Best quality wireless headset ($300 max)

[JellinWellen]

So I've been using my logitech G930's for about a year now and I'm about ready to be done with them. They do the job but the sound isn't that great and they have all the issues that G930's are reported to have (just google it).

My question is, on a $300 max budget what would be the best wireless headset to get? The reason I'm aiming for wireless is wired headsets are practically unusable for me. My USB leaks coil whine (I can even hear it on my G930 if I plug it into the computer to charge), and my onboard is noisy as all hell with interference. Wireless doesn't give me this issue, and I suppose optical wouldn't either but I've never tried an optical headset.

I'm open to all suggestions wired or wireless. I've never messed around with an external DAC which would fix the interference, but I assume since its USB powered I would still be hearing the whine.

 

[basroil]

My question is, on a $300 max budget what would be the best wireless headset to get? The reason I'm aiming for wireless is wired headsets are practically unusable for me. My USB leaks coil whine (I can even hear it on my G930 if I plug it into the computer to charge), and my onboard is noisy as all hell with interference. Wireless doesn't give me this issue, and I suppose optical wouldn't either but I've never tried an optical headset.

In other words, you DON'T need wireless, you need a good sound card and PSU upgrade. Here's a good combo:
EVGA 650W G2 ($90)
ATH-AD500X ($90)
Modmic ($50)
And if necessary, but probably won't be once you replace the PSU:
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 Sound Card ($80)

 

[JellinWellen]

My question is, on a $300 max budget what would be the best wireless headset to get? The reason I'm aiming for wireless is wired headsets are practically unusable for me. My USB leaks coil whine (I can even hear it on my G930 if I plug it into the computer to charge), and my onboard is noisy as all hell with interference. Wireless doesn't give me this issue, and I suppose optical wouldn't either but I've never tried an optical headset.

In other words, you DON'T need wireless, you need a good sound card and PSU upgrade. Here's a good combo:
EVGA 650W G2 ($90)
ATH-AD500X ($90)
Modmic ($50)
And if necessary, but probably won't be once you replace the PSU:
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 Sound Card ($80)

I appreciate the suggestion but I'd rather not replace the PSU that I already use http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438027

 

[basroil]

I appreciate the suggestion but I'd rather not replace the PSU that I already use http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438027

Like I thought, a second rate GPU is probably the issue. The NEX ones have horrible reviews (https/www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/27kzem/discussionpsa_do_not_buy_the_evga_supernova/ )

Replacing the PSU will likely eliminate the issue entirely.

 

[JellinWellen]

I appreciate the suggestion but I'd rather not replace the PSU that I already use http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438027

Like I thought, a second rate GPU is probably the issue. The NEX ones have horrible reviews (https/www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/27kzem/discussionpsa_do_not_buy_the_evga_supernova/ )

Replacing the PSU will likely eliminate the issue entirely.

That is actually an earlier issue of the particular model PSU, not the one I use. The older models have the red cables and the handle on the back of them like the one described in that reddit post. It still very well could be the issue though, and I appreciate the info.

 

[basroil]

That is actually an earlier issue of the particular model PSU, not the one I use. The older models have the red cables and the handle on the back of them like the one described in that reddit post. It still very well could be the issue though, and I appreciate the info.

There's actually an easy way to check if that's the issue:
1) Limit CPU to 25% frequency and set your GPU to prefer maximum performance. Put a game to maximum settings and listen to the slide show (FPS will go to crap)
2) If the above removes the noise or makes it much smaller, congrats, you have a horrible PSU that needs replacing.
3) If 1 doesn't do much, set everything to max performance and run something like super-pi in below normal priority, max the settings on a game and see if there's any change.
4) If the above removes the noise or makes it much smaller, congrats, you have a horrible PSU that needs replacing.

Also, if you have any case lighting, remove it before testing. Those things are usually horrible for noise.

 

[JellinWellen]

That is actually an earlier issue of the particular model PSU, not the one I use. The older models have the red cables and the handle on the back of them like the one described in that reddit post. It still very well could be the issue though, and I appreciate the info.

