Headphone Recommendations!

[War]-[eaD]

Hi there,

I've had a set of genius (the big cheap ones) for just over a year and a half, and they've died this weekend at the LAN... I never bothered to buy decent headphones, seeing that these genius ones worked well for so long.

BUT... they've died now, and I'll be needed a new pair, so I was wondering if you guys can maybe recommend some propper BO headphones!

Thanx... :rolleyes:

[DAE_JA_VOO]

I use a set of Phillips HP800 headphones and they're absolutely amazing.

[War]-[eaD]

They're nice... but I forgot to mention a few things about the headphones I want...

They need to be for gaming, i.e. have a Mic built in and the sound quality needs to be decent... the price range should be no more than R350! :P

Thanx

[AdV3nt]

I am also looking for a set of headphones with decent sound and a good lasting mic, my previous headphones were the creative HS-600 which are awesome they still work perfectly well and give great sound but the damn mic died which i need for my clannies in CSS anyone have any ideas?

DAE my friend where do you get earphones like that?

[War]-[eaD]

Saw these: Logitech Precision PC Gaming Headset (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=103,CONTENTID=9523)

What do you guys think?

[SGT_Pepper]

sennheiser sennheiser sennheiser sennheiser sennheiser

My old headies broke the other day so I put new ones on my christmas list. My GF got me sennheiser and geez i gotta say that there really really is a difference. In UT I could now here the footsteps better and in dueling it really helped. Not that I duel very well but there was a marked inprovement in hearing the other dude run.

Only prob is that there is no mic on them But BOY what awesome headies. I recall Gandulf once sayin he got the really expensive sennheiser ( like R4000) He must hear a tick fart on a dog at like 100 meters. :)

[[N]Haja]

yo,

Senheisers or some high grade headphones are prob your best bet. Problem is most of the better HF do not come with a built in mic (made more for DJ'ing or audiophiles listening to mucis).

When I was looking recently for headphones, thise logitech's you linked to came up round about top of my list too. They get good reviews, and the built in mic makes them great for UT or any game with teamspeak.
Just do not get the USB version, as they are NASTY apparently (think they use their own onboard SC).

@ Advent : Have you tired replacing your MIC? Maybe open the end and see how big it is and either goto an electronics shop and see if they have one, or buy a cheapie MIC (sub R50) and take it apart and replace yours.

[War]-[eaD]

Damn... just read a crappy review on those Precicion Headsets by Logitech... so back to square one... saw the XFX ones... next best thing? Or the Logitech Premium Stereo Headset seems nice aswell! :) Damn... I dunno! Will check around some more! :D

*Edit - Seems those Premium Stereo Headsets are beyond crap! LOL! :) So think the XFX Xgear's are lewking like an option... will read a few reviews and post what's up! :P

[DAE_JA_VOO]

DAE my friend where do you get earphones like that?

I got mine from GAME :eek:

[[N]Haja]

how much DAE?

[Karnaugh]

Microphone is useless, just buy some Sennheisers (not the cheap crap ones, proper ones like HD200 or HD202's) and shut up.

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Haja;62720']how much DAE?

They were about 300 bucks. The quality is unbelievable. Only downside is that these headphones dont have a mic. I have a Logitech Precision Gaming Headset aswell, i use that headset just for the mic.

[War]-[eaD]

Microphone is useless, just buy some Sennheisers (not the cheap crap ones, proper ones like HD200 or HD202's) and shut up.

Erm... okay... :P Thing is I got a decent set of 5.1 Creative speakers, and only use the headphones for Gaming, so a mic is essential, especially in Clannies and LAN comps and so on... but if I do decide to go for Quality... seems Sennheiser is gonna be the one to get! :D

[LordScallyWag]

WH i went and got the Logi premium stero headset ones. They are not the most comfortable and dont give the best sound but the mic works well it would seem. I only use them for UT, and they grating so...... I got decent HF and sound systems for the rest, as u now know ;).
B&W ftW!!!!

[GM<Jaymac>MF]

Sennheiser! Sennheiser! Sennheiser! Honestly, you won't look back after buying these things. They don't come with a mic but you can always buy a seperate mic. Seriously, it is worth it!

