Gaming headphones for PS3

Kevzy85

Hi all,

Recently treated myself to a HDTV for my room to go with my PS3. Am renting and sharing with 3 others so have been thinking of getting some decent gaming headphones so I won't disturb my housemates if I feel like playing late at night or whatever (I know, a model housemate ).

At the moment I'm using the official PS3 bluetooth headset which is fine for playing a bit of Spec Ops in MW2 but was thinking of a bit of an upgrade.

I've been looking at the Turtle Beach P21s, does anyone have any experience with these? Are they really as good as the reviews say they are, or are there any good alternatives?

Thanks in advance.

projectmayhem

I have Sennheiser 555's and love 'em!

smcelhinney

I have these.

Superb, but really poor battery life. Built in mic very good for online gaming.

Kevzy85

Thanks for the replies.

projectmayhem wrote: »

I have Sennheiser 555's and love 'em!

Woops, should have mentioned that I' after a pair with a built in mic for in game chat.

Just wondering really if anyone has had any experience with the Turtle Beaches, I like the idea of having surround sound in headphones.

Vorrtexx

Kevzy85 wrote: »

Hi all,

Recently treated myself to a HDTV for my room to go with my PS3. Am renting and sharing with 3 others so have been thinking of getting some decent gaming headphones so I won't disturb my housemates if I feel like playing late at night or whatever (I know, a model housemate ).

At the moment I'm using the official PS3 bluetooth headset which is fine for playing a bit of Spec Ops in MW2 but was thinking of a bit of an upgrade.

I've been looking at the Turtle Beach P21s, does anyone have any experience with these? Are they really as good as the reviews say they are, or are there any good alternatives?

Thanks in advance.

I have the P21's, and some of the reviews I read were mixed. I would say they are a little overpriced but I do still like them. The build quality doesn't feel like it should for the cost, however they are lightweight so if you are wearing them for long gaming sessions they are comfortable on your head and around your ears. The attached microphone has great flexibility, you can pretty much bend it any way you want. You do have to set the mic input level to about 4 or 5 in the PS3 system settings though to be heard clearly.

They are only stereo headphones though which use the red/white phono cable but the sound is still great out of them when playing a game. The lead has a built-in control so that you can adjust game volume and chat volume separately, so if you don't want to hear anyone on the mic you just turn it all the way down. The chat boost feature is automatic, which means the louder the game gets the chat levels will rise too so that you can hear people over the game sfx. My biggest gripe with the sound is that there is a very slight 'hiss' or static on the line. You really only notice it when there is no sound playing as if you were on the XMB or something. I'm not sure if it's linked to the phono cable itself or the usb mic as the hiss does seem to increase the higher the chat volume is increased.

I generally keep the volume levels low on the headset and just use the TV volume instead to increase sound which keeps the hiss to a minimum.

Both the audio lead and usb lead are quite long so it should give you plenty of length, IRC, it came with a USB extension cable for the mic. The headset is powered by the usb mic connection so afaik it needs to be connected.

There's two ways you can hook it up to your PC. the phono plugs are piggyback plugs so can output your audio from the PS3 over the standard AV cable and then hook in the white/red phono onto the piggyback plugs and then put those into the TV allowing you to still use the HDMI for video. Alternatively you can just use HDMI for both audio and video and if you pick up an 3.5mm RCA lead you can just use the headphone out on your TV directly to the headset.

I used both methods and find the sound is much better when it's through the HDMI cable.

And lastly, it is compatible with a PC too if you ever wanted to use it for PC games or Skype. You'll probably need the 3.5mm RCA adapter cable for that too depending on your soundcard but they are only about €3 online.

Bu11et_Proof

I'm in the market myself for a set for the PS3, playing MW2 with a decent sound setup should add alot to the game. I hear the Tritton AX Pro's are meant to be very good but your looking around 150 - 170 big ones, but you get full 5.1 sound for the money which would be great for movies and music as well as MW2.

The two places I found in the UK that sell em are both out of stock at the moment.

Here is a link to the Manufacturers website, they list the sellers on their website too.

http://www.trittontechnologies.com/products/gaming_audio_technology/#Gaming_Audio

EGriff

If your gonna splash out on them i'd wait for a wireless pair that can handle ps3 chat and surround sound. Think turtle beach are working on some for the PS3.

No point having a wireless controller then having wires trailing from your head, IMO.

noodler

EGriff wrote: »

If your gonna splash out on them i'd wait for a wireless pair that can handle ps3 chat and surround sound. Think turtle beach are working on some for the PS3.

No point having a wireless controller then having wires trailing from your head, IMO.

I thought there were serious sound loss/quality issues over wireless.

EDIT: I have a pair of Senny HD201s.

Not really for gaming per se but that are excellent earphones. I have them plugged into my Hi Fi (which the PS3 plays through).

Kevzy85

Thanks for the replies, and the quick review Vorrtexx. Not sure if I could afford the Tritton AX Pro's, Amazon are selling the p21s at £60 which is pretty much as far as my budget will stretch.

I had considered waiting for a wireless set but I too have concerns about loss of quality, and also the added expense of them. Am not really too bothered about having one wire running to the PS3, although wireless would be noice!

2smiggy

i just use the playstation eye as the microfone, works very well, and you just hear the players as normal as if you have no ear piece. a few friends of mine use it and i never have any problem of them hearing me and vise versa.

3102derek

have a look at the Falal1ty gaming headset. my friend uses it and its good. HS-1000, or the hs-1200 is wirless if your budget can stretch.

Kevzy85

3102derek wrote: »

have a look at the Falal1ty gaming headset. my friend uses it and its good. HS-1000, or the hs-1200 is wirless if your budget can stretch.

Thanks, will have a look.

SAFC

turtlebeaches are for fukin noobs who cant play normally.

Kevzy85

SAFC wrote: »

turtlebeaches are for fukin noobs who cant play normally.

Wow. How insightful of you, thanks for that!