Pick Me A Headset

[Reflector]

An honest opinion, don't go USB soundcard and take the extra 10-15mins to open it up and install a PCI or PCI-e soundcard (whichever you have) and you will not be disappointed. The last thing you want to do is find out that the USB soundcard (again) doesn't meet your expectations. You'll want something with 24-bit audio sampling. Honestly, with a decent headset and soundcard, you'll still be able to pinpoint footsteps, hear big bassy explosions and enjoy crisp detail in clarity without simulated surround sound. What budget are you setting yourself?

Sorry, just saw you said $100 (or under). You'll be able to get a good PCI soundcard at that price but ideally $150 will cover you for an excellent experience.

Edited March 19, 2012 by Reflector

[barraspalding]

so the mainstream options for PS3 direct out headphones/sets - dont exist?

Are these turtle beach surround setups useless?

I'm not running a PC, dont actually have a PC anymore.

[Madaz]

yeah i have a HD212pro and the HD280pro no sound card just onboard sound so i don't really know how much better they could sound

but they sound pretty good if you ask me

[R31Nismoid]

Soundcard wise im using an Auzentech Forte... It's about 4-5 years old as well.

I think the card cost me about $250 back then, they are around $150 now i think.

The sound quality between that & onboard is really night and day as the MIC jack is actually powered by an onboard amp etc. Hence you get much better quality through headphones that actually benefit from that.

So again - must make it clear - a onboard card will ONLY give huge benefits if the headphones will benefit from being amplified with moce juice to drive them. The Senn 555's are cheap as now, so for a low-mid range solution IMO they are perfect. You will get gains on other headphones not designed to be amp'd, but I believe they are not as significant.

My 555s are modded to 595, there is a guide on the net somewhere... That said they are almost stuffed now after 5 years. Just the plastic clip/surrounds have broken and does not affect operation. I don't treat them as good as you probably should, so I'm quite impressed with how they have performed overall.

[R31Nismoid]

I watch a lot of movies and the sound through my headphones is absolutely MAGIC. Add in 1080p on a 24" screen, works well.

I'm sure it could be better if I spend $500+ on headphones, but it's good enough for my level of "audio enjoyment"

Not as good as when I'm running it through my 55" Sammy Series 9/Marantz amp etc, but given it'll keep the "peace" with the neighbours by using a headset at 3-4am, works very very well.

[25GTT]

My 555s are modded to 595, there is a guide on the net somewhere... That said they are almost stuffed now after 5 years. Just the plastic clip/surrounds have broken and does not affect operation. I don't treat them as good as you probably should, so I'm quite impressed with how they have performed overall.

Yup saw that when you first started talking about the 555's. Looks to be removal of a piece of foam or something from what i remember..... whatever it was, its amazing that they would even do that? never the less good value for money if it is the case :-)

Ok will check out pcccasegear now.

[R31Nismoid]

Yeah takes about 10mins to do really. Quite simple and you save about $80 (back when i purchased at least)

[barraspalding]

How would these perform?

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headsets_pc_pro-gaming_504126

[mattis96]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200614768182?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I bought these as i like to game on both xbox and ps3 and i recommend these, but thats my personal experience.

[barraspalding]

Came across Astro A40's. Official headsets of some blah blah gaming league. Pricey ez

[sultanaz]

I got Icemat sibereas about 4 years ago with the icemat usb soundcard , amazing headset ! , now steelseries have bought the sibera headset brand.

they sell the new steelseries version in jb for 119 i seen.

Edited March 21, 2012 by sultanaz

[Cozi]

Well rather than writing up something new I am just going to quote myself from another forum on headsets

Hey all,

Well I think it is time for a new headset. Just looking for some recommendations from you all. I have always stuck with Sennheiser's and currently using HD555 but looking for something new. Will probably still stick with Sennheiser but I may be persuaded if you give me a good reason to be

The issue I found with the HD555's is they were a bit heavy on my head. Still looking for something with decent sound but with minimal weight as possible. Don't really care about price but really wont be spending any more than $250.

So just thought I would give everyone an update as i have had my AD900's for a little over a week now.

First impressions out of the box and on my head were not good ones to be honest. I found them somewhat strange on my head compared to my old HD555's. After using them for a few days though I did get used to the way they felt and now a week in its like I have had them forever. Had my old ones for well over 2 years and was just a different feeling on my head and was the reason for the bad first impressions.

The little pad thingy's that sit on the top of your head help with the weight of the headset. The only thing I have found wrong with them is my ears seem to get a little hot at times as there is a heap of padding around the ears but I would put up with that because of the comfort they provide.

Sound quality is great so no issues there, After some playing around with the settings on the PC I now have the bass where I want it and its enough for me. I could see how some would want more but I'm more than satisfied with the headset.

Would recommend this headset to anyone else considering to purchase a new one.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Cozi.

I also have a pair of HDR130's which are wireless Sennheiser's but they just don't compare to the other 2. I highly recommend the HD555's and the AD900's (both are great) but if I was to chose I would be sticking with my current AD900's.

[R31Nismoid]

You don't have a sound card though do ya?

Next time I see ya, give me your AD900s for a week see how they go amplified

[Cozi]

You don't have a sound card though do ya?

Next time I see ya, give me your AD900s for a week see how they go amplified

Ill bring em Sunday Just gives me an excuse to come up to Ha Long Bay next week

[R31Nismoid]

I'll smash BF3 next week then and give a comparo when amp'd.

[25GTT]

I think i will go wired and get the audio technica ad700's.

So many people on the whirlpool forum recommend these (Nismoid do ya think these will do the trick?)

Also am thinking as i still have my plantronics 777 which has the small USB dolby soundcard stick. I could hopefully chack the ad 700s into the plantronic 777 usb jack to give it just a little bit more oomph. Obviously not as good as a full dedicated sound card but am hoping it helps a bit.

[sqr47]

Just been through the headphone upgrade process myself the past week.

Ended up with a pair of Sennheiser 598s and an ASUS Xonar Essense STX Sound card.

Previously I have used all sorts of gaming headsets;

Siberia Icemats

Steelseries 5hv2 (2 pairs)

Steelseries Icemats

Logitech headsets

Sennheiser headsets

And none of these come even remotely close to the sound quality my new setup can produce.

I would highly recommend a dedicated soundcard with headphone amp.

I have also used the ad700 and ad900s on my card and they are amazing!

Personal preference due to can size made me lean towards the 598s. AudioTechnica's felt a little too big.

[Reflector]

Just been through the headphone upgrade process myself the past week.

Ended up with a pair of Sennheiser 598s and an ASUS Xonar Essense STX Sound card.

Previously I have used all sorts of gaming headsets;

Siberia Icemats

Steelseries 5hv2 (2 pairs)

Steelseries Icemats

Logitech headsets

Sennheiser headsets

And none of these come even remotely close to the sound quality my new setup can produce.

I would highly recommend a dedicated soundcard with headphone amp.

I have also used the ad700 and ad900s on my card and they are amazing!

Personal preference due to can size made me lean towards the 598s. AudioTechnica's felt a little too big.

Another satisfied Sennheiser 598 HD owner XD. My honest oppinion is they are the closest thing to studio sound quality without forking out about $1500-$2000 for a headset.

They also compliment the 'HI-FI' and 'Wartapes' setting on battlefield 3 to the fullest potential

[R31Nismoid]

Well my bro was failboat and forgot the headset on Sunday

I'll grab them this weekend or early next week and have a bit of a compare over a few days

[R31Nismoid]

Have the AD900s at home now

Will give them a workout this week