I bought a pair of HD202s for work purposes and I loved them so much I bought another pair for gaming. I can't express just how awesome they are. you can hear things in songs that you had no idea even existed.

WH, I gaurantee they will improve your dueling! You can hear absolutely everything that goes on in a 1 on 1.

They're not badly priced either. I got mine for about R350 (or thereabouts.)

[Cataphract]

Sennheiser is the best by miles.

I have a pair of Logitech Precision Gaming head phones and they are really not bad for gaming, but if you can get Sennheisers for around R350, you'll be mad to go for anything else.

[J1nX]

Logitech FTW WH - be true to yourself. Buy LTech.

[War]-[eaD]

zozl! Like I said... I NEED A MIC, and I'd dig getting Logitech coz it'd go nicely with my G15 and MX518... :P

BUT I read reviews on both of the mentioned Logitech's and they came out teh suxorz... so for audio/mic quality and comfort... I think I'm gonna go for the XFX Xgear thus far... unless I find something else! :P

[[N]Haja]

WH, I hear you opn the mic. However, I have some HF's and I use a desk mounted mic, which seems to work fine. Would that not be an option?

[War]-[eaD]

Erm... well... I dunno... maybe... but then it's extra effort and money for the desk mic aswell, plus, then it's something extra to tag along to LANs! :\

So I dunno hey... I think I do want a Mic/Headphone combo! :P

[J1nX]

good choice

[Karnaugh]

I find a Mic totally useless in clan matches. It's much easier and quicker to have keybind teamsay stuff for what you need, otherwise you sit there going

"I'M DYING, NEED HELP"
"What?"
"What?"
"What?"
"DYING!!"
"Where?"
"Ok!"
"Here!"
"OK I'M DEAD NOW"

When you could just have a keybind, and teamsay gives your location on the message.

[CrazyBob]

I was looking at headsets too recently, and I'm 95% sure I saw a pair of Sennheisers there with a mic. It was around R450 or so (don't quote me on that, i forget), I went for the Logitech premiums in the end as they were about R100 cheaper or so. But I'm really regretting it now, as they damn uncomfortable!

[[N]Haja]

Karn, I agree voice comms can be useless if they are not used properly. But if you practice them, then they can be invaluable. G and I on defence with voice comms make us probably twice as effective as without.

You also need them if you are on attack (CTF) and a good voice comm on middle man helps heaps too.

[War]-[eaD]

Makes sense what Karn is sayin... but I must agree with Haja! :P

And as for the Logitechs, CrazyBob has just confirmed that I musn't get them! :(

If money was no object... these are what I would've gone for:

Razer Barracuda HP-1 (http://www.razerzone.com/Products/Gaming-Audio/Razer-Barracuda-HP1-Gaming-Headphones/)

But they're over a R1200! :(

[Gamos]

Sennheiser, Sennheiser, Sennheiser, Sennheiser - the most overrated HS this side of the sun. Kinda like Nike, only for your ears.

Or perhaps I just need to go see the otologist.

Also, no mic online is like playing UT blind.

[War]-[eaD]

LOL!!! Stepping on allota peoples toes there G... but I won't know... I've never heard what Sennheiser sounds like... and as for the mic online and in team games (in UT), that it helps allot... well it's helped me allot! :P

[J1nX]

Fuck headsets. Just get 2 car tweeters and stick em to your monitor casing with prestik.

Or even better, NO SOUND AT ALL - whoooooOO

[GM<Jaymac>MF]

I still rate the Sennheisers. If they had a mic on them as well I'd probably wet my pants... but they don't.

Maybe they just better for me because I use them for so much more than just gaming. In fact, since I got them, I've relegated my old speaker system obsolete because nothing sounds as good through as it dooes through my Sennheiesr phones! :P

[Ragnarok]

Just buy the damn sennheisers and an al cheapo laptec standalone mic

[[N]Haja]

even dodgy headphones sound better than most speakers.

I bought myself some in-ear sennheisers over the holidays, mid R200's. They really do sound good, compared to a set of desktop speakers.
However, I plugged in some old sony in ear headphones i had from when i used to travel, and then my new sennheisers, and they sounded exactly the same. So ye, sennheisers are good speakers, but I agree with G on saying they are over rated.

