Headphones.

[just_laze]

Hello,

I'd like to start playing CS:Source. I've heard it's important to have a decent set of headphones in order to identify in what direction sound came from.

I have £35 to spend, I'd also like a set with a microphone and I'd prefer a USB interface.

What would you suggest? Sub-£35 suggestions are also welcome of course.

laze.

[DratUK]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=332109
USB will never be as superior as 3.5 connections. Having said that my son uses these for BF2 and he has no complaints.

[aidanjt]

They look like rebranded Speedlink headphones, I've used the Medusa 5.1 setup, unfortunately the amplifier was eroding cack, but the headphones themselves were bloody fantastic, very comfy, great sound.

[timread]

I'm interested in this too - fed up with my GF complaining about the noise when I play HL2 or CnC (*really* quietly as well!).

However, I'm looking for a 5.1 headphone set that I can just hook up to my X-Fi card. I don't want/need an external USB soundcard, which is what a lot of these headsets seem to come with.

How is this set: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sharkoon-X-T...d=OIJEMZARANUS

Scan used to do them but don't seem to any more.

[aidanjt]

Why would you bother with that when you can get the same thing for half the price?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=402843

Note that the USB is for driving the speeker coils only, the sound still comes from your soundcard, but doesn't degrade the audio signal by sapping power from the jacks...

[just_laze]

Hi,

Thanks to those who've responded.

I don't really understand how USB headphones work. All I know is I have two front-usb ports on my computer for easy access while the headphone/microphone jack are round the back.

I want a solution that works, that I can plug into a USB port, the headphones work, the microphone works, and I unplug them when I'm done.

Are most games 5.1 now, meaning a 5.1 set of headphones is essential?

So far I'm just confused.

laze.

[aidanjt]

There's two types of 'USB' headphones, like the one I just mentioned just above simpily uses USB to supply power, the other kind uses USB to power the headphones as well as act as a dumb sound card with a buggy software DSP (very bad, mmkay?).

If you have a 5.1 or better soundcard, just get 5.1 headphones with 3.5mm jacks.

[TooNice]

5.1/7.1 headphones are generally gimmicky and non essential especially with a soudcard with decent gaming support.
A Sennheiser (one of the PC1xx line) + X-Fi works out better in my opinion (within the £35 budget). Better yet, I think it is best to do without a headset and get semi-decent headphones that you can use for enjoying music and a cheap-ish mic for skype, online gaming etc. A Koss KSC-75 for less than £15 + a £10 mic together with an X-Fi would be my top recommendation.

[aidanjt]

I've used 5.1 headphones for years, and they're far from gimmicky. Sure beat the hell out of my hifi and my friends Sennheiser headset, and having a mic boom sitting near your mouth is much more comfortable than having to bend over to an el'cheapo mic sitting/cluttering your desk.

[TooNice]

I've tried two 5.1 headphones, and I've not been impressed. Frankly speaking, I do not consider the Sennheiser headset amazing, but I do find them a slight step up.

Headsets in general do have the benefit of convenience, but I know I can't go back to them after using decent headphones.

[Goose]

I have some lLogitech ones, they are excellent for surround sound, but they have absolutely no bass. The mic is OK too but without any bass i wouldnt recommend them.

[Harkin]

I have a pair of Senheisser pc160's, the sound is better than on a pair of technics my missus bought me for xmas, I was realy impressed by em and u can swivel the mic so that its parallel with the headphones and out the way. They aren't the Usb ones cos I dont see the point of that unless u have a real crappy soundcard

[NightshadowUK]

SteelSeries SteelSound 5H - are amazing and with an X-Fi card I pretty much get full surround sound.

SteelSeries SteelSound 4H - less money, same awesome sound, but slightly cheaper build quality.

[kalniel]

Those are just stereo headphones right?

Regardless, 5.1 is not at all required for games - they are designed with stereo in mind first and foremost, any support for surround is usually an extra consideration.

[spiral out]

I've been using the medusa 5.1 headset for 2 years now and it's great for games and also for music and films.

I also like the amp as i can plug in my stereo too so there's no constant swapping cables all the time.

[Recoil]

I'm using the Medusa 5.1 Pro Gamer ones - which doesnt have the amp anymore - there just powered via usb, and there great tbh - around about £35 now i reckon.