Gaming Headphones

[Flyman]

Can any one help? I'm looking at buying either the Sennheiser PC160's or PC165's (the 165's having the USB connector with built in sound card).
I've been told by Sennheiser that I should consider the 165's if the sound card on my PowerMac G4 doesn't offer the best quality.
Any advise as to which I should choose would be welcome.

[Civrock]

On a Mac you should definitely go with a digital USB headset, analog ones require additional hardware to get them to work which is not really cheap. Go either with the Sennheiser PC165 or I can also recommend the Plantronics DSP-500 (have it, works great and has excellent quality).

[BTs_Mysterio]

I'm going to disagree with civic.

The iMic + Headset is cheaper than the DSP 500 [see]:

iMic: $39.99
[http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/]
Plantronics Audio.90 [I think its better than DSP 500 anyway]: $34.95
[http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat640035/cat1430032/prod440020]

TOTAL: $74.98
 
vs.

DSP 500 : $89.95

The Audio quality favours the Audio.90, and its cheaper to replaces the components. With the USB its all or nothing, and plantronics usually doesn't want to do much but send you a freshly refurbished POS. When you get the iMic you are open to any top end gaming headset or any audio device. It is a wise investment, that a USB headset just cant compete with.

[Civrock]

That's plain BS... the iMic digitalizes the audio signal from analog headsets which pretty much leads to similar or rather worse quality. Also, the prices you posted are wrong. I got my Plantronics DSP-500 new for about $55, months ago, at NewEgg.com. Don't be stupid and buy it for the manufacturer's price.

The Plantronics Audio.90 is the same as the DSP-500, just without USB and it's analog, not digital. Its price is around $25 + the $40 iMic you'd need.

So, as far as price and quality go... the DSP-500 beats the Audio.90 in both factors, although not by much. I'm speaking from own experience with both headsets.

Anyway, he wants to get a Sennheiser headset, therefore he wants to get the digital USB PC165.

[ghost.fr]

Plantronics is my vote too, also if sound is not giving all the bass, but anouth to use in games

[BFG]

Ive got nothing but good things to say about the Platronics DSP 500 - i'd highly recommend them.

[NiKLoT]

ive bought a sound card and Speed link Medusa headset it works great! not cheap true but u can chose settings for the headset and anything its worth the money. My bro has the Speed link Medusa with USB its cool too but the mic is not lound enough even if u set it up on max.

[BFG]

Woah hang on... these things are only £36? and they are happy mac compatible? well that sounds like a damn bargain! (i use a M-Audio 410 box for work so i could plug it into that i presume)

Actually while we're on this topic i'm in desperate need of getting some decent speakers for the mac... Only thing is id like a rig that i can play music from the ipod through without having to have the computer on all the time (i've got the noisiest mac ever!) - but at the same time have something that i can plug into the mac (via the M-Audio box if necessary) for working (and playing) ... um any suggestions?

A friend suggested the Studiophile LX4 2.1 system from M-Audio... but although i could use that fine for the comp i don't see a straightforward way of connecting the ipod directly to it?

any advice would be much appreciated!

[Civrock]

Any (non-digital) Logitech 5.1 soundsystem can be connected to your iPod easily (and of course to your Mac, since you have a soundcard you'll also be able to fully use the 5.1 sound) and has great sound quality. I have the Logitech Z-5300e.

[cO.twist]

http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details.asp?pID=AHS502i

This headset + the imic is amazing...ive gone through 2 of these headsets (ran over hte damn cord w/ the comp chair), and i'd get this one again if i had to...Superb sound.

Over half of cO has this headset i believe.

[Dave]

Not sure where to go now! All I want a pair of cans for is serious gaming on my Mac. I've narrowed my choice down to the following but I'm finding it really difficult to choose between the Sennheiser PC165's, M145's (Mac version of the PC145) and the Plantronics DSP-500 PC Headset.

Does anyone know of any conflicts with the Mac OS on the PC designed head sets with the USB connection, Also, will they be ok to use with VOIP?

All advice welcome...

A frustrated Gamer!!! 

[BFG]

Dave, they should all be absolutely fine for VOIP - u can use just about any mic imaginable for it, and these headsets will give you great quality so no worries there.

Civic how old is your Z-5300e ? On the UK site they don't list it anymore and it appears to have been replaced with the  Z-5500 Digital  which looks awesome  (i could connect it to the M-Audio box with the Coaxial, and has mini jack for the ipod), packs 505 watts, and has a sexy little wireless remote... it costs a painful £279.99 (thats $515) which i don't think i can forgive myself for spending!!

[Civrock]

It's not old at all, the Z-5300e simply appears to be US-only for some reason, heh.

[BFG]

Bloody German Going over there getting all those "US" only deals! damn u im going to have to get that grand daddy 500watt beast

... if i win the lottery

[DarK.]

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=103,CONTENTID=10013 

This is what i have, I bought it at Best Buy for 40 bucks, so you should be able to get a better deal out there, (It was on sale though)  anyway,  These are very nice and work well, with a great "mute" button, and in-line voice control, ambient noise nullifiers for the mic, and the headphones.[/b]

[z][t-Primary]

Internal mic and some Hi-Fi headphones baby. The output is amazing, i got my mac connected to my Dual sound system and i use my huge 8-year old headphones. The internal mic seems to be working alright, atleast i dont get complaints.

[:MoD:Shade]

Did I not post here? - I could have sworn I said something...

Better not have got deleted...

[BFG]

Nope fraid not shade - i've checked, no post.

[Civrock]

You posted in Flyman's thread on the IMG forums, Shade.

[:MoD:Shade]

Oh wow, haha.  TY - thought I was losing my mind.