PC Headsets

[LosOjos]

So, Christmas is coming and I've started to put my list together for Santa* and one thing I'd like this year is a headset for the PC.

 

I'm not too fussy whether it's wired/wireless, though if it is wireless than I'd prefer it to have replaceable batteries.

 

It has to be able to carry full audio, not just voice-chat, as I primarily play with headphones on (I think all PC headsets do this, but I know console ones generally don't so thought I'd point it out)

 

Audio quality is much more important than cosmetics to me.

 

Any suggestions?

 

* please don't tell my other half I called her that

[sstar]

Kingston hyper x cloud - Its a thing of beauty comfortable with a great sound without breaking the bank

[hallb15]

Turtle Beach seem to be the ones most recommended for gaming.

Depends on your (Santa's) budget.

[LeMarchand]

I've got one of these: Afterglow Universal Wireless Amplified Stereo Gaming Headset (PS3/Xbox 360/Wii/PC DVD): Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games

 

Wireless - no replaceable batteries, though hold charge for ages and you can charge and play (USB)

Does full audio (also does chat, but never used it)

Audio??? Fine for me, but I can't tell if the cables to my speakers aren't solid gold and connected in the direction they were extruded at the factory. Amazon reviews are generally favourable. I got them because they look cool!

 

My one major criticism would be that they're not adjustable, so if you've got an unusually-sized head they may not fit. Minor criticism: despite the comprehensive diagrams, setup was a PITA.

[LiamH]

Turtle Beach headsets are always well built and comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions.

 

I went through too many Steelseries Siberia's to re-buy those. Great sound quality for gaming but the cords eventually gave up on me.

[LosOjos]

I'm liking the look of those Kingston HyperX...

 

When you say Turtle Beach, is there a particular model? I hear people rave about them all the time, but I bought a pair for X360 a few years ago and they were agonizingly uncomfortable for even short term use (couldn't take more than 30 minutes before my ears were on fire, padding was awful on them) so I've been kind of put off them...

 

@LeMarchand - they are very cool looking and seem very functional too, however I do have rather a large head so usually need to adjust any headphones I buy - thanks for the suggestion though

[LiamH]

I'm liking the look of those Kingston HyperX...

 

When you say Turtle Beach, is there a particular model? I hear people rave about them all the time, but I bought a pair for X360 a few years ago and they were agonizingly uncomfortable for even short term use (couldn't take more than 30 minutes before my ears were on fire, padding was awful on them) so I've been kind of put off them...

 

@LeMarchand - they are very cool looking and seem very functional too, however I do have rather a large head so usually need to adjust any headphones I buy - thanks for the suggestion though

 

I just have Z11's right now, they are good for a lower end headset.

[Garacesh]

Having borrowed my housemates headphones previously, definitely a +1 to Turtle Beach if you have the funds. Comfortable and excellent quality.

 

Then again.. There's always my thread about cat ear headphones

[LosOjos]

Thanks all for your suggestions

 

[shame there's not an actual 'thanks' button on this board!]

[Sunnyknight]

Plantronics Gamecome 780 (or later if they have a new version).

 

I've been through so many high end headsets (£100 - £200) (razr, roccats, turtle beach, sennheiser etc etc), and this just feels most comfortable, the cable is thick and tightened into the headset (I've accidentally tugged onto the cable about 100+ times quite hard after they get stuck around the corners of my desk.... STUPID DESK). Quality of sound is second to none.

 

Just my 2pence.

[thepridster]

id happily recommend the corsair 7.1 gaming headsets as I've got an older version than the ones out now but its absolutely amazing sound quality is brilliant and the 7.1 actually works and it also came with a nifty jacks to usb connector so I can plug it in either as required

[DCUK6]

+1 Corsair 7.1 headset.

 

Best surround i've ever heard.

 

I've not been able to beat the quality and surround affect of them yet and ive listened to some very expensive systems.

Edited November 11, 2014 by DCUK6

[Arreks]

I'm using the Razer Kraken 7.1 currently and it's probably the comfiest I've used so far (for my head and ear shape I guess, it differs from person to person) - the audio quality is good but I can't really comment on it that much because every headset I use has a buzz thanks to a badly made motherboard i'm yet to replace..

