Which closed headset(s) should I get?

I need two more headsets in addition to what I have. These are for non-main duties so I'm probably going to spend less than the Beyerdynamic MMX 300, currently the choice for both of the computers that I spend main headset-time on. I figured I might as well get something different, something I'm not familiar with. And since I plan to do a short review of both, I figured I might as well get both based on what *you* might be looking at to buy, or something on a realistic wish list of yours.

The only caveat is that the headset be closed, and keep out some degree of outside noise. The rest is up to you guys. I'll put a cap on the cost of each headset = $250. I think it might also be a good idea to put a lower-end cap on, as generally looking around I don't think it's possible to buy a decent closed headset for below $50. They'll both get a writeup including a comparison between a higher-end closed headphone, the MMX 300, optionally an MMX 2 (which might be closed but doesn't actually keep out any outside noise at all, ruling it out for me beyond simple Skype use), and a couple of lower-end closed headphones.

My first choice for one of the two is the Logitech G35 - waiting for stock right now, but cancellable. If there's anything more compelling / interesting than that, I'll go for it. For the second - I have no idea. This is where you really come on. For once, I'd like to review something that actually gets feedback apart from 'Nice, but I can't afford it'

I'll keep a tally here of qualifying products mentioned:

 

You might like the Plantronics GameCom 777. It seems to fit what you're looking for, and your budget.

 

The 777 is open.

 

Oh...on that note, I'm an idiot, apparently. What does "open" mean? I thought if they cover your ears, they're closed.

 

There are open phones and closed phones, as well as semi-open and semi-closed. Open phones have an open back, which permits sound leakage in and out. Closed phones are acoustically isolated to an extent, shutting out some outside noise (and keeping in noise).

A closed phone in my experience will generally draw you into the game more. But many DSP-packing headphones need to be open due to in-earcup resonance interfering with the simulated soundfield. What interests me about the G35 is that it appears to be closed while offering the soundfield emulation.

 

what do u think about the sennheiser pc166? im thinking of getting that for myself

 

i guess what you really wanted to find is soundstage isnt it?
closed headphones hardly good in soundstage....but the guys at head-fi knows some good headphones you can start with...minus the microphone....of course....

 

Let's make a few things clear:

a) HeadSETS.

b) Most closed headphones do perceived width of soundstage badly. Location of sounds within a 2D/3D soundstage is a separate matter, and is actually more suited to closed-phone applications in various ways, as long as the phones themselves don't suffer badly from in-earcup sonic resonance caused by closing the phone.

c) I'm not looking for headPHONE recommendations, and part of this exercise is to review a 'most wanted' headSET - both on it's own merits, and also against some closed headPHONEs that even the most 'fauxdiophile' of Head-Fi members wouldn't turn their noses up at.

The 166 is open. The PC350 is the only closed headset in Sennheiser's range as far as I'm aware.

 

have you considered buying a separate mike? so you can use still your favorite cans.

 

Doesn't work as well as even the fairly entry-level ~$50 VoIP headsets, assuming we're talking about the ZM-MIC1. I have one, and I've run it on a huge variety of headphones I have/had - all the way from the Bose Triport AE to the Sennheiser Orpheus - and the results are not ideal in terms of practicality and quality if you actually use a headset *as a headset* often. And your cheap desktop mics - don't bother.

Obviously if you want broadcast-quality results, such as for semi/pro-grade podcasting, then consumer headsets are out of their depth - and I use other gear for that purpose. But we're talking gaming and VoIP in the main here.

 

I'm beginning to wonder at the frequent mention of the PC1xx series that maybe I should look at open headsets for reviewing / comparing purposes as well...?

Perhaps make one closed max $250, and the other open max $150 (which the PC166 would fall into)?

What do you think?

 

If you're considering open now, then the Plantronics 777 at $100 fits your bill. I have its $50 stereo cousin the 377, and I'm in love.

 

lol @ mastershroom.ive read a couple of "which headset to buy" on the forum and every1 of them he recommends his beloved gamecom.

 

Hey, man, I preach what I know and love.

 

I vote G35

Edit - Oops haha your already going for those. Didn't read the post well enough.

 

Well, it's open to debate. That's why I started this thread. The other closed contender I'm aware of is the non-USB Sennheiser PC350.

 

G35, megalodon or senn. pc350 FTW!!

 

How about trad vs DSP? G35 vs PC350...

 

what is trad vs DSP? traditional vs ???

 

DSP - digital signal processing. The '7.1' effects.

There's not been a ton of feedback so far. Personally I'm tempted to just call it a day and go for a G35 and a PC350, but I figured that it might be more useful if I got something that everyone else wanted to get so that I could write it up in a review - and also do some comparisons. Is that actually likely to be a wasted effort?

 

7.1 is gimmick...personally i never believe in such things...
but i would like to know the sound quality of these headsets...
so yea..go for G35

 

There are two European headsets that really attract my attention a lot... the Medusa NX and the Roccat Kave. You may have to do some importing, though, in order to get one.

 

G35 + PC350 should be here early next week.

 

Looks like I'd better get my comparison on.

 

G35: Not bad. Not bad at all. Better than I was expecting.

(Only listening right now)



And it's actually doing slightly more than trying to keep up.

(On that sentence, I bet Syndrome and other resident fauxdiophiles are frothing at the mouth)

 

funny i just got my pc350 as well today.cant wait to try it out tonight!

 

I've unpacked both, but in an initial music listening trial the clarity of the G35 in Stereo mode is coming across as a major surprise. Admittedly there was a case of low expectations for sure, but I'm going to have to work this surprise out of my system first as I won't be able to fairly review the PC350 - since the Senn is more on par with what I was expecting.

I'll hit up CS:S, COD and a couple of others on both the the M1330 and the M6400 tomorrow evening and relive some old-school fun for a more typical notebook-bound headset application test. Until then, it's time to spin more of my favourite tracks.

 

Unfortuantely any review will have to wait - looks like the G35 may be faulty. There's a spurious sound during audio playback that I've been trying to isolate without success - and I'll likely have to get the set replaced by Logitech.

Apart from that, the set is actually a recent highlight in terms of stuff I've bought, in that it exceeded expectations by a sizeable degree. It has higher ambient isolation than the PC350, roughly equal technical capability for audio in Stereo mode with a much more upfront sound which arguably makes it a better gamer and also roughly equal mic capability, far exceeding the capabilities of the Zalman ZM-MIC1 and yet not coming up to the MMX 300.

I'll update the thread or get around to doing the comparison once this fly in the ointment is cured.