Decent gaming Headset

Any recommendations for a mid-to-high-range pair under or around $100?

Covering that range and more, I'm considering so far:
Sennheiser PC151 ~$80
Sennheiser PC350 ~$200
Razer Carcharias ~$85

For $85, the Carcharias seems to meet requirements, but before I make any final decisions, anyone have experience with these or recommendations for better?

Thanks.

 

I'm using the Carcharias right now, and it's fantastic. I got it for free via Razer's "Random Loot" giveaway for Cyber Monday last year, and it's the best $80 I would have spent.

It's very light and comfortable. The boom mic can be adjusted to pretty much any position as well. As far as sound goes, it's great, both coming out via the cans and going in via the mic. The open-ear design makes things sound very clear, and while there is no shortage of bass, it never feels like it's forced or "boosted" in any way. Even when I'm not gaming, they're great for listening to music.

If you're interested in surround sound, there's the Razer Megalodon, but it's a little out of your budget at $130. Then again, you mentioned the PC350, which is $200.

 

lol!
glad to hear it's servicing well. I'm willing to go for high-end if it justifies the cost, but most comparisons I find between the pc350 and a $100 headset seem not to justify the extra bill. Also, yes, trying to avoid surround sound headsets, I hope it's a fad that will die soon...

 

I love the Carcharias, best pair of headphones I have ever used. My wife, who really knows nothing about these things, bought them for me, and I so glad. Comfort is the most important for me...doesn't matter how good the sound is if I can't stand wearing them in a half hour. But the sound in/out is definitely above average. IMO they sound great, but I'm not really an audiophile, just like to game. But music sounds pretty sweet to me as well. I've worn comms headsets in the navy for the last 20 years, and I wish I had something that felt so good on my head and ears on long hops.

BTW, that link to them says they are $80.

 

I love the Carcharias! I've had them for a while and they are perfect.

 

I personally am using Sennheiser HD555 for headphones and then using built-in mic, but also I hear using the zalman clip mic is a great alternative. I figure I'm not always gaming to have a full on headset, why not spend to get some great quality headphones I can use for music/video as well as gaming and then mic on the side.

 

Another vote for the Carcharias, I have been using mine since the summer. It replaced a Sennheiser PC150.

I'm a headphone audiophile and I have to admit the sound quality of the Carcharias is decent for $80, not as good as a dedicated pair of headphones like the Grado SR80 but for a headset as lightweight and comfortable as it is, commendable.

Going with a dedicated pair of headphones + a separate/attachable mic as aznguyen316 suggested is a very valid option, especially if you are looking to use them for other things such as listening to music regularly.

 

Thanks for the input all, I've never had an easier decision than this. As a side thought, a removable boom so they could be used as dedicated headphones would be very nice for a future model; in the meantime I'll be ordering mine today!

 

If I may throw in my Steelseries 4H into the discussion as well...

I've not tried the Razers (the 4H being my first high priced headset), but what I like about the 4h is the retractable mic, and that the circumaural design is quite painless, and sometimes you even forget that you're wearing the headset. I've had my fair share of headset tugs when I've tried to walk away from my computer only to realise that I'm still wearing them!

 

http://www.steelseries.com/us

I just bought a set of the 3H and they are awesome.

 

@jntar: I initially was going for the 3H since they're cheaper than the 4H. I borrowed a pair from my friend, but after an hour or 2 I felt they started squeezing my ears, and hence I started searching for a circumaural design.

I guess my head might be a wierd shape since he does not feel it squeeze his head.

Oh well, the 3H sounds awesome imo.

 

This is also a good idea. I used to have Sennhheiser HD555's and the zalman clip. Plus, the HD555's are only $20 more than the Carcharias.
Well I got my Carcharias for $73 and Tigerdirect, so it would be $30 more for me.

 

Go for the Carcharias, they're about on the same sound quality level as Goldring DR100s [well they're somewhere between the DR100 and 150, but more like the 100] or Sennheiser 555s. In the UK they're about £60, which is a similar price range to these phones anyway. They're the best headset I've ever tried, probably because they rely on semi decent drivers in the ear pieces, and are comfortable, rather than being covered in gimmicks

The PC350 aren't worth it, and arent great for music, and the PC150/160 are much worse.

 

I think that's what I'll do as my mouse hovers over "checkout" now...

I had been looking into the Steelseries on recommendations here (review here: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/SteelSeries/SteelSound5hv2/1.html), and the 5Hv2 is in a similar price range. Its retractable mic was a definite boon however being fully disassembable leaves me to question the integrity of its internal connectors over time. The review was favorable, but pointed out the bass was weak, potentially due to their tuning the frequency response to accentuate game sounds. I had merely thought that was a gimmick from reading their site, but if this is true, I'd prefer not to have a bias in this way.

thank you all for the recommendations, I'm off te get the Carcharias.

 

i had the caracharias.. ahted it.

Hada Sennheiser HD428 i think, and didnt like it.

BOught hte Logitech G35 today... OMG its amazing.

 

What did you hate about the Carcharias, out of curiosity?

 

they dont have a mic but my 25usd koss portapros will outperform most headphones that are 200usd more espensive.
they dont have noise cancelling though but their audio reproduction and levels are excellent.
they are consistently rated as among the best, even after 25 years in the market.

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/k...-32897197.html

 

Agreed, if you can swing it, you won't regret it. I've tried the Steelseries models mentioned and I thought hands down the PC350 was the best out there. Sounds amazing and is wicked comfy even with it on for hours.

 

The Carcharias are more musical out the box than the PC350, and I dont spend well over $100/£100 to mod my headsets

 

Well they arrived today, from first impressions I must say bass is excellent. Binaural recordings are improved, though noticeable sound quality overall is only slightly more better than my jerry-rigged 7-year-old plantronics. Two issues I am having:
a) the plush ear cushions; they feel scratchy/prickly as opposed to leather or cloth
b) I'm not sure if it's just me getting used to circumaural (I've never owned a pair), but having the pressure around the outsides of my ear on my head versus on the ear itself is giving me a headache. Is there any specific way one is supposed to wear these?

I can deal with the plush, but if I can't stop the headaches I dunno what I'm going to do...

edit: slowly getting used to them, guess I'll have to give it a few days... it helps when listening to music and forgetting they're there