Gaming headphones

[Rhah]

Sorry for the non-BoP related post, but I though you guys might be able to help. :smile:
Here's the situation: My flatmate is being driven (literally) insane by the constant noise of war streaming out of the 5.1 setup in our living room. As I don't get much time at home lately, i've been cramming my gaming in, and this is starting to cause problems.... she literally went mental yesterday, and threatened to bin my PS3. :rolleyes:

Anyway, the only solution I can think of is to get some decent gaming headphones, but I don't want to lose the surround sound "experience" as I've gotten quite fond of it. There is no way I can move the TV and 5.1 into my own room, as there is not enough space, so the only option is to get some headphones. Can anyone recommend any decent, preferably surround sound, headphones that will work on the PS3, and that don't cost an arm and a leg?

I don't have a lot of cash, so i'm not looking at the high end Sennheiser type stuff (unfortunately)

[Raw Kryptonite]

Headphones are an excellent way to game. Spend $100 on the Turtlebeach X3/X31's, which are stereo. If you have more to spend, they also make 5.1 models, the X4/X41.

Both of those will get you wireless, which is a big deal IMO--a bigger deal than 5.1. Voice comms are excellent, better than any other headset that I've used.

The thing about headphones and gaming is that you don't have to have 5.1. It's perfect stereo and even with just left/right input you have incredible directional awareness. Any slight move left/right in a game pinpoints where you're hearing someone from. A good set of stereo headphones is better than 5.1 headphones at the same price that won't implement the surround sound well and will muddy up the sound. It's quality sound over worse sound with a 5.1 feature. Most surround sound will actually say "simulated surround" which isn't true 5.1 as well.

If you don't want to spend $100, the X1 model is very well liked. It's the wired version of the X3's and still has the good comm system.
The Turtlebeach headphones are good due to the comm feedback you get, so you don't end up shouting in the house when you don't know how loud you're talking. There are other brands out there, but Turtlebeach is the one that's really catering to console players it seems.
You may find that you prefer this to the actual system at home. The sound comes through very well and you can crank it up. It's not really a compromise, sometimes I use mine even when I could use the 5.1 in here.

[xX-SiLeNcE-Xx]

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/efp21/home.aspx

PS3 Specific, USB Headset. Looking to get one myself.

[Raw Kryptonite]

Apologies, I didn't noticed you were on the PS3, I was thinking 360 for some reason. I don't see why they don't make the wireless and surround models for PS3. That P21 looks like the X1 but at a mighty odd price difference. Ear cups look better though.

[trk29]

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/efp21/home.aspx


PS3 Specific, USB Headset. Looking to get one myself.

Thanks for posting this I will have to keep a eye on them in the future.

Well that sucks they only sell one type for the ps3.




EDIT: I called the sales office and talked to a guy and this is our conversation.

Me: "Hello I see you have several wireless versions for Xbox, why don't you have any for PS3?"

Sales: "We have been making headsets for them for four years and the P1 http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/efp21/home.aspx is our newest headset for PS3 we just came out with this headset"

Me: "So your newest headset is wired, and doesn't have surround sound? Why don't you have a wireless version?"

Sales : "There is always something around the corner since the PSN is growing expect us to grow"

Me: "Thanks"

Sounds pretty vague, Cons: they are wired and not in surround sound... Boo! One reason I don't use my stick is because I don't want to sit real close to my 52" and I can't move my ps3 onto the floor, so I guess I will be waiting.

[KAV]

Greeting guys

I am concidering this myself, and went to the local dealer the other day.
The answer was that any bluetooth headset is compatible with the ps3.
I wanna include a mic to and the price was about 1000.- nkr (approx 160 us$)
Gonna check some further for a real user friendly model before i buy some.

[Draupnir2]

These are supposed to be good: http://cdon.no/elektronikk/tritton_axpc_pro_5.1_usb_pc-headset-4198515

Havent tried them myself however, as I have a dedicated hometheatre room. :grin: 100" screen, fullrange 5.1 and dual subs :cool:

I will strongly warn against cheapish 5.1 headsets. If you are on a budget, go for a decent stereo set instead.

[McQ59]

I guess u don't wanna consider the obvious solution... Bin u'r flatmate :-)


Stay frosty!

[Raw Kryptonite]

If not gaming online to need the mic, you'd be set with plenty of options. Are you doing mostly MP?

[Rhah]

Thanks for all the advice people.
I do play a lot of MP, but don't really bother using the mic unless its with people I know, so the Mic isnt a requirement.
After what you said earlier Raw Kryptonite, I've had a think and see what you mean about the surround sound headphones. So I think i'm going to go with a decent stereo pair, preferably with wireless. I'm looking at spending between £30 and £60, so I should be able to get some half decent Sennheiser's. I'd prefer not to get USB's, as I'd only be able to use them for gaming.

[Raw Kryptonite]

I have used my X3's (360) for tv/movies since it hooks up with L/R rca connectors from the tv. I've also got a set of wireless regular headphones I use in the bedroom. Inductive charging, just drop them on the base--nice feature. Again, runs from the tv audio outputs. Keep in mind you want RF, not IR or you may get some hiss.
You'll like them for tv/movies as well as gaming.

