headphones or headset? analog or USB?

[solaris11]

So I have crummy speakers and don't want to annoy neighbours, and am interested in buying a set of gaming headphones/headset.

I'm not really sure where to start looking, I've looked into the Kraken 7.1, 5HV3, and SiberiaV2, but have read VERY mixed reviews.

I dont want to spend more than around 100CDN, but want as good as I can get for that budget. Should i focus on just headphones and buy a mic seperately?

I like the 5Hv3 for the versitility because it looks subtle and can be used on mp3 players, but that being said I dont really do mobile music and use earbuds when I do.

And I'm not really sure whether to look at 3.5mm or USB connections, I'm using the on-board audio on my MSI Z77A-G45.

I'm a casual gamer who simply wants a good audio experience from games, not much of an online gamer but that could change which is why I was looking at headsets with the mic.

Any advice and/or direction would be great, thanks!

 

[VincentP]

You probably want USB surround sound headphones with a microphone for games.
A 7.1 surround headset with audio jacks requires connection to 5 different audio jacks on the computer, and the associated cable.
USB means just one cable and makes use of a sound device in the headphones rather than the motherboard sound.
This of course means that you can't use the headphones for an mp3 player.
If you really wanted headphones for music you would buy stereo headphones with a single jack - no micrphone or surround sound.

Corsair vengeance 1500 are a good option and should be in your price range.
Logitech G35 are also good.
Heaps of other options out there. You want something comfortable with a good balanced sound.

 

[solaris11]

I went with the Siveria V2 USB.
3.5 mm surround sets use 1 line because its a simulated surround. These have a solid quality 7.1 setup with a USB soundcard. And I have heard great things about their comfort and durability, and I got them for 76CDN regular 110 The mic is pretty good too and the fact that it's retractable is actually a huge selling point for me for some reason, love the look of the 5HV3 but the quality just isn't quite there, I think I will be happy with the Siberia and look forward to breaking them in!
Thanks for the tips!