There are some really high end headphones out there that put all of the above to shame though, but they carry a large price tag :(

[GM<Jaymac>MF]

Like these:

http://www.prophecy.co.za/shure-sound-isolating-earphones-p-1715.html

Almost R3 000!

Haj, Senn's are very good in the mid range, especially for earphones in my experience. I bet if I compared those R200 ones you bought to my HD202s there would be a vast difference. The thing I like most though, is that they almost eliminate all outside noise, which is awesome if you're at a busy LAN or if your girlfriend is talking to you when you want play. :P

[LordScallyWag]

I saw Sennheisers with a mic before, Voip style ones, around 450 i think.
U know they goona be goood........
Saw them at Govan Mani

[War]-[eaD]

Will look into the Sennheisers then FFS!!! :P:P:P

Link please Natureboy?!?!?! :P

[LordScallyWag]

get in a car. Drive to mall, go and shop. I promise its fun, i actually do it all the time

[GM<Jaymac>MF]

:P I bought mine from a place in JHB called Music Connection.

Just google Sennheiser HD 202 if you need a link or a review.

I just walked into a store and bought them. I was running late for a video shoot and needed something that would do the job. Had no idea what I was buying so I got the second cheapest Sennheisers in the shop. Now I'm hooked on Sen's. Can't remember what I paid but +- R300 - R350 should be about right.

[CrazyBob]

http://www.digitalplanet.co.za/shop/levels.asp?intStockLevelID=233&intManuID=440

[LordScallyWag]

head phones are gay anyway.
Floor standing or bookshelves ftw. ;)

[War]-[eaD]

Oh scally... you noob! I got decent speakers... but I NEED headphones! :P

Shot for the link CrazyBob... you are the MAN! :D:D:D

Seriously... you guys should hear the stories he told me involving that DAMN FINE LEDEE! :P

Guys with audio knowledge (Scally, Cirius, etc), I need help:

WHICH ONES AND WHY?:

Sennheiser PC30 Headset (http://www.digitalplanet.co.za/shop/product.asp?stockID=79299)

Sennheiser PC130 Headset (http://www.digitalplanet.co.za/shop/product.asp?StockID=76073)

Personally I wanna go with the second ones coz they be lewking sexy! ;)

Thanx! :D

[LordScallyWag]

having not heard them, i would say go for the ones u said. They are cheeper slighty but look like they will be more comfy. Important in headphones.
Btw 5.1 pc speaker are for nooobbbbsss.!
heheh gl.

[Elco]

Erm... okay... :p Thing is I got a decent set of 5.1 Creative speakers, and only use the headphones for Gaming, so a mic is essential, especially in Clannies and LAN comps and so on... but if I do decide to go for Quality... seems Sennheiser is gonna be the one to get! :DBuy what Karnaugh said. Then buy one of those shit headphone/mic combos and just use the mic. At least the mic on those usually works just fine.

[zero-1]

got a pair of Roland RH-200's myself and cheapo mic. the headies set me back about R1k, but i must say its been worth it. 3 years on and the soft foamy phones fit great, dont give me a rash and the quality is as good as day1.

investing in a neat pair of headies and getting a R20 mic or whatever is definately worthwhile. before i had my sexy Rolands i was going thru countless of those Jensen headies that broke everytime after a month or 2. i prolly spent more on those countless Jensen's than i did on my 1 pair of Rolands.

If u dont wanna go all out on a superdeluxe pair of headies try the Senhiesser's, they got a great range of budget headphones that do the trick. my dad bought a pair of budget-wise Senhiessers and despite the very slight difference in quality compared to mine i can still hear a tick fart on a dog 100m away :)

[Gamos]

I agree on the el-cheapo mic. Don't let a mic be your deciding choice on a headset. Rather grab those *cough* Sennposers and an additional mic.

[[N]Haja]

yo WH. Read reviews on both headphones, the 2nd ones (P130) come out better, but ppl still do not rave about them. From quality issues on the P30's to uncomfy on the P130's. Perhaps u can get better bang for buck? I myself prefer the headphones with the 'cushion' on them where your ear fit in.

Even the 202's don't get an all thumbs up, the most common fault being too much bass.

