Gaming Headphones Reviews

Let’s get wired for sound. Nothing beats good headphones when it comes to gaming. Realistic sound can make or break your gaming experience, and you need to know the low down on who’s got the best of the best when it comes to the headgear.

The headset with a microphone is a must for first person shooters for MMORPGS. Interaction with your teammates makes it more realistic and allows to coordinate attacks effectively.

Logitech G35 7.1

You can’t go wrong with these cans. These are set with second generation Dolby technology and you might swear you were really there. The design of the ear enclosure ensures that you get noise reduction and none of that unwanted sound. The microphone also eliminates background noise to boot. It comes with headbands that are exchangeable and customizable to your size. These headphones go for around $90, and they are well worth the money.

Bose QuietComfort

Bose has always been a staple in the sound industry. You won’t be disappointed that they’ve broken into the gaming industry with headphones either. These ones are expensive at $349, but if you’ve got the money to shell out they are a smaller design to fit the head better and come with great noise reduction. People have reported that even the noise of being on a train is reduced when they wear these headphones. They are also very compact because they fold flat and can fit into a small space.

Nokia BH-05 High-Performance Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

These headphones are equipped with state of the art noise reduction technology. They come in a wired or wireless variety. It has a built in noise cancellation unit so all that distracting outside noise won’t bother your gaming. It also has one touch keys that allow you to switch from calls to music. These will run you about $175.

Sennheiser HD 280 – Headphones

These cans are big, padded and really comfy. They have been built to give you a professional sound quality that you don’t come across every day. And they are actually as sturdy as they look. These headphones come with collapsible ear cups for easy storage and easy replacement if something breaks. These headphones have a 9 foot detachable cord that’s made from quality copper. The detachable cord makes it easy to replace if you have the need.

If you’re looking for the best gaming headphones, check these out and you won’t go wrong.

When it comes to getting the most out of a video game there are two things that you need to be concerned about, the picture quality and the audio quality. While a computer game may limit the extent of how much adjustment you can play with, when it comes to audio quality it is easy to get the most out of any gaming experience if you have something like the Razer Banshee StarCraft 2 Gaming Headset within your grasp. This is due to the fact that the right headset can alter a gaming experience completely setting you down into the actual virtual environment and making you feel as if you are actually a part of the world.

With this thought in mind, you want to make sure that you invest in the best headset that offers all of the finest audio qualities without paying too much for the name. After all, you want a headset that offers you qualities such as optimal sound isolation and outer noise cancelation but you do not need to pay out the price of a dozen games to get this quality if you look at sets such as the Razer Banshee StarCraft 2 Gaming Headset.

Weighing in at only two pounds, this surprisingly dynamic headset is able to offer its own lighting system built into the portable design of the headset and the optional detachable mic boom making it simple to pack up and hit the road. This added transport feature is great for gamers who spend time on the move either on rail or air and like the idea of getting the entire experience even while away from home. In fact, its portability is one of the main reasons why the Razer Banshee StarCraft 2 Gaming Headset is as popular as it is.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that the volume and mic controls are built directly into the Razer Banshee StarCraft 2 Gaming Headset so that you can adjust as needed without worrying about the computer game or leaving full screen mode which any gamer can tell you is a highly sought after feature.

Features at a glance:

• Circumaural Earcups for optimal sound isolation
• APM – Lighting System
• Portable Design & Detachable Mic Boom
• Volume & Mic Control Buttons on the Headset
• Circumaural Design with 50mm Driver Units

Testimonials from Amazon:

Read the full review here

Weighing at only two pounds making them a lightweight choose despite the fact that the padded earmuffs are able to snuggly offer you the surround sound that musicians value and enjoy, the SteelSeries 7H USB Gaming Headset with Virtual Surround 7.1 Sound is a great buy for those who want an affordable headset that is easy to wear and easy to see the value out of. The ear cushions are even interchangeable so that you can hear cloth or through leather if you prefer to add a noise dampening effect to the overall sound.

