Considering New Headset

[Kursah]

Love my Turtle Beach HPA2's, they've been by far the best headset I've ever used, but my fiance agrees and she's taken them over...that leaves me either grabbing another set or trying something new and better. So I'm thinking of pickign up the Sennheiser PC-350's, I've heard great things about them and their price is a lot lower than 6 months ago. I don't mind not having 5.1, but I would like to have an integrated mic, amplified or not works too..but I'd rather not have to use an aftermarket amp, keep it simple, either the headset works with my soundcard and sounds damn good and goes fairly loud or it needs an amp and get's knixed for the runner ups.

Atm, I'm pretty well set on the PC-350's, the reviews are good, Deafeatest here on TPU said they're worth it. So I want some opinions, links and suggestions since I don't know much beyond Turtle Beach, Logitech and Plantronics. I do know sennheiser's are great, but it seems many of them are best with amps and what-not...that much I'd rather not do. I like my sound card and if it dies I'll go back to onboard most likely...I just want a nice sounding, comfortable, stout gaming headset. I'm not an uber-audiophile, I like good sound for sure, but I don't need every nuance of every tone, I don't need all the extra expensive equipment to achieve it..so please keep that in mind. Thanks for looking, I'm looking forward to suggestions and good deals! My MAX budget is $150 inc. shipping..I'd rather keep it @ or below $100 realistically tho.



Edit: Well going on 3 pages now, hopefully this thread will help more than just myself. I have chosen to go with the JVC HA-RX700's due to low price ($33 shipped at this time), and comparability to headphones that cost upwards of $200, many are replacing sennheisers, grado's, audio technica's, denon's, etc with this set. Supposed to be sturdy and comfortable, and with a simple mod, I'll have a sweet gaming headset and a detatchable boom mic like my Turtle Beach HPA2. I did many hours of research, not necessarily wanting to go with a gaming headset as I have for the past few years, and I'm looking forward to something new and interesting.

 

[Binge]

I rock plantronics non-gaming headsets. I forget my model but it's pure quality.

 

[Kantastic]

I rock plantronics non-gaming headsets. I forget my model but it's pure quality.

Is it square shaped and on the ears?

 

[Kursah]

My old plantronics were good, but they weren't big enough for my ears and caused some pain after about an hour...though they were pretty loud and sounded pretty damn decent...not quite up to par with the Turtle Beaches though, but my plantronics was a gaming headset too.

 

[HammerON]

I have been using Logitech headphones (w/ mic) for over 4 years and really love the sound they produce. Playing games is intense and the sound quality is good.
I do not have the ones listed in the link below, but it is there for you to consider~

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104281

 

[Binge]

Is it square shaped and on the ears?

Hells yes it is

 

[Kantastic]

Hells yes it is

^_^ That rules it down to one of the few models out there. I heard those were really good, I might grab one.

Binge what connection type is it? USB/Analog?

 

[Kursah]

I'm also considering the Sennheiser HD-555's and the Zalman ZM-Mic1 clip-on mic as a combo, it's around $100 bucks...not quite what I want though as I would like a boom mic that rates as well as the PC-350's or my TB's. I read somewhere they have the same drivers, but the 555's being open air and a pure headphone have better noise...I just dunno how they'd do for gaming. I do listen to music and watch movies too, but gaming is priority. Here's a link tho:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001FTVDQ/?tag=tec06d-20


Edit:
Or the HD-280 pro's, those would be nice for cutting out background noise which would be a BIG plus!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000065BPB/?tag=tec06d-20

How is that zalman mic? Like I said above, I've heard great things on the PC-350's mic, and I'm really leaning towards them, but the cheaper true senn cans are also very appealing...I dunno what to do!

 

[HammerON]

I'm also considering the Sennheiser HD-555's and the Zalman ZM-Mic1 clip-on mic as a combo, it's around $100 bucks...not quite what I want though as I would like a boom mic that rates as well as the PC-350's or my TB's. I read somewhere they have the same drivers, but the 555's being open air and a pure headphone have better noise...I just dunno how they'd do for gaming. I do listen to music and watch movies too, but gaming is priority. Here's a link tho:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001FTVDQ/?tag=tec06d-20

Those look pretty sweet

 

[Kursah]

I'm still leaning on the PC-350's, the more I read about them, the more I hear they're about the best gaming headset in my price-range. I also found out more info to extract better bass from them, some good articles. It's down to the 350's or the 280 Pro's + Zalman mic. Not sure which way I wanna go yet, but I hear the PC-350's use the same drivers as the HD595's, which from what I hear is a very good thing. I've found some mods for the 350's that seems to give them better sound if I wanted to go that route (not including amps!).

 

[<<Onafets>>]

Get a G35!

