Best Headset for a Dad Gamer

Random Guy

Random Guy

Random Guy

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13 Nov 2007
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Hey peeps, I am looking for a quality gaming headset - but it has to be open-ear.

If that is not an oxymoron, does anyone have any suggestions? I need this so I can easily hear the wee ones (or the other half :eek:) while kicking ass online.

I'm all ears...
 
What soundcard are you pairing it with? Budget?

Senn HD555s (which I have paired with a Xonar DX) or Goldring DR150's are both recommended. The latter has better synergy with DH I understand.

The Xonar DG looks like a cracker with DH, 5.1 and Headphone Amp all for around £27 although its still early doors for full user reviews to filter through.
 
Depending on your budget Audio Technica ATH-AD700 would be a good choice. A lot of people on head-fi.org think they are some of the best headphones you can buy with regards to audio positioning for gaming. They are a bit expensive in the UK though.
 
TY for all the replies.

-=Vect0r=- said:
What soundcard are you pairing it with? Budget?

Senn HD555s (which I have paired with a Xonar DX) or Goldring DR150's are both recommended. The latter has better synergy with DH I understand.

The Xonar DG looks like a cracker with DH, 5.1 and Headphone Amp all for around £27 although its still early doors for full user reviews to filter through.
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I have an Asus Xonar D2 soundcard. Both the headsets you recommended look good - but I will need a mic as well.

Turambar said:
Depending on your budget Audio Technica ATH-AD700 would be a good choice. A lot of people on head-fi.org think they are some of the best headphones you can buy with regards to audio positioning for gaming. They are a bit expensive in the UK though.
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Price-wise its not too bad, but no mic is a deal breaker.

smogsy said:
does it need a mic?
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Yep.

Uriel said:
Budget important here?
Click to expand...

Reasonably. I would be reluctant to go all-out on a headset (e.g. £160+), but would be happy for a decent unit that matches my requirements as per my first post.
 
Random Guy said:
I have an Asus Xonar D2 soundcard. Both the headsets you recommended look good - but I will need a mic as well.



Price-wise its not too bad, but no mic is a deal breaker.
Click to expand...

The HD555 and Goldys are not headsets, just headphones, so you would still need a mic :)

The Razer Carcharias seems to be highly rated headset atm.

Cheers.
 
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I heard the Senheiser HD555s allow you to hear easily as they have grilled cups to allow air to flow to the drivers better.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, but I need a headset, not just headphones. On another note, does it make a difference if you buy a 5.1 headset as opposed to stereo?
 
5.1 headset is not needed. You have a sound card with Dolby Headphone, which will create surround sound using just stereo headphones/headset.

Razer Carcharias is a decent headset, recommended by quite a few people. They appear to be open, so will let a certain amount of sound in. I am wondering if it might be better to get an on ear (supra-aural) pair. I use over ear (circumaural) headphones, which are open, but when playing a game, doesn't matter if outside sounds can get in, because it's very hard to hear anyway, as outside noise gets drowned out. The volume would need to be pretty low, as it can be hard to hear your own voice, let alone anyone shouting from the next room etc. As supra-aural are on ear, sound is more likely to be heard while having more volume from the headphones/headset, as the sound can get round the ear cups, and doesn't have to travel through the ear cups, as it would with over ear types.

The downside to using on ear is they are not that good when it comes to surround sound.
 
speedlink clip on mic - google search, i got one from a uk island...if you catch my drift.

EDIT:- SPEEDLINK SL-8691-SBK - i have this, bought it recently 2.4 meter cable and great crisp & clear vocals.
 
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Deffo go for a decent headphone rather than headset. I wouldn;t sacrifice sound for the sake of a £5 mic. I use HD595's which are fantastic both for music and gaming. Paired with a cheap mic they will better most if not all gaming 'headsets'.
 
+1 for decent headphones, got a pair of goldring NS 1000's, gonna add a cheapo usb mike for voice comms. The NS 1000's are excellent for music, games and movies, much more versatile than the previous headset i was using.
 
setter said:
+1 for decent headphones, got a pair of goldring NS 1000's, gonna add a cheapo usb mike for voice comms. The NS 1000's are excellent for music, games and movies, much more versatile than the previous headset i was using.
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have a look at this mic - SPEEDLINK SL-8691-SBK
 
setter said:
+1 for decent headphones, got a pair of goldring NS 1000's, gonna add a cheapo usb mike for voice comms. The NS 1000's are excellent for music, games and movies, much more versatile than the previous headset i was using.
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+2. :D I have the DR150's though, and an old over ear headset thing lying on my desk.

I can see why people want a headset though if LAN gaming. A desk mic would pick up too much noise. A clip on would be better, but still wont be as good as a boom mic.

For home gaming though, headphones win every time. :D
 
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