This is not the only reason to take a second look at the SteelSeries 7H USB Gaming Headset however, because the professional headset also offers 50mm driver unit capability so that you can hear every acoustic detail as you are playing regardless of whether you are plugged into your own instrument or simply listening to your own favorites on the stereo. Also welcome is the fact that there is a hidden microphone in the set that can be extended at any time and utilized which is great if you are a musician that spends a great deal of time in the studio working out small details or your music and layering vocals since you can instantly hear how the overlay would sound via the headset.

Finally, if this is not enough to convince you to take another look at the affordable SteelSeries 7H USB Gaming Headset, you may be intrigued by the fact that the headset is extremely travel friendly can be easily broken apart into four different pieces so that ti can be stored in a flat suitcase of slid into a backpack until you are ready to take them back out again. This makes them a great choice for air travel and even for daily travel as you can easily store them while not in use but have them back together in just seconds as you soon as you are on the road again.

Features at a glance:

• Optimized soundscape for crystal clear high, low and mid-tones
• Interchangeable ear-cushions for both hear-through cloth and noise dampening leather
• 50 mm driver units provide a rich reproduction of all acoustic details
• Pull-out, invisible microphone
• Travel friendly and can be dismantled into 4 separate pieces

Testimonials from Amazon:

Arthur Aszman: Putting the headset on for the first time felt like putting on a pair of my favorite broken-in shoes. First off, compared to the Zowie – they are *amazingly* light, you won’t believe it. They also come with a “Pleathery” earcup already on the speakers, but they offer a foam replacement. Let’s talk about the Pleather though – this pleather is very uncommonly soft – something you can’t see from the pictures. Even after hours of gaming, I didn’t even notice they were there. The light weight and very high comfort means they fit and feel as snug as a hat. One final touch – even insignificant to most – is how the microphone works. When not being used, it can retract back into the headset as if it doesn’t exist. *However* when it is in use, it comes out *just* far enough to get good sound, but not far enough to block your mouth. So; in late night gaming sessions you can drink your Mountain Dew totally unimpeded by the microphone.

Now let’s talk about craftsmanship. Right out of the box you can tell they had the late night gamer in mind. In the past, half my earphones broke because they would get caught on my chair and they’d rip off my head. Steelseries 7h is completely *modular*. From the wire that connects to the computer to the headset itself, it all comes apart. Too much tension on the wire and it simply disconnects from the headset. Now – if you’re like me – you might be worried that it could be too loose and fall out. I’ve tested that – even on the floor, I can pick the headset up by the wire without any feeling that it might fall out. Now, if you’re really a skeptic you might say ” what about the wire itself? ” — and I’m going to sound like a late-night commercial, but there really is *MORE*. The wire itself is made out of very thick braided cord, and seems very durable.

Finally, the sound. To be honest, I’m no sound expert – but to say I don’t notice a difference would be completely laughable. Even compared to the Zowie Hammer, you’ll hear sounds you’ve never heard before in games. I was completely amazed by how much these earphones picked up, and you will be too.

Read the full review here

Angelo G Casa: Great headset, had it for a few days now and sounds so much better than the Logitech G930 that I’m returning to Amazon. Sound is very crisp and sounds great while playing World of Warcraft, make sure to set it to 8Ch to get the best sound while gaming. Music and Youtube also sound great when in use. Would highly recommend this headset to anyone who wants a great experience while gaming. Out of the newer lines of headsets I’ve used the World of Warcraft USB headset, and the Logitech G930 wireless headset and the Steelseries 7H is the superior in my opinion. Will update this review if needed in the future.

Read the full review here

If you are looking for a basic gaming headset that offers you everything you need to have a great audio experience while playing your favorite PC games then you may want to take a second look at the Sony DR-GA500 PC Gaming Audio Headset. Offering everything that you would expect from a top of the range headset such as 7.1 inch digital surround sound headset equipped for 3D sound, the headset is unique since it still is set at an affordable price making it an excellent choice.

The 3D sounds capabilities are not the only thing that the Sony DR-GA500 PC Gaming Audio Headset has to offer however, as the affordable headset also have plenty of other features to offer those who take advantage of the website including FPS, OFF, and Surround. Plus, since it has 40mm driver units it also helps create the excellent sound without too much distortion from the way the game designers meant your sound to be with a much deeper bass.

