Which headset should I get hmm?????
Don't get a headset, get seperate headphones + microphone. Cheaper, better quality, gaming headsets are plastic shit marketed to people who like to spend $100 on a $10 product. Turtle Beach in particular is among the absolute worst manufacturers. In a full headset, you might opt for Qpads QH-Series, as they use actually good cans to manufacture their headsets and sell them for a decent price.
Also surround sound is emulated in most headsets. That means, they have two actual drivers and a software emulating space. The software is rather used to push bad quality headsets to their audible limits, with quality stereo headphones still offering better "surround sound".
In case of the turtle beach headsets, even the monoprice 8323 has a much better sound quality and "surround sound".
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As soon as I saw this topic, I knew you'd have a post in here, and I came here just to read it. Thanks again for your inputs!
I seem to recall you recommending at one stage the Kingston HyperX Cloud (referring to the original version I believe, not the II version). Is that still the case? I have been looking to replace my Roccat Kave which I wasn't much of a fan of due mainly to its large weight (neck gets sore with extended use, and even with cushions at the top that's a lot of pressure placed on a very small part of the head, so I sort of get "dints" from use) and one of the headband cushions has already broken off. Although it was cool to be able to adjust volumes on each channel (5.1), I don't think I'll miss it that much if I have a comfy and more lightweight set of cans.
I also have a pseudo-need to be able to attach a TrackIR pro clip (the image is not my headset but shows the clip) to the headset which makes searching for appropriate headsets a bit trickier.
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Definitely, I did recommend it further below - I just forgot to mention it next to the Qpads, because they're essentially identical to each other. If you want to refrain from buying seperate cans/mic they definitely are the go-to choice.
You can go for either version. The Cloud II, I just feel is useless, because the parts in the USB-Soundcard are cheap and usually worse than the ones in your onBoard sound, as well as the surround emulation that's done via software is available for free from Razer - called Razer Surround.
Regarding the TIR, I can't say for sure. You won't have problems fixing it to the thin, pure metal parts of the adjustable headband, but in case your head is smaller than that, you'd have to fix it to the base of the headband coushion part, and I'm not sure if the Clip on the TIR can be opened wide enough to fit there.
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I'll look up the Qpads. Not fussed about having a mic (i.e. headset); Headphones is fine. Any particular set of headphones you recommend if ignoring the mic?
I did in fact try out that Razer software some time ago but wasn't impressed by it. If I was using stereo cans again though I might revisit it.
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Yeah, with the Kave, I can imagine an awful experience using Razer Surround. "real 5.1" and emulated 5.1 sounds...Bad :D
You can look up the Qpads, chances are though they're going to be more expensive than the Kingston. They're headsets, too. The original headphones to the KHX Cloud / Qpad QH-90 are the Takstar Pro-80, which are, oddly, hardly available seperately and often for a higher price than as a headset from said manufacturers. The Basis for the QH-85 is the open-back Takstar Hi-2050, but same here, hardly available anywhere. Recommendations depend on budget and region. Since I can see you're an aussie, with a sub-$100 budget you'd be well off with the Kingston. If your budget is over that for the cans alone, we can chat again :D
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Budget is not too constrained. If there's good quality pairs at $200, even $300 and they're worth it then I'll consider them. Usually my approach with any hardware item is if there's value for the higher price then I'm all for it. Of course that's not like going for a Beats by Dre pair or something; if the high price is for a gimmick (LED lights and shit e.g. gaming brands) or brand name then I'd be uninterested. But then, I'm sure that's not what you'd be about to recommend.
I still have a pair of wireless Sennheisers actually and they were great (fairly lightweight too) and comfy but I get sick of changing batteries and the quality is somewhat poorer, especially when there's some source of interference.
Regarding the Kave, as far as I understand it they're not emulated surround - there's 3 separate drivers in each ear (probably why they're so heavy) - so the channels are real, and you have to plug in 3 jacks (or 1 more for mic). They probably also have emulation software which I don't use, you might be referring to. The USB control unit isn't a soundcard; it just has a mute switch and a volume dial which changes the system master volume.
The sound quality from those seems decent enough, but as mentioned before the weight is a problem. They're 420g apparently.
