Best £80 headset?

[Hicks12]

Well my sister has offered to get me a headset for christmas since i had to get a refund on my Roccat Kave as i had no money left and it was broken . So what do you guys recommend as a gaming headset with a good microphone (i will be using TS/ventrilo and skype a lot), odd music but very little useage there as i have my z4's for that.

Budget is a maximum of £80, less is kinda better but id prefer to max it since im not paying . Main games are really Counter strike source currently and a bit of medal of honor, not sure if i want 5.1 but i presume its good as i really need to hear footsteps and the smaller details when using the headset.

Any suggestions are welcomed .

[c.ruel]

I play 1.6 ... I have source but only played it a few times, so i know how important sound is to CS (well 1.6 anyway!).

I bought a steelseries siberia recently (version 2) ... all I can say is why pay more?

I have owned a speedlink medusa and steelseries 5h in the past. In terms of hearing footsteeps and accurately placing them I personally think the soundcard makes more difference than headset (obviously the headset can't be completely crap lol). But the main thing is comfort for me, all headsets seem to itch and hurt after like an hour for me (maybe I have big ears!) and the siberias are the most comfortable headset I have ever owned by a country mile.

Siberias for 36 quid on ebuyer (think it is version 1) I think the main difference between version 1 and 2 is that on version 2 they improved the mic because the one on version 1 broke alot :S maybe do some research!?

These ones on scan are definately version 2 but are £61 ... I got mine for a tenner less but that was on offer.

Here is a hexus review of them ... mine are in black they don't have to be white and some places sell them in red and pink!

But with regards to footsteps in CS I think soundcard makes more of a difference than actual headset (like i said assuming the headset isn't a fiver) and all of my CS buddies agree with me! Also enabling EAX or A3D (think that one never really took off) makes a big difference as well and ... AFAIK most on board sound doesn't support EAX (could easily be wrong on that one though ... I know my motherboard doesn't seem to). Because EAX makes such a difference it is banned in a lot of leagues (if maybe you just pub or pcw then that won't bother you)

EDIT:

My roccat arvo (keyboard) does not work as advertised at all, the lights break and the macro functions do not work properly either. A real shame because it is such a clever design but the execution of said design is clearly awful ... their customer support is non-existent as well. Never will buy a product from them again.

EDIT2: BTW did you get that view sonic monitor in the end!? I noticed there is now only 1 in stock on kikatek and the price has gone up by a fiver as well ... wondered if it was you. Maybe you could give a mini-review if it is you!?

[Hicks12]

Well i currently have some Plantronics Gamecom 377's, they arent bad but really since i have the option i want to get new ones. Ive listened to my mates roccat kones (we both bought them, i was unlucky one with a broken one lol) and its very different, very good!. My sound card isnt bad at all, its the X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series, so i will see difference from a new headset.

Ill have a look at that headset so thanks for the link , i think the main problem with mine is that its an open ear design and not the closed type(367 vs 377) vso i hear a lot of background noise, needed it at the time but now its bloody annoying .


No mate i havent got that monitor, I'm still looking for what one i want as im really torn between getting a 3d monitor now instead of looking for an IPS monitor but i dont know if the difference in colour is worth it and such. They all have some many good points but also have bad points that mean both are neck and neck on my list .

Let me know if you decide on one as im still looking

[GoNz0]

spend another tenner and get some ex-display pc350's

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/199114...edium=products

[Hicks12]

very good suggestion gonz0, i keep hearing the good reviews about the pc350's however they said to lack a lot of bass. SHouldnt be a problem really so its at the top of my list at the minute.

Ive also been looking at their "headphone" range as im toying with the idea of having a desktop mic instead and then getting a better headset for audio if that is possible .

[c.ruel]

Hicks12 I thought about that too, having a seperate mic and headphones. Just very hard to find cheap decent microphones. Well I found it hard at least!

[matty-hodgson]

Steelseries Siberia V2s.

http://gaming.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=24490

The comfiest headset I've ever worn, and very good quality microphone too . Comes in £20 under budget too.

[GoNz0]

very good suggestion gonz0, i keep hearing the good reviews about the pc350's however they said to lack a lot of bass. SHouldnt be a problem really so its at the top of my list at the minute.

Ive also been looking at their "headphone" range as im toying with the idea of having a desktop mic instead and then getting a better headset for audio if that is possible .

no real lack of bass unless you have a crap soundcard

mine run from the headphone socket on the logitech 5400 amp and lack of bass is not a problem

[kalniel]

The pc350s need to be driven by an amp, certainly. As I usually say, I think they're great music/film 'phones, not so great for gaming.

[Hicks12]

Hmm, well i did keep reading that a good amp is required for a few headsets. But the recommended amp is like £70! I wouldnt pay that for an amp, i have some quality audio gear for the front room but just for gaming it is to much .

My friend had the pc160's and he loved them, only got rid of them since he broke them and needed a cheapish replacement which lead him to the creative fatality, happy with them as was i! But he did mention that the pc160's much better and his friend really likes the 350's he owns.


Those Steel series headsets do seem to be getting higher and higher on my list, im still undecided though on the difference in quality from my plantronics currently.


Such a flipping hard decision but as always, more suggestions the better!.

[Agent]

I've recently got some Roccats (Kaves) and I can fully recommend them. The detachable mic is fantastic

[Hicks12]

I didnt get the chance to try out the kaves even though i had them for a day , i may get them again though. Ill have to ask my mate if i can borrow his just to try them out and decide again!.

[george1979]

I've recently got some Roccats (Kaves) and I can fully recommend them. The detachable mic is fantastic

I'm planning on buying these as a wee xmas gift to myself but I was a bit unsure as lots of people on here extol the virtue of a sound card and stereo cans. My mobo supposedly has quite decent onboard sound and these look great so its good to see some current feedback on them.
Can't wait to get them now!

EDIT: Oh and Hicks12, could you post your thoughts on the Kaves once you've tried them please?

[Jasp]

Was gonna say how the hell did you break em lol? had mine for nearly a year and its a rock solid headset tbh, can't recommend the Kave enough.

[Hicks12]

It was broken before i got to it, the middle section of the leather was hanging off .

Did feel sturdy apart from the manufacturing defect though i must admit

[Jasp]

Personally i'd suggest giving them another go they really are a cracking set of headphones.