Need a new headset...help please

[Leonell12]

so my trusty old X12's gave up after a looong usage so i am in the market now for a new pair of headsets..but a little confusion was inevitable. See i didnt know before that a 'usb' headset is a thing so....i am not aware of the pros/cons of either a usb headset or an analogue one. Some people say that buying a decent headset without a mic and then getting a separate 'clip on' mic is a better solution. I will be using the headset for mostly gaming although watching movies/ listening to music will happen. I am not a massive bass fan (personally i think the x12's 50mm speakers were too much for me). Basically i have a budget for about £50-£60 (if i should get a soundcard that's another £20 added to the budget). But i am confused, should i get an analogue headset and a sound card, or a usb one without buying a sound card, or should i just get separate mic and headset. Basically, i am on the verge of madness and want the best audio experience for £50-£60 (plus £20 if soundcard is bought)...plz help me out ...n yea for me its ALL about AUDIO QUALITY and comfort...not too picky on mic quality ...i have a MSI Gaming 5 mobo with its own onboard audio if that matters

 

[Nightmare9771]

I've always found the Plantronics headsets pretty reliable, and they're only £20-40.

 

[Leonell12]

I've always found the Plantronics headsets pretty reliable, and they're only £20-40.

Plantronics Gamecom 780?...yea i have looked at them and they were my initial choice but then i discovered they were usb i was a cat staring at the wall...other headsets i have considered are Siberia V2, Razer Kraken 7.1 and Pro, some Sennheiser headsets as well...all i want is the best audio quality for the price i pay...as for microphone...i figure i'll just get a clip on if the integrated is not upto the standard ...also please clear me on this: for audio quality usb vs analogue

 

[Nightmare9771]

You could try this http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pc-accessories/pc-gaming-accessories/headsets/corsair-vengeance-1500v2-gaming-headset-gunmetal-grey-21798233-pdt.html I have one similar.

 

[Leonell12]

You could try this http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pc-accessories/pc-gaming-accessories/headsets/corsair-vengeance-1500v2-gaming-headset-gunmetal-grey-21798233-pdt.html I have one similar.

hmm k thks, i've always trusted Corsair with their reliability...i am going to consider this one..anything slightly cheaper though?...n since this one is usb, i am guessing it really doesnt matter whether the interface is 3.5mm analogue or usb right?

 

[ssddx]

in short:

usb connection = has its own onboard soundcard. it bypasses anything you have on your system. this is good if your onboard is crap and if the inside headset electronics are good. this is bad if you have a high end soundcard in your system already as its going to be bypassed.

3.5mm connections = uses your soundcard.

as for mic quality... that depends on the mic used not as much the connection.

as for sound quality... that depends on the drivers used and headphone design.

clip on mics like the zalman typically arent all that great. they work but they pick up everything.

if you could expand your budget you could get a pair of headphones and then get a boom mic to attach. (theres a guide how to do this on the headphone link in my signature....). however, if you wanted surround sound you would need a soundcard capable of dolby-headphone, cmss-3d or similar to do this (to generate virtual surround).

sorry... i cant say much as far as picking out specific gaming headsets... as thats not really my thing. i'm more into the higher end audio segment.

 

[Leonell12]

in short:

usb connection = has its own onboard soundcard. it bypasses anything you have on your system. this is good if your onboard is crap and if the inside headset electronics are good. this is bad if you have a high end soundcard in your system already as its going to be bypassed.

3.5mm connections = uses your soundcard.

as for mic quality... that depends on the mic used not as much the connection.

as for sound quality... that depends on the drivers used and headphone design.

clip on mics like the zalman typically arent all that great. they work but they pick up everything.

if you could expand your budget you could get a pair of headphones and then get a boom mic to attach. (theres a guide how to do this on the headphone link in my signature....). however, if you wanted surround sound you would need a soundcard capable of dolby-headphone, cmss-3d or similar to do this (to generate virtual surround).

sorry... i cant say much as far as picking out specific gaming headsets... as thats not really my thing. i'm more into the higher end audio segment.