When you buy the Sony DR-GA500 PC Gaming Audio Headset you are not just purchasing a great sound experience, you are also purchasing a comfortable gaming experience due to the fact that the headset sports an ergonomic design to make long playing sessions much more natural without sacrificing the comfort of your ears. This will be a welcome feature to those that start to feel a bit cramped after a few hours of game play with regular earphones or even worse, ear buds.

As if this is not enough, the Sony DR-GA500 PC Gaming Audio Headset also sports a noise-canceling mic so that the only sounds that you broadcast to others across the gaming network are the words that you want. This will help make the gaming experience better for you and for other gamers on the network since there will be less outside disturbances as you play your favorite games. At only three pounds, the headset is also easy enough to carry around with you on a regular basis.

Features at a glance:

• 7.1ch Digital Surround Sound Headset for 3D sound
• Special Effect Settings: FPS, Surround, and Off
• 40mm driver units for deeper bass and less distortion
• Ergonomic design, for long-lasting comfort and sound
• Compact noise-canceling microphone

Testimonials from Amazon:

Scope: Pros:
- very comfortable, i can wear these for hours and i have a big head and ears, it does make a difference how you wear then, i have to keep the band forward close to my forehead. they’re also very light, you can barely feel them.
- they are open air, so your ears will not sweat (it is winter, we’ll see in the summer)
- mids and highs are great, the best i’ve heard, too little bass but it’s very clean, talking via vent sounds like people are there next to you, very good quality
- they look very cool
- don’t have to use sound processor, you can plug in headphones directly to pc

Cons:
- little bass…..there is a switch on the box that it comes with which is on FPS by default, this setting will remove any remaining bass and most mids so that you can hear foot steps easier, switching to surround mode will play all frequencies
- There is occasional popping, no big deal, it may be something with my onboard soundcard or pc static related.
- using EQ that comes with soundblaster causes bad static that makes them sound like they have broken speakers especially when bass plays, so you have to leave it off/flat
- price

Read the review here

One look at the futuristic box design of the Sennheiser PC350 Collapsible Gaming Headset with volume control and microphone muting should give you the feeling that this is a headset that is serious about its gaming capabilities. If it does, then you would be right because the gaming headset is equipped with both many features for long term gaming comfort and many features to make the audio experience you get while playing one of the best that you will ever have.

The first major and distinctive feature of the Sennheiser PC350 Collapsible Gaming Headset is the fact that it comes with circumaural closed construction around the ears so that any outside noise does not interfere with your gaming experience. By blocking out the ambient noise you can lose yourself inside of the world of the gaming environment making the experience much richer and overall worthwhile for the player.

In addition, the large cups that encircle your ear aiding in your audio delight are made for comfort so that if you choose to play long role playing games or simply play for awhile on any of the large social networking game sites comfort will never be an issue with the 1.6 pound Sennheiser PC350 Collapsible Gaming Headset. In fact, after a while it is likely that you will simply forget that you are even wearing headphones given how light and easily adjustable the headset is.

Audio quality is also stepped up when it comes to communication within the game as the Sennheiser PC350 Collapsible Gaming Headset comes with a microphone that as mentioned is able to block out outside noises quite well. This may not be as appreciated by you as it will be by other players, but still, it is nice not to have to listen to the reverb in your ears as the mic will pick up only what you want it to making it the perfect social companion.

Features at a glance:

• Closed circumaural construction shuts out disturbing ambient noise
• Large size ear cups for comfortable wearing during long gaming sessions
• Large size microphone for highest intelligibility
• Collapsible for easy transport
• Volume control with microphone mute

Testimonials from Amazon:

Michael L Yach: I had been looking for a new headset for a long while. I’ve used Logitech, Plantronics and no-name brands over the years. I’ve always struggled with trying to find a headset that was comfortable to wear for hours on end (I wear glasses plus play games for long stretches) that also had excellent sound quality both for me and from the mic.

Until I bought the PC350s, I had yet to find a headset that would satisfy me.

They are very well made, they sound amazing, they’re comfortable (although a little heavy, but not too bad).

