*TPU's Gaming Headphone/Headset Thread*

The frustrating part is that, for about the first year once I got a pair that worked, they were well worth the money; providing good audio, comfort, and performance. After awhile, and believe me I'm not really that rough, the lights just simply went out. Went and bought another pair since my originals were out of warranty and those had the same problem. Sent those back for warranty repair since the store discontinued carrying them and got the set I have now.

Second year, last year in fact, the padding just simply fell off of the earpiece. Ever since then they've pinched right above the ear and just have not been the same since.

They did not have bass issues exactly more like the hardware just was not capable of providing enough oomph so to speak. They were good for headphones but not a replacement for a good speaker and sub setup. I think that's just really the fault of nothing out there being small enough to fit that would match if that makes sense?

I really should have been a bit clearer on that. Yes, they are USB based but the actual cans themselves use the exact same design as the original Medusa's. Both the shape and the speaker configuration give that fact away. You can put a new name and face on something but it's still just the same underneath.

As to the ones I was looking at they're not that difficult to find. Here are some places that carry them:

Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA2 - $60 to $80
http://www.turtlebeach.com/HPA2recertified/tabid/625/Default.aspx
http://www.megamacs.com/main/index.php?action=view&pid=4329579
http://www.capitolsupply.com/catalog/turtle-beach-ear-force-hpa2-tbs2114-cs7906275.html?cid=cse_ggl4

Psyko 5.1 PC Gaming Headset -$299.95 (pre-order; 15-day money back guarantee)
http://www.psykoaudio.com/

Sharkoon X-Tatic Digital 5.1 - $150
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00325NOMG/?tag=tec06d-20

ROCCAT Kave - $139.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=53_371_369&products_id=26053

Oh, I totally agree with you I just wished for those who were considering them to know what they are getting into. The Barracuda's are not perfect but, for the price considering you can get them for under $80 compared to the $130 I paid when they first came out, they're not bad.

Otherwise, sadly the choices are rather limited but if you do get one of the sets I listed please share your thoughts with everyone here. I'm sure a lot of folks would appreciate the insight considering not many of these seem to be floating around. ^_^

 

One other potential headset...

After looking for places that had the ROCCAT headset I found this one:

Medusa NX 5.1 Gaming Headset - $108.95
http://www.medusa-usa.com/medusa-nx-51-gaming-headset-p-954.html

Looks like they slimmed down the original Medusa's which were pretty decent just VERY heavy and tended to slip off your head alot. Just wished to add one more to the pot so to speak. ^_^

 

I finally got my 5.1 set. After researching thoroughly, I couldn't justify spending close to $200 to make sure I get some decent stuff, stuff I would almost certainly damage/destroy in under a year, so I got a set of these:



Product Link: http://www.gstar.com.tw/pro-02.htm#hp650

The specs are not bad. I got the "Niko" North American branded version (nearly identical to the one in the photo, aside from a logo). It comes with a external amplifier that has a 9V into-the-wall adapter, none of that USB amplifier junk. Also, it supports true 5.1 via separate analog jacks, again none of that USB stuff.

The best of all, I got it brand new and sealed for $22 shipped! (The reason why is below )The sound is great, bass is awesome, especially if I use FlexBass option on my Xonar D1 card. I mean, just great! I was expecting trash for the money I paid, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Problem is, that G-Star's main North American distributor, Niko Electronics, closed their doors last year, so there is no support and you can forget about RMA. That's why they were cheap I guess, everyone is getting rid of Niko branded stock due to possible legal liabilities.

However, a great time to pick up some great headphones for cheap. Their loss, our gain?

 

Pretty neat find!

I did some digging and the only place I found that had them for sale was on eBay of all places. I may have to give these a look and see how they work 'tho I am a bit turned off by the lack of warranty for under $30 it's not bad.

Current list of analog 5.1 headphones to look at:

Niko Home Theatre 5.1 Headphones Niko-650HP - $20 to $30
http://desc.shop.ebay.com/A-V-Acces...phones&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA2 - $60 to $80
http://www.turtlebeach.com/HPA2recer...5/Default.aspx
http://www.megamacs.com/main/index.p...ew&pid=4329579
http://www.capitolsupply.com/catalog...l?cid=cse_ggl4

ROCCAT Kave - $139.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=26053

Sharkoon X-Tatic Digital 5.1 - $150
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new&tag=tec06d-20

Psyko 5.1 PC Gaming Headset -$299.95 (pre-order; 15-day money back guarantee)
http://www.psykoaudio.com/

 

Well, I found out the hard way that you should spend at least $200 for a set of surround sound headphones. My nice Turtle Beach HPA2s blew the front right driver. All other drivers working just fine, but that one is toast. Maybe too much amp? I'll try to amp out the other drivers and see if they blow as easy, surprised the subs didn't go first!

 

Think I'll just go for a $100+ set of stereo headphones. Not sure what I'll do for a mic tho, as I need a mic....

 

JVC HA G770

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006SDBD4/?tag=tec06d-20

PROS:
Build quality has lasted 3+ yrs
very accurate sound even if they are stereo
long cord
cheap ($30 shipped 3 or so yrs ago)

CONS:
no head shaking bass
get uncomfortable on the tops of the ears after about 3hrs
MP3 player can't push them quite right needs a real AMP to sound good

 

Already have a male to female cable to plug it into, works fine. Wanted surround sound but I'll be happy with good stereo sound, what can I get for $100+ at ncix? Basically nothing, I'll have to special order now from Vancouver for prob $300. No music for me!!!