so with the MSI Gaming 5 motherboard onboard audio, you reckon a usb headset will give me better or worse audio? (honestly the answer to that question will solve alot of problems ) ...thnx for your reply btw

 

[ssddx]

to be honest... unless you've noticed a problem with your onboard sound.... i dont normally say to worry about it. since apparently its worked fine for you up till now... it should continue to do so.

it should be compareable. i wouldnt worry too much about the connetivity though. just pick what has the features you want and what has the best reviews.

personally i like using high end headphones and if need be i'll strap a mic to them... but quite a few people prefer headsets (which are cheaper too and can do 5.1 without a special soundcard if they are usb and you get a virtual surround model).

your choice really.

 

[Leonell12]

to be honest... unless you've noticed a problem with your onboard sound.... i dont normally say to worry about it. since apparently its worked fine for you up till now... it should continue to do so.

it should be compareable. i wouldnt worry too much about the connetivity though. just pick what has the features you want and what has the best reviews.

personally i like using high end headphones and if need be i'll strap a mic to them... but quite a few people prefer headsets (which are cheaper too and can do 5.1 without a special soundcard if they are usb and you get a virtual surround model).

your choice really.

well feature-wise i just want the best possible audio i can get for gaming in my price range...extras like inbuilt mics, software packages, inbuilt volume controls are just the icing on the cake. What i had meant to say about the onboard audio was, it is really really good, but as you said using a usb headset/ headphone will bypass everything and use its own soundcard, so what i was wondering was is the audio on usb headsets (maybe something like a gamecom 780) better than my motherboard audio?...i understand its difficult if you havent used them yourself, but here's the website for my mobo http/www.msi.com/product/mb/Z97_GAMING_5.html#overview ...i have no clue what all these tech specs for the audio mean, here's the specs for the plantronics gamecom 780 http/www.engadget.com/products/plantronics/gamecom/780/specs/ ...if getting an analogue headset means i'll get better audio than from a usb headset with my mobo...then yea

 

[ssddx]

i understood your question completely... however its not so cut and dry as that.

is the onboard soundcard in the headphones superior to your onboard? in terms of quality i would have to guess that they arent really too far apart. gaming headsets arent known to have "great" onboard but your motherboard onboard isnt "great" either. both are likely in the "good enough" category.

i'm not sure if your motherboard onboard supports cmss-3d or other virtual surround though and the headset one does. that could be one advantage to the headset if you wanted virtual surround.

generally i will say this: if comparing low end headphones there isnt much difference between usb and 3.5mm. some are better than others of course but it goes either way. pick whatever has good reviews on sound quality.

if you cant go above 60gbp dont bother reading the spoiler

Spoiler

however at higher budgets (starting at perhaps 90-100) good quality headphones easily walk all over headsets but need to be paired with a virtual surround soundcard if you wanted virtual surround (as they dont have an internal soundcard to do that like headsets).

TLDR: for 60gbp you're probably best with just a headset. it doesnt matter if you go usb or 3.5mm. just pick what gets good reviews with the features you want. usb is probably a bit more convenient though.

the gamecom780 seems to get decent reviews. the siberia v2 seems to get alot of good words as well. i cant say for myself but thats what the reviews and general opinion on the internet seems to say.

again, if 60gbp is your max dont bother reading below.

Spoiler

if you spend more and can reach up to the level of good headphones then you can get better quality. however its going to smash your budget to pieces.

 

[Leonell12]

i understood your question completely... however its not so cut and dry as that.

is the onboard soundcard in the headphones superior to your onboard? in terms of quality i would have to guess that they arent really too far apart. gaming headsets arent known to have "great" onboard but your motherboard onboard isnt "great" either. both are likely in the "good enough" category.

i'm not sure if your motherboard onboard supports cmss-3d or other virtual surround though and the headset one does. that could be one advantage to the headset if you wanted virtual surround.

generally i will say this: if comparing low end headphones there isnt much difference between usb and 3.5mm. some are better than others of course but it goes either way. pick whatever has good reviews on sound quality.

if you cant go above 60gbp dont bother reading the spoiler

Spoiler

however at higher budgets (starting at perhaps 90-100) good quality headphones easily walk all over headsets but need to be paired with a virtual surround soundcard if you wanted virtual surround (as they dont have an internal soundcard to do that like headsets).

