Looking for good headsets

I recently moved to a new house... and the first thing I noticed is that noise trespasses EASILY through walls and stuff (damn you Americans and your cheap cartoon walls!). So I though it was time to buy a good headset for gaiming and talking on skype, as too much noise goes into my laptop's integrated mic (my brother likes to do music and vacuum cleaners are used a LOT) and also into my ears (Cheap sony headphones bought on Target)... plus I want something with good perfomance that can last me for a few years. Heres the description for something perfect for me:

150$ max.
Noise cancelling.
Adjustable.
Good quality microphone (I only want my voice to be heard, despite noise coming outside my room).
Good comfort.
Good directional surround sound for games like Left 4 Dead
USB NOT preferred (as I may buy a expresscard soundcard sometime)
And of course, good overall sound quality .

I have already looked at some headsets, and the Senheisser PC350 is a good option, but it is rather old (released a few years ago) and I guess there should be something better and newer on the market right now. The Carcharias Megalodon seem to be VERY good, and new, but it doesn't have much noise cancelling.

If anyone has any suggestions it would be really appreciated. If anyone has a link to a forum like this one where I can get answers from experts, it would also be really appreciated.

 

Check out the Plantronics GameCom 377. It's $50, stereo, with standard 3.5mm plugs, no USB. Easily the best sound quality of any headset I've ever used. Heck, I use them as regular headphones for my iPod, they're that good.

The mic is fantastic. It tucks neatly inside the headset when not in use, and extends and adjusts however you like. Voice quality is superb, according to what my Skype and Ventrilo buddies.

 

Maybe Logitech?

My grandfather has a Logitech headset - great for Skype.

No idea about gaming...

 

The only Logitech headset I've used is the Precision circumnaural "gaming" headset, which I must say, was absolutely terrible at everything. Sound came out tinny and scratchy, and nobody could understand what I was saying into the microphone. The only Logitech headset I would recommend is the new G35, although it's surround sound, and rather pricey.

 

+1

I have the Gamecom 777, which is the same but includes a USB 5.1 adapter.
They go for $100, but I picked mine up from Ebay for $30

 

Thanks for the answers. I have read a bunch of reviews from various sites, including for the Gamecom one, but they say the bass could be a little better (sorry, I don't want to have any buyer remorse... even if it may be something I wont even notice x))

I set my eyes on this one. http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/headsets/speedlink-medusa-nx/1/

The reviewer seems to praise it a lot, and the cons he mentions are not something I care a lot about. Only problem is that they are from the UK, so I gotta make sure my warranty is honored if something happens to it if I decide to buy it. Those brits seem to have really nice stuff I didn't know about... What do you think? Any other suggestions?

 

First thing I would suggest is to no get a headset, but rather headphones with a separate/clip on mic. Secondly, even with new headsets/headphones you will still hear alot of noise due to your sound card, they're all rubbish in every laptop. If you want isolation I would suggest Ultrasone HFI-780's you can find them for 175$ shipped if you look hard enough. They are one of the best isolating headphones, they don't have noise canceling but most that do don't sound as good. They also have a pretty good soundstage so they should work well for gaming, avoid these 5.1 'surround sound' headphones they're just a marketing gimmick.

 

Reading review and getting personal inputs are good for reference; but use it to go visit a store yourself and put it on your head/ears - this alone determines how good and fitting it is.

I personally prefer and use Sennheiser headsets.

cheers ...

 

I would really consider a clip-on mic with separate headphones if I knew of any good clip-on mic. From what I have seen, which is not much, clip-on mics tend to absorb some undesired noise... like barks, yells, vacuum cleaners etc.

Im still looking. Problem I have with the Medusa NX is that I don't want to base my purchase on a single review, especially if I'm going to import from the UK. As always, it is lovely to get the feel of something before you buy it; but this isn't always possible, and it's not so necesary as I'm enjoying my M860TU a lot. I'm also now open to USB headsets ideas, since it might be a little too complicated to work with a external sound card, based on the amount of free USB ports I have (0).

 

LLogitech's G35's


http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/w...nternet_headsets_phones/devices/5095&cl=us,en

If you are looking for gaming one this ones are awesome.

I was about to buy these, but I decided that music sounds where more a priority for me. So I went with Sennheiser HD 280's Pro. Not exactly a gaming headset, but they are amazing.

I wouldn't recommend those Gamecon's ones.

I heard there was a new Fatal1ty one's coming out that are better than the before ones. You might want to check those out.


Another choice which was one that I had in mind were the ones from the Steelseries, Siberia. They had everything I was looking for, good music sound, and perfect gaming. But I read many reviews that they were fragile. And I was not about to drop some good amount of cash into something that might break easily. Especially when my things break pretty easily . But if you take good care of your things, go check the Siberia's ones. There is one with 5.1 and one with out it.

 

Care to give a reason for not recommending the Plantronics GameComs?

 

I decided to forget about the Medusa NX. Based on what I read in some forums, their previous versions were like the m15x of the headset market (awesome reviews, breaks easily). I have read a lot of good things about the Sennheiser HD 280, but I need a good clip on mic to go with it. For the moment I'm focusing again on the PC-350's.

 

What's the best place/shop I can go to test Headphones? I'd love to see the difference between 5.1 surround headphones and stereo headphones... I have read a lot of things, but it would be better to find how things are myself.

 

Helps to know where you live.

 

Oh, sorry, I was expecting some generic answer like Best Buy or whatever. I live in Miami.

 

Target often has headphones on display with some test tracks ready to play. Of course, they don't really stock anything like Sennheisers; maybe a few $40 Koss cans or perhaps a Bose or two.

 

Music stores, or home theater places. Best buy will only have junk like bose and dr dre.

 

I've never seen any headphones/headsets up for demo at any Best Buy, and there's three locations I frequent around here.

 

I'll keep that in mind, thanks for the suggestions.