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Well, of course there's quality pairs in that price range. But on the other hand, you'll have to try if it's worth it for yourself in that region. i.E.: GO to a store and listen your way through various models. Buying blindly in that kind of price range is often fatal. And it depends if you're also listening to music on a regular basis or music in general is an important factor, or the cans are solely for gaming. If they're solely for gaming, I wouldn't give about the sounding regarding my recommendations (knowing the popular sounding usually is a little v-shaped) and say go for the Audio Technica AD700X or The Sennheisder HD598. They're not the most competitive choices when it comes down to music, but their spaciousness and precision while gaming is impeccable for the price. On the other hand when it comes to listening to music as an important factor, the Philips Fidelio X2 is a really popular and good choice, as is the Hifiman HE400s or the Beyerdynamic DT-990. If you want an all-round can you can also take outside with you and listen to music on the smartphone, there are the Beyerdynamic Custom One Studio, the Focal Spirit One or the ATH-MSR7 as very viable choices.
And still, there's a few other models to chose from because they all sound different in the end and you just might like one I didn't mention more, than one I did recommend. Also, weight and fit are something, you can try best yourself. While two different 300 gram cans might weigh the same, they still might feel very differently. Also an important factor to consider when starting to drop the big bucks. Since you're in NSW you shouldn't have any problems finding decent audio retailers in your vicinity. Just guessing though.
I can get that with the wireless ones. Bluetooth helps sometimes, but the price/performance ratio is out of hand when compared to normal, cable-bound models.
And yeah, I'm aware of the fact that the Kave has multiple drivers per side. That's the reason I was referring to *"real 5.1" and emulated 5.1" - "real 5.1" signalling the Kave and emulated referring to the Razer software... I put the quotation marks on "real 5.1" because multiple drivers per side are an engineering fail - nonsensical, when observing how the human ear works (and how headphones work) to put multiple small drivers per side, but I'm not going to elaborate on that.
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Thanks again for the advice. These are things I won't be taking outside. These are what I wear if on the go and needing to listen to music or whatever. One of my ears is shaped unusually so normal in-ear earphones don't stay put.
My main criterion would be comfort, I'm not too picky about the frequency response profile. It would be mostly for gaming (lol so my partner doesn't have to hear all the violent video games) so if they're decent for music that's a bonus AFAIC. More often than not for listening to music I'll use the speakers (cheapo speakers I bought probably 10 years ago, I think it's called Edifier M1350 2.1).
Regarding local retailers, I've often looked in those but only one or two stores around here have demo models and then they're usually the popular ones rather than the good ones, like a bunch of on-ear models. Even without trying them on I feel I can get a sense of how comfortable they'll be from the design of the headband (flat and wide strap seems best rather than individual cushions like on the Kave, it's all about spreading the pressure as much as possible) and decent sized earcups. If they're lighter than the Kave I'm 99% sure they'll be more comfortable anyway.
I'll look into the ones you've mentioned.
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I have been using Creative's Fatal1ty about year or so. It's ok, not the best headset I had but suits well with playing, using Ventrilo or similar software and on the plus side you can take the microphone off if you don't use it :) I would say that the quality is good on the 20-30$ price range (although this cost me 30€, shame I don't live in America ;< ).
If we are talking about the best headset ever; I had Sennheiser's headset, can't remember the model since it was years ago but closest I find now is PC 320. The sound quality was flawless, the model didn't have microphone but I didn't really need one then. Also the soundplug could be taken off and changed in the case it got broken so it was really nice. Also very comfortable use even on the long game session :) Price was somewhere between 80 - 110€.
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I second this. But you will probably need to spend AUD $120.
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nice :) i'm waiting for a discount and i'm gonna pick em up too!
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First of all, Turtle Beach is a joke. They are overpriced toys for kids.
I can see you're an Aussie, so I would recommend checking out the kitlog in PC & Tech Authority magazine when ever you need a starting point for pc components.
As I replied earlier the Kingston HyperX Cloud II is a good choice and I would also recommend the Corsair Gaming VOID 7.1.
But if an extra $20 - $30 AUD is too much, choose anything but Turtle Beach.
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Don't buy a gaming headset, that is the best advice you can get.
No gaming headset can compete with good headphones of same price.
Go for a good pair of headphones + mic.
I just got Audio Technica ATH-AD700X + I have old Zalman mic on it.