There's actually an easy way to check if that's the issue:
1) Limit CPU to 25% frequency and set your GPU to prefer maximum performance. Put a game to maximum settings and listen to the slide show (FPS will go to crap)
2) If the above removes the noise or makes it much smaller, congrats, you have a horrible PSU that needs replacing.
3) If 1 doesn't do much, set everything to max performance and run something like super-pi in below normal priority, max the settings on a game and see if there's any change.
4) If the above removes the noise or makes it much smaller, congrats, you have a horrible PSU that needs replacing.

Also, if you have any case lighting, remove it before testing. Those things are usually horrible for noise.

It only really happens in very taxing AAA games, or in less taxing games that have uncapped frames especially in menus where the framerates become outrageously high. Does that indicate its probably the PSU?

 

[basroil]

It only really happens in very taxing AAA games, or in less taxing games that have uncapped frames especially in menus where the framerates become outrageously high. Does that indicate its probably the PSU?

100% crappy PSU there, especially the latter one. Basically your PSU can't handle transient loads and gets noisy as hell. The G2 I listed (750W model too) should fix it for you, as well as anything based on the Seasonic XP2 or Leadex gold/platinum platforms.

Want to see just how messed up your PSU is? Here: http/www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=442
And here's the G2: http/www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=429
Hell of a difference right?

 

[JellinWellen]

It only really happens in very taxing AAA games, or in less taxing games that have uncapped frames especially in menus where the framerates become outrageously high. Does that indicate its probably the PSU?

100% crappy PSU there, especially the latter one. Basically your PSU can't handle transient loads and gets noisy as hell. The G2 I listed (750W model too) should fix it for you, as well as anything based on the Seasonic XP2 or Leadex gold/platinum platforms.

Want to see just how messed up your PSU is? Here: http/www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=442
And here's the G2: http/www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=429
Hell of a difference right?

So this one would be ok? http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438017

Will probably order it tomorrow if so, thanks. I burned a benjamin but learned a lesson about not buying a mediocre PSU. I just want to be sure it isn't the 980ti or the Asus z170 pro gaming mobo causing the whine.

 

[basroil]

So this one would be ok? http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438017

Will probably order it tomorrow if so, thanks. I burned a benjamin but learned a lesson about not buying a mediocre PSU. I just want to be sure it isn't the 980ti I have in there causing the whine.

The 980Ti is "causing" the issue, but only because the PSU can't keep up with the power demand (check the transients at http/www.tomshardware.com/gallery/17-Gaming-Power-Zoom,0101-498368-0-0-0-0-jpg-.html). Higher quality PSUs can deal with higher transients with less noise

That's the G2 alright. You should always check jonnyguru for PSU reviews, and never skimp out on PSUs, especially when you have a $600 graphics card.

 

[JellinWellen]

Makes sense to me. What about a sound card for interference issues? Any regular headphones have god awful white noise when plugged into the front panel or back io. Would it be better to get a pcie or external? I'd prefer not to spend a fortune I really just need something that doesn't hiss at me.

 

[basroil]

Makes sense to me. What about a sound card for interference issues? Any regular headphones have god awful white noise when plugged into the front panel or back io. Would it be better to get a pcie or external? I'd prefer not to spend a fortune I really just need something that doesn't hiss at me.

High chance that hiss will go away when you replace the PSU (as long as it's not a Gigabyte Gaming G1, for some reason a lot of people complain about noise with that one even with good PSUs). If it doesn't, Creative has a few PCI and USB soundcards for about $80 that should help.

 

[JellinWellen]

Even headphones that aren't USB powered? I'm talking just regular earbuds plugged into the green headphone jack.

 

[basroil]

Even headphones that aren't USB powered? I'm talking just regular earbuds plugged into the green headphone jack.

Yup

 

[basroil]

Hey thanks for all the PSU info this morning. I went ahead and ordered the 750G2 and I hope that will mitigate most of my coil screeching and noise issues.

In the advent that the whine still comes through my headphones and headsets, I was going to grab an external sound card. What do you recommend in the way of a simple external card? Would something like this be a good option: http/www.amazon.com/Creative-Performance-Headphone-In... ? .

If you check my first post (http/www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2928600/quality-wireless-headset-300-max.html#17273909) that's the exact model I listed 😉 It's not amazing by any stretch of the imagination, but it should work just fine.