new headset, new speaker advice

Ch3m1c4L

Ch3m1c4L

Ch3m1c4L

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Joined
11 Oct 2007
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London, UK
I currently have a medusa 5.1 home edition headset and amp, but a couple of pins have recently broken on the connector on the headphones. I can't for the life of me find somewhere selling jsut the spare headset anymore, and if im going to shed out for a new set, i May as well get something better. One thing I am noticing about most new headsets, is that none of them come with the nice amp that the medusa's did, meaning I could conenct my 5.1 speakers, and my headset and switch ebtween the two at the push of a button. How do the rest of you change between speakers and headphones when they are connected up to your PC? It would be easy enough if it was just one stereo jack as my speakers have a socket on them, but I would need at least 1x stereo jack and a mic jack. Am I missing something simply in the way of connectors?

As for looking at a new set of something else. The Raxer Megaladon look like they might be pretty good, but I cant help the feeling that I dont need to buy something like that at all and could just buy a decent set of Stereo headphones and use my soundcard (Asus D2) to simulate the same experience?

Are there any other "real" 5.1 headsets out there other than the Medusa's, that are worth what they cost? What I didnt like about the medusa's was the fact that they werent shielded very well meaning they would pick up mobile phone interference etc. I know seinn housers etc are pretty good, but specific models, which are good for gaming due to accurate reproduction of sound position, or a decent set of stereo ones that would go well with my soundcard would be nice to recieve advice on.

While I'm at it, Im considering upgrading my (almost new, will sell in members market possibly) Logitech x-540 speakers. Been looking at the G51's and the Z-5500 (ill be reading the other thread about them shortly). I would go for the z-5500's but I can't help thinking they are fairly old tech, and that logitech will probably release a newer version fairly soon, and as I'm in no rush, I could easiy just wait for that? Any recomendations on decent 5/7.1 setups, mainly for gaming but will be used for music etc as well, would be welcomed.
 
Budget for headphones would be a max of £100 really, but i would rather they were cheaper. So id sacrifice a bit of audio clarity/range to make a worthwhile saving. From reading today, I am guessing the 555's or 595's? Whats the leakage like on a pair of open headphones?

Budget for speakers would be around £200, and would need to be 5. 1 or 7.1
 
Ch3m1c4L said:
I currently have a medusa 5.1 home edition headset and amp
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I feel your pain.

The Raxer Megaladon look like they might be pretty good, but I cant help the feeling that I dont need to buy something like that at all and could just buy a decent set of Stereo headphones and use my soundcard (Asus D2) to simulate the same experience?
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I will take away the pain by prescribing NO headsets and getting some headphones.

Are there any other "real" 5.1 headsets out there other than the Medusa's, that are worth what they cost?
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No, but a taking a Cyanide capsule will have the same effect.


What I didnt like about the medusa's was the fact that they werent shielded very well meaning they would pick up mobile phone interference etc.
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Move your phone a bit further away.

I know seinn housers etc are pretty good, but specific models, which are good for gaming due to accurate reproduction of sound position, or a decent set of stereo ones that would go well with my soundcard would be nice to recieve advice on.
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Seinn housers ? Are they something from predator or another arnie flick ? :p

A pair of HD555 senns or goldring dr150 should do nicely as an introduction into headphones.


While I'm at it, Im considering upgrading my (almost new, will sell in members market possibly) Logitech x-540 speakers. Been looking at the G51's and the Z-5500 (ill be reading the other thread about them shortly). I would go for the z-5500's but I can't help thinking they are fairly old tech, and that logitech will probably release a newer version fairly soon, and as I'm in no rush, I could easiy just wait for that? Any recomendations on decent 5/7.1 setups, mainly for gaming but will be used for music etc as well, would be welcomed.
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Fairly old tech, not really that much tech in there. Still probably the best pc 5.1 system out there, lots of power and ooomph with a good price. I doubt logitech will bring out anything that will sound better, these pc 5.1 systems don't really sound that much different to each other.

For gaming they are great, but anythign with small satellite speakers and a boomy sub like this is that they are crap for music. No midrange, peircing highs, and uncontrolled boomy bass that is about as accurate as stevie wonder shooting an apple off his mums head with an air rifle at 3 miles out.

COnsider maybe going for just a good stereo amplifier and a pair of bookshelf speakers, infinately better for music and still sound great for gaming. Then if you want the more immersive surround, then just stick your headphones on. But if you want surround form speakers too then just get the z5500.
 
yea i had a complete mind blank on how to spell, and went with what i thought they sounded like in my head, which was wrong, very wrong idd.

Anyone had experience with a pair of Sennheiser PC 350's? About the only headset that looks any good (from reviews). I would prefer a headset as I cba with a clip on mic etc. If not, then I will end up gettins the 555's or something with the elara clip on instead.

I beg to differ on they all sound the same, my x540's soud infinatley better than my old el cheapo 5.1 on my audigy 2 lol. Ill admit I dont listen to anything on a decent hi-fi system though.

Yea, reading up more througout the day has made me feel my lack of knowledge in audio periphals, and also hate all the USB rubbish everyone seems to be selling these days.....There is a reason I bought my soundcard ffs.
 
As an ex medusa user, I'll put in another recommendation for the above. Dolby Headphone over stereo headphones on your Xonar D2 is a much more natural sounding representation of surround sound than the Medusas' multiple driver solution.

It really needs a good set of headphones to get the best out of it though. HD555s and Goldring DR150s are very well regarded. I'm currentluy using Goldring NS1000s, which are closed headphones with active noise reduction - so outside noise is reduced really well. The sound quality from them is outstanding and you might be able to find a set within your price range. They do hiss a little with noise reduction switched on, which is their main flaw. Without noise reduction they really do need an amp and would sound a little dull straight out of the soundcard.

If you don't need the noise isolation / reduction then stick with the HD555s or Goldring DR150s. Add a clip on or desktop mike to any of the ones I've mentioned and you have a much better sounding 'headset' for the money than pretty much any standard PC headsets.

Edit: I've not used the PC350s but they have a reputation for being overpriced and lacking bass. There is one pc headset with a reputation for excellent sound quality - the Bayerdynamic MMX 300. It's a wee bit pricey though but is basically a DT770 with a mic attached. Still very overpriced compared to just buying headphones.
 
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yea, £200 is a bit pricey for a headset imo, tbh, im a bit against spending more than £50 on a pair, but ive finally decided that since i've allways had a "decent" soundcard that I may as well buy something better to hear it from.

From the reviews I read about the 350's I got the impression that they werent as immersive due to their lack of bass, but were easier to pick out sounds "in a frantic melee" than other sets. I would only be using them for voice in multiplayer gaming really, since otherwise ill be using my speakers, with there lovely lack of midrange lol.

edit: If for my use, you still think the 555's or 595's or w/e are better then ill get them as the above is the last reasons I was thinking about the 350's
 
If you're brave the bass issue with the PC350s is fixable with a mod, but it does involve an electric drill :eek:

Have modded mine and I am very happy with them now, they have the same speakers as the HD595s so they always had the ability to be good just need a little coaxing..
 
hehe, my skill with electronics leaves something to be desired. I did do GNVQ engineering, but i have never had god experience with headphones and trying to work on them lol
 
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