I want an upgrade from my Razer Megalodons, need advice!

Archernick

Archernick

Archernick

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2 Dec 2012
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OK a bit of background first.This is asking for advice for HEADSETS and HEADPHONES and SOUNDCARDS, just want to make that clear.

I'm a heavy PC Gamer and also a games journalist. I've been mildly content with my Razer Megalodons for about 6 months now until I realised that I was putting up with them because it was the easy thing to do. I'll admit the whole "7.1 surround sound and external sound card" reeled me in, but that was before I did and real research.

Now I want rid of them, finally having some money to spend. After looking on the internet for a few days now I'm pretty overwhelmed with the choice that is available.

I wouldn't like to spend any more than £250 on a headset/headphone, although I'm open to suggestions. Just remember that I'm planning to buy a sound card as well to make sure I'm getting the most out of them.

That being said, I'm looking to spent no more than £150 on a sound card purposely for headsets/headphones.

I'm a PC Gamer, it's kind of my job. I play pretty much every genre out there but I feel these Razer Megalodons are just, weak. They are currently open, which has an annoying tendency to spill sound out and onto my microphone while playing. I think I'd rather go for immersion above anything else, so maybe a closed design would suit me? tl;dr = IMMERSION over competitive edge

Also because I play games, skype, interview etc, A decent mic is a must. This is why I have included Headsets in this post, primarily because they seem the most suited. However, I have heard that they are limited to what Headphones can achieve. If it's something I'm missing out on I want to know, I don't mind venturing into it and buying say an external mic like a Blue Yeti or Snowball.

I have rarely used the visualised 7.1 surround sound the Megalodons offer, mainly because so few game support it, but also because if you're talking with someone they sound horrible. I've been told Dolby Headphones do a better job at it, so maybe keeping it as an option would be nice. But I would love a great sense of positional audio for games such as FPS's and mainly Horror games.

If I had to choose any sort of music it would be Rock e.g. Queen etc. But my library is incredibly varied so I wouldn't like to say I only listen to a single type of genre.

I'll show you what I've been looking at before I sought help here:

HEADSETS:

Sennheiser 350
Sennheiser 360
Astro A40 2013 Edition
Plantronics Gamecom Commander

HEADPHONES:
Open to suggestions on this one, I think I've viewed hundreds. Obviously I would need to buy a stand along mic but my PC does make a lot of noise.

SOUND CARD:

Asus Xonar Essence STX
Asus Xonar Xense Combo (Right now this is what I'm most likely to be picking up)

Thanks again for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to the suggestions!
 
You won't get positional audio with stereo headphones. Also virtual surround sound is still just one speaker per ear. True surround sound is better.
 
Archernick said:
Ok well true surround sound is out of the question because I'm after a headset/headphone, not speakers.
Click to expand...

I meant true surround sound headphones. Sorry I wasn't clear. I use Tritton 510 which has 4 speakers per ear. These work great for me. I don't use the microphone though so can't comment on that. If you are keen to have a sound card then you will need analog headphones. The other option is to get a USB set. I'm sure other posters can add to this.
 
I've only heard good things about those. Some say the bass is a little low on the PC350 compared to the PC360.
 
I've heard that too but I've also heard that due to the modifications by Sennheiser for this specific bundle, they gain setting your told to use fixes that.

I just would love to hear from someone who uses either the card or headset.
 
I can vouch for the sennheiser pc 360's stunning headset and actually not as expensive as you might think when you look at the hardware that makes them.

Its 2 things that are amazing alone from sennheiser mated together with thought for gamers in mind.

Basically its a audiophile grade sennheiser hd 598 set of headphones same drivers and components identical part numbers including the most comfortable xxl large valour pads that sit on your skull with no pressure on ear at all. these headphones are 200 bucks rrp in the uk
Then you have the clearest mic you can buy that sennheiser makes with noise cancelling, and a auto mute, lift the boom to mute simple and volume on jog dial on right ear cup. same model number as used on racing headsets the cable is removable if you tug it to stongly and all the parts are interchangable and readily available should you decide to keep them for years and swap out parts in the future.

Its these little things that make the world of difference that you will appreciate if you spend hours with them on.


anyhow make sure to get a decent soundcard with them they work very well with dolby headphone and a headphone amp.

so a xonar stx would be perfect or a dg if your on budget.
 
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Will also vouch for the 360, super comfy can wear them for 6 hr stint with no issues.

Alas i only have a DG card to pair up with them atm, but there still stunning.
 
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