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go for "Creative Soundblaster Tactic 3D Alpha". It costs about 35€ and has a insanely great sound. check the details and reviews of that headset. there are some people flaming about the cable being flat and easy to break but I am using it since about 1 year now and never had a problem with it but on the otherhand i don't roll over the cable with my chair though.
it has nice basses and highs, great software (comes with voice modulator if you like using that), superb microphone and it is designed nicely. of course it is very comfortable to wear even for more than 3-4 hours. can hear all enemies walking in a certain (not too low) radius ingame (example counter strike)
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OK I'm thinking of getting the HyperX Cloud Core as it is a reasonable price ($59AUD) and seems to be pretty good quality too. Thanks for all the help guys! Just a question: the HyperX Cloud Core says it has the same audio specs as the HyperX Cloud. What's the difference?
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The USB-Soundcard which emulates 7.1 sound is missing. But you don't need that anyway, the parts in the USB Card are about as cheap as any onBoard Sound (so no spike in quality).
If you want to try emulating 7.1 (your experience may vary according to the game) you can try out Razer's free software Razer Surround.
Also the Cloud is identical to the QPads I mentioned earlier - good choice indeed, I just forgot about them.
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Now you'll sound like a radio producer in games :D Glad you picked Cloud II!! Happy gaming time!!
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I own a Logitech G930 headset and It hasn't failed me yet, despite a few instances where if the headset runs out of battery the sound system gets screwy, got it around 80 USD on sale. A friend has the Logitech G430, which is wired and its cheaper too. Not sure how much they cost in your region though, and the G930 is probably out of the question since retail price is over your desired budget.
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I have a the G35 hasn't blown me away & mic isn't fantastic but for piece isn't too bad I guess. Would love to get a nice audio setup next build with amp, nice 2.0 speakers, separate mic, & some a nice maybe 7.1 headset... I'm probably just dreaming though this shit is still probably going out of my range by then :( the thing is there is so much different products out there makes it way too hard to workout what to get :( that probably turns me more of than the price i guess =P
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Why is Turtle Beach the Brand you think of getting for?
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I use Sennheiser PC363D.
http://en-us.sennheiser.com/gaming-headset-pc-363d
Had them for a year, and love these. A few other headsets I tested were either better for gaming or music.
This one is good for both. I can hear footsteps in csgo really easily and yet gunshots aren't loud or shrill enough to hurt my ears like with other headsets. The USB adapter it comes with is crap, so get rid of it if you do buy it. Just use analogue with your sound card.
The mic quality is also top notch. I get people saying good things about how clear my mic is all the time.
Physically speaking, the ear cups are big and padded really well. I can have it on my head for long period of time, and its not as annoying as some of the other headsets I have tried in the past.
The only downside is the cost. I got mine off stock clearance for AU$250. Normally they are a bit more expensive than that.
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Turtle beach is terrible, the sound from them is okay but they don't last long.
Get separate headphones and microphone, the quality will be better and they'll last longer. Headsets tend to be only okay when it comes to sound and durability.
If you are going to get a headset though, stay away from the G430. It's crap, the inline volume knob is faulty and will screw up the sound, and the noise cancellation or something will make your mic fade in and out constantly. I have had this happen with 3 of them now.
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they're gimmicky for their price, all "gaming" headsets are overpriced, most have shit sound quality.
those good gaming headsets which are already too expensive doesnt even have the option to replace the pads to velour.
and no...they don't last long especially the mic part.
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Well, my PC363D have lasted me over 1 year now, and it feels as if they are brand spanking new. Nothing loose, bent or broken.
And they get used every single day, and the mic gets lowered and raised multiple times a day. And it does come with removable ear pads that can easily be replaced. I haven't had to so far, but if if I ever decide I want to, I have the option.
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I ended up getting the HyperX Cloud 2 (black and red version; so badass) and as promised here's the giveaway GOOD LUCK!
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get a separate headphone and microphone.
I recommend Superlux Evo 681 + Zalman Microphone ZM-MIC 1
edit: I see that you got the Cloud2, that's still a good choice compared to the other more pricey gaming headset. The first version was a rebranded Takstar pro 80 which is good. People say quality of Cloud2 is similar to Takstar Hi2050 which is also good.
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I am wanting to get a new headset because my crappy old $10 headset I s literally falling to pieces, and with Just Cause 3 coming out very soon I want to get a new headset with great quality audio, banging bass and surround sound. I am tossing up between several Turtle Beach headsets and have no idea which one to choose. Which one is best value for money? Which is best quality? Oh and I should note, I'm getting a headset for PC, so would these headsets be compatible with PC (specifically Win10)?
My maximum budget is around $100 AUD or $72 USD or 68€ Euros
As a thanks for helping me out, I'll be dropping a giveaway here sometime.
[ETA] got the HyperX cloud 2 and it's incredible!
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