I did not buy mine from [...], since I was able to find it elsewhere for nearly $[...] less. I did have to wait nearly 3 weeks to get them, though, since they are so new.

Read the full review here

R Collado Jr: I own a few headsets (Logitech Pro, AD700,Sens595, TBx1,x4) I play competitive level for Call of Duty games and Halo. Before I purchased the pc350 I was using my Sens 595 or my AD700 with the zalman mic. The sound stage is great BUT the issue is the mic. I have a fan or ac blowing in the room not to mention my two dogs, the mic picks up that sound. I need a more versatile and adaptable headset w/ mic. The AAI found the PC350. The first time I used it i thought this headset was terrible. I read posts on audiophile sites and one big thing is you have to burn it in. I have never believed in it, I always thought it’s a myth BUT it works. I connected my PC350 to my spare PC and just had it run hours and hours of music (ranges for hip,hip,rock,house music,ambient,white noise) make sure it’s random. after 100+ hours I cannot believe my ears it’s like a total different headset out of the box with booming highs,lows,mids and bass (YES is said bass) +I use an ASTRO MixAmp+. Also, is see in hear people giving negative reviews for music? who cares, this headset is made for GAMING. To me the sound stage is EXCELLENT just like my ad700 and the mic is super clear. People online tell me that my voice is the clearest that they have ever heard from anyone. The exact words was “my voice sounds CRISP”

note- mic on this DOES not pick up my fan nor my dogs. If you have a soft low voice or you whisper the mic will not pick it up. You have to talk “normal” tones.

ps: as far as negatives nothing yet so far

Read the full review here

When it comes to gaming, the entire experience can be enhanced with the right high quality headset since hearing the gaming sounds over the PC speakers will never be as realistic as hearing them through a great headset such as the Razer Megaloden 7.1 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset. This is due to the fact that with a high quality headset you will feel as if you are actually sitting inside of the game making it much more lifelike and that much more enticing.

To help make the games really come alive to you the Razer Megaloden 7.1 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset has plenty of features built into it to offer suburb audio sound. For instance, inside of the four pound headset is the patented Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine that helps make sure your audio comes out clear and loud. Add in the fact that the headset also has onboard audio processing and you can guarantee that you will get the top audio experience possible from any game.

If this is not enough to sell you on the Razer Megaloden 7.1 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset you will want to take a look at the integrated digital sound processor that helps to make sure that each sound is presented separately via the headphone cups, instead of in just one big blurb so that you can appreciate each individual sound. Add in the noise filtering feature that makes sure that unwanted sounds do not get through and distract you, and what you have is a headset that will turn your gaming experience into an audiovisual delight.

Of course, a true gaming headset would not be complete without a microphone, but the Razer Megaloden 7.1 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset has this covered since it also offers an amplified microphone that is easily adjustable and capable of picking up your voice and relaying it to other players without any outside interference. This way you can communicate easily with other players so that you can get the most out of your interactive PC gaming.

Features at a glance:

• Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine
• Onboard Audio Processing
• Noise Filtering, Amplified Microphone
• Integrated Digital Sound Processor
• 7.1 Surround Sound

Testimonials from Amazon:

R Holley: I bought pre-ordered this headset from Razer’s website a few days before they were released. I eagerly popped the awesome packaging open (watch Razer’s unboxing video on YouTube if you haven’t already) and threw them on.

The Megalodon’s are by far the most comfortable computer headphones I’ve worn. The headband padding is cushy and keeps the headset from feeling too heavy on your noggin. The earcups, which go around your ears, are very soft and padded well. If anyone owned the Barracudas, some people (myself included) had issues where their ears would actually rest directly on the speakers and get sore after a while. Not with these babies! The padding is excellent and the earcups are very deep.

The mic is permanently attached and can rotate 270 degrees. The control pod is easy to use and let’s you adjust the volume of each individual speaker channel and the bass separately. You can also of course switch between 2.1 and 7.1 modes with the press of a button.

