recommend a 5.1 PC gaming headset

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turbodt

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Looking for recommendations for a gaming headset with decent build quality, and real 5.1 capability for my gaming PC. Accurate sound reproduction and a good mic is what I'm looking for. Not looking to take out a bank loan, though. Something < $150.00 would suit me, though far less than that would suit me better. I prefer to plug it in versus going wireless.
thank you,
 
The Skullcandy SLYR is a good, cheap gaming headset ($80) that should meet your needs. Another good choice would be the Beyerdynamic MMX 2 (but it's super-aural, so not for those with big heads).
 
If you need a mic, I'd highly suggest the Logitech G35. It does 7.1 built-in.
 
I second the Logitech G35. Been using it problem free for the past couple years.
 
I'm not sure any of the discrete speaker headsets can give you positional audio results you're looking for. A lot of the reason positional audio works is the delay from sound bouncing back to you, which can't be accomplished when all the drivers are positioned towards your ear.

Personally I'd get a solid set of 2 speaker cans that will no doubt sound FAR superior to those with 14 x half inch drivers, and then invest in something with surround sound headphone emulation to handle the positional audio delay later on. Depending on what sound card you have, you may already have the capability.
 
I'm with Draxanoth - most headphones that claim to be 5.1/7.1 are actually just using a built in sound card (tip - if it absolutely requires USB, that's what its doing) to provide a software surround implementation. There are a few that actually have a ton of small speakers inside the earcups, but these tend to be poor quality unless you go to a level that is far, far more expensive than you wish to pay.

A pair of nice, high quality headphones that have 2 physical speakers can work great for positional audio.. it all comes down to the source material, as well as your hardware (ie a good sound card. I'm a fan of the Asus Xonar series) and software (ie drivers, media players, positional audio APIs etc...). If you have a solid set of cans - which you can do in your price range, you can then go about finding a solution for 5.1 / 7.1 emulation, without spending a fortune on a mediocre pair of headphones with a built in emulation system like so many "gaming" kits these days.
 
any reason for not wanting wireless? if youll reconsider, id suggest the G930. great sound, comfort, and the ability to walk away from the computer whenever you want to!
 
Another vote for the Logitech G35. I loved mine and plan on getting another one in the future. G930 if you want to go wireless.
 
In the past, I'd have readily agreed with you, but that particular Skullcandy SLYR is quite good, given the OP's budget. The SLYR line is what resulted after Skullcandy decided to up their game (they purchased Astro, makers of the A40, amongst other things). It's actually a decent headset in the $80 range. Now, if the OP had a much bigger budget than the stated $150, I'd happily recommend 2 "gaming headsets": Beyerdynamic MMX 300 or Sennheiser PC 360 (I own the latter). And to save expenses, the OP can buy the Beyerdynamic DT 770 (MMX 300 w/o the mic) or Sennheiser 555 (PC 360 w/o the mic), and ModMic it, or get an external microphone.

FYI my cousin would state that a recommendation for the Corsair Vengeance 2000 or Logitech G35 should rate an "instant ban", as he has gone through many returns of both (and massive frustration w/Corsair and Logitech customer service). He now uses the MMX 300.

Info/review links for the Skullcandy SLYR (from head-fi.org):

Link 1
Link 2


bazylik said:
Any recommendation of Skullcandy or Bose should be an instant ban, lol
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bazylik said:
Any recommendation of Skullcandy or Bose should be an instant ban, lol
Click to expand...

My gf gave me e a pair of Bose earbuds a few years back as a Christmas gift, and about a year after that I accidentally stepped on the cable while it was plugged into my computer, which snapped the headphone jack clean off. I emailed Bose support and approached it hoping they would repair the headphones for a reasonable fee. Instead, they expedited a brand new pair in exchange for my busted set; no questions asked, no charge, no receipt, nothing. Service means a lot to me, so I went ahead and got my girlfriend the same earbuds she gifted to me.
 
First, i'll request this be moved to the audio section. It doesn't belong here.

Second, if you appreciate quality audio '5.1 headsets' must be avoided. You are best off buying some decent headphones and then using them with a higher end soundcard using something like Dolby Headphone (Or the similars). See the AKG Q701's and other similar headphones in that price bracket.
 
Mchart he's asking in here because he's looking for a gaming headset, used in gaming, where 5.1 (IE so you can tell what direction sounds are coming from) is important and a microphone so he can talk to people.

G35 is generally a good headset for this and one of the most recommended.

Might also check out the Razer Tiamat 7.1 headset.
 
tungt88 said:
In the past, I'd have readily agreed with you, but that particular Skullcandy SLYR is quite good, given the OP's budget. The SLYR line is what resulted after Skullcandy decided to up their game (they purchased Astro, makers of the A40, amongst other things). It's actually a decent headset in the $80 range. Now, if the OP had a much bigger budget than the stated $150, I'd happily recommend 2 "gaming headsets": Beyerdynamic MMX 300 or Sennheiser PC 360 (I own the latter). And to save expenses, the OP can buy the Beyerdynamic DT 770 (MMX 300 w/o the mic) or Sennheiser 555 (PC 360 w/o the mic), and ModMic it, or get an external microphone.

