HELP: Finding One-eared headset for PC gaming chat only

Crosly · 18 Mar 2014 at 13:22

Hello
I've had a cheap one-eared headset for the pc off ebay now for years now and it's starting to act up.
I only use my headset for voice chat only on ventrillo/teamspeak/mumble. So I don't want to hear ingame sounds. Just peoples voices coming through headset.

Current headset has 2x 3.5mm jacks (Headphone/Mic)

I had my eye on this:
http://www.turtlebeach.com/product-detail/ps4-headsets/ear-force-p4c/415

It says it is compatible with PC but only has 1x 3.5mm jack.
I'm assuming that even though it has 1x 3.5mm jack both headphones and mic work?
Also am I able to set the headset up for voice output only?

I quote from the link: "The P4c features a 40mm speaker for incoming chat and a unique slotted ear cup design that lets you hear external game sound and chat at the same time"
Not sure if it means it will allow me to hear sound from TV or if it means from the headset.

Looking for a headset like this but not knowing if it will work for voice output only is giving me a headache.

Open to suggestions too. But if above does what I want it to do then I'm nabbing that.
Thanks

TwsT · 18 Mar 2014 at 15:05

WE will be stocking some shortly stand by for an update.

Crosly · 18 Mar 2014 at 22:55

TwsT said:
WE will be stocking some shortly stand by for an update.

Stocking the headset I linked or similar to what I'm after?

I'de like to buy that headset but need the questions answered below that link:

It says it is compatible with PC but only has 1x 3.5mm jack.
I'm assuming that even though it has 1x 3.5mm jack both headphones and mic work?
Also am I able to set the headset up for voice output only?

ibpalle · 20 Mar 2014 at 05:59

If the headset uses jacks it will use your sound card for output - this means you wont be able to separate output between your speakers and the headset.

You will want a headset with a USB soundcard built-in to give you 2 different out-put streams. One for game sound and one for voice - UNLESS your sound card has the ability to differentiate between output on the back jacks and the front jacks.

I myself use an older plantronics single ear headset with a USB plug and built-in soundcard.

It's a bit old by now though so looking for a replacement - will be interesting to see what OcUK can offer.

Crosly · 20 Mar 2014 at 14:17

ibpalle said:
If the headset uses jacks it will use your sound card for output - this means you wont be able to separate output between your speakers and the headset.

My current headset has 2x 3.5mm jacks. Headphone(Green) and Mic(Pink).
I am able to seperate sounds via my Realtek HD Audio Manager so I currently only have voice output coming out of headphones and music and games etc coming out of speakers.
Also my soundcard is in my Motherboard. I don't have an independant one.

ibpalle said:
You will want a headset with a USB soundcard built-in to give you 2 different out-put streams. One for game sound and one for voice - UNLESS your sound card has the ability to differentiate between output on the back jacks and the front jacks.

Realtek HD Audio Manager allows to me to retask that jack whether its the MB panel or front panal.
I'm just confused on if I was to buy a USB or single jack headset rather than 2 jacks, how would I retask the USB or single jack to Headphone/Mic only rather then seperatly.

ibpalle · 20 Mar 2014 at 16:20

With a single jack headphone I'm not sure ow the MB soundcard would cope

For a USB one you just get another sound source that you can select to use as voice device in Windows, your teamspeak/ventrilo or hopefully in game voice.

Crosly · 20 Mar 2014 at 19:14

ibpalle said:
With a single jack headphone I'm not sure ow the MB soundcard would cope For a USB one you just get another sound source that you can select to use as voice device in Windows, your teamspeak/ventrilo or hopefully in game voice.

I'de prefer a USB one but hard to find one-earred headsets with a USB or even a jack. Atleast I've found it hard.

Crosly · 21 Mar 2014 at 04:08

Apparenty if I was to buy the Turtle Beach P4C that I mentioned in the OP I'de need a 3.5mm 4-pole jack splitter since on the website it says "In order to use the Ear Force P4c on a PC, your PC must have a 3.5 mm 4-pole jack."

Headset: (http://www.turtlebeach.com/product-detail/ps4-headsets/ear-force-p4c/415)
+
Splitter: (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smartphon...?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item3f31aebb6f)

That should work right? Then I can just keep the current settings I have for my current headset?

OR

Since I'm only in need of a comms headset for TeamSpeak etc, maybe I should just go basic with this since it's got 2x jacks making it less complicating:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390587067220?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Opinions?

Crosly · 21 Mar 2014 at 16:01

Any ideas or opinoins?

MonkeyBasher · 21 Mar 2014 at 17:32

Both those suggestions you have posted will work.

The Turtle Beach uses a "headset" jack, that's why it needs a splitter for PC. To split into separate "speaker" and "mic" cables that are the standard.
The sounds that are played on the headset are whatever you route to it. The earpiece is designed so that you can still hear the outside world through it. In the case of the PS4 this allows you to hear the dedicated "chat" coming down the cable and also the "TV" by not physical covering the ear.

The cheap and cheerful headset you posted will work fine because it already has the separate plugs.

Plugging your chosen headset into your PC and actually getting it to hear what you want it to are two separate things. Ive looked at my realtek HD audio manager and I cant see how its able to redirect "voice". Your maybe using a newer version though, and you seem pretty confident in how you have it set up. Your easiest and less headache solution would be to buy a headeset with the same cables and plugs as your existing one, replace it in the same jacks and make no software changes.

MonkeyBasher · 21 Mar 2014 at 17:34

I go through headsets and earphones in general very quickly. They are not designed to have cables run over by chairs or to be screwed up inside pockets, so personally I always go for cheap and cheerful.

Crosly · 21 Mar 2014 at 18:25

MonkeyBasher said:
Both those suggestions you have posted will work.

The Turtle Beach uses a "headset" jack, that's why it needs a splitter for PC. To split into separate "speaker" and "mic" cables that are the standard.
The sounds that are played on the headset are whatever you route to it. The earpiece is designed so that you can still hear the outside world through it. In the case of the PS4 this allows you to hear the dedicated "chat" coming down the cable and also the "TV" by not physical covering the ear.

The cheap and cheerful headset you posted will work fine because it already has the separate plugs.

Plugging your chosen headset into your PC and actually getting it to hear what you want it to are two separate things. Ive looked at my realtek HD audio manager and I cant see how its able to redirect "voice". Your maybe using a newer version though, and you seem pretty confident in how you have it set up. Your easiest and less headache solution would be to buy a headeset with the same cables and plugs as your existing one, replace it in the same jacks and make no software changes.

Yeah after finding that cheap headset on ebay last night with 2 jacks. I think I'll just go easy and grab that thanks.