New gaming headset to replace Fatal1ty [thoughts on Razer]

[newconroer]

I'm a big fan of budget headsets wit mics, ever since I picked up a Fatal1ty HS800 a few years back.

I'm now on my third pair, which lost mic function. I'm close to buying another one yet thought about possibly looking into a few Razer models.

There are however so many of them now, I do not know where to begin(and that's just Razer. I know Turtle Beach, Sennheiser, and so many others exist).

My requirements:

• I don't want to spend more than about $50-70, or £25-50.
• Surround is not necessary as I don't believe that it's ever true and ends up sounding wrong and inaccurate.
• No USB models
• Detachable microphone would be a great bonus.

I'll go used too, if the advertisement looks promising.

The two Razer that have stood out are the Raptor and the Caracharias.

 

[Fourstaff]

Fatality user here, its very difficult to find one headset below £50 which comes close to it. You can take a look at Corsair's offerings, or consider getting a standalone mic.

This is good guide: http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad...ng-guide-updated-1-9-2014-shure-srh1840-added

 

[newconroer]

Ah, good a fellow user!

Thanks for the link and I will check out some Corsair.
Razer Chimaera are spiffy for the wireless aspect but I do wonder if that's really worth it when you they're designed for XBox use and you end up only getting analogue output. My sound card should be doing most of the audio work though..

 

[Fourstaff]

My experience with the few Razer products I have come across are generally good, except quite expensive for what they are capable of. The only time my Harman Kardon BT beats my HS800 is when I need to take a toilet break, so that is something to keep in mind.

 

[newconroer]

Yes, wireless would be nice.
Any experience with USB models that have their own driver built-in? Surely this is pointless if you have a sound card.

I had a look for some Corsair, and the HS1 seems to be end of life. The Raptor comes up in all search results. It this their goto model now?

 

[newconroer]

Four, any idea what set this gentlemen is wearing?

 

[ZetZet]

Siberia v2 good value in my opinion, very comfortable. I went from fatal1ty to siberia and was very impressed.

Four, any idea what set this gentlemen is wearing?

Logitech g930

 

[newconroer]

Yes! Siberias are a good option.
How about Roccat Kaves?

 

[ZetZet]

Yes! Siberias are a good option.
How about Roccat Kaves?

They have all the fancy softwares, while siberia are just plain analog with 50mm drivers, also the hideable mic is good.

 

[newconroer]

Well the Kave's are 5.1 over 3.5mm instead of their own USB, which means I can use my sound card in conjunction.

Though if I go back to stereo, Siberia v2 look pretty good. It will be either those or Corsair Vengeance 1300 I think.

 

[erocker]

I really like the Siberia V2's, they sound pretty good. Only thing that is bad about them is their head adjustment. Very cheap and easy to break.

 

[newconroer]

I really like the Siberia V2's, they sound pretty good. Only thing that is bad about them is their head adjustment. Very cheap and easy to break.

Hmm I thought the little stretch cables and metal construction was supposed to make the Siberia's selling point to be durability.


Turtle Beach DX11 look promising.

Though I'm still torn about 'true' surround with multiple physical speakers, or simulated dolby through an encoder box and how that works or does not work in conjunction with sound cards.



EDIT: Hah, top ten gaming headsets 2013 HS800 at number 6!

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I'm on my second set of Caracharias. The first set had a defective left woofer and they replaced them under warranty. The only real complaint I have is that, when you first get them and you have a big head, they kind of hurt. Once they've stretched to fit your head, they might actually get a little loose. I like them though and wouldn't hesitate to buy another set when these die.

 

[newconroer]

I feel the same about the HS800, and the Caracharias do seem to offer the same experience, if not slightly better or slightly worse.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

The reason I went with Caracharias is because the woofers are connected using metal ergo, they're more likely to survive being dropped (and dropped they have). I don't like the look of HS800 from a structural standpoint.


Do NOT get "surround" headsets. Games these days use positional audio processing by varying the power to each woofer to simulate "surround sound" better than physical "surround sound" headphones can manage. Not to mention, stereo headphones are much better for music and general listening as well.

 

[newconroer]

I did read that headphones with several physical speakers are not good, despite what you would think.
Then you have the headphones with only USB connectivity that try to process audio on their own.
And now we have the headphones that admit they use simulated surround, but do it through an encoder and optical connection (still relying on your sound card). I.e. Turtle Beach DX11, Tritton AX 5.1 etc.

http://www.amazon.co_uk/dp/B004EBUSJY/?tag=tec053-21

If you're saying the DX11 and similar products are still a part of the gimmick era, then I suppose I'll stick with stereo analogue headphones and Razer surround.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I did read that headphones with several physical speakers are not good, despite what you would think.

Because to fit 3+ speakers over a single ear, they have to be small woofers. Small woofers means trouble producing low frequencies. Think the small woofers in your smartphone or in LCD TVs. Their lows are horrendous/nonexistent.

Then you have the headphones with only USB connectivity that try to process audio on their own.

What is a sound card? A DAC (digital to analog converter). Because human ears are analog and USB is a digital signal, all headphones that use USB have a DAC. It doesn't matter how fantastic (or not) the sound card is in your computer because it won't use it. It will use the DAC in the headphones and that DAC is often junk by comparison. USB headphones/speakers reek of cheap.

And now we have the headphones that admit they use simulated surround, but do it through an encoder and optical connection (still relying on your sound card). I.e. Turtle Beach DX11, Tritton AX 5.1 etc.

I'd rather the computer/device handle the simulated surround sound than anything in the headphones. That way, at bare minimum, you have control over whether or not it is done. Headphones also inevitably fail so if that is something you really want, it's better to invest in a DAC that does it than headphones that have a built in DAC that does it (needlessly adds to the cost).

