Best Mics/Headsets

EoinHef

Looking to get myself a decent setup for multiplayer voip.
I would like to get a half decent setup cause who really likes to hear static and garbled chat when paying a game!!

Im not massively keen on all in one headsets and mics(they usually make my ears sweaty after an hour or so and become annoying)but then again ive only really used cheap versions of them so not ruling them out.
Ive also heard the stereo surround ones can be pretty good?
Ive spoilt myself using 5.1 surround on ps3/xbox360 for the last year or two so just plain analogue sound is a big step backwards!!

I have looked at a few standalone mics but i use 2.1 speakers for audio and with my desk being so small id worry the mic would pick up the audio from whatever game im playing. So a headset mic may be best(does not have to have speakers just a mic).

So im no ruling either setup out jus wanna get a decent setup and some opinions and will go with whichever one will work best.

Actually rather than setting up another thread any advice anybody could give me about a decent 2.1 speaker system would be appreciated aswell,gonna upgrade them soon too. There a silvercrest lidl job so not the may west.

I was thinking in the region of €150 budget for the two(headset/mic and speakers) should be enough. Would be a little flexible if something was worth the extra but hoping the €150 would do.

So if anybody could tell me there setup/experiences or reccomendations it would be much appreciated.
Cheers

BloodBath

Can't go wrong with these. The headphones come in different colors.

Item|Price
Wavemaster MX-3+|€39.99
SteelSeries Siberia v2 weiß|€69.99
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€128.97

EoinHef

The headset looks rather large but i suppose they all do really.
Its actually quite nice in white but everything i have is black so guess id be paying the extra 6 euro for the black version:(
Still well under the 150 for both though:)
Any reason you recomend this particular headset?

The speakers look ok,the gray trim is a little unsightly to me though.
Would there be much difference in that price bracket as regards performance,if i were to spend 50 euro but bought a set i liked the look of or is the wavemaster the best in that bracket?

Not really sure what to look for in the specs other than higher watts should equal louder as far as i know!

Cheers for the reply man

BloodBath

You might get something better on amazon.

The headphones are comfortable to wear despite the size and have great sound. Comfort for me is the main thing for headphones.

Just my 2 cents anyway, there may well be better out there for around the same money.

EoinHef

BloodBath wrote: »

You might get something better on amazon.

The headphones are comfortable to wear despite the size and have great sound. Comfort for me is the main thing for headphones.

Just my 2 cents anyway, there may well be better out there for around the same money.

Cool man comfort is what im looking for aswell so thats what i wanted to hear. I mean gonna be wearing them for awhile each time(i normally be gameing for at least two hours at a time) so they would have to be comfortable.
There extremely well priced on hwvs aswell so reckon ill be gettin them from there,a bit more expensive everywhere ive looked.

Ye i just dont like the look of the gray trim on the speakers.
Suppose im probably being a bit picky seen as im only spendin 40-50 on them!
So maybe ill just grab them unless anybody else has a suggestion for a solid set for around the 50 mark.

witnessmenow

I have these and I find them good.

Sound wise they seem really good. I havent had any issues with people being able to hear me or anything like that.

Comfort wise I find them quite good. I wouldnt be able to wear them all day but I havent found them an issue for any gaming sessions.

BloodBath

Sound wise you won't get better speakers for that money that I've seen.

The next price up on hwvs probably isn't far off though and they are black.

http://www.hardwareversand.de/2.1/65896/Musicman+2.1+Hurricane+Soundstation.article

Those speakers to me don't look like they have tweeters though.

EoinHef

witnessmenow wrote: »

I have these and I find them good.

Sound wise they seem really good. I havent had any issues with people being able to hear me or anything like that.

Comfort wise I find them quite good. I wouldnt be able to wear them all day but I havent found them an issue for any gaming sessions.

Cool,thanks for the link.

Do you find the 7.1 virtual surround to be good?
I see its a usb headset and requires drivers,were the drivers ok?

Im wary of drivers for stuff like that,did they work ok for you?



Cheers for the reply man

EoinHef

BloodBath wrote: »

Sound wise you won't get better speakers for that money that I've seen.

The next price up on hwvs probably isn't far off though and they are black.

http://www.hardwareversand.de/2.1/65896/Musicman+2.1+Hurricane+Soundstation.article

Those speakers to me don't look like they have tweeters though.

Yeah think your right man,spent about 3 hours this morning checking all the sites i know,HWVS,amazon,overclockers,dabs etc etc and couldnt really find anything that wasn either too expensive or crap for the money!
Some of them are like 18watt systems for €100!!

Im actually very surprised at the lack of choice,most sights had a very limited selection.

The steelseries headset is in stock in black on overclockers but its the 7.1 virtual surround version,its actually only a little more expensive but that would make me wonder why if it has 7.1 surround for only a little extra money. The usb sound card it uses are out of stock in the site so somebody must be buying them(set i was lookin at include the usb sound card).
Have you tried the 7.1 virtual surround?

BloodBath

It's software simulated 7.1. I have no idea how it compares to standard stereo versions to be honest.

EoinHef

Went for the SteelSeries Sibera v2 with the virtual 7.1 sound thingy,figure can just use the headset normally if its no use.
Also got the recommended Wavemaster speakers aswell,cheers for them.

Ordered from Overclockers UK,they had the headset in black and was only ten euro more expensive than HWVS with the 7.1 surround usb thing.
And they also sell the Wavemaster speakers at only 6 euro more so got both from there.

Came to Eur146 with delivery,arrive on friday.

I just missed the APRILDEALS voucher code though,that could've saved me another 7.5%:(

But im happy with that and lookin forward to some shiny new stuff on friday:D

Cheers for the advice

witnessmenow

I know you went with different ones, but i'd imagine software simulated 7.1 might be similar.

I dont have them that long, but I was playing far cry 3 with them and it did sound good. But i guess in a Cod or some other competitive multi player you need to be more aware of what direction stuff is coming from so I haven't really giving it a good run out!


Good luck with them anyways!

EoinHef

Cheers man.

Yeah im not expectin anything major,was only €11more for the 7.1 so thought why not and was the colour i wanted.
Im using onboard sound so hopefully can bring slight improvement if only minor.

BloodBath

A good sound card will simulate 3d sound just as well if not better through stereo.

The 7.1 headphones should do it better with onboard sound though.

EoinHef

BloodBath wrote: »

A good sound card will simulate 3d sound just as well if not better through stereo.

The 7.1 headphones should do it better with onboard sound though.

Yeah thats what i was thinkin,only €11 extra for the usb so jus thought it'll do for now with the onbiard sound and sound card being an option down the line.

Was lookin at an asus sonar card,a lot of people seem to be using it.

But i reckon ill see how i get on with the headset first.

Are soundcards PCI Express gen 1?
I have a wireless link in that slot currently

BloodBath

Yeah they are usually pcie1. The smallest slot.

EoinHef

Cool im using ethernet anyway so can just take the link out if i decide to go that route.
Thanks