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<$100 Headphones for PC?

Talyrius

Talyrius

Gawd
Joined
Oct 27, 2002
Messages
552
I'm looking for a good pair of headphones for gaming and listening to music on my computer for less than $100. I go to a lot of LAN parties as well. It would be nice if the headphones had a microphone on them so I can talk in games.

Anyone have any suggestions? BTW, I don't plan on using any amps.
 
I am thinking the whole Lan party thing means closed phones so I would suggest the ATH- A500s but they are a little over your budget. :(
 
Check out the LTB AC97 True 5.1 Surround Sound Headphone with Detachable Mic at newegg.com
 
MakubexGB, you have had personal experience with those headphones, correct? I doubt anyone should recommend a product they didnt personally have a chance to audition, but I am just making sure. :rolleyes:
 
I haven't heard very good things about 5.1 headphones... I would rather listen to a Dolby Headphone mix with a decent pair of stereo headphones than actually have several small cheaper drivers so close to my ears.
 
hybridamp said:
MakubexGB, you have had personal experience with those headphones, correct? I doubt anyone should recommend a product they didnt personally have a chance to audition, but I am just making sure. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

So what if I hadn't have a personal experience? I just told him to check them out. Maybe he likes the specs and looks for more info on them. Next time think a little before you post.
 
Game Master 128 said:
I haven't heard very good things about 5.1 headphones... I would rather listen to a Dolby Headphone mix with a decent pair of stereo headphones than actually have several small cheaper drivers so close to my ears.
Click to expand...

I see. But people seem to be talking well about this specific 5.1 headset.
 
MakubexGB said:
I see. But people seem to be talking well about this specific 5.1 headset.
Click to expand...
Actually, I've read several reviews on it as well. Not all of them cast it in a good light... I've looked at lots of 5.1 headphone reviews and I've actually listened to the 5.1's from Zalman. I wasn't that impressed. I don't think headphones can truly mimic a real surround sound setup.

Here is my home theater setup:
<removed>
 
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I R rich therefore U R stupid?

Seriously though, the idea of 5.1 headphones at least needs more improvement- given that you only have 2 ears, all they can ever hope to do is make the HRTF already present in 2.0 sound going to stereo headphones and make it more pronounced. Honestly, I have the PC150's, and they work for games, and the mic is wonderfully clear (well, maybe not wonderful for everyone else, but hey). Just don't expect them to sound great for music- I'll be starving up (err, saving as a college student) for some real cans soon, as these things can't begin to touch these Sonic XS 2.1s on my desk.
 
MakubexGB said:
Having looked at a lot of 5.1 headphones doesn't say anything about the LTB AC97. Zalman is not equal to LTB.

It would be very helpful if you posted the URL of the reviews you have read since I'm thinking of buying this headphones.

Here's are the reviews I found. Keep in mind though, that these reviews are about the LTB's USB-M Pro 5.1 Headphone Set that connect to your PC by USB only. The one I'm buying is the LTB-AC97-M Headphone Set, this one connects by stereo plugs and use the sound card's decoder:

1. http://www.lanaddict.com/rev/143/1/

2.http://www.cooltechzone.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=813&Itemid=0
Click to expand...

Is that one stereo plug, or three?
 
IdiotInCharge said:
I R rich therefore U R stupid?

Seriously though, the idea of 5.1 headphones at least needs more improvement- given that you only have 2 ears, all they can ever hope to do is make the HRTF already present in 2.0 sound going to stereo headphones and make it more pronounced. Honestly, I have the PC150's, and they work for games, and the mic is wonderfully clear (well, maybe not wonderful for everyone else, but hey). Just don't expect them to sound great for music- I'll be starving up (err, saving as a college student) for some real cans soon, as these things can't begin to touch these Sonic XS 2.1s on my desk.
Click to expand...

This headphones uses 6 Independent Speaker Chambers. I think they can hope for something better than just "make the HRTF already present in 2.0 sound going to stereo headphones and make it more pronounced".

I also have a real home 5.1 system setup. I know what is sounds like.
 
