Making yourself heard with the right headset
by Mike Schramm 
Nov 29th 2007 at 6:31PM
Mr_elenganza has a great question over on the WoW LJ-- what headset do you use for voicechatting in WoW?Me, I use two different audio inputs. On my Mac Powerbook, the built-in microphone actually works really well (and I hear from others who've used the new Macbooks that those work even better), so whenever I'm raiding with Teamspeak on, I'll have it on there, and just use that mic to talk.
But when I need something a little clearer, I use the cheaper Logitech headset-- there are more expensive gaming headsets out there, but the headset is really just for voice (I've also got a nice set of 5.1 speakers on my PC), so it works just fine for my purposes. To tell the truth, if I went for another headset, I'd probably try and get something Bluetooth (the fewer wires running around, the better), but I haven't shopped around too much for that-- anyone want to recommend one?
At this point, headsets are so cheap and so commonly used that "I don't have a mic" isn't really a valid excuse for not voicechatting any more (of course, it's always a good excuse if there are other reasons you don't want to speak). A nice USB headset will help you hear what's going on, and will make the experience better for people playing with you, too.
Filed under: Items, Analysis / Opinion, Tips, Odds and ends
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sean Riley Nov 29th 2007 6:44PM
Tag:
hot-girls-in-headsets-series.
o.O
Mike Schramm Nov 29th 2007 7:50PM
Ha, I guess I just figured someone would call me out for posting a picture of a cute girl in a headset again-- it's kind of a tradition now that any post about voice chat should be accompanied by someone attractive wearing a headset.
Ghen Nov 30th 2007 8:42AM
Damn skippy Mike. While I'm fond of the last offering more I can only look forward to the future of Voice Chat news!
Foxtir Nov 29th 2007 6:48PM
I used to use a Logitech USB one and my friends/guildies told me that i sounded super clear. I can't stand people who have crackly, rustly mics, or those who play music in the bg while talking.
I think i payed £40 for my headphones, a bit expensive for my tastes, but i wanted a USB one and wanted it fast so just went for it.
They broke recently when my chair wheel rolled over it and pulled the wire :(
Blake Nov 30th 2007 10:26AM
I also have that exact pair of Logitech headphones linked in the article, but in USB form. I don't like hearing the WoW music and sound effects through my headset, so I can easily just plug in the headset through my keyboard whenever I want to fire up Vent. I've had only good experiences with the headset. Everyone says I sound clear and there's no volume issues ever.
You get people on these mics standing on their desk and sometimes you hear them, sometimes you don't. Sometimes you get the dogs or babies in the background. The USB version was slightly more expensive than the standard audio plugs, but well worth it. Not having to plug in the mic port or the audio port whenever you want headphones give the USB version that flexibility I was looking for.
Corrodias Nov 29th 2007 6:57PM
The problem comes in if you want a GOOD headset. There are 3 features that must be acheived and i have yet to find a headset that can follow through on all 3 without costing over $200. Admittedly, i've only tried about 4 types of headsets, but i can identify a lot more that would be crap and don't bother trying them.
1) It has to be comfortable. Don't come at me with these head-squeezing things that still manage to be unstable on my head.
2) The mic has to be clear and not in the way of your own face. I have one set that would put the mic in the middle of my beard if it wasn't inside my mouth.
3) For god's sake, give me something with decent audio. I don't need the game to sound like i'm listening to laptop speakers. My $20 Sony headphones can output better audio than several of the reasonably priced headsets i've tried.
4) Corollary to 3, it has to use 3.5mm plugs. I have a sound card. I don't need your $2 third-world internal sound card that you've stuffed into the USB plug.
I currently use one uncomfortable headset around my neck (where it's only a minor nuisance) and decent headphones on top. I get excellent, clear mic audio without the drawbacks of bad headsets.
However, i have high hopes for this Sennheiser model whose name i don't remember. I have to remember to give the audio quality a direct comparison later to my headphones.
Corrodias Nov 29th 2007 7:11PM
Now i remember why i don't like these Sennheisers. I'm not sure if the audio is good because i can't concentrate on it because it's louder in the right ear than it is in the left. It can be alleviated somewhat (but not completely) by turning the volume on the analog slider in the cord to about 85% of maximum. Sucks.
