Thread: Quality headphone/mic set?

I'm using an "economy" class headphone/mic set. There is a significant difference in sound level (and quality) between that and my normal headphones I use (I don't use speakers on my computer).

It's been a while since I've updated my headphone/mic set, what are some decent (but not bank breaking) sets that you could refer?

Keep in mind that these are only for gaming. I don't need the ultra-sonic, professional, "A" grade set that can also be used to pick up the sound of someone breaking wind 2 houses down and cost more than my mortgage.

Myself, I am running a decent set of headphones that I've been using for years. BUt they are audio only. Nice thing about using headphones? They don't let the audio get picked up and rebroadcast through your microphone.

But I am using a standard LabTec mic or some other relatively cheap brand. It is a stand alone mic that I just move to the corner of my desk when not in use. While playing, it is sitting between the keyboard and me so I can talk directly into it without having to raise my voice any.

I prefer to keep the 2 items seperate so you can mix and match how you'd like. If you find a great pair of headphones that you like to use for hours and hours on your Creative Zen (NO IPODS HERE) great. If you prefer the in the ear buds, great. I like having multifunctional devices myself.

Laggy

Hi Apokalupsis,

Welcome to the forums. I followed your unban thread and saw that you enjoy writing. Cool stuff.

As for headsets, I use the Turtle Beach X-52 5.1 headset. It is comfortable, has nice tone, and the mic boom is flexible so it is easy to move out of the way.
http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/efx52/home.aspx

I also had good luck with Logitech's USB headset. I liked when I did not know any better, but now that I've used the Turtle Beach I can't go back. The Logitech is now relegated to talking on TeamSpeak through my laptop.

ICEMAT AUDIO

http://www.icemat.com/products/icema...adset/pictures

My RL friends that own powersgaming.com are sponsored by ICEMAT and they gave me the black set for my wedding present. It's an awesome headset and mic.

Originally Posted by laggyNgroovy

Myself, I am running a decent set of headphones that I've been using for years. BUt they are audio only. Nice thing about using headphones? They don't let the audio get picked up and rebroadcast through your microphone.

But I am using a standard LabTec mic or some other relatively cheap brand. It is a stand alone mic that I just move to the corner of my desk when not in use. While playing, it is sitting between the keyboard and me so I can talk directly into it without having to raise my voice any.

Ah, I just figured that using them separately wouldn't carry my voice nearly as well. I suppose that can be fixed by adjusting the gain though. I've never used separate, always a set. Your way seems the best of both worlds.

Originally Posted by ebaconjr

Hi Apokalupsis,

Welcome to the forums. I followed your unban thread and saw that you enjoy writing. Cool stuff.

Thanks for the welcome. Yes, I do enjoy writing. It'd be nice if I were more concise, but I'm used to very, very long debates and writing several essays and articles (covering topics as broad as metaphysics, politics and theology). Gaming is a "break" from that.

I'll look into your suggestion re: mic set, but I may also look into the possibility of keeping the mic separate from the headphones. I have a high quality headphone set I use for a keyboard that works great for gaming as well. It'd be nice to keep it in use.

I use to use a Planitronics set that I really liked alot until my little girl decided to tear the cord out. It wasn't anything special, but it had a good mic and the ear cushions were very soft. I hate the leather-ish cushions, they tend to hurt my ears after an hour or so.

I broke down recently and dished out the cash for a nice set of Bose. Probably why I yell more often then not on the mic because I cant hear myself.

BTW I went to Circuit City the other day and saw the same headphones I use to have. They changed the name of it slightly by adding "GAMER" on it, comes in new packaging, and VOILA: they now cost $50 more. Go figure...

i think there was already a topic on this here in this forum, which is where i found someone pasted a link to this set. i went ahead and ordered when i saw them. it's kinda cool to feel your head shake as you get your ass blown up by rdx, or as you're watching the enemy titan chain react.

one thing is that there is no indication if you have your mic turned on or not. maybe in the software, but i dont pay much attention to it when i'm starting the game. so when i enter a squad, i have to ask people if it's working. prolly not a bad idea in general anyway.

Those are pretty nice for the price, but they'll kill your ears after a while.
For the more expensive SENNHEISER products though, I;ve only heard good things.

Originally Posted by Toker

Those are pretty nice for the price, but they'll kill your ears after a while.
For the more expensive SENNHEISER products though, I;ve only heard good things.

They are great! I use the Senn HD280. Wife bought it for me for Christmas. It was intended to be for my mini-studio only, but I dug 'em so much I started using them for gaming as well (since I don't use speakers). They not only sound crisp, but are quite comfy and the best thing IMO, is the terrific job they do at attenuating ambient noise. It makes it feel (or sound) more realistic as it draws you in. On the other hand, when playing darker games such as FEAR, it can have the side effect of having your wife laugh at you when when you jump out of your seat due to that creepy little girl appearing from nowhere.

I don't play FEAR any more.