[DMcGuigan]

I've got a Siberia V2 Frost Blue.. nice and comfortable, sound quality could be a little better, but other than that, I've got no issues with it.

They've got the V3s coming out soon, looking at a V3 Prism to replace this once they land.

 

If I'm just playing solo though and don't need the microphone, or if I'm playing a horror game, it's got to be these: Beyer Dynamic DT770 Pro

Extremely comfortable and amazing sound quality. First time I used it was for Alan Wake, could hear things moving three rooms away, took me 5 minutes to cross the room because of every little sound

[Oaktech]

If it's quality you are looking for....

 

Sennheiser - Headphones & Headsets - Microphones - Integrated Systems

 

KG-200 Pro Gaming Headset | Klipsch UK

 

beyerdynamic Professional gaming headsets for ambitious gamers

[LeMarchand]

Not a hardware recommendation, but I recently tried the free version of Razer Surround Personalized 7.1 Gaming Audio Software which gave a surprisingly good surround effect on the cheapo bluetooth phones I tested it on. Can imagine that it would sound great on a decent pair/with the paid version.

[LosOjos]

Not a hardware recommendation, but I recently tried the free version of Razer Surround Personalized 7.1 Gaming Audio Software which gave a surprisingly good surround effect on the cheapo bluetooth phones I tested it on. Can imagine that it would sound great on a decent pair/with the paid version.

 

That does look interesting, will give it a go

 

Don't think I'll be buying 7.1 headset as I have true 5.1 surround at home I'll use mostly, so can't justify the massive price hike just for when I'm using headphones...

 

Those Kingston Hyper X look like a good bet, by all accounts the reviews seem to think they're up their in terms of sound quality with much more expensive sets.

[LincolnE]

I've got a Madcatz Freq 7, a pretty decent headset which has done me fine for the past couple of months.

[LosOjos]

Hmm OK, I buckled and looked at 7.1 headsets - there are some Creative well under £100 - which particular ones are people recommending? I assume for these prices they're software 7.1 rather than hardware?

 

Ref: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CA-9011125-EU-Vengeance-Wireless-Comfortable/dp/B00EZ5N1UC/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1416317408&sr=1-3&keywords=Corsair+7.1+headset

 

@Sunnyknight - those Plantronics look good too - again, do you know if they're HW or SW 7.1? How do you rate that aspect of them?

[LosOjos]

OK I did some research of my own, and they're all software in the price range I'm looking at.

 

Therefore, I'm going to go for the HyperX and try out the software @LeMarchand posted, as they have standard 3.5mm jacks so will work with anything unlike most of the headsets advertised as 7.1 which are USB

[Sunnyknight]

@LosOjos They're SW 7.1.

 

However, some 788 plantronics are also out. In comparison to the Razr, roccats and sennheiser I've used before, they're most definitely on par with them. (edit: they p.... all over the turtle beach headsets I've used)

 

They're now (if im right in believing) not in production (overtaken by 788) but you can still buy them on amazon. Loads of people saying they've broken the headband... their heads must be INCREDIBLY huge. That plastic is quite thick, and unless you don't know how to put on headsets, or look after them (had mine for about 3 - 4 years in total (replaced once as brother 'accidentally' dropped from them from the top of of the table onto a chisel. Accidentally. Even then, they worked perfectly fine, and i ducktaped the top. Kept as a backup. ) they shouldn't break ever.

 

My 2 pence again. For £50, (can get cheaper from ebay) they're a bargain. You won't be disappointed.

[LeMarchand]

Can I suggest that if you are going to try the Razer software, that you do it before you write your letter to Santa? (I don't want the blame if you're not as impressed as I was!)

[LosOjos]

Can I suggest that if you are going to try the Razer software, that you do it before you write your letter to Santa? (I don't want the blame if you're not as impressed as I was!)

 

Haha don't worry, I'll try it out. I'd be more interested in the USB headsets if they had standard connectors and a USB sound card (like the really expensive ones do), but without standard adapters I'm a bit put off - I do plan to eventually buy a PS4 and don't fancy shelling out for another headset