Headset reccomendations

BlueScrote

BlueScrote

CAGiversary!
I just bought Left 4 Dead last night during the steam weekend deal, and since this game is very much about teamwork (having one for CS:S and TF2 would be nice too), that its time to get a headset for my pc (I mean why not I have one for each console).

What does everybody recommend, what are good names/bad names in headsets?

I was thinking of just getting a cheap usb bluetooth dongle and trying to pair my existing bluetooth headset with it, but from the other thread floating around here it seems like that is a huge pain. Are usb headsets better than the ones that have the green/pink audio connectors to the sound card?

I would rather not spend an exoribant amount of $$$ on them, but I know my fellow CAGs already know that.
 
I use a Plantronics headset that people are always mentioning how nice and clean I sound using it, but I'm not even sure they sell it anymore.

I personally don't use usb as I'd rather have my sound card handling my connection directly and I want all my usb slots.

It looks like this:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8497842&st=plantroniccs&type=product&id=1186004297442

Except its not USB, so maybe its their replacement model?

Maybe this one-
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...oduct&id=1218004379967#tabbed-customerreviews

But, my friends have some other plantronics sets, and their mic's all sound really good, of course they went for the expensive 99$ ones.
 
Plantronics are a great choice, and their own online store has a clearance section:

http://www.plantronics.com/north_am...e;jsessionid=O1BORTATQDYCQCQBGNUCFEYKAEZWSIV0

A friend of mine has heavily recommended the audio 90 headset, but I've read somewhere that the product does have a tendancy of "breaking" after the year mark... but for $9, you'd get a years worth of excellent sound quality, if anything.

Edit: I was a Logitech whore for a while, and some of my friends swear on the inexpensive back of the head headsets for $15 bucks. Unfortunately, I have a massive fat-laden head, and I'd have a hard time finding a set that's comfy enough. They do sell bigger and much more expensive models, but I've heard that they don't justify the cost, and would rather look elsewhere (such as a plantronics) for those.

As for the USB vs. Analog debate... It totally depends on the headset, most of the time. Most people would opt for a USB headset if their sound card/chip isn't up for the task. I know there is this really good Turtle Beach USB headset that can beat most mid-range sound cards in doing simulated surround sound, but that headset can set you back a cool $100-$150 easy. If you have faith in your sound card/chip (and especially if you have an easy to access stereo+mic jack), then I'd save a bit of money, and go for the Analog version.

Whatever you do, don't get a Cyber Acoustics set... the one that I have makes everything sound like it's coming from a very hollow tin can, and I've got complaints that people can't hear me on my mic. Total wast of my $13 really (though, getting the cheapest one I coud get my hands on might be a factor of the crappy quality).
 
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The Turtle Beach X1 headset is around $50 at Amazon, and you can use it for both 360 and the PC (not sure about PS3). In my short time of looking for a headset, I did consider the X1 since I need a headset for both my PC and 360. But after some thoughts, I stuck with the headset that came with my UT 2004 and will buy a cheaper 360 headset when RE5 comes out. It's hard to justify spending too much if it seems it breaks easily (from reviews).
 
I had the Plantronics audio 90s when I played CS. Worked nice. Gets uncomfortable if you wear it for an extended period of time. My only complaint about Plantronics is that their wires are very fragile. I had a different headset before I got the audio 90 and the wires just broke like that. I don't know how my audio 90 broke, they just went caput-- but I found out it was a combination of the actual headphone and wiring (again).

I'm not sure what's hot in the headset market right now, but I've seen some cool Logitech ones. =p

Those two brands (Logitech and Plantronics) plus Sennheiser and Razer, are the brands I'd look at.

Generally speaking, Plantronics and Sennheiser have some cheap headsets that would do the job.
 
Plantronics does make nice sets. I just picked up a set of GameCom 777's after I accidentally severed the cord on my .Audio 770s. Both are nice :) I'm pretty sure the 377 linked earlier is the 777 but without the USB add-on.
 
Well I just ordered the audio 90 plantronics headset from the clearance page. Shipping was a ridiculous $7, but doing a quick check around it was still cheaper than anything else around. Now hopefully I don't have any trouble setting it up (I built my own computer, yet I still have issues with microphones, everytime I try and use them, guaranteed.)

Originally posted by cgarb84

If you really want to go balls to the wall just wait for this beast to come out: http://www2.razerzone.com/Megalodon/
Click to expand...
I do have a razr mouse, and am very happy. I barely use the extra side buttons (althoughthey are nice for certain applications) but the mouse itself is just very responsive and fits my hand well so I don't get cramped hands from using a mouse 20 hours a day.
 
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i have the razer barracuda headset and its really nice and comfortable over long periods of use but the mic is kind of lacking i feel.its barely positionable and i dont care for the way its really picky about picking up my voice.with the barracuda sound card it sounds fantastic but its still fairly expensive imo.
 
[quote name='cgarb84']I have had 2 Sennheiser headsets over the years, have really liked them both.

If you really want to go balls to the wall just wait for this beast to come out: http://www2.razerzone.com/Megalodon/

Thats what I'm waiting on. :cool:[/quote]

Wow how much is that going to cost?


My friend just bought this http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8978467&type=product&id=1218004380179
and I tried it on his system this weekend on L4D and the sound was great.

I have a pair of these http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6842018&type=product&id=1093467528521 I prefer behind the head headphones vs overhead ones.
 
[quote name='Sinistar']Wow how much is that going to cost?
[/quote]

I think the pre-orders on Razer's site list it for $149.99. It actually is cheaper than I was anticipating.
 
If I use a headset mic, will I still be able to have sound come out of my surround sound system while using it? I've never used a headset mic, and I want to be able to talk to people in L4D, but not at the expense of my personal audio experience. Can I just use the microphone portion?
 
[quote name='Vegan']If I use a headset mic, will I still be able to have sound come out of my surround sound system while using it? I've never used a headset mic, and I want to be able to talk to people in L4D, but not at the expense of my personal audio experience. Can I just use the microphone portion?[/quote]
Why don't you just buy a microphone...
 
[quote name='shinryuu']Why don't you just buy a microphone...[/quote]


Are there "just microphones" that can attach to my head? One of those mics that sit on a base isn't going to work. My PC is connected to my TV, so I use it LIKE a console. I won't be sitting at a desk.
 
The headphone and microphone cords are separate for a reason ;)

If you get a decent headset with a good noise canceling mic, you'll have no problem. I usually just wear mine around my neck and use my mic and speakers. You might have to turn down the in-game sounds a little bit to clearly hear the other people. Or turn the voices up.
 
[quote name='crystalklear64']The headphone and microphone cords are separate for a reason ;)[/quote]


Ah, see I didn't even know they were like that. I've never had to buy anything like this before.
 
Sorry to revive this thread but do any of you guys tried making your headset work with the PS3?
I'm in the market for a good headset which I could use for the PC and PS3
Not sure if a 3.5mm-to-usb dongle headset will work with the PS3, I would like to have the sound come out of the earpiece rather than just the speakers (for when the woman sleeps)
 
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