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Geek Culture / Gaming Headset

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The Wilderbeast
19
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Joined: 14th Nov 2005
Location: UK
Posted: 27th Dec 2012 16:22 Edited at: 27th Dec 2012 16:38
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I'm in the market for a new headset to use on my rig. Note this would be purely for gaming as I have a separate system hooked up for music.

I'm looking for something <£100 primarily for use in FPSs. Now I have a friend who has a 7.1 headset who says that the improvement compared to a stereo headset is definitely worth it. The thing is, I have yet to find a *true* 7.1 headset (note: I've found a couple of multi-driver 5.1 ones) – all the options available fake the effect and only actually have two drivers. Even then, I'm not sure that having so many drivers crammed right next to your ears would even make that much difference. Regardless of whether we're talking real or fake surround, does it make pinpointing any easier than on a stereo headset?

I currently use a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50s with a Creative Audigy ZS 2 going through S/PDIF to a dedicated DAC + amp – am I likely to notice any difference between my current setup and a 'fake' 5.1 or 7.1 headset?

Cheers.

EDIT: An alternative (if 'fake' surround is any good) would be to purchase a Virtual Surround sound card and route it to my headphones - I'm not too bothered by any loss of quality using the built-in DAC/amp.

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Dark Frager
15
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Joined: 16th Mar 2010
Location: The Void.
Posted: 27th Dec 2012 18:15
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Depends on what company you want it from. I would recommend Razer and I also heard that Sennheiser makes good quality headphones.

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Dar13
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Joined: 12th May 2008
Location: Microsoft VisualStudio 2010 Professional
Posted: 27th Dec 2012 18:37
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Sennheiser makes very high quality headphones sound-wise(I have their HD280 Pro, and it's better than those Dr. Dre Beats for half the price), but I don't know about their headsets with microphones.

I got a Plantronics Gamecom, and it seems to be quite nice for gaming and such(haven't tried it out yet). What's most impressive about the Gamecom is that it boasts of having 7.1 Dolby surround sound.

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CoffeeGrunt
17
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Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 28th Dec 2012 00:44
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I've got a pair of Sennheiser headphones with mic, plus several of their other headphones. I've always found them to be damn good value for money.

Surround sound is debatable in headsets. To be honest, it probably sounds better than stereo, but nowhere near as good as having separate speakers dotted all around. I hear it's all smoke and mirrors anyway, so I just don't bother.

Irony is when a friend is boasting to me about how good his 5.1 sound is playing TF2, before I point out he's running it through the headphone jack...and we open his settings to see it's still outputting in stereo.
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Dar13
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Posted: 28th Dec 2012 04:03
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Quote: "Irony is when a friend is boasting to me about how good his 5.1 sound is playing TF2, before I point out he's running it through the headphone jack...and we open his settings to see it's still outputting in stereo."

That's really funny. Mine uses a USB so maybe it's true surround sound.

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SpyDaniel
19
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Joined: 4th Feb 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 28th Dec 2012 13:11 Edited at: 28th Dec 2012 13:11
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If you want some thing good, get these: http://www.turtlebeach.com/product-detail/ps3-headsets/ear-force-dpx21/49

Though they are more than what you want to pay.
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CoffeeGrunt
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Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 30th Dec 2012 01:22
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Quote: "That's really funny. Mine uses a USB so maybe it's true surround sound."


That's still debatable, really depends what you class "true" surround sound, as.
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Le Shorte
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Joined: 6th Apr 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posted: 31st Dec 2012 04:49
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I have a pair of Turtle Beach x12s. 7.1 out of the box, good quality mic, very long cord with a Velcro strap. Also a bass boost, and separate options for game and chat volume. My pair was $40 on sale, if I'm not mistaken. Good price, if you ask me.

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Dar13
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Posted: 2nd Jan 2013 22:58
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Well as far as I can tell, my Gamecom headset does true surround sound. The sound quality is quite good, and can handle bass better than my Sennheisers while not being overwhelming like the Beats.

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