Best 5.1 Headset

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Darkbonez

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Mar 26, 2008
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Hi guys, I was wondering what the best 5.1 headset was under $90 USD. I was looking at the RAZER Barracuda but it costs a bit too much. So if anyone can point me to a good gaming 5.1 headset, thanks.
 
I use an older pair of senheisser PC165's they are simply amazing...

I only got it originally b/c I needed a headset w/ a microphone, but when i started using this fore other things like watching movies and so on, it truly shined in other areas as well...
 
Here's another set:

eDimensional AudioFX Pro 5+1 USB Connector Circumaural Force Feedback Gaming Headset

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826504004&Tpk=edimensional+audioFX+Pro

I almost bought these, but I found out that they do not take advantage of my sound card (X-Fi XtremeGamer) and all sound processing would be done through their software on my CPU, which was the whole turn off that I had with this set. But then I found out how amazing my sound card truly was, I discovered how CMSS-3D worked and that it actually gave a VERY good 5.1 sound on any headset/headphone regardless of how cheap it was... and I just ended up ordering a headset considering only audio quality
 
the zalman 5.1 the came out a couple years back is garbage, just thought i'd throw that out there. You hear in 5.1, but you get a very tiny amount of bass, and quality is in the drain.
 
I have the Medusa 5.1 ProGamer Edition headset and they sound really great. I use it for BF2, TF2, and CoD4. I can hear where the shots are coming from and the footsteps of people around me. As for the microphone, I've never had anyone complain about how soft I am. They can hear me loud and clear. And as for comfort, I sometimes play for 6 hours straight and not once have they hurt my ears or head. I actually forget I'm wearing a headset sometimes.

I know your budget is $90, but I highly recommend the Medusa headset for $30 more.

http://www.medusa-usa.com/medusa-51-progamer-edition-v2-p-896.html

 
I have a Medusa 5.1 ProGamer Headset that just crapped on me for no apparent reason. The left speaker just went soft on meh. I was hoping it was the audio on my comp, but after troubleshootin it with other headphones and such, turns out he Medusa is broke. Just bought them about 6 months ago too. When they were working, they were great for gaming. Don't think I can go back to non-5.1 headphones though....
 


That's weird, the same thing just happened with me. The left front speaker on my medusa headset got softer too... I haven't even used it that much 🙁
 
I've been looking into getting a 5.1 headset for a few days now and I've decided, in the end, to go with stereo instead.

From what I've read, sound ultimately reaches your eardrums after being channeled and altered by the pinnae of your ears. Your brain then processes this information based on timings (and probably some other factors). Like this, how sound reaches your ears doesn't matter as much as how sound reaches your eardrums whether you're using 5.1 or stereo headphones/headsets.

While 5.1 headsets have 3-4 drivers in them, there's a good chance that each driver is of lesser quality than those you would find in similarly priced stereo headsets. So, you'll get lesser sound quality for 5.1 headsets than for stereo ones for the same price which means you might lose some details with 5.1 (though it's doubtful you'll be listening for such details in a firefight).

I found a series of recordings that convinced me that stereo headphones/earphones/headsets were actually very good at conveying 3D sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5G3HUiscW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj95zfl_pU0&feature=related
I tried both recordings off my MP3 Player using $3 in-ear earphones and was amazed at the results. The X-Fi series sound cards are supposedly very good at emulating 3D sound, so I what I would recommend is that you invest in a decent sound card (which is a good investment for pretty much any sound system you can get your hands on) and try them out with what ever you're using right now (assuming you currently have a set of earphone/headphone/headset) and you just might be amazed. Save up for a good headphones and get them when money allows.

If you absolutely have to get a 5.1 headset, avoid any of the 'cheap' ones (i.e. <$90) because, overall, they lack in durability. From the all the reviews I've read, the barracudas are probably the best you can get around that price (and they sound better than the medusas) but there have been tons of complaints about the headsets breaking after only a few months (or days even) of gentle use. Save up and get Tritton AX51 Pro. Very durable and comparable, though probably better, sound quality than the barracudas.

/end long-ass post
 
i've bought multiple 5.1 headsets over the years ALL were terrible.

The best thing to do is get a high quality normal headset, like this JVC 900, and then get a X-FI soundcard. In gaming mode you will get surround sound on this headset FAR better sounding and just a directional as any 5.1 headset.

As far as the ones i've tried, i've used this medusa, the razer, an ax360 (or whatever), and the zalman. All but the zalman had ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE TINNY rear speakers that had the worst sound i've ever heard. The zalman was the best of the bunch however it was poorly constructed and broke easily. However it cost half as much as most of these.

I wouldn't get 5.1 headset, if you have a x-fi card you get 5.1 surround on any headset that is better than any sound a 5.1 headset can deliver. They all have terrible sound, and most of those terrible headsets dont even project the sound behind, you can just tell by how terrible the effect sounds and then you know someone is behind you.
 
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