Also have some Motoroloa S805 bluetooth headphones I use on my netbook. Avoid those despite the attractive price. LOL

[dkwookie]

I would take a look at play.com. They have a good selection of headphones in their sale. These look the pick of the bunch:
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/8240767/Goldring-NS1000-Active-Noise-Reduction-Headphones/Product.html

They are not wireless or 5.1 but noise reduction so you can drown out your flatmate with machine gun fire perfectly :-)

[Rhah]

I would take a look at play.com. They have a good selection of headphones in their sale. These look the pick of the bunch:
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/8240767/Goldring-NS1000-Active-Noise-Reduction-Headphones/Product.html

They are not wireless or 5.1 but noise reduction so you can drown out your flatmate with machine gun fire perfectly :-)

They look pretty good, and I'm especially liking the idea of blocking out my flatmates whiny indie music... And reduced from £150 too :grin:

Only problem is that the lead is only 1m long.... dammit. Could get an extension cable, but that might hit the sound quality.....

[Raw Kryptonite]

What you're looking for is just a "closed design" rather than "open".
Open, you hear what's going on in the house (can be good, can be bad), sounds come in and out of the headphones, there's air movement.

Closed you're in a sensory deprivation tank! No air movement. I had some Turtlebeach AXT's (wired) a few years ago that were like that. You could sit next to someone and still not hear them. Unfortunately, using the mic I tended to YELL AT PEOPLE BECAUSE I COULDN'T HEAR MYSELF TALK.
It's not really a major technological feature but more of a design. Since you aren't using comms, it would be perfect--it's pretty cool for creating an environment.
The new turtlebeach headphones are open, btw. I miss my sensory deprivation tank.

[Draupnir2]

Could get an extension cable, but that might hit the sound quality.....

No problem AT ALL. You can easily hook up with a 5m extension without any noticeable sound degradation. Trust me, Im a pro :)

[Steyr_amr]

No problem AT ALL. You can easily hook up with a 5m extension without any noticeable sound degradation. Trust me, Im a pro :)

In that case may I ask for some advice also? Though I'm looking for a set for my PC. Girlfriend likes to watch the tv at improbably high volumes which drowns out my poor pc games. Been playing Mass Effect and Total War in anticipation of the sequels next year and haven't a clue what's going on, I also refuse to put the subtitles on, tis a game not a book lol.

Anyway these are the ones I've found but I'm a complete layman so any help would be rather warmly welcomed.

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&sku=A3000153

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&sku=624-10076

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&sku=A1707077

[Wissam24]

Once I get my PS3 down here, I'll be using my HGU-55 headphones.

They look like this:

http://flighthelmetltd.com/images/HGU55Index.gif

Actually mine is slightly different, the bayonet connector receivers don;t look like that

[Draupnir2]

In that case may I ask for some advice also? Though I'm looking for a set for my PC. Girlfriend likes to watch the tv at improbably high volumes which drowns out my poor pc games. Been playing Mass Effect and Total War in anticipation of the sequels next year and haven't a clue what's going on, I also refuse to put the subtitles on, tis a game not a book lol.

Anyway these are the ones I've found but I'm a complete layman so any help would be rather warmly welcomed.

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&sku=A3000153

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&sku=624-10076

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&sku=A1707077

The Logitech one is probably OK, but beware that it can only be used with a PC as is has USB innterface only.
The one I linked to in this thread has SPDIF interface which is more standard for 5.1 sound, and can hence be used in a home theater as well (be shure that your PC has SPDIF/digital audio out for that one

[xX-SiLeNcE-Xx]

Well, I just got a set of the P-21's. I love them! Amazing for CoD, you can hear footsteps loud and clear, just trying them with IL-2 now. Also, they're really comfortable.

[trk29]

Well, I just got a set of the P-21's. I love them! Amazing for CoD, you can hear footsteps loud and clear, just trying them with IL-2 now. Also, they're really comfortable.

That's good you like them, what are the little rolling knobs on the black box for? Is that volume control for each ear?

[Spitfire23]

That's good you like them, what are the little rolling knobs on the black box for? Is that volume control for each ear?

Found a large image, so you can see clearly ;)
http://gearmedia.ign.com/gear/image/article/103/1035140/turtle-beach-ear-force-p21-20091014032159570.jpg

[trk29]

Found a large image, so you can see clearly ;)


Thanks, Man if only they were wireless I would be all over them. I have a pair of Sonly stereo headphones, there okay but I don't use them because of the cord and I don't have and extension.

[Spitfire23]

Thanks, Man if only they were wireless I would be all over them. I have a pair of Sonly stereo headphones, there okay but I don't use them because of the cord and I don't have and extension.

you got that right, im still considering getting a pair but the price tag is holding me off for the moment, yes theyre not overly expensive but when i dont actually NEED them i cant stop thinking 'is it worth it'

[xX-SiLeNcE-Xx]

you got that right, im still considering getting a pair but the price tag is holding me off for the moment, yes theyre not overly expensive but when i dont actually NEED them i cant stop thinking 'is it worth it'

Meh, I got them for my birthday. lol. And I got really fed up with wireless headsets, because they always die and you have to recharge them, I don't have to worry about thqt qnymore. :)

[Spitfire23]

Meh, I got them for my birthday. lol. And I got really fed up with wireless headsets, because they always die and you have to recharge them, I don't have to worry about thqt qnymore. :)

Ahhh you got a point there my friend, no recharging. Thats helped me a little more

[Irishmandkg]

those are supposed to be pretty good. Thinking of getting a pair myself for battlefield in the future. You can hear the sounds so clearly i've heard.