[Karnaugh]

I saw Sennheisers with a mic before, Voip style ones, around 450 i think.
U know they goona be goood........
Saw them at Govan Mani

They aren't good, Govan Mani is just over priced.

[Struma]

BeyerDynamic takes the cake :)
Completely different price range, but completely different sound/music experience ;)
I love them:D

[[N]Haja]

you can't really take them back with you to Norway Struma, I will keep then for you until you return (btw, nice pic of you on your avatar :P )

[War]-[eaD]

OH FFS!!! I don't know anymore... :(

[Macera]

has anyone heard of the term..table mic? :P

[War]-[eaD]

See the thing is... usually, there ain't no space for a mic on any LAN table, and I DEFINITELY don't have space on my desk at home... so that is why I want a headset with a builtin mic... :/

Anyhow... will look around some more... :/

[enemyanemone]

I find a Mic totally useless in clan matches. It's much easier and quicker to have keybind teamsay stuff for what you need, otherwise you sit there going

"I'M DYING, NEED HELP"
"What?"
"What?"
"What?"
"DYING!!"
"Where?"
"Ok!"
"Here!"
"OK I'M DEAD NOW"

When you could just have a keybind, and teamsay gives your location on the message.

Lol karn, just shows that the level of tdm in sa isn't as high as here. Everyone in the team choses 1 or 2 items to time, if you happen to die you tell someone else to pick it up. It's also used so you don't have to chase enemies, you quickly look in the scoreboard where your teammates are, then tell the appropriate one whether you injured an enemy so he can wait for him at the health pickups close by...or if you need a weapon, or cover when you spawn etc. ....

WH, microphones are pretty tough, usually it's just the connecters you have to replace and it works again.

[Karnaugh]

I think all I have left to say is, if you buy a pair of headphones based on the silly microphone attachment, you're in for endless disappointment.

[GM<Jaymac>MF]

Agreed Karn. Last set of headphones with a Mic broke within a month, so I gave up on headphones in general until I was forced to buy a pair for work. HD 202's with a cheap Mic is my recommendation. You can even buy a mic/headphon combo and just hang it over your neck for the Mic part. :P

[Elco]

just hang it over your neck for the Mic part.

That's exactly what you do!

[War]-[eaD]

Okay... well... I had el'cheapo Genius set, and they lasted almost 2 years... they still work 100%, I actually just need to reattach the wire... but I need something better! :P

Guess I'll get the Sennheiser's and a small mic that I can "hang over my neck"...

Anyhow... cheers!

[GM<Jaymac>MF]

Eish this thread is making me laugh :)

[[N]Haja]

I was going to suggest just going for the logitech's cos they looked nifty, but eish, they do get bad reviews, as seen here : http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-980231-0403-Precision-Gaming-Headset/dp/B0002XIX0E

GL there WH, looks like all headphones in the R350 bracket have some kind of flaw :(

[Gamos]

I have a tip, use your perfectly working 2 year old set. That itch will pass in a week. :)

[War]-[eaD]

Perfectly good working set needs work before they can work 100% again... the right speaker died! So I've only got sound in my left ear... and I'm to lazy to open the crap up and resoldner the wire... or maybe I should just do it... :P

[[N]Haja]

well, do it and see if you can fix it. If not, then you can throw them away (instead of putting them in your drawer and take up space for 10 years, becuase 'one day you will get around to fixing them' :)

Also, IF you fix them, you can use them until you save up for much better headies or use the money to buy stuff for your RC.

There is nothing worse than shelling out R350 and getting the same or worse stuff than you have allready. As G says, buyers remorse is nasty.

[War]-[eaD]

Makes sense... gonna check if I can fix them today... if not... straight to the bin, when I get new ones! :P:P:P

[J1nX]

Skimmed through page 2 and now 3 of this thread, WH - just buy a the most decent well priced headset with a mic attached. Logitech rock, I've still got my set two years running now.

DONT go for the desktop mic option. It's just lame.

Peace :D

[War]-[eaD]

Shot J1nX... I think then those Sennheiser's with the mic attached might be my best bet... still gotta read a few reviews on them though, if they are crap... I'm gonna get the XFX Xgear's! :D

Cheers!

[[N]Haja]

ling for the XFX? :)