TLDR: for 60gbp you're probably best with just a headset. it doesnt matter if you go usb or 3.5mm. just pick what gets good reviews with the features you want. usb is probably a bit more convenient though.

the gamecom780 seems to get decent reviews. the siberia v2 seems to get alot of good words as well. i cant say for myself but thats what the reviews and general opinion on the internet seems to say.

again, if 60gbp is your max dont bother reading below.

Spoiler

if you spend more and can reach up to the level of good headphones then you can get better quality. however its going to smash your budget to pieces.

hmm k thanks ...the mobo has some Creative surround sound 2 or something....so it doesnt matter whether its 3.5mm or usb...i really appreciate your help...could you recommend me a good headset for £50-£60....i noe u said that you dunt specialize in that stuff (am i ryt?)...but i mean any links to reviews, or other forum posts addressing the same situation will be very helpful...i appreciate it ...also, curious question (since you seem to be very knowledgeable on audio/ sound)...is a dedicated sound card worth it? (something like an Asus Xonar) for gaming purposes?

 

[ssddx]

slyr headset
http/www.head-fi.org/products/skullcandy-slyr-circumaural-headset/reviews
http/www.techhive.com/article/2012071/review-skullcandys-slyr-headset-delivers-sweet-sounds-at-a-sweet-price.html

siberia v2
http/www.engadget.com/products/steelseries/siberia/v2/
http/www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/40914-steelseries-siberia-v2-full-size-headset-review.html

gamecom 780 review
http/www.engadget.com/products/plantronics/gamecom/780/
http/www.legitreviews.com/plantronics-gamecom-780-gaming-headset-review_2022

gamecom 780 vs sibera v2
http/www.overclock.net/t/1262783/steelseries-siberia-v2-vs-plantronics-780-7-1

review of the skullcandy slyr vs a bunch of other stuff (ctrl+f and search for skullcandy)
http/www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-update-4-17-2014-akg-k612-and-k712-pro-added-edits

another thread which mentions the slyr
http/www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1271183-Looking-for-a-new-headset

---

is a dedicated soundcard better? they can be.

is it worth upgrading? generally i say no unless you have audio issues (crackling, static, distortion, buzzing), if you're an audiophile or if you need to upgrade to get a certain feature (such as virtual surround which doesnt often come on motherboards).

 

[Leonell12]

slyr headset
http/www.head-fi.org/products/skullcandy-slyr-circumaural-headset/reviews
http/www.techhive.com/article/2012071/review-skullcandys-slyr-headset-delivers-sweet-sounds-at-a-sweet-price.html

siberia v2
http/www.engadget.com/products/steelseries/siberia/v2/
http/www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/40914-steelseries-siberia-v2-full-size-headset-review.html

gamecom 780 review
http/www.engadget.com/products/plantronics/gamecom/780/
http/www.legitreviews.com/plantronics-gamecom-780-gaming-headset-review_2022

gamecom 780 vs sibera v2
http/www.overclock.net/t/1262783/steelseries-siberia-v2-vs-plantronics-780-7-1

review of the skullcandy slyr vs a bunch of other stuff (ctrl+f and search for skullcandy)
http/www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-update-4-17-2014-akg-k612-and-k712-pro-added-edits

another thread which mentions the slyr
http/www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1271183-Looking-for-a-new-headset

---

is a dedicated soundcard better? they can be.

is it worth upgrading? generally i say no unless you have audio issues (crackling, static, distortion, buzzing), if you're an audiophile or if you need to upgrade to get a certain feature (such as virtual surround which doesnt often come on motherboards).

k thks for ur time...really solved the confusions in my head ...so its either the gamecom 780 or siberia v2 or the skullcandy one...i guess i'll get which ever one is cheaper here ...thks again!