Headphones VS Headset (any sound quality difference?) Which one should I buy?

Hello guys, I work as a web programmer and I communicate with my boss via MSN Voice convo and so headset would be preferable for my use as well as the fact that I love to game online too. I've used Logitech Internet Chat headset and LG headsets and I start to realize that the quality of the sound has been degraded a lot when I switched from a panasonic headphone. I don't know the model of the headphone but it has a nice padding and it looks like a quality headphone. I start to wonder if I should continue sticking to just a headset or if I should buy a headphone separately so I can do both. Sometimes I find that movies and dramas that I watch on my computer are really lacking that base and that audio aspect when compared to my sister's panasonic headphone. Do you guys know any headset that provides the same sound quality as headphones do? Is there such a thing? I also notice that I usually break the headphone by accidentally pulling on the wires or getting the wires caught on my chair, do you guys know any solution to that? My LG mic right now is breaking and so I'm looking for a headset as well... What suggestions do you guys have? Are there any brands/models I can try and what price would I be paying? I'm not looking for Studio or DJ headphones but just decent base and sound rather than a headset that give mono sound quality. I know this post is getting a bit long so I'll end off by saying thanks in advance.

 

What I do is use headphones for audio and a Logitech Headset for the microphone. I find this the perfect combination of audio and microphone without the clutter of a lot of cables. I am sure you can find a headset that has both good audio and microphone capabilities.

I'll get some links up later.

This headset seems VERY good, my cousin has it and it is just perfect.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836508101

 

As far as headphones go I suggest the Grado SR-60 Headphones.

These are probably the best headphones I've ever used, and I've had the opportunity to use a lot of headphones, including proffesional studio headphones, which the Grado SR-60s at least matched as far as sound quality goes.

Of course, with headphones like these, its kind of a waste if you don't also have a good sound card. Still, if you care about the quality and clarity of your sound then the SR-60's are a great option.

Grado SR-60 Headphones

 

well my comp is slowly going out of date but I have SoundBlaster Live 5.1 from Creative Labs.... I wouldn't say that sound card is the best but it's one of the medium-high end sound cards during the 16bit era (until 24 bit came out of course -_-")

 

I've never used a Soundblaster Live 5.1, but I hear it has very good sound quality, so I definitely think that you would appreciate the sound quality and clarity of the Grado SR-60s.

For under 200 dollars, it just doesn't get much better than the Grado SR-60s. But by all means, look them up online and see what professional musicians, mixers, and audiophiles have to say about these fantastic headphones. They almost always get perfect reviews. If you care about sound quality, and your sound card leads me to believe that you do, I think the Grado SR-60s are perfect for you.

 

I have to disagree. For under 200 I would without a doubt go with the Sennheiser HD 595's. http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD595-HD-595-Premier-Headphone/dp/B0001FTVE0
Also the reviews on these headphone are quite a bit better.

 

Sennheiser HD 595's are nice headphones, but I'm sticking with my earlier comment. From my experience the Sennheiser HD 595's handle highs very well, perhaps even better than the Grado SR-60s, but I dislike that they are too weak as far as bass goes and their soundstage is not nearly as open as the Grado SR-60 or SR-80.

Then, there's still the price differential to consider. The SR-60s are more than 130 dollars less expensive than the Sennheiser HD 595's, yet their quality is just as good, or in my opinion, superior.

 

I like the Grado's my personal preference is my Audio Technia's tho A700's.

As for the question at hand in the low side of the spectrum headset vs headphones are the same. But as you start to step up to quality products and higher prices, headphones keep going and going all way up to hundreds of dollars, while headsets seem to terminate at a certain mid quality point.

So I recommend headphones and a separate microphone if your into high quality and have 200$ or so of a budget.

 

Does anyone know where to get Grado SR-60 Headphones in Canada? I tried Amazon.com and it says it doesn't ship to Canada and Ebay has only 1 seller with bad rating.

 

Indeed I do. Try the following link. According to their website they have no problems shipping internationally. Furthermore, their price is slightly better than Amazon's (62 US dollars) and their ratings on Bizrate are excellent.

HeadRoom Grado SR-60s

BizRate Ratings of HeadRoom

Hope this helps.

 

well.. Amazon is shipping for free even though it's 7 dollars more. Shipping at HeadRoom cost 30 bucks to go to Canada =S That's 4 times the price of Amazon in the end. So from a 70 dollar headphone it jumped to 100 =/

 

30 dollars? Ouch. I had no idea. Sorry about that.

I looked around for a Canadian Grado dealer, but I couldn't really find anything. I found one source, but their price (in US dollars) was greater than 100 dollars for the headphones alone. For some reason, it seems Canada just doesn't have a lot of good headphone dealers.

 

I know J&R carries Grado SR-60s and I know they ship to Canada, but you'll have to check the cost. Hope that helps.

Two of my gaming obsessed friends used Icemat Siberias as their headsets until I made them listen to my Grados. Now they use the Siberia mic (which sounds great) with SR-60s

 

Thanks for the input. J&R uses UPS Canada Express ($25.16). Their price is at 69.00 which means after shipping the cost will be 94 dollars. It saves me around 5 dollars but still very expensive =/ It says UPS ground shipping is free but I think that is only valid if I'm in the states. Please continue submitting sources. I really hope I can find a place where I can buy it for around 70 - 78 dollars after tax.

 

I realize the price may simply end up validating the earlier conclusions but if you want to get the Grado SR60s in Toronto, I noticed they had them in the Bay Bloor Radio flyer for $99.95.

 

Grado has put restrictions on US retailers to sell their headphones to Canadians. The US price is $70US, and the Canadian price is $100CDN (which is about $100US). So there's a significant price difference.

Headroom and a ton of other online stores won't ship the Grado SR60 to Canada. But I did find an online US retailer that would, DXC Store. I paid $70US + $16US (USPS Priority) shipping. I haven't gotten it yet, but I'm assuming that I will get charged $5CDN for a customs handling fee + 15% sales tax ($10), which will mean it'll put it at about $101CDN. I will post the final tally when I get it.

It'll probably be cheaper than the $99 + tax + shipping from a Canadian online retailer.

I ordered on Nov 21st, and it just cleared customs yesterday, so it didn't take too long for shipping.

For shipping, use USPS, as they charge the lowest customs fee of $5. If you go with FedEx or UPS, they will charge $25-$30 "brokerage fee", which is a total rip off.

 

Here's the final tally.

Headphone Price: $69.99 USD
Shipping: $16.44 USD
Handling Fee (Customs): $5.00 CAD
GST: $3.59 CAD (6%)
PST: $4.78 CAD (8%)

TOTAL: $99.80 CAD ($1 USD = $1 CAD)

So overall, this is cheaper than getting it from a store in Canada, which would be $100 + tax.

 

This headset is really very very good.