Which Headset With Mic - Stereo or Surround

Gimpymoo · 17 Oct 2007 at 21:18

Need a good quality headset with an equally good microphone.

Usage will be gaming/TV/Films/Music

Reviews state that although the surround sound headsets are great for Gaming/Films, they often lack for music, is this true?

Is a good Stereo headset better than a good 5.1 headset?

5.1 isnt essential, would rather have good quality 2.0 over OK quality 5.1.

What would your choice be?

No more than £100 spend.

Thanks.

-Ad- · 18 Oct 2007 at 00:47

your right and the simple answer is:

headsets = CRAP
Headphones = good.

you can get a nice pair of sennheiser HD595 headphones for under £100 then get a desktop mic. the mic will be fine for gaming / chatting, and the headphones will sound sublime for music and films, but will have stunning sound positioning in games. Much better than any 5.1 headset which will be crap even vs. stereo headphones.

Also look at headphones for AKG, beyer dynamic, audio technica. i love Grado's but because of their narrow soundstage they arn't that amazing in games.

Gimpymoo · 18 Oct 2007 at 03:00

Those HD595's LOOK VERY VERY nice.

Am going to get a pair of them and a deecent lapel mike if I can find one.

Thanks.

They truly are AMAZING.

-Ad- · 18 Oct 2007 at 19:00

Gimpymoo said:
Those HD595's LOOK VERY VERY nice.

Am going to get a pair of them and a deecent lapel mike if I can find one.

Thanks.

They truly are AMAZING.

Heheh they should be, ive heard their bigger brother (HD600) but only out of a crappy portable cd player. Sounded pretty stunning even then, and very different to my grados.... Senns are soooooooooo comfortable !

Wolfeh · 18 Oct 2007 at 20:30

adfinni said:
Heheh they should be, ive heard their bigger brother (HD600) but only out of a crappy portable cd player. Sounded pretty stunning even then, and very different to my grados.... Senns are soooooooooo comfortable !

Hmm, Stealing the attention from the thread starter for a moment...

But how much more comfortable are the senns? I've got some Grado 125's and they become very uncomfortable after about 40mins using the standard foam ear pads you get with them.

just Scott · 18 Oct 2007 at 20:40

Wolfeh said:
Hmm, Stealing the attention from the thread starter for a moment...

But how much more comfortable are the senns? I've got some Grado 125's and they become very uncomfortable after about 40mins using the standard foam ear pads you get with them.

Sennheiser's will feel like a dream compared to Grado's.

Mansize_tissue · 18 Oct 2007 at 22:41

Gimpymoo said:
Am going to get a pair of them and a deecent lapel mike if I can find one.

Hold your horses, fellah! Don't you want to hear the other options? With that budget, I'd also consider the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros (80 ohm) and Audio Technica A700s.

A few months ago I was in the market for some music/gaming headphones. At first, I made the stupid mistake of getting some Medusas; boy, were they crap. I then pondered over getting either the HD595s, DT 770 Pros and A700s for a long time. I ruled out the Senns almost straight away because, after spending a lot of time over at head-fi (can I say that?), it became apparent the ATs and Beyers were more popular among gamers. The strong points of the Beyers seem to be their deep and impacting bass--which is great for FPS games--whereas a lot of people comment on the great sound positioning the ATs are capable of, so both have their advantages.

Gimpymoo · 22 Oct 2007 at 03:14

Thanks all for helping me choose and letting me discover a new world which I never knew existed what with DAC's, Headphone amps etc.

A few days ago, I thought the 5.1 Medusas were the epitomy of headphones and AC'97 audio was compareable to a premium standalone sound card.. Mmmmm - How foolish I was.

With the help of this forum and the peeps at head-fi, I narrowed it down to the following:

Beyerdynamic DT770
Audio-Technica ATH-A900 Art Headphones
Sennheiser HD595

I went with the Audio-Technica ATH-A900 Art Headphones and can not wait as they will be the first "Real" pair of cans ive owned.

I chose the A900's as they seem to be more of an all rounder really. They seem to have enough BASS without being BOOMY and are very good spatially which is important for gaming in my opinion. Should definitely put the "scare" back into gaming playing FEAR with these on in the dark

As I am "bitten" by the bug, I am also getting a Creative X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty to accompany my little monsters. Hoping the virtual surround sound for headphones works OK on these.

In a few weeks time, dont come a knockin, my head will definitely be a'rockin

Once again, thanks for the advice.

Mansize_tissue · 22 Oct 2007 at 12:57

Very good choice, Gimpymoo. I have the X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series card, too, so you shouldn't be disappointed. How much did the 'phones set you back?

Gimpymoo · 22 Oct 2007 at 13:52

Just over a £100 delivered.

They are the Japanese version but that doesnt bother me too much.

It is a reputable retailer so shouldnt have any problems should any problems occur, hopefully not

There not exactly something I need "Setup Instructions" for are they but if needed can download the english documentation.

Most places in the UK want £155 upwards.

How do you find the virtual surround using headphones on the Fatal1ty? The reviews ive read have said it works very well on a good set of headphones.

Mansize_tissue · 22 Oct 2007 at 14:10

Gimpymoo said:
Just over a £100 delivered.

They are the Japanese version but that doesnt bother me too much.

It is a reputable retailer so shouldnt have any problems should any problems occur, hopefully not

There not exactly something I need "Setup Instructions" for are they but if needed can download the english documentation.

Most places in the UK want £155 upwards.

How do you find the virtual surround using headphones on the Fatal1ty? The reviews ive read have said it works very well on a good set of headphones.

Wow, good deal! Using CMSS-3D is a dream when gaming. It's a lot easier to position enemies in FPS games, for example. However, it does come with its drawbacks. One thing I've found is that--although this is only on very rare occasions, with certain games--some sounds originating half way across the map are amplified so I'm fooled into thinking there's an enemy nearby when there isn't. But this does have its advantages; hearing people through walls, for one.