Hehe- BECAUSE you only have two ears, whether your soundcard does HRTF for two points or 6(ish) points is irrelevent- either way, the sound goes to two points. Thus, I don't think a 5.1 system could ever sound as good (in games) as headphones- because all sound positioning (NOT EAX) is based on HRTF, headphones are the most consistant way of doing this. Now, for 5.1 headphones, you are trying to pipe something calculated for a set of speakers right next to your ear- why? Sure, it kinda sounds like a good idea- but you still only have two ears. Whether you have 2 channels or 6 channels or 10 channels headed at your ears, that is never going to change. If you're going to spend money on headphones, spend money on something that sounds good (to you) in stereo for your two ears.
 
Oh, and I do NOT have a 5.1 setup (for games, I do have a separate HTPC setup for movies) because I DO know what it sounds like. Positioning is nothing like what I get in games with a headset.
 
IdiotInCharge said:
Hehe- BECAUSE you only have two ears, whether your soundcard does HRTF for two points or 6(ish) points is irrelevent- either way, the sound goes to two points. Thus, I don't think a 5.1 system could ever sound as good (in games) as headphones- because all sound positioning (NOT EAX) is based on HRTF, headphones are the most consistant way of doing this. Now, for 5.1 headphones, you are trying to pipe something calculated for a set of speakers right next to your ear- why? Sure, it kinda sounds like a good idea- but you still only have two ears. Whether you have 2 channels or 6 channels or 10 channels headed at your ears, that is never going to change. If you're going to spend money on headphones, spend money on something that sounds good (to you) in stereo for your two ears.
Click to expand...
Yes, all the sounds go to your same two years, headphones or not. But the perception of where the sound is coming from is not the same. That's where Stereo differs from 5.1.
 
IdiotInCharge said:
Oh, and I do NOT have a 5.1 setup (for games, I do have a separate HTPC setup for movies) because I DO know what it sounds like. Positioning is nothing like what I get in games with a headset.
Click to expand...

I use my 5.1 setup for things other than games. Having 5.1 surround speakers is not just about pin-pointing you opponent by sound. Of course headphones are better for that. But 5.1 surround sound, sounds so much cooler. You won't get the same thunderous sound and the feeling of things coming from behind you from the stereo headphones.
 
Let me see if I got this right.... you have no personal experiance with these cans yet you are trying to explain why they sound better for games based on what you read in a review?
 
MakubexGB said:
I use my 5.1 setup for things other than games. Having 5.1 surround speakers is not just about pin-pointing you opponent by sound. Of course headphones are better for that. But 5.1 surround sound, sounds so much cooler. You won't get the same thunderous sound and the feeling of things coming from behind you from the stereo headphones.
Click to expand...

...or from 5.1 headphones, as they are on the sides of your head. But this is what HRTF is for. And with stereo headphones, you get two better drivers, instead of 6 lesser drivers (simple economics, price being the same).
 
Mister X said:
Let me see if I got this right.... you have no personal experiance with these cans yet you are trying to explain why they sound better for games based on what you read in a review?
Click to expand...

No, I'm not talking about this headphones in specific. When I said: "I use my 5.1 setup for things other than games. Having 5.1 surround speakers is not just about pin-pointing you opponent by sound. Of course headphones are better for that. But 5.1 surround sound, sounds so much cooler. You won't get the same thunderous sound and the feeling of things coming from behind you from the stereo headphones." I was talking about a REAL 5.1 SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM. NOT HEADPHONES. READ MORE CAREFULLY.
 
IdiotInCharge said:
...or from 5.1 headphones, as they are on the sides of your head. But this is what HRTF is for. And with stereo headphones, you get two better drivers, instead of 6 lesser drivers (simple economics, price being the same).
Click to expand...

I was talking about a real 5.1 Home Setup. Because you said:

Oh, and I do NOT have a 5.1 setup (for games, I do have a separate HTPC setup for movies) because I DO know what it sounds like. Positioning is nothing like what I get in games with a headset
Click to expand...
Like I said in my post about pin-pointing an opponent: "OF COURSE HEADPHONES ARE BETTER FOR THAT".
 
Sennheiser HD497's or the PC-150's.

HD497's are open cans and have decent bass nice mids and good highs. I use these for gaming and music listening. For movies they are not that spectactular.

The PC-150's are closed cans with smaller drivers then the HD497's. They produce decent sound for gaming. The only plus for these up against the HD497's is that they have a microphone. I have been experiecing issues reguarding my mic on my set. In games people say I am coming in very staticy. I am hooked into my SB Audigy 2 ZS remote station. Maybe I got a lemon pair. I dunno.

