time for a headset refresh

**donfede692** · 02-29-12, 02:27 PM

Hello all,

My headset (Newegg.com - PLANTRONICS .Audio 355 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Stereo Headset) has served me well for a bit over a year, but is beginning to fail; sound does not always work on one of the ears.

I checked the past 100 days of the PC H&T forum, and found the following headset discussions:

# pointless discussion, pointing at $2k headset (withOUT mic)

http://www.teamplayergaming.com/pc-h...-headsets.html

# roadhog's recent refresh: many logitech G35 recommendations; he ended up with an Asus Vulcan
http://www.teamplayergaming.com/pc-h...headset-2.html

# asus vulcans roadhog got
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Peripherals & Accessories- ASUS Vulcan ANC

# civil's recent refresh: I believe he ended up with the G35s
http://www.teamplayergaming.com/pc-h...100-total.html

My requirements are:
- Must work with BF2 (noted: this is an older game, pretty much out of support; this is why I am interested in an analog headset)
- ideally will also work ok with BF3 (should that day come for me)
- a physical volume control is a must (admitedly, that component may be part of the problem source on my current headset - but the option to immediately adjust volume is a must for me)

I am shy of the G35s, due to the USB audio. Additional complexity, and currently all of the USB ports on my m11x R1 are being used (keyboard, mouse, laptop ventilation/fan).

Some fancy candidates I saw include the following surround sound headsets, BUT I'm not sure if they'll work with BF2, and I've no clue how I would benefit from the surround sound using my current sound setup (I've stereo out only). Would I use them as stereo only, and leave the other connectors "hanging unused"?:

# turtle beach surround
PC Gaming Headset with 5.1 Surround Sound | Ear Force Z6A | Turtle Beach

# psyko surround
Psyko Krypton Headset

I've had positive experiences with razer products (great mouse surface, decent mouse), so these are some razer headset candidates:

Razer Tiamat 7.1 - Analog Gaming Headset | Razer Online Store

Razer Tiamat 2.2 - Analog Gaming Headset | Razer Online Store

Razer Carcharias - Gaming Headset | Razer Online Store

Newegg.com - RAZER Carcharias 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Professional Gaming Headset

Thank you all for any constructive input. I hope to get this corrected asap. foobar sound is No fun!

regards,
donfede

**donfede692** · 03-02-12, 11:57 PM

Looking a bit further, I might be leaning towards the turtle beach 2-channel headset
Professional Grade PC Gaming Headset | Ear Force Z2 | Turtle Beach
Though newegg has several negative reviews...
Newegg.com - Turtle Beach TBS-2052 EarForce Z2 Headset

"Back in the day" turtle beach used to make better quality sound gear. These look comfy and built pretty well. I don't believe bf2 supports 5.1 sound, and my current laptop doesn't, thus my focus on the 2-channel version. The 5.1 version also requires a USB jack (which I don't have) to power an amp. We'll see, with the abundant negative feedback I should probably keep exploring.

The Psyko headphones look a bit clunky, and the removable mic wierds me out. The razer headsets don't look very impressive to me.

well see,
donfede

**DJ Ms. White** · 03-02-12, 11:59 PM

g35

**Guyver** · 03-03-12, 12:04 AM

UR55 Full Size Headphones - full size headphones - headphones - products - koss headphones

Originally Posted by Guyver

Separate headphones are almost always going to better made than gaming headsets, too.

**RhysJD3** · 03-03-12, 01:17 AM

I have the original psyko headsets. If you're using stereo only, complete waste. They don't sound as good as other headsets but they do position audio very well if you have 5.1 output.

**DancingCorpse** · 03-03-12, 01:34 AM

https://www.mcssl.com/SecureCart/Che...a311cfe&bhcp=1

The Psycho Carbons are $50 off right now, so same price as the Kryptons.

**dex71** · 03-03-12, 06:11 AM

G930's

I can talk, listen , and pee....all at the same time.

**donfede692** · 03-05-12, 01:57 PM

Many thx for the feedback all.

Alas, I've not available USB slots currently, so the G35 and G930 are not an option. Guyver, I recall reading your use of external mic

, thx for sharing. However, if I was to pursue that route, I'd likely run with my current favorite (dedicated) headphones (sony mdr-7506).

My current front runner is this Newegg.com - Corsair Vengeance 1300 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Analog Gaming Headset . Price looks to be fair, reviews seem decent, and corsair "used to make decent stuff" (we'll see what reality brings).

best,
donfede

**Rawr** · 03-08-12, 05:17 AM

I used the Icemat Siberia for a long time, 3.5 and USB options, super comfy.

**donfede692** · 03-16-12, 12:25 PM

Hello again all,

I ended up ordering the Newegg.com - Corsair Vengeance 1300 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Analog Gaming Headset. I received them about a week ago, any my current rating would be - 4.1/5 . Not great, but not terrible; they should do for the next year or so.

While they advertised "big bass sound", using 50mm speakers (vs. many headphones that use 40mm or smaller speakers), I didn't personally find the bass very impressive (almost seemed better on my cheapNewegg.com - PLANTRONICS .Audio 355 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Stereo Headset ). On the positive side, the earpieces are much larger than the Plantronics 355, so they comfortably fit Around my ears (instead of On my ears).

Thanks again for the feedback and support everyone.

see you on the battlefield,
donfede