Read the full review here

Brian S Lubeski: First off this thing is amazing. Just the packaging it comes in is coo. As soon as I opened it I had my laptop on plugged it in and put it on. It worked without having to configure anything. So easy to use, the best sound quality ever, insane comfort, everything about this headset is almost to good to be true. Although my favorite thing about it is the braided wire. The wire does not get all messed up like a tradition wire and you dont get that anoying problem where you have to be constantly finding that sweet spot in the wire to make the sound work (some people should know what i am talking about). This is definently worth it.

Was using windows 7 and works like a charm.

Read the full review here

Gaming has really risen in popularity over the last few years as technology has grown to create games that almost seem lifelike at times. In fact, even some of the craziest sci-fi titles often appear to be real due to the 3D graphics and amazing audio effects that are now built into them. This said however, you will not be getting the most out of your gaming experience if you do not have the right type of headset to compliment your gaming experience like the Plantronics DSP500 Digitally Enhanced USB Gaming/Multimedia Stereo Headset and software.

This is due to the fact that a television or set of computer speakers are usually not enough to do real justice to the amazing audio tracks that most game designers now chalk their titles full of. In fact, there is usually multi-layered audio and thick effects included in every major title that are worth taking a closer listen to, but unless you have a great set such as the Plantronics DSP500 Gaming Headset and software that makes it work effectively, you will be missing out.

Made especially for use with multimedia gaming applications, the Plantronics DSP500 Gaming Headset is able to offer a digital signal processor that creates excellent stereo sound every time that is easily broadcast through the 40mm speakers. Due to the size of the speakers, you get a great bass kickback as well which should leave you reeling after impact in one of the more intense role playing games which is pretty much how it should be anyhow.

Add in the QuickAdjust boom that is featured on the microphone that comes with the Plantronics DSP500 Gaming Headset and the fact that the headset only weighs one pound and you have a gaming set that is made for long haul sessions. In fact, after a few hours of play you may forget you are wearing a headset at all, that is until you get up for the restroom and get caught on the cord.

Features at a glance:

• Digital Signal Processor for digitally-enhanced stereo sound in multimedia applications
• 40 mm speakers for superior bass response
• High quality microphone with QuickAdjust boom
• Aggressive, cool design with strong appeal to gamers

Testimonials from Amazon:

Daniel C Long: Purchased this headset for Internet video conferencing and telephony (VOIP) purposes. The sound quality is exquisite — both through microphone and headset. Crystal clear and no humming or any other intrusive or distracting sounds.

While I personally find all headsets to be more or less uncomfortable, this one I can deal with quite well.

You will not have any regrets.

Read the full review here

Vipul Shah: Though DSP-500 is marketed by Plantronics for gaming, it is recommended for anyone watching movies on PC or listening to music on PC or using PC to make phone calls over internet. Thanks to its ultra-sensitive microphone and noise canceling technology these headsets are ideal for speech recognition software. IBM Via Voice Pro USB 10 ships with DSP-300 headset from Plantronics. If you are mobile professional carrying laptop, use DSP-400 which is smaller and foldable. Unlike regular analog headsets, Plantronics headsets don’t make you feel its weight even after hours of using it thanks to its very high quality design. All digitally enhanced USB headsets from Plantronics have same digital technology which recreates maximum clarity and have noise canceling microphone.

In past this author had used DSP-300 which was much lighter and smaller compared to DSP-500. Even though size of headset differs, when you wear it, both are equally comfortable and light on ear and head thanks to very light weight materials used. Unlike DSP-300 and DSP-400, DSP-500 uses 40mm speakers with 20Hz-20KHz frequency response. DSP-300 and DSP-400 uses 28mm speakers with 60Hz-16 KHz frequency response and hence unless you need mobility, stick to DSP-500. Also microphone on DSP-500 is more robust compared to DSP-300 which has delicate stick and keeps slipping after few months’ usage.

Speaker sound quality at any volume level is fabulous; it treats you theater like or concert experience which is never heard on ordinary or even expensive analog headsets. Speakers provide extremely high quality dynamic bass response with no crackling and perfect treble even at highest volume. It has perfect microphone ever made for voice recognition. It has 16-bit mono audio with 25dB noise rejection feature for background noise filter and frequency response of 100Hz-10Khz. Voice recording is perfect and ideal for conference calls or speech recognition. QuickAdjust microphone boom helps you keep it away from your face when eating and near your lips when speaking.

