PC headsets for gaming, voip, podcasting?

[HereticPB]

I am looking into buying a headset that features earphones and a mic and was wondering what other peoples thoughts were on the best.

I am mostly looking into it for a better Mic than this free crap that came with my sound card. Anyhow I am getting into podcasting and was looking at several brands but I came to one brand that was very good for my computer speakers until they blew and that is Altec Lansing.

Right now I am looking at these (http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details.asp?pID=AHS502i).

http://www.alteclansing.com/images/AHS502i.jpg

Besides Altec Lansing what other brands are out there that have high quality? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

HereticPB

[Eidorian]

I've had some Logitech headsets and I like them. I have a USB one that I've barely used. I like it but it's too tight around my head. I'm still trying to find someone to buy it off of me.

[HereticPB]

USB would be straight digital too I suppose.

[Benson]

Sennheiser.

[HereticPB]

Ah yes those guys.

[stanDarsh]

Bassonic seems pretty good, the clarity of the microphone is very good, and at a good volume too. The headphones themselves are nice too.

One I wouldn't recommend is Laser, way too soft, makes recording a major pain, even with everything on full volume it's still not at a level I'd put as satisfactory.

[WolfmanNCSU]

I love my fiancees Koss head phone set, but I dont really use them that much. Most of the time, I just use my speakers. As far as mics, I use the one that came with my sound card. Its only a little better than the cheap stick looking ones.

Try looking online at maybe some DJ sites. I remember knowing some DJ's that could recommend good equipment for listening and recording specifically for the PC, but they were always expensive.

[Moses]

If you want to do podcasting, don't get a headset for the microphone. It will probably be shitty.

[HereticPB]

And what do you suggest Moses?

[Moses]

A higher quality, stand alone microphone? Shit man. Don't be a hater. I speaks the truth.

[HereticPB]

Ah yea those 400 dollar ones. Um K.

[Moses]

No Microphone is created equal to another and no one microphone can fulfill every one of your needs. The fact is that there are many different microphone designs for many different applications. There are also many different qualities within each of those applications. Some microphones are very poor quality some are excellent and usually when you buy a microphone you are paying for the quality rather than the name. There are no "bargains", you almost always get what you pay for.

I am just saying a $40 gaming headset is going to sound like a $40 gaming headset. i.e. Not so good.

[OnBake Platinum]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008ZPJQ.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I got this Logitec Mic/headset thing of Amazon used for $10. Orginally $30. It's somewhat above shitty. It even has little color peices you can pop in and out on the headphones. I jsut got it for Google Talk. (Which I never use anymore) but it's nice to have a mic.

[Ravster]

^OMFG, I got those ones too the other day, but they're above average, so I bought another better model from Logitech, some like $50 or something

[OnBake Platinum]

Yeah, it's ok. It doesn't do the robot echo or make me sound like a bee.

[HereticPB]

Thanks Moses.

Yes, omnidirectional (all noise), unidirectional (noise directly in front of), noise cancelling, condenser, etc.

Oh by the way listen to my latest podcast (I'm still learning) to see how bad my mic is.