FYI my cousin would state that a recommendation for the Corsair Vengeance 2000 or Logitech G35 should rate an "instant ban", as he has gone through many returns of both (and massive frustration w/Corsair and Logitech customer service). He now uses the MMX 300.

Info/review links for the Skullcandy SLYR (from head-fi.org):

Link 1
Link 2
Click to expand...
I had a pair of Astro cans. Cost a fortune, and they were junk. I never got what the big deal was.


I use sennheisers now and I can't complain.
I have some audiophile headphones for music... Big grado fan.

Corsair is always on my radar. I had the original hs1 and it was the best gaming headset I had ever used, but after a year they just fell apart. Since then corsair build quality has shown to be among the lowest around. If they got their shit tougher they would have a great product.
 
Stiler said:
Mchart he's asking in here because he's looking for a gaming headset, used in gaming, where 5.1 (IE so you can tell what direction sounds are coming from) is important and a microphone so he can talk to people.

G35 is generally a good headset for this and one of the most recommended.

Might also check out the Razer Tiamat 7.1 headset.
Click to expand...

The G35 is a set of stereo cans with an inline dolby headphone DSP.

You can have all your 7.1 surround goodness with any set of cans you want if you own a soundcard with Dolby Headphone/CMSS 3D (creatives implementation)/etc.

Again, this should be moved to computer audio.

The G35 is a cheap and easy way to implement this. There are *far* superior solutions that don't cost a whole hell of a lot more though.

I personally have a Essence STX, some Q701's, and a modmic attached to my Q701's. Far superior then a G35 although I concede it's more expensive.
 
you don't even need a sound card anymore for proper sound whoring, razer surround is very easy to use with pretty much any pair of stereo headphones, AND free for a limited time too ! I have tried it in ro2 and hl2 with very good results so far.

www.razerzone.com/surround

You would need a sound card if your pair could use a fair bit of amplification (like dt770/80 pro AKG K601 etc ) even then it's better to buy a fiio headamp and be done with it ( pretty good $/performance ratio AFAIK )

Only other reason would be good old games like cod2 and STALKER, because they need directsound 3d / openAL support to sound their best, the cheapest way to do that is by getting an audigy FX, since it retails for only 39.99$ and offers openAL + ALchemy support :)


I'd whole heartily recommend the Creative Aurvana Live! pair if your looking for good quality closed back headphones without breaking the bank, I've borrowed a very similar pair from a friend (denon DH-1001 ) and felt very satisfied with their performance AND comfort, here's my head-fi profile btw -> http://www.head-fi.org/u/115467/sofgr
 
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I have the corsair wired ones and I like them. I had the g35s and the wire kinked and were poorly made. The got the g930s and I like them too but the wire stopped connecting and no longer would charge. Logitech = great sound quality. But poor build quality. The corsairs are holding up nicely so far.
 
I have a razer tiamat 7.1 headset with an ASUS xonar soundcard. What a great combo. They both has settings for 7.1 and 5.1 surround. This combo does require a custom setup and the headset is very particular about how it is plugged in however once setup properly it is the best I have heard.

I have BF4 setup on 5.1 surround and the directional audio is simply amazing and is the best in game surround sound I have heard so far.
 
I'd check out some headphones and a desktop microphone. Pair it with a Claro Halo Soundcard or something of quality and you will never look back. Audio Technica's AD900's are great and so are Beyerdynamics
 
Mchart said:
The G35 is a set of stereo cans with an inline dolby headphone DSP.

You can have all your 7.1 surround goodness with any set of cans you want if you own a soundcard with Dolby Headphone/CMSS 3D (creatives implementation)/etc.

Again, this should be moved to computer audio.
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Or you could just shutup and stop worrying so much.
 
Mchart said:
First, i'll request this be moved to the audio section. It doesn't belong here.

Second, if you appreciate quality audio '5.1 headsets' must be avoided. You are best off buying some decent headphones and then using them with a higher end soundcard using something like Dolby Headphone (Or the similars). See the AKG Q701's and other similar headphones in that price bracket.
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Why not? Its PC Gaming and Hardware :eek:
 
Can we stop complaining about where this thread belongs? Go message the OP or a mod for that.

@ OP, I have my G35 and I really like it. It can get heavy if you game for really extended sessions(think 8-10+ hours).
 
MrGoodKat44 said:
I have a razer tiamat 7.1 headset with an ASUS xonar soundcard. What a great combo. They both has settings for 7.1 and 5.1 surround. This combo does require a custom setup and the headset is very particular about how it is plugged in however once setup properly it is the best I have heard.

I have BF4 setup on 5.1 surround and the directional audio is simply amazing and is the best in game surround sound I have heard so far.
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I bought a Razer Tiamat 7.1 Jebus I spent hours to find a sweetspot on those headsets with the X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro. I gave up on it :(
 
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