Installation is very easy. Just download latest drivers and PerSono application from Plantronics.com, don’t use drivers on CD as they may be older and also PerSono software is not included in CD. Because headset plugs to USB port, you can use your existing sound ports on PC for connecting to speaker sets and switch from speaker to headset using Control Panel or Plantronics PerSono application. This application also lets you select equaliser mode of voice, jazz, rock, classical, games etc. Unlike analog headsets, on this headset when you change volume using +/- buttons on cord, you will notice slider on your desktop volume control also changes.

Read the full review here

The Sennheiser PC 330 GAME Gaming Headset is an excellent affordable option for those who are regular gamers and need a headset that will both create better sound and allow for you to speak directly into the microphone making communication with other gamers a bit easier. In fact, the microphone feature is probably the number one reason that you are considering investing in a new computer headset, and you will not be disappointed by what this set has to offer.

With right ear couplets that operate on a swivel hinge so that gamers can feel as if they are speaking directly to their teammates when meeting up in LAN chat rooms and noise canceling that is professional based and enough to clean up any ambient noise, there is plenty of reasons to take a second look at the Sennheiser PC 330 Gaming Headset. The noise cancelling allows your conversations to be picked up without a flaw making game play just a bit more fun for everyone on both sides of the screen.

In addition, there is a microphone inside of the mic that will automatically mute if you lift up the boom which is great for times when you may need to shut off quickly, such as when you need to have a conversation with someone outside of the game and o not want to distract players. During the times that you are focused in on your gameplay you may want to think about investing in the Sennheiser PC 330 Gaming Headset simply due to the closed ear cup that will help keep surrounding noise out so that all you hear are the other players.

One last reason to take a look at the Sennheiser PC 330 Gaming Headset is due to the fact that the cord for the headset is quite long allowing you to easily move around or sit anywhere you like and still be able to hear what is going on around you in the game. It works great with Skype and other gaming platforms as well making it a versatile headset for wherever you play games.

Features at a glance:

• Swivel hinge on right ear cuplets gamers have direct contact with teammates during LAN parties
• Professional noise cancelling microphone reduces ambient noise for crystal clear conversations without the need to shout.
• Microphone automatically mutes when boom is lifted
• Closed ear cup design blocks out surronding noise to keep users focused on their game

Testimonials from Amazon:

Druidtank: Just got these headphones yesterday, and they are pretty awesome. The noise cancelling is the first thing I noticed (other than the ridiculously long cord). I can listen to music in class on full volume and really only the guy next to me can hear a little bit of something. The mic is great quality, everyone can hear me crystal clear over Ventrilo and Skype.

The only con I can find with these babies is the cup design. I’ve owned quite a lot of headphones/headsets in the past, and all have been circumural over-ear designs. On these however, the cup size is kind of smaller and is on your ear, more or less. Your ear isn’t inside of the cup, and if you’re not used to this, it can be fairly uncomfortable. I quickly got used to it though and am seeing no problems!

Read the full review here

The Sennheiser PC 163D Headset with Dolby Surround Sound for 3D Gaming is a great buy for those who want a lightweight but heavy duty performance out of their headset while gaming. Complete with a reasonably long cord, two jacks for ultimate sound and easy sound effects that ring clear through both of the tight fitting ear cups, and a converter USB cable for special gaming devices, the headset is an excellent match for gamers interested in all computer platforms.

Weighing in at only 1.6 pounds, the mid-sized Sennheiser PC 163D Gaming Headset is light enough to wear on a continual basis but not so paper thin that you have to worry about damaging them too much if you are an active player who really takes on the role they are playing. With an adjustable boom microphone that can be left wherever you are most comfortable with it and still pickup excellent audio, the headset is simply made for gaming convenience which is what makes it such a great buy.

Also convenient is the fact that the volume controls are located on the cord instead of on the headset so that it is always within reach and much easier to access. This way while you are gaming if you want to turn down the volume on your Sennheiser PC 163D Gaming Headset you can just reach towards your lap where you can see the actual control. This is much easier than fiddling with your headset looking for where the volume control is located and coming up empty or even worse having to actual take off the set to look disrupting your game in the process.

