lower impedance(50 Ohm v 150 Ohm)- obviously for best results an amp is still needed, but unlike the 350s which are hurt a ton by lack of amplification, the 360s are happy with even on board sound(although, if you want good sound, you should have a stand alone sound card obviously). No matter what you do, you aren't going to get sound quality close to 600 series Senns, not sure why they built these with such high impedance.

Open- this is a big deal for me, although some would tout the virtues of closed. Much better sound staging with open, and if you do any moderate to heavy sessions(8-16 hours) your head won't be a sweaty mess with the 360s.

Music- The 360s appear to have the HD598s internals for the audio end(obviously with the mic functionality on top of that) and they sound *much* better across a wide spectrum of music IMO when compared to the 350s. Now to be fair, if you are used to using $50 headsets the 350s will roflstomp them into the ground, just the 360s seem to hold up much better when playing a wide variety of music(350s get muddy sooner, again, if you are used to low end headsets, this isn't something you are going to notice).

Mic/volume controls- The 360 has the volume control on the right ear piece, not a tiny little nob, probably about an inch in diameter with little grooves so you haven no problem adjusting it- ever. At first I didn't think much of it, but now when I go to fumble with the stupid cord on any other headset I miss is badly. Also a very nice feature, particularly if you use sound activated voice chat- pop the mic up and it audibly clicks, at which point it is muted. This isn't some chincy little click like it's going to break, the mic is very sturdy and it feels more like they made something in the headset just to make the noise when it got to the muted position.

BTW- PC15x/16x are nice for what they are, but those are entry level headsets- pretty much the sound quality on them is fairly on par with other low end headsets, they just have a vastly superior mic(have a couple of those kicking around, the kids still use them).

 

[kalrith]

I use my Sennheiser HD280 Pro plus a logitech desktop mic. It works OK, but the mic picks up a lot of ambient noise that I don't think a headset would pick up.

 

[IGemini]

Sennheiser HD595s for me. I don't need to talk to people 99% of the time but I have a microphone for when I do.

 

[z1ggy]

I switch between ATH-AD700 or JVC RX900, an ATR2500USB mic, and Xonar DX. I probably buy new headphones/headsets every couple of months just to try out, but I stick with these. Best value would probably be JVC RX700 ($37) and Zalman clip on mic ($10), or Gamecom 380 ($38), or Gamecom 780 ($57), which is USB and does Dolby Headphone. But good stereo headphones, mic, and sound card like the Xonar DG can be had for under $100 and sound better than any gaming headset you can get for the same price range.

I am highly considering this route. I would love a pair of $250 PC360's but I just can't afford that right now. I am just looking for something that is better than my cheap $40 2.1 set up for now. The JVC with zm-mic1 plus the Xonar card will cost about $90 bucks shipped which I think is a decent deal. Then maybe around black friday or xmas time I can see if a nice pair of PC360's are on sale.

 

[shortylickens]

All I saw was "Gaming Head" and immediately wished I had a girlfriend.

Oh, and the cheap Logitech set that came with one of my games is pretty good.

 

[BenSkywalker]

I would love a pair of $250 PC360's but I just can't afford that right now.

And honestly, if $250 is out of your price range then adding the sound card on top of that would be entirely unrealistic. Sounds like you are on the right path, one question- which Xonar are you looking at? I have the DX 7.1 and have been extremely pleased with it, really a great card.

 

[Craig234]

All I saw was "Gaming Head" and immediately wished I had a girlfriend.

Oh, and the cheap Logitech set that came with one of my games is pretty good.

All you need to look at for that is your handle, which is what you want a girl to do, shorty lick.

 

[z1ggy]

And honestly, if $250 is out of your price range then adding the sound card on top of that would be entirely unrealistic. Sounds like you are on the right path, one question- which Xonar are you looking at? I have the DX 7.1 and have been extremely pleased with it, really a great card.

The DG. It's on Amazon for $25. I don't think I will ever go with a 7.1 set up with speakers, as I do most of my serious moving watching in my living room (which I have a $2300 5.1 set up currently). I don't really bump tons of loud music much anymore either, as I have a room mate. Some folks in here have said the 5.1/7.1 thing on head set is just a guise to get you to spend more money, but I can't comment since I have never owned a pair.

Mainly, I just want better quality sound and to be able to tell, with out a doubt, which direction ememy is coming from (left, right.. straight ahead or behind) and to produce better quality than the 2.1 I have now.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

There are two types of Audio Technica 700 series headphones. The ATH-AD700 and the ATH-A700. The AD700 is the open backed version, and the A700 is closed back. THE AD700 is far better for gaming.

Keep in mind that these things leak a ton of sound, so if you are worried about disturbing others that could be an issue. Besides that they are a $300 set of headphones that sell for $90, and offer far better sound quality than any gaming specific headset can provide you other than the PC360, and Beyerdynamic MMX300.

Those two headsets cost around $300 I believe.

So buy the AD700's and a lapel mic, or USB mic and you're all set.

 

[z1ggy]

All-

I went with the AD700s and also purchased the zalman mic-1 and the Xonar DG. Once I get the items in and install everything, I will let you know how impressed (or unimpressed) I am. Hopefully all goes well!