http://www.archive.org/download/Centrum_Xplosion_7/CentrumXplosion7.mp3

~~~~~

Logitech Premium
http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/6694.jpg

Logitech 250
http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/6757.jpg

Logitech 350
http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/6752.jpg

Logitech Desktop
http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/2006.jpg

Altec Lansing AHS502i
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/408483.jpg

Altec Lansing AHS602i
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/408482.jpg

Sennheiser PC-155
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/388785.jpg

Sennheiser PC-165
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/389656.jpg

[Moses]

I would Suggest an iMic for any of tose that don't already have a USB connector.

[HereticPB]

That is interesting.

[HereticPB]

I got the Logitech 350 ones. The mic is of great quality however the speakers are almost molded plastic with some type of padding and muddy audio and it does squeeze your head a lot. Also the Bass is washed out, distorts, and is not clean.

And for 51 bucks! I might take em back.

They didn't have the AHS502i ones but the did have the AHS515 version. The only thing that worrys me is the quality at $39.99!

[Moses]

Like I said, it will be hard to find a headset with a good microphone and good speakers.

[Eidorian]

I have the Logitech USB 350 Headset too. The bass isn't that bad. The microphone is great for Skype though. The only problem is that it's too tight around my head.

[Moses]

You get what you pay for.

[Eidorian]

You get what you pay for.$39.99 on sale. It causes kernel panics too. Last time I invest in USB audio.

[Moses]

And case has been rested.

[Eidorian]

And case has been rested.I have mine for sale? I'm going to get a generic line-in Logitech headset otherwise.

[Moses]

Or an iMic. They are great. But I have a USB stand microphone by Logitech and it works.

[Eidorian]

Or an iMic. They are great. But I have a USB stand microphone by Logitech and it works.The iMic is only useful for a computer without a Line-in like the iBook. The nice thing is that it also has an amp.

[Moses]

It is also good for converting LPs and Cassettes. Digital is a higher quality than line in and I would recommend one anyways.

[Eidorian]

It is also good for converting LPs and Cassettes. Digital is a higher quality than line in and I would recommend one anyways.Yeah, the amp is for unpowered mics and to make external players Line level.

[Moses]

Yes. Either way, get an iMic for better quality.

[Eidorian]

Yes. Either way, get an iMic for better quality.Any USB audio device will work. =-o

[Moses]

KERNEL PANICS! Are bad.

[Eidorian]

KERNEL PANICS! Are bad.It only seems to effect 10.4.

[Moses]

BTW, if you want anyone to listen to your worthless shit podcast you need to slap an RSS feed on that train wreck.

[Eidorian]

BTW, if you want anyone to listen to your worthless shit podcast you need to slap an RSS feed on that train wreck.I just listen to the first few mintues. That's the quality you got out of your mic? Which one was it? I get better stuff dicking around in Garageband 3 with my Logitech Headest.

Safari 2.0 owns you.

[Moses]

I bet your built in mic sounds better too.

[Eidorian]

I bet your built in mic sounds better too.Maybe on an iBook or PowerBook. I get fan noise on my G5.

[Moses]

Ah, I see why. The fixed that in the Rev. C.

[Eidorian]

Ah, I see why. The fixed that in the Rev. C.Yeah, I wish I had a Rev. C or Intel. Sure the internal configuration sucks ass but they're so much quieter than Rev. A or B.

[Moses]

It is a damn iMac, you don't do shit to it unless it involves RAM or a VESPA.

[Eidorian]

It is a damn iMac, you don't do shit to it unless it involves RAM or a VESPA.You can't even touch the hard drive or optical in the new models. You could replace the hard drive with ease. The optical drive takes a little bit more work.

[Moses]

But by then you should have dropped the extra $300 for a PowerMac.

[Eidorian]

But by then you should have dropped the extra $300 for a PowerMac.Yep... *sob*

But I'd need to get a monitor too. I've been eyeing a 17" Dell LCD.

[Moses]

It is like getting a hooker with herpes.

[Eidorian]

It is like getting a hooker with herpes.At $260, no tax, a 3-year warranty, and free shipping?

[Moses]

Herpes hookers are cheap too.

[dork]

Are you boys having fun?

[HereticPB]

Who's podcast were you boys referring to?

[Eidorian]

Who's podcast were you boys referring to?This one.

http://www.archive.org/download/Centrum_Xplosion_7/CentrumXplosion7.mp3

[HereticPB]

1-3,5-8 are bad quality. I do not know how the hell number 4 came out clean.

Number 9 is the newest one but for whatever reason blogger is screwed so I can't post it.

CXP9 (http://www.archive.org/download/HereticPBCentrumXplosion9/Centrum_Xplosion_9.mp3)

And it does have an RSS feed and it is on iTunes, PodcastAlley.com, PodFeed.net, PodNova.com, PodcastPickle.com, ThePodLounge.com.au. ASS

[Eidorian]

1-3,5-8 are bad quality. I do not know how the hell number 4 came out clean.

Number 9 is the newest one but for whatever reason blogger is screwed so I can't post it.

CXP9 (http://www.archive.org/download/HereticPBCentrumXplosion9/Centrum_Xplosion_9.mp3)

And it does have an RSS feed and it is on iTunes, PodcastAlley.com, PodFeed.net, PodNova.com, PodcastPickle.com, ThePodLounge.com.au. ASS9 sounds SO MUCH better. Good work! You have a good radio voice. <_<

[HereticPB]

Thanks :thumbr:

[Moses]

<_< implies strong sarcasm.