 

i been using these for about 3-4 months now. very comfy, great sound for gaming, and crystal clear mic on vent. my mic went on my triton's these are very similiar in feel, quality, and sound.

ben heck 5.1 usb

 

Needed this thread to come back up cause I wanted to see what people thought of this headset before I buy them?
all opinions are welcomed I always take it into consideration:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826249034

or should I get

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826249036

 

I dont know I've heard a lot of good things about the two I listed, especially the second link. the 5H v2 are a hell of alot better than 4H's(so I've heard) so thats something to think about
and the siberia v2's are supposedly just incredible, so im in a pretty tough situation

 

the CyberSnipa Sonar 5.1 and SpeedLink Medusa 5.1 USB use the same OEM. SpeedLink has had many variants of the Medusa over the years and now they have a new Medusa NX series.

this is the SpeedLink Medusa 5.1 USB the CyberSnipa Sonar 5.1 is virtually the same except for the color scheme and headband padding.

 

I use this-
http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/computer/multi-use-computer-headsets/audio-450

■Feather-light earbuds deliver full-range stereo sound
■Flex Grip design provides unshakable fit
■Noise-canceling microphone cuts through background clamor
■QuickAdjust boom assures precise microphone positioning
■In-line volume and mute put you in the driver’s seat
■Compatible with most PC sound cards for plug-and-play ease



I wear glasses so i cant wear full headphones for too long.These are light and comfy with a good mic.

 

well so far I have decided to either go with:
HD555
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001FTVDQ/?tag=tec06d-20

or AD700
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CMS0XU/?tag=tec06d-20

I've heard good and bad things about both, and honestly I like the look and feel of the HD555 a lot better the sleek design, and they look very comfortable, from most people they are said to be inferior to the AD700's. The HD555 provides a bit more bass, AD700..not so much, so it has come down to, which one I would honestly be more comfortable with, and since the AD700's look like they WILL break as soon as I get them(they look like the razer barracudas) then I think will have to go for the HD555-sleek, comfort,not as great sound as the AD700's but they are said to be somewhat close.

EDIT: Im still deciding but, Im starting to lean closer and closer to the AD700 wish I could take a vote from everyone

 

thanks that makes 1 vote for AD700

 

I just bought some Plantronics 370's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...65038&cm_re=plantronic-_-26-265-038-_-Product

I dont like them, they are going back I think. There is no bass. I have only really tested them using BC2 as thats what I bought them for.

4/10

 

So I went a head and bought myself the ad700's hopefully I wont regret it but I dont think I will they were a hell of a lot cheaper than the HD555

 

I'll throw this up:

Razer Barracuda HP-1 -

Pros:

• Multiple drivers in each ear-piece, making for a "true" 5.1 headphone setup
• Individual channel volume adjustment via the in-line volume/amp control
• Blue LED lit Razer logos on each earpiece, and volume/amp control
• Comfortable earpiece surrounds, and extremelly lightweight design

Cons:

• Extremelly short microphone, tends to produce muddy or weak recording
• Lightweight desing is rather flimsy, can be easily damaged if handled roughly
• Frequency response is rather poor, especially with lower-end tones

Review:

Razer's HP-1 is a brilliant idea, incorporating true multiple channel output into a single headset device for better "surround" in games. Although a brilliant idea, this does not exactly mean it translates well to the real world . . . especially considering the number of games that don't yet support native 5.1 output, which will require that standard 2-channel game output to be upmixed to 5.1 . . .

The individual channels produce clear tones through the mid and high tonal range, but tend to have rather poor reproduction with lower tones and bass . . . although, considering these headsets are aimed at gamers (not the average PC user or audiophile), and game audio tends to be heavier on the mid and upper range sounds as well, this slight issue can be somewhat overlooked. The sub channel, though, can become overpowering if you have the volume set too high - it's not so much that the output is distracting, it has more to do with the output vibrations against one's head. The microphone tends to be more of a gimmick than being really functional - it doesn't extend far from the L earpiece, and will remain far out of the range of the average users mouth. In my testing, I've found the mic's input to be either weak, or sound muddy (I think the muddiness can probably be contributed to interference or vibrations from the sub drivers). The actual driver positioning works out quite well, and with games that support native 5.1, or good speaker virtualization software from your audio drivers, reacting to nearby sounds becomes nearly intuitive. You can easily distinguish sounds that originate from in front of you, from those coming from behind, as well as being either panned L or R. Same goes for positioning of sounds from above and below.

The headset includes connectivity for Razer's HD-DAI - really a DVI-styled D-Sub that only carries audio - and output would probably sound better via this connection . . . but, considering that Razer's AC-1 Barracuda hasn't exactly taken off in terms of sales, I'd fathom the number of users who could make use of this connection is rather small. Instead, you'll be left dealing with a typical 5.1 channel hook-up - 4 individual analogue mini-jacks for each channel, plus a USB connection to power the headsets amplifier. Unless you're running multiple sound cards, or a reciever with digital or RCA connections from your sound card, you can pretty much forget having the headset hooked up alongside a full-blown stereo system . . . and if your audio card doesn't support multiple mini-jack connections for individual channels, you'll need a seperate reciever to plug the headset into. Connectivity can become a major pain, not to mention the aditional cable mess.

The headset is extremelly lightweight, and comfortable - the ear pieces themselves don't start hurting one's ears after extended periods of time, and they breathe well too. But, although lightweight, this has left the headset rather flimsy. If you have a habit of being rough with your equipment, you can expect this unti to break within a short amount of time. The earpieces themselves are attached to the headband via simple pins, allowing the earpiece to swivel independantly 180 degrees. The headband is simply an elastic strap with a padded cover, and two arched rod-like supports that run from the L earpiece to the R.

Overall, it's a decent unit for it's price range - but it has a single audience . . . the gamer. If you're an audiophile, or are heavier into entertainment/media, there's not much here you'd be proud of or thrilled with. If you're a dedicated gamer, and looking for that slight edge over the competition, the positional reproduction will definitely give you that edge you're looking for.