Headset recommendations

[GoToadGo]

So my G35's have officially died and I need to replace them lest I play/browse with no sound or microphone. I'm willing to spend about $100(or a touch over). Any recommendations? I don't have any brand preferences, I just want something that's comfortable, sounds decent and wont die on me!

[frigidhell]

Why, don't you want another G35?

I'm currently using a Sennheiser PC 330 which I got from Amazon for $130. I'm using this for more than six months already. Or you can get one of Turtle Tech's.

[GoToadGo]

I don't want G35's again as I would like to try something new and I wasn't all that happy with the overall build quality. They simply started falling apart.

[steve_rogers42]

I'd either be looking at Turtle Beach, Razer or plantronics/Gamecom if you don't want to return to logitec, or same your bucks and pick up something that will outlast all of the previously mentioned and grab some AD700's...

I'd save for the 700's, pure eargasm. Logitec are to low end, senni's to $$$ razer and gamecom suffer build quality.sound and turtlebeach seem to be mediocre...

[Werewolph]

The Sennheiser HD 598's are also absolutely brilliant for both audio quality and gaming. Without tweaking, the bass is a bit lacking, but easily fixed with an equaliser.

[Bicketybam]

I got a set of Audio Technica AD700 that I got from headphones.com.au and use a zensonic microphone that I've had for a long time and the headphones are best buy I've ever made.

These are proper headphones though, not USB so you need to plug it into your onboard sound (or better with an actual sound card). More expensive then what you suggested but worth every cent.

You could look at the Beyerdynamic MMX2 which is about $120 as it has the microphone attached as well (although the next version is little too much at $469 )

Of course there is probably other places that sell the same products for cheaper, but that is just where I got mine from.

[diamondd]

I got a set of Audio Technica AD700 that I got from headphones.com.au and use a zensonic microphone that I've had for a long time and the headphones are best buy I've ever made.

These are proper headphones though, not USB so you need to plug it into your onboard sound (or better with an actual sound card). More expensive then what you suggested but worth every cent.

You could look at the Beyerdynamic MMX2 which is about $120 as it has the microphone attached as well (although the next version is little too much at $469 )

Of course there is probably other places that sell the same products for cheaper, but that is just where I got mine from.

the MMX2's are an old classic but the AD700's are obviously the /thread headphones.

I splurged on a pair nearly 5 years ago and haven't looked back, the longer I hang around tech forums the more and more I see them recommended as more and more people take the plunge. You won't regret it.

[steve_rogers42]

One day, ima sticky and lock just one thread, with links to the AD700's and the A900's... LOVE my 900's best decision i ever made, even without a soundcard they make me blush...

[spawneh]

Doesn't the classification for "headset" include an attached microphone?

[diamondd]

Doesn't the classification for "headset" include an attached microphone?

yes, but anything with an attached microphone isn't going to sound anywhere near as good as a proper set of headphones.

attachable mics go for <$10 so its really a no-brainer.

[Mekon]

Hate wired gaming headsets, went with a Turtle Beach PX-5 for that reason.

Has sound presets which comes in handy for games with lots of speech (always seemed to get drowned out by the environmental sounds on previous speaker sets). The ear pads are comfy, it's not too heavy.

Not cheap, but sounds great... to my ears, anyway (I'm hardly an audiophile). Got a discount on the RRP, IIRC, thanks to a JB Hifi sale.

[Dinwiddie]

One of the PC mags gave good marks to the Turtle Beach Z6A Headset.

I've been using the AD700's , but got some Shure SRH840's (stumbled on a new pair for $110-) a couple of weeks back
to compare a 'closed' vs 'open' headphone.
The AD700 can't be beat for lightweight, but the bass sure has some presence (tight too) with the SRH 840's,
and the other frequencies aren't too shabby either.
It's hard to say which will be warmer in summer months as the AD700's cups cover more surface than the SRH840's,
but the 'plether' does seem to breath less. Just remembered. If you have big ears the SRH840 cups may be
a bit small vs AD700, not because of the hole size, more due to the tapered shape of the AD700 cups.
If there is a downside to the SRH840 it's the cable is noisy if you move it around (wonder why that is - the AD700 cable is silent), and I prefer the straight cable on the AD700 as well.

They're both great headphones with different appeal, but the SRH840 may be just a bit better tuned for gaming
due to the punchy bass.
I was going to get rid of one or the other, but may end up just doing a mood of the moment with each.

[Bicketybam]

Having a quick look around the net shows the Astro A40 as being listed as one of the better 'gaming' headsets, although a tad expensive.

Looks like you can get them in wired and wireless as well.

[GoToadGo]

I dare say these ad700's everyone is plugging may be the way to go. Wouldn't be terrible to have something I can use while on the go too. So you can buy a microphone that attaches to them? Anyone have a link for one?

[Dinwiddie]

While the AD700 are light and comfortable they are open back, so not so good in situations with lots of background noise,
and they don't fold up, so they are not really an 'on the go' headphone.
Closed back are better for 'on the go' use. Just as an example, the Shure SHR440 (little bro to the 840) and 840 are both closed and fold up. Still a bit bulky, but more compact than the AD700.
They also have a carry bag, and detachable coiled cable (also better for taking away).

Have a browse through the Headphonic site. They have good descriptions, forum and reviews. And while they have
respectable prices ( free shipping ) you can usually pick up something a bit cheaper shopping around.

http://headphones.com.au/pbrowse?catID=1

Mic - Don't have one, but everyone says clip to the headphone cable, maybe lapel is as good, or better with some phones.
http://staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=Zalman+mic&spos=3