New headset

[Les]

I'd suggest getting a good pair of open-backed stereo headphones and a separate clip-on microphone.

For example, for about the same price as the Roccat headset you could get a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-AD400 or ATH-AD700 headphones and a Zalman ZM-MIC1 clip-on microphone.

You don't need a 5.1 headset to experience binaural sound. And really, no offense, but in my opinon the whole 'let's pack three speakers in each ear-cup and call it surround-sound' approach is a bit of a gimmick, even though it does sort of work.

I used to use a pair of AKG K141 headphones, which I liked but wouldn't recommend in this instance. I then tried the Medusa 5.1 headphones but stopped using them after a while (several years). Their overall sound quality wasn't that great and they used different sounding types of speakers for the front and back, which I found annoying. They were a bit heavy too and didn't really fit my (smaller than normal I guess) head, making them too loose and uncomfortable for me. I found the volume control on their cable a bit awkwardly placed too. They did give a nice rumbling vibration when listening to really bassy sounds though, that's the only positive I can think of. All in all, I'd never use a 5.1 headset again.

I replaced the Medusa's with a pair of Audio Technica ATH-AD900's which are much lighter and more comfortable, and the sound quality is better too. I can wear those for several hours before their contact points on a particular part of my (oddly shaped?) ears starts to get uncomfortable.

Some things to look out for in headphones-

Faux leather (leatherette?) ear pads. This stuff tends to get sweaty and break up and flake off, even on really expensive headphones. A soft velour-like fabric is better.

The impedance values on more higher-end audiophile-oriented headphones. Some headphones require more amplification than most computer sound-cards and portable devices can provide, and if they're under-driven they don't sound so good.

Open-backed or closed-backed headphones. Open-backed headphones have a more natural sound and can be more comfortable to wear, but let more of that sound out through the open backs of the ear-cups, and let more surrounding sound in. Closed-backed headphones don't let so much sound out and can in fact work like ear-muffs to block out external sound, but they are containing your ears in cups which can be uncomfortable and less natural sounding.

Comfort. I put comfort and sound quality on an equal footing. The best sounding headphones in the world will sound like nothing at all if I have to take them off because they're too uncomfortable. On the other hand, if they're so light and flimsy I can wear them all day without noticing them, they probably don't sound too good.

Headphones are one of those things where, if you can, you should try before you buy as there's just no way of knowing exactly what they're like otherwise.

At the end of the day though, if you can afford the Roccat's then you're out of the cheapest-nastiest-crap price range, so whatever you get will probably be fine. (Don't get the Roccat's though!!!! lol )

Edit- Just had a look at the first page of the thread T.}{.O.R. linked to here - http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards...-headsets.html and it seems we've come to some similar conclusions. Definitely worth a look.

[RedToo]

Hi Les,

Will A TrackIR clip fit on either of the Audio Technica headsets you mention?

RedToo.

[Les]

Originally Posted by RedToo

Hi Les,

Will A TrackIR clip fit on either of the Audio Technica headsets you mention?

RedToo.

If this is the kind of clip you're referring to - http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/...kClip-PRO.html

Then it'll have to clip onto the two bands you see in the picture here - http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/he...56f/index.html

Going by the measurements given on the Naturalpoint site and the ones I've made on my headphones, which have the same design as the ATH-AD700's as far as I can tell, the clip will fit if the bands on the headphones are pinched together a bit, which is easy to do starting about one inch up along the bands from the earcups.

So, the answer is, I don't know, but I can't see any reason why not.

[RedToo]

Thanks very much for your reply Les. I may shortly be investing in some new headphones

RedToo.

[Les]

Originally Posted by RedToo

Thanks very much for your reply Les. I may shortly be investing in some new headphones

RedToo.

No worries mate, just trying to help. It's not an easy subject though, headphones. They range from being practically disposable and costing next to nothing, to being practical works of art costing thousands of dollars. And within any price range there are various acoustic and ergonomic characteristics battling it out for peoples subjective preferences.

I'm not an audiophile, but based on research and experience I've found what I prefer, in the particular range I can afford and am interested in, and that's all I can share here. As it happens though, I do share these preferences with others who have done the same or often more research themselves.

Ideally what I look for in headphones are affordability, comfort, and natural sound reproduction. And no headphone is perfect, or really can be, in these last two categories.

My bottom line though is, no hiss, no bass or treble distortion or elimination, or excessive colouring or clinical bleaching/cleaning of the sound.

At the moment, based on my limited experience, the Audio Technica ATH-AD900's are the best compromise I know of. And if I wanted to spend a bit less, I'd go with the ATH-AD700's, though I've never tried them. I say this though while really enjoying listening to some music through an old beat up modified pair of AKG K141 headphones.

I think what I'm trying to say, while not back-pedalling at all, is, if you do get the AD700's, don't blame me if you don't like them!!! You might prefer something with more or less bass, with a wider or narrower soundstage, or with some other variation of all the elements involved.

[KG26_Alpha]

If you have 5.1 headphones already you can test them with this wma file.

http://www.lynnepublishing.com/surro...round_test.wma

And of course the statutory YT clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUrk2W_r5fc

[Les]

Originally Posted by KG26_Alpha

If you have 5.1 headphones already you can test them with this wma file.

Thanks for that. Even if you have stereo headphones there's quite a bit of spatial separation to be had there. Someone should do a binaural version of that to push the sounds even further out.

[T}{OR]

Originally Posted by Les

Edit- Just had a look at the first page of the thread T.}{.O.R. linked to here - http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards...-headsets.html and it seems we've come to some similar conclusions. Definitely worth a look.

I was too lazy to write all this down, seems that people don't have the time or will to read through the whole thread I linked. Glad you did it.

I am currently considering pairing up HD 595's with Zalman's clip on mic. The new HD 598's are way overpriced IMO, and the technical details are exactly the same as HD 595's. Plus, 595's come with a headphone holder.

Originally Posted by Xilon_x

NATURAL POINT SIMULATE head movement but no t simulate body movement.

http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showthr...=body+movement

What does this have to do with a headphone thread??

[albx]

changed again my mind after listened this with my sh@t headset

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA&fmt=18

I want a good pair of STEREO headset

P.S.
Listen it with your headset and you'll see...

[PilotError]

Originally Posted by albx

changed again my mind after listened this with my sh@t headset

I want a good pair of STEREO headset

P.S.
Listen it with your headset and you'll see...

Just to let you know that I listened to the same thing with my Medusa 5.1 headset and still got the binaural effect.
I've got to admit I was totally blown away by the experience , and that's why I said I would probably be using the headset a LOT more when SOW is released.

So if you got a 5.1 set it should still work with binaural sound, but you would also have the benefit of 5.1 for other games or films. The best of both worlds.
Something for you to consider ?