time for a new headset... post your headset and a review link for it

rjk

rjk

rjk

Caporegime
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ok - so im looking for a new headset for gaming and listening to music occasionally [usually use speakers for that]


not too bothered on price but would like some opinions

possibly if people could post what they have and a link to a review that made them decide on them?

that would be interesting
 
At a guess, you'll get lots of people telling you to steer away from headsets and to go for headphones and a clip on mike.

Main recommendations will be Sennheiser HD555 or HD595 and Goldring DR150. If you use the search function with those names you'll find plenty that's already been said, including a few fairly detailed reviews and comparisons.

Someone might mention "Medusa" or other 5.1 headset and the reaction will be pretty similar to the guy that said "Jehovah" in the Life of Brian.
 
i guessed as much

if a combo is the preffered choice i may have to look at that - havent got much room on the desk so a headset would have been the preferred option
 
I was in the same position as you a few weeks ago with headphone and sound card. After 2 weeks searching and reading reviews, i went for HD555 and Xonar D2 and sound as really nice actually.

For gaming, sound similar to my home cinema with separate speakers as i can tell when somebody sneaking behind me :) For music the same as well, clear and can hear every single instruments and voice :) For film, it sounds good as well


Review:
HD 555 review

Medusa 5.1 VS HD555

Or you can go for Creative Aurvana Live! and probably easier to find than HD 555. It's basically the same as Denon AH-D1001 but rebranded by Creative.

Review:
Creative Aurvana Live! review

So it depends on you if you want open or close headphone. I was gonna go for Creative Aurvana Live! as cheaper than Denon itself but it's closed headphone and can get quite hot after a while and went for HD 555 instead of HD 595 as heard from users they can't really tell the difference and cheaper :D and i am glad with my choise as the sound clarity from it just as good as my sound system (i'm quite picky when it comes to sound :))

I can tell that with Xonar D2, the sound just brilliant.
Hope that helps :)
 
willy said:
.......

Medusa 5.1 VS HD555

....
Click to expand...

Just read this article and the author states this:

I tested both headsets using a Creative X-fi as the sound card. Thus, I used the Creative Audio Console to adjust the audio output settings. The Medusas were always run with the output set to 5.1 speakers, while the HD555s were always run with the output set to 2/2.1 speakers. I used the Entertainment mode for music and movies, and the Game mode for games.
Click to expand...

HD555s to stereo (2/2.1) and Medusa to 5.1 output?????? Surely this is not comparing apples with apples?

I run my my 555s with 8 channels during gaming and get awesome surround sound. Also had the medusa's which contrary to some on this forum I did not find too bad in terms of sound positioning, but it cannot beat the 555s in terms of sheer sound quality. And once the 555s are set to 8 channels output for gaming, they win hands down. :cool:

I did find that the 555s needed time to burn in though and the bass becomes more pronuonced over time.
 
-=Vect0r=- said:
HD555s to stereo (2/2.1) and Medusa to 5.1 output?????? Surely this is not comparing apples with apples?
Click to expand...

Well it kind of is. It's effectively comparing the sound with no processing. That's how the headphones will be for anyone without CMSS-3D Headphone or Dolby Headphone.

Anyone with a soundcard that does either should try it though.

To say they were using an X-Fi in the review, it's a bit of a glaring omission.
 
Hm, i have the 555s paired with a Xonar DX and do not use Dolby Headphone as I find the sound artificial and 'tinny'.

I take your point in terms of no processing (two channels only) as the two channels are upmixed to 6 or 8 depending on film/gaming requirements respectively through the Xonar/Vista control panels.

It still doesn't strike me as a good review as surely both headsets should be tested with the same number of channel inputs i.e. both on 2/2.1 or indeed 5.1 channels in order for it to be a meaningful comparison.
 
-=Vect0r=- said:
Hm, i have the 555s paired with a Xonar DX and do not use Dolby Headphone as I find the sound artificial and 'tinny'.
Click to expand...

I sort of agree with this. It's headphone dependent. With Goldring DR50s or DR100s Dolby headphone sounds artificial to me. With Goldring NS1000s or Sennheiser HD600s it sounds very natural (to the point I could shut my eyes and imagine I was there). Low bitrate mp3s and some game audio (which isn't generally of a very high quality) is artificial sounding on the higher end headphones though. Generally I much prefer it on, as I like the impression of space and direction it gives.

-=Vect0r=- said:
I take your point in terms of no processing (two channels only) as the two channels are upmixed to 6 or 8 depending on film/gaming requirements respectively through the Xonar/Vista control panels.

It still doesn't strike me as a good review as surely both headsets should be tested with the same number of channel inputs i.e. both on 2/2.1 or indeed 5.1 channels in order for it to be a meaningful comparison.
Click to expand...

I agree but I don't think you can actually reproduce those settings on an X-Fi (on which the headphones were reviewed) though. You have to get CMSS to do the upmixing / downmixing. I could be wrong though, as it's a few months since I had my X-Fi installed.

Edit: so with X-Fi it's like having Dolby Headphone switched on on the Xonar.
 
Last edited:
rjkoneill said:
im thinking of going for the goldrings at work

are they supposed to be alright?

the DR100's
Click to expand...

At work? I assume you'll have colleagues about? The Goldring DR50, DR100 and DR150, as well as the Sennheiser HD555 are all open backed headphones. They leak sound and everyone will be able to hear what you're listening to.

If that's an issue you might want to go for something closed backed.
 
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