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Looking for a PC gaming headset/mic
With Portal 2 coming out, I'm realizing that I need to get myself a headset/mic to use on my PC. Currently my only computer is my laptop, on which the fan has gotten very loud over time - I've gotten complaints from friends about how the sound carries when I use my laptop microphone, so I need to remedy this. I'm not looking to spend too terribly much, preferably $40 or less, but I could go a bit higher if necessary. I could go either way as to whether or not the headset carries the PC sound; it'd be kind of nice, but I'm pretty sure that'd drive up the cost, so not too much of a factor.
Would anyone have any suggestions? I checked for old threads, but all the products linked have since become unavailable (since the threads are years old), so I figured I'd ask you guys for any current thoughts you might have.
Would anyone have any suggestions? I checked for old threads, but all the products linked have since become unavailable (since the threads are years old), so I figured I'd ask you guys for any current thoughts you might have.
Comments
Edit: Ha... pretty catchy. But do I really have to cannibalize the thing that badly to access the fan? I knew I had to open it up, and take a few things out, but that's a complete disassembly.
I personally find the best way is to crack it open, blow the main stuff down, pick all the dust and shite out of the heatsink and fan with something soft and non-conductive, like a toothpick(be gentle) and then give the fans and heatsink one last blow with compressed air, and reassemble. But, that might not be the best way, pending expert opinion to be had around here.
Luckily, at PAX, there are more companies selling and demoing gaming headsets than anything else. For the first time I actually went and tried them out instead of ignoring them.
The best one was without a doubt the super expensive Turtle Beach Seven. It's almost $300, so not worth it. I was in a crowded and loud expo hall. I put on the demo unit and suddenly everything was quiet. I only heard the noise in the headphones, and the volume was not cranked up at all. The surround sound was also incredible, as if you had a home theater setup. Great for hearing guys coming from behind in Counter-Strike.
But that's way too much money, and it had a lot of unnecessary features. I ended up deciding on this other one that is not surround sound, but is half the price. It's not out yet, but you can pre-order on Amazon, the Plantronics RIG.
Plantronics RIG Stereo Gaming Headset with Mixer for PC/Mac - Retail Packaging - Black
Most of the other headsets were boasting audiophile features that are difficult, if not impossible, to quantify, and don't really matter that much. The RIG actually offers a bunch of really useful features not one other headset had. See, the control unit for the RIG is a tiny mixer. It mixes in your phone! You can also switch the cable and use this as your phone headset. This could actually be the one set of headphones you use all the time everywhere. Sit at the PC, plug it in. Leave the house, keep it on and plug it into the phone instead. Phone rings while playing a game? Got it. Use Skype on your phone instead of Skype on your PC for voice chat? Got it. Pipe in music from your phone without having to alt-tab to iTunes on PC.
It was also perhaps the most comfortable headset I wore except for maybe the square Astro gaming ones. So soft.
The isolation on those turtle beaches are really good as is the surround sound but I felt it was uncomfortably tight and the material it's made of would cause sweat to gather around the cups.
I haven't been able to try out the RIG you'll have to tell me how good it is.
Currently I use a Beyerdynamic 880 headphones and a desktop microphone.
I've always wanted a headset but the sound is usually very poor. At PAX Aus there was an Audio Technica demo of a prototype headset which sounded quite excellent, coming in an open or closed design I will check these out if and when they come out.
But yeah, the Seven was tighter than others, but I actually like things a little bit tight or I feel like the thing is going to fall off my head. The major problem I think is the material and shape of the part that touches your head. Lots of pressure on a really soft breathable cushion can work.
Companies are talking BS about sound quality and charging 3 times the price because they are selling to gamers.
Edit: They're back up to $200.
Also keep in mind that if you're getting a $300 pair of headphones, a $200 pair and a $100 headphone amp might sound better.
I have a firewire external, two USB externals, and a USB headset (plus a mixer). I haven't used an onboard "sound card" since... 2007?
Onboard sound with the same setup (no card) was terrible.
I would use what Ninjarabbi posted if I was still a broke student otherwise no.
You don't need to spend $300 for a pair of very good headphones, but you will most likely need to spend at least $100. That being said its entirely dependent on how nice you want it to sound. Some people like having artificial bass levels from their headphones, among other things. I did at one point but then I got a good pair of headphones and I can't go back.