Project Reality Forums

I saw the other thread, and figured maybe you guys could help me. It's probably best I ask now, while the subject is still fresh in those minds of yours!

First off, I'm gonna state that I am "anal" when it comes to headsets. I'll explain here in a sec.... but now, I will show you my previous headsets and my comments on them.

1. Amazon.com: Logitech Premium Notebook Headset: Electronics

I owned 2 of these from 2007/2008 -to- 2010? One being eaten up by a vacuum by accident xD, and the other just ran its course, i believe died to mic failure after a year or so? I really enjoyed it. Was really nice and sturdy and comfy.

2. Amazon.com: Logitech Gaming Headset G330 (Black): Electronics

I owned 3 of these. They broke due to poor build design. The thing was held together by glue... -_- (3rd one I'm using to this day, with the help of good ol' duct tape)

3. Amazon.com: Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset: Computers & Accessories

Was my first "cups" headset. Didn't like cups. I hated them. Made me talk louder, and was too heavy for my liking. To top it off, the cotton/fiber cord failed within 1st month of use, and i had mic issues, leading me back to my old headset with duct tape.


I'm looking for a "around the head" headset, like #1 & #2 - but i want quality, and i just cant seem to find it. I'm open to other suggestions, but studio mics + headphones are out of the question - due to lack of space on my computer desk. Price range I'm looking for is up to about $200. Maybe $250. MAYBE.

I would really LOVE any suggestions you brilliant folk can give me.

Regards.

OP, you spent 600$ on 6 different gaming headsets in the last 7 years, of which most simply broke. I don't think I even need to say why gaming headsets suck so much

Anyway, the best thing you can do is think about why you didn't like your only full-sized headset and simply get over it. You've owned it for a month, if it was your fist full-sized encounter I can definitely see you needing more time to get used to.

One of the issues you mention is "it made me talk louder," well that's because you bought closed-back headset. Closed-back design means the outer part of the cuffs is sealed of from the outside, so you won't be able to hear what's going on elsewhere. You also won't be able to hear your own voice very well/ at all. This is what made you talk louder (btw most people can work over this at the age of 10...). Fortunately there's another option - open headphones.

Open headphones aren't completely sealed off from the outside, meaning they allow for greater airflow through the driver. What this means is that they don't seal as well, you'll be able to hear what's going on around you and your voice quiet well (obviously depending on what and how loud you're listening to). It also means that anybody remotely close to you will be able to hear what you're listening to. But there's another great thing about open headphones.

What makes a good "gaming" headphones? It's positioning - being able to tell where something is based on sound. And for that you need as big of a soundstage as possible. Soundstage is the sense that sounds are coming from some distance beyond the headphone driver. This is something open headphones are much better at, because of all the airflow.

You need to make a choice, open or closed headphones.

Another one of your complaints was the weight - at 255g your Logitech ones were actually quiet light. It doesn't get much lighter than that. I think it's simply something you will have to get used to and it might take a bit more than a month. I have one pair that weight 440g and I got used to it pretty quickly.

The last thing I'm going to tell you about is the mic. You don't need to buy a studio mic that takes half the space on your desk. I, for example own the Zalman clip-on mic and don't even notice it being on my desk as it's so small (no, you don't have to clip it to something).
Amazon 7.56$

Another option is the Antlion ModMic, which you can attach to any of your headphones. I've heard a lot of great stuff about this mic.
AntLion 49.95$

Now as far as headphones/ headsets go here's my suggestions.
1. If you really insist on a headset you will never go wrong with the Sennheiser PC360. It's a bit over your budget but you will be able to keep that one forever (remember 600$ in 7 years?). Also, it's really good.
Amazon 309.99$

2. If you really want any behind the head stuff unforutnetely I don't know about any. But you can buy clip-on headphones.
For example the great Koss KSC75 a.k.a. why are these so cheap. These clip-ons are actually quiet amazing and will straight up beat any of your previously owned headsets... for 14.88$.
Amazon link
And if you want to spend more money and get a bit more you can always buy Yuin G1A.
Amazon 149$

If you decide on full-full sized headphones I'll need some more input from you, because your choice is far greater and you can actually be picky.

Hope that helped!

I love my Sennheiser PC 360 but do not spend $300 on it. Check this Amazon price history on it: http://camelcamelcamel.com/Sennheiser-3 ... ext=browse

Steeps wrote:I love my Sennheiser PC 360 but do not spend $300 on it. Check this Amazon price history on it: Sennheiser PC 360 Headset for Pro Gaming | Amazon price tracker / tracking, Amazon price history charts, Amazon price watches, Amazon price drop alerts | camelcamelcamel.com

Yeah, you're right. You can actually get it for 240$ on eBay right now. I'd just go for that OP.

These are cheapish in price, and probably the best headphones I have ever owned. Granted I have only had them about 2 or 3 months, but they are crazy comfortable, and have great sound. Its the first headset I have ever had that I forget I'm wearing, I also tend to shout in my house no because I get so into it.

KG-200 Pro Audio Wired Gaming Headset | Klipsch

Quite a few people complain about a hiss or not the greatest sound quality, I haven't had any problems like that, but I'm not expert either. But if you are like me, you like to pump up the volume to sound real (first time I fired an ak with them on I jumped) also you can hear vehicles from far away, which is REALLY nice.

The antlion mic thing really opens up my posibilites, but i wish it was built in

I've got one of the older Antlion modmics and it works just as intended. New versions have a mute switch too which is nice. Only downside with that solution is the extra cable for the mic you get hanging alongside that of your headphones when they're attached. With the magnet thing it uses to attach though you can just take it off when you're not using it and put it aside. A cheaper clip-on mic should work fine too, you can just put it somewhere on your desk or clip to your clothes where possible.

I too would recommend going the way of a decent pair of headphones and a seperate mic for the range of options it opens up compared to the small amount of good headsets out there. As said you can get open back over ear/full sized headphones too if you don't like the closed back ones. Personally I prefer closed back for listening to music, feels a bit fuller and more powerful, but I can imagine purely for gaming open back could be more useful/natural. I have no complaints about the way game audio sounds over my closed back headphones either, but haven't gotten the chance to try open back cups for gaming, so I wouldn't really know.

Lastly, if you don't have one yet a soundcard can make a world of difference too. I don't know a lot about this unfortunately but I think even a budget one like one of ASUS' Xonar series will have a noticable impact over your standard motherboard embedded card/codec or whatever it is that comes with it. Those would probably cost somewhere between $40 and $80, leaving enough for a good budget/entry level pair of headphones.

I have two pairs of Sennheiser PC 360. It's that good. I highly recommend picking a pair up.

This is what I have: http://i.imgur.com/6y1IfzA.jpg [Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro + FiiO E07K Portable DAC/AMP].
I also have the COP Headset Gear which turns these headphones into a perfect headset. That combination is a bit expensive but still cheaper than the BD MMX330 for example.
Nevertheless if you only plan on using your headphones stationary I would probably prefer a DT990 or DT880 cause they are open/semi open headphones. The Custom One Pro is closed and has a pretty short cable which makes it a perfect companion if you travel a lot though.
Personally I'm a huge Beyerdynamic fan, I really like their sound in general and the support/warranty is awesome.

I really appreciate all the help guys. Got me looking at abunch of things now

Update.

After giving up hope on finding a headset, that went around the back of my head that was decent, I FINALLY FOUND ONE!

Amazon.com: Sennheiser PC141 On-Ear Headset with Noise-Cancelling Microphone: Electronics

All the good talk about Sennheiser and the good price made me get it. It will be here by next week. Hopefully it lives up to its good name!