Another note on the PC-150's are the phones are a bit smaller so if you have larger ears then average they might be a bit uncomfortable for long periods of use. The HD497's are quite a bit larger and are nice and comfy for long sessions.

I can't really comment on the 5.1's because I have never actually experienced them but what I can tell you is that I can hear people sneaking up on me in UT2k4 and HL2:CS:S just fine and can tell exactly where they are at.

My personal opinion, you can't go wrong with the HD497's.
 
To the original poster Game Master 128 , my advice is don't base your purchase decision on reviews and the opinions of people on this forum alone.

Go out and listen to a few cans at an audio store and experience them and see what you like.

What we are here for is to give you the pros and cons of the cans and give you an idea of what is out on the market today.

Good luck on finding what you need.

EDIT: Please quit hijacking this thread and turning it into a flame war. This guy is looking for assistance and you are doing him no good by flaming each other. Selfish.
 
I thought somebody had said that already, thanks Gouda. Need to remember to put that one out there before we talk about why A > B or B > A or C > *.
 
Like my momma always says life is like a box....

oh wait...no she said "Two Wrongs don't make a right."
 
If you are one of the two people that have not recived a PM about your conduct in this thread.... good job.
To the others all I can say is you have been warned and dont be suprised if you spend the next three days in band camp for the nonsense you posted here. :)
 
Wow... This is the first time one of my threads has been hijacked. Thanks for cleaning it up a bit, Mister X.

I appreciate the advice I've been given so far. Right now, I'm leaning towards trying out the Sennheiser PC150. I'm still open to suggestions though.
 
Now you have another choice to make Gamemaster if you are going with the PC150s. They come in two versions. USB and standard headphone plug. Personally I would just go with the standard headphone plug so you don't waste a USB slot. Your not gaining any sound clarity by choosing the USB over the standard headphone jack. Good luck and enjor your purchase whatever you decide.
 
I'm not really sure Mister X. I only have the standard headphone jack version. I have enough USB devices as it is lol.
 
If it's USB, it must have its own built in sound processor, so I would definitely avoid the USB version. I wouldn't want to be limited to what that built in sound chip could do.
 
could someone suggest a headset for me? right now im using a Plantronics audio 90 headset. I like it, but i kind of want to step it up. I would be using the headset for pure gaming. I got to alot of LAN's and play ALOT of games..... right now im hooked on CSS. im not a person that has it on for 10 hours at a time but i dont want an uncomfortable one either. I had that altec lansing brand..... wow that brand was the worst bunch of garbage ever. and suggestions would be awsome..... i dont want to go over 100$
 
Endurance, Do you want a microphone as well? You said you play CS:S, as do I. Since CS has voice over ip you have the luxury of communicating. Or do you want more quality sound and do without a mic?
 
I've had cheapo KOSSs, Grado SR-60s, which sounded pretty good but were *extremely* uncomfortable, and now sennheiser HD-570s. I've been extremely pleased with them. Both previous pairs were ruined by repeatedly having the cord pulled. These 'heisers have a single removable cord as opposed to two fixed ones. More importantly, they are infinitely more comfy than any other headphone I've ever tried;I regularly forget i'm wearing them. Let's see, what other characteristics might one consider in a headphone purchase...umm...oh yeah: they sound really good!
Definitely choose circumaural(lit. round-the-ear) cans as opposed to supraaural(lit. crushing-the-ear); you might not want to wear them on the street, but for gaming....
 
ah, the infamous grado ear-squish :D. People's experience of Grado comfort varies enormously, it rather depends on what shape your ears are.

570s are another in the line of not-terribly-good-audio-quality Sennheisers, like the 500s there's really not a whole lot of reasons to buy them instead of one of the much better sounding Sennheiser models, like the 515 -> 555 -> 595 line (555s for $99 on Newegg is a *really good* offer, if it's still going), or a cheap second hand pair of 580s or 590s. But if you like yours, more power to you :)
 
Just go with the Sennheiser P150's Endurance. They have a mic and nice sound. Little discomfort after long uses though. If you have large ears then they might not be your cup of tea.
 
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