 

[Kursah]

I've read some reviews of the G35, and they just don't fit the bill of what I want necessarily, they are in the price range, but I'm going for more quality...from what I've read there are still some issues and bugs that need sorted out on the G35's. I'm still leaning between the HD280 Pro's + Zalman Mic and the PC-350's though, please keep the suggestions coming though! I'm researching when I get time, and thanks for the suggestions thus far! I definately want to make sure I get a good value for my money and a product I will truly be content with, at least as-much as my TB HPA2's have been.

 

[Conflict0s]

I am currently using these http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=923677
I can't get enough of them, the quality is next to none, they are 5.1, great mic, So loud my ears bleed and look hot as well.

The Only fault I can find with them, is that they acquire a plug socket to run them :/
But apart from that I recommend them to all.

 

[BumbleBee]

doesn't matter Sharkoon doesn't sell products in North America aside from the Golf ball fan.

 

[Kursah]

I've recieved some very intersting suggestions in the 5.1 realm for sure, as I said that is not a requirement, but the Cyber Snipa Sonar 5.1's sound intersting, even if they use USB. I wonder how they perform against my TB HPA2's + XFi, but as I was also suggested maybe my fiance will fancy them more than my trusty TB's, netting me my headset back. Thanks for all the suggestions thus far, and please keep them coming!

 

[BumbleBee]

I can't tell you how they match up to the Turtle Beach HPA-2 because I have never owned them you could try gathering all the reviews and look for a consistency in highlights or pros and make a comparison thats what I based my purchase on I looked at several 5.1 headsets and narrowed it down by eliminating the ones with build quality issues I had two choices the eDimensional AudioFX Pro 5.1 and Cyber Snipa Sonar 5.1 and arrived at a decision I don't regret I don't mind the USB connection even if I have a sound card that is considered audiophile grade because I use it for my Z-5500 and I used a Logitech Clear Chat Pro headset which used a USB connection and the quality surprised me until my cat got to the cord i'll tell you one thing they are very underrated and overlooked which warrants investigation.

one more thing you might have heard of "Medusa" as in the Speed Link Medusa 5.1 headset the Cyber Snipa Sonar 5.1 look similar and might even be based off them but I think they use different components because specs don't match so it's not really a re-brand.

 

[Kursah]

Both the Medusa's and Cyber's look good, from what I've read they're not as bassy as the HPA2's can be, but they look to be just about as comfortable. So I'll definately consider those for my next possible 5.1 headset config. Thanks for your guys' time and suggestions thus far! I'm still hoping to hear from someone on the PC-350's and HD280Pro's for gaming/music/movies though! I dunno why but I really wanna try a decent pair of senn's this time around...though the more I look at those Cyber Snipa's, the more I want them!

 

[BumbleBee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDZBgHBHQT8

 

[Kantastic]

Razer Barracuda = Rebranded HP-A2
Razer Piranha = Rebranded Sennheiser PC151

Go figure. ^_^

 

[Kursah]

Razer Barracuda = Rebranded HP-A2
Razer Piranha = Rebranded Sennheiser PC151

Go figure. ^_^

Lol...yeah I knew that. The Razer's are lesser quality from what I read, and fall apart more easily...but my HPA2's have been through a lot, been stepped on and tossed, and still hold up and look damn near new. Plus they sound damn good to my ears, so can't blame razer for wanting to use them. Plus they're very comfortable for long term use...though not quite sure why you posted that lol...

 

[BumbleBee]

a lot of people say the Barracuda sound really great but the build quality is terrible that was one I crossed off my list. one guy on this forum went through 3 pairs and another one 2 pairs!

 

[Kantastic]

Lol...yeah I knew that. The Razer's are lesser quality from what I read, and fall apart more easily...but my HPA2's have been through a lot, been stepped on and tossed, and still hold up and look damn near new. Plus they sound damn good to my ears, so can't blame razer for wanting to use them. Plus they're very comfortable for long term use...though not quite sure why you posted that lol...

Just wanted to let people know that if they want the features of Razer headphones, seek the cheaper and more durable brand.

 

[Kursah]

I think Wile E had the Razer version of my HPA2's...iirc...but I do know the user absolutely hated their build quality and overall sound. But that's also why I want to go with something a little higher quality than average this time around, even if that means losing 5.1. My HPA2's have been very durable, and the version 2 (i've had both verisons) sounds better and used USB to power the amp which was a plus. The build quality was also better on the version 2 set...but I just can't get another set...I want something MOAR!

I'm doing a lot of researching, headsets aren't the easiest products to research overall, and I've seen more video reviews on Youtube than I care to admit, but I'm going to play patiently and I've stolen my HPA2's back till I replace them, so I do have some time to get the facts, features and faults for all products I am considering, but I'm definately looking forward to more user experiences and suggestions, thanks again everyone!

 

[BumbleBee]

does anybody know what happened to the Razer Megalodon are they ever going to be released? they have been on Razer's website since late 2008.

 

[Kantastic]

It hasn't been out. The headset released was the Carcharias that holds the same look, minus the LED and huge control pod.