Suggestions please - gaming USB headset

[Deadlight]

No more of this 'plugging/re-plugging cable from my soundcard' businesss please (and I can use these on my laptop). My requirements are;

1) USB - no other cables
2) Gaming primarily - some movies/mp3's I spose
3) Mic, for ventilo/in-game comms

Senheiser? Logitech? Siberia?

[aidanjt]

Descrete soundcard for normal sound, and onboard for voice comms perhaps? USB headphones use cheap ass DSPs inline (or worse, software DSP), that means crappy audio, and patchy driver support.

[dangel]

Please help him - if only so i can hear what he says when we're playing C&C3

The normal headphones + onboard sound is a pretty useful idea (and easy to configure). I've got a USB soundcard simply because it cost less than an extension cord down the the floor where the PC sits..

[0iD]

Got these recently, very happy


http://www.homeavstore.co.uk/category-50/PC135USB.html

Sennheiser PC135 USB Headphones £37.25 (inc VAT & Delivery)

[aidanjt]

Yeah, that's how I have mine setup atm, with the X-Fi pumping sound out to my Hi-Fi (not great, but not bad at the same time), and onboard sound hooked up to headphones for use over skype and other VoIP stuff where the odd little bit of EM noise isn't a big deal.

At the moment the highend would probably be the Razor HP-1 headset, they're a bit pricy, and primarily designed for the Razor AC-1 soundcard, but they work fine with normal soundcards, then there's budget Sennhauser headsets with mic booms, more affordable, but still decent quality. I actually admit that it would be a nice reprieve from having to put up with Creative Labs and have been tempted with the Razor bundle as a modern HD sound solution, but questionable Linux support has put me off.

Then it's simply a matter of setting up windows to use the onboard soundcard under the voice tab, XP and Vista both support this, and most decent VoIP apps pick the Windows configured card.

[Deadlight]

I've got a pair of Barracua HP-1 cans here, yeah, they're nice indeed. But not only is a pain to keep on turning PC round/un-plug speaker/plug in headset/turn PC back (and doing it again when I want to use the speakers) but also you're doing the cables any good if you keep connect/re-connect them.

[aidanjt]

Yeah, that's where a second soundcard is handy. Although I thought the dongle that comes with the HP-1's had a USB connector along with the array of 3.5mm jacks? Ya know, if you don't want to get a soundcard.

[dangel]

extension leads for the mic/headphone jacks then?

[aidanjt]

frontpanel AC97 headers might do the trick as well, nearly all cases have em now, sometimes useful if they're connected to the motherboard.

[Harkin]

I've got a pair of Barracua HP-1 cans here, yeah, they're nice indeed. But not only is a pain to keep on turning PC round/un-plug speaker/plug in headset/turn PC back (and doing it again when I want to use the speakers) but also you're doing the cables any good if you keep connect/re-connect them.

Why don't u use something like this then? http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=337874
Pretty handy if u dont want to unplug/plug in every time u change from speakers to headset

[Deadlight]

extension leads for the mic/headphone jacks then?

yeah - that's true. Got some extensions here as well. Hmmm. Though of course I could use the HP-1 cans but only the 'stereo bit' (!) without the..erm..'surround/bass bit'. Aye, I'm all tecnhical...and stuff, me.

Bring up the old 'Dale didn't know to format a hard drive on his Amiga in 1990' and I will HAVE to kill you...

[dangel]

Bring up the old 'Dale didn't know to format a hard drive on his Amiga in 1990' and I will HAVE to kill you...

...and now i don't have to

[Deadlight]

Why don't u use something like this then? http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=337874
Pretty handy if u dont want to unplug/plug in every time u change from speakers to headset

Oooh, that's brilliant that, thanks!

[Harkin]

Oooh, that's brilliant that, thanks!

No worries. I had the same problem as u, always plugging in and out There are different makes around but that is one I saw the other day, they all do the same thing and its not expensive

[Deadlight]

you haven't seen one with more than one stereo input, ie. surround inputs, have you?

[Deadlight]

...and now i don't have to