McClane Nov 29th 2007 7:01PM
I use these $20 Radioshack Headphones model 33-1187
they're cheap, and the microphone picks up EVERYTHING.
I usually have to be asked to turn myself down, because of traffic outside coming thru the mic. My voice is always clear and LOUD.
Ronin Nov 29th 2007 7:23PM
I got to use the Fatal1ty gaming headset at Blizzcon in Creatives booth and it rocked. Sounded really good with the in-game sounds and the vent demo was very clear with me talking to my bud at his house.
I went to CompUSA and picked one up for fifty bucks. It's not USB though. It's comfortable and doesn't make my ears sweaty.
I personally can't stand the Logitech headsets..they hurt my ears and don't sound so great you're better off with Radio Shack IMO.
mizatt Nov 29th 2007 7:04PM
I use this logitech USB mic:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836111601
with a pair of sennheiser headphones. SD-150 I think they're called? Most headsets with the microphone mouthpiece have cheap or degraded sound from the cans themselves, so why not split the duties
Eric Vice Nov 30th 2007 1:24PM
I agree wholeheartedly. I use the exact same setup, but with Sennheiser PX100's. Headsets have the potential to be SO uncomfortable, why not use a set of headphones you really love and a kick-ass mic.
That Logitech microphone is just such a unit.
Ronin Nov 29th 2007 7:24PM
Hey Mizatt,
Can you use that MIC with a soundcard at the same time? Just curious. Most of the USB stuff turns off your soundcard if you plug it in.
mizatt Nov 30th 2007 1:31PM
Yep, you can use it with a sound card no problem. I'm using an Omega Striker 7.1 sound card with it and before that I was using my onboard sound with it and had no problems.
Draddog Nov 29th 2007 7:19PM
If you can drop the dough, Turtle Beach's X-52 surround sound headphones are really nice (and not that expensive). I reviewed them on my blog - http://www.draddog.com/?p=70 - with another pair of Turtle Beach headphones that are great if you don't have a sound card.
Tryst Nov 29th 2007 7:46PM
I use the Logitech Precision PC Gaming Headset and I pretty much hate it. It makes my ears hurt and it won't stay on my head. I've had to wear my hair in a ponytail for the last two years so it wouldn't slide down. Input and output sound have always been good. Unfortunately, I too, recently ran over the cord with my chair for the 1,000th and last time. The mic no longer works which I'm very sad about. Despite Mr. Shramm's contention that everyone can afford a mic, it's just not true. I'll be waiting a few months until I can afford to spend the money on a new one. :-(
Jericon Nov 29th 2007 7:50PM
I have a nice, high quality Bluetooth headset that I use with my iMac. Occasionally my guildies yell out "Vader" as my headset lags or something like that, making me sound like darth vader.
I had similar issues with another bluetooth headset. This makes me thing that Bluetooth and vent don't work very well together.
Kiros Nov 29th 2007 8:02PM
She got some purdy lips.
Charlie Taylor Nov 29th 2007 8:28PM
I'd suggest against getting a bluetooth headset. The voice quality can either suck, or be really good. Also if you've got lots of wireless signals around a cheap headset is gonna pick up a lot of background, making the problem worse. Not to mention most BT headsets are uncomfortable for long periods of time.
jlsonline Nov 29th 2007 8:50PM
I use an Iasus NT3 throat mic. Cost me about 80 bucks but it doubles as a paintball / airsoft mic.
I can't imagine anything more comfortable that still allows me to use my surround sound speakers :)
Argent Nov 29th 2007 8:40PM
i used to use logitech and plantronics headsets, but they would wear out in a matter of about 3-4 months (almost always the same thing: something in the in-line volume control would die/fry/give out and that was that.)
for a while i used my regular stereo headphones and a $6 clip on mic and that was moderately satisfying, except for the lack of an easy to use mute button.
i finally this summer (after a lot of hemming and hawing) decided to plonk down $100 and got a set of sennheiser pc-166 headphones and have been very happy with them overall. sound is great, the mic is amazing and after 5 months, it's still working!
(i did get a 3 year warranty on it, though.)