If you're saying the DX11 and similar products are still a part of the gimmick era, then I suppose I'll stick with stereo analogue headphones and Razer surround.

Look at the best of the best headphones on the market. They aren't surround. Instead, they've invested lots of money into better woofers; usually that means getting bigger sound out of the same space.

 

[newconroer]

I picked up on something I had not considered before, that as you say in order to future proof headphones like the DX11, I'd need a DAC. And I assume that I would want it to be compatible or optimized for use with that particular pair of cans. I question whether such a device would be had at a budget.

I agree about best headphones - they are immensely more in depth than gaming headsets.



Thank you. This was a concise and informative response

Lastly, I read that the Carcharias can be a bit weak in the mid range/mid tones. Have you noticed this? I'm pretty familiar with audio equalizing and wondered if you have any settings to address it.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I haven't noticed any problems with the audio performance but I'm no audiophile. I don't use anything to adjust how it sounds--just plugged in and listen.

I will say that they aren't capable of going as loud as some others I've used but as long as ambient noise isn't bad, that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[newconroer]

Well they are ordered now, so we shall see - may even put a review up on Overlord Gaming.

Thanks

 

[erocker]

Hmm I thought the little stretch cables and metal construction was supposed to make the Siberia's selling point to be durability.

Nah, that's their weak spot. The cables don't actually stretch. They are connected to a thin elastic strip is easily broken. I managed to fix mine with a couple of staples on each side.

Oh, and +1 on the Caracharias. They don't sound as good as the Siberia V2's but I still have my set that I bought quite a while ago and they're still 100%. My mic just tends to bleed through at times.

Also, post the review up here!

 

[TheMailMan78]

Nah, that's their weak spot. The cables don't actually stretch. They are connected to a thin elastic strip is easily broken. I managed to fix mine with a couple of staples on each side.

Oh, and +1 on the Caracharias. They don't sound as good as the Siberia V2's but I still have my set that I bought quite a while ago and they're still 100%. My mic just tends to bleed through at times.

Also, post the review up here!

This. I had a set and loved the sound. However they didn't last a month before they were covered in duct tape. Now I'm running a set of Razor Blacksharks. Nice indeed.

 

[erocker]

This. I had a set and loved the sound. However they didn't last a month before they were covered in duct tape. Now I'm running a set of Razor Blacksharks. Nice indeed.

Sucks for such a nice looking headset. So the wiring is bad? Bad manufacturing.


*Bah, you were talking about the Steelseries.. which really doesn't change what I said. lol.

 

[BumbleBee]

let me make it simple for you.

Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic PC Gaming headsets are the best because the drivers used in these headsets are the same ones used in both companies high end headphones. years of R&D goes into making these drivers and manufacturing is all done in US, Ireland and Germany.

Sennheiser and Audio Technica have new lines out for 2014

http://en-us.sennheiser.com/pc-gaming-headset
http://www.audio-technica.com/cgi-bin/product_search/headphones/headphones_cat.pl?select_multiple_3=Gaming Headsets

you can save money by building your own headset

what is this black magic?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042A68R8/?tag=tec06d-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045JHJSS/?tag=tec06d-20

for a microphone there are different ways to go about it

http://www.modmic.com/collections/frontpage/products/modmic-3-0
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QJREXM/?tag=tec06d-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EOPQ7E/?tag=tec06d-20

these microphones are becoming increasingly popular with gamers. I see them all the time on peoples desks. please don't buy a PC Gaming headset unless you enjoy the revolving door.

 

[-1nf1n1ty-]

If you're looking for a new headset, I would always personally stray away from Razer. I had my fair share when they started making the headphones and those old mice (Barracuda, Piranha, Copperhead, Lachesis, Diamondback)and the only thing I could recommend from Razer if I had to is probably the Piranha for audio and the Copperhead but they all broke pretty easily :\ . I treat my products very well, but I can honestly say they still make pretty lacking products in my opinion. The price tag is just way to overpriced for quality, its just I think Razer just got so popular and people just buy it and go "IT GLOWS". Razer is what I always stay away from nowadays, as well as turtle beach(I heard good things but never experienced those good things), and Astro (except their mixamp really).
Like mice, I feel that it starts coming down to what is comfortable. I had an AD700 for a good couple of years and just recently upgraded to a AKG Q701. Both great headphones and I can't stress that enough.

I wore the new logitech headsets at a bestbuy and they were REALLY good:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFOEY4I/?tag=tec06d-20

Steelseries Siberias v2 are just flat out amazing:
http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Gaming-Headset/dp/B005HGBDBM/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1390722950&sr=8-35&keywords=headset gaming

never had a Plantronics headset that didn't sound good:
http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-GameCom-780-Surround-Headset/dp/B00B1KJK22/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1390722924&sr=8-8&keywords=headset gaming

Corsair is also a good brand:
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-1500-Headset-v2/dp/B00EXPNFQO/ref=sr_1_191?ie=UTF8&qid=1390723113&sr=8-191&keywords=headset gaming

But all in all we all have different preferences and what we think we want/need. There have been times I couldn't find a better pair of headphones than my AD700s in terms of gaming. For a while I was ready to buy a second pair of AD700s (AD700x I think) decided to go for Q701 and just saved. If I were you I would either save to get a true pair of headphones that come with what you want like the AD700 or something easy to drive or just flat out find the fatality headphones again. So in the end my conclusion a lot of the "gaming headsets" sound all the same....like it's muddy or too much bass and it isn't clean.

EDIT: and I noticed you made your decision already well damn I was late lol