You will also find that the 7.1 surrond that is built into the Sennheiser PC 163D Gaming Headset is an enticing technology since you will feel as if you are actually inside of the game, making it a great deal more fun and much more realistic.

Features at a glance:

• Adjustable boom microphone
• Volume control with intergrated mute switch intergrated on the cord
• Sennheiser speakers delivers amazing air flow and awareness of surrondings
• 7.1 surrond powered by Dolby Headphone technology

Testimonials from Amazon:

C Cougar:
AUDIO
This headset sounds great with all the media that I have tried so far. I mostly use them for gaming, and games sound outstanding. It’s amazing all the new sounds you will hear in a game when using a good headset like this. The bass, mids, and treble all seem to be nicely tuned, making for a great audio gaming experience. There is also an inline volume control that allows you to easily adjust the volume.

SURROUND SOUND
WIth this headset you can either use the built in USB sound card and connect it to your USB port. Or if you have a soundcard, you can plug directly into it using the 3.5 mm jacks. I use the USB sound card option, and I was surprised how well it works. The sounds really appear to come from different directions, and with 7 channels, you are surrounded by all sorts of crystal clear sounds.

MICROPHONE
The microphone is very good and makes your voice sound firm, strong, and clear. I mostly use it for Vent, and everyone says how great it sounds. There is a inline mute switch that you can use to easily mute the mic. The mic can rotate all the way up when you are not using it.

COMFORT
This headset is very light, and honestly it does not feel like I am wearing them after a while. I can go hours without any discomfort. They barely squeeze at all, so it is a very gentle touch to your ears. But what I like the most is that the ear pads are covered by a soft velvety cloth, not that fake leatherette junk, which feels very soft and cuddly against the skin. The band is easily adjustable for different head sizes.

QUALITY
The headset seems to be very durable and made from tough plastic. It appears solidly built and made to last.

SOFTWARE
The installation was a breeze. Just download the driver, install it, and then adjust the settings to your liking. It even comes with a step by step instruction sheet for your operating system to guide you through everything.

COMPARISON
These are far superior to the Turtle Beach x41 in terms of the sound quality and comfort – the x41 doesn’t even come close to these in sound quality, and their fit is not as good. These are also far better than the Sennheiser 333D in terms of comfort and physical quality.

So overall I highly recommend this headset.

Read the full review here

When playing a video game there the aim of any session is to get the most authentic experience out of the video game possible; which is why you may want to take a second look at the Ear Force HPA2 5.1 Surround PC Gaming Headset. This is due to the fact that when you have 5.1 surround sound in your ears you can will feel the difference in the game and when combined with 3D most likely feel as if you are actually part of the game instead of just an observer.

One of the reasons that the Ear Force HPA2 Gaming Headset is able to offer such an authentic gaming experience is due to the fact that there are actually eight different speakers built into each speaker cup. Thus, each ear is getting the top quality of every sound that could be included in the video game audio combining to make your experience just about as exciting as possible. Add in the adjustable head strap that ergonomically fits over your head and you do not need to worry about them starting to wear on you.

What’s more, despite the fact the Ear Force HPA2 Gaming Headset is packed with features, it weighs in at under a hundred dollars on Amazon making it one of the cheapest, high quality headsets out there on the market. For just this small amount, you will get a built in amplifier that offers volume controllers for all of the audio channels so that you get only the best composite of sound. Toss in some independent controls so that you can adjust your treble and bass to your liking and you can have your game knocking in a very long time.

Other features included in the Ear Force HPA2 Gaming Headset are a smart mic that will help cancel out outside noise from being picked up from the chat mic and a USB connection that will work as an energy source so that you never have to worry about charging or plugging in.

Features at a glance:

• 5.1 Surround Sound – True 5.1 channel surround sound from 8 speakers
• Amplifier – Built in amplifier with volume controls for all 5.1 audio channels
• Independent Controls – Heart-thumping bass boost adds sonic realism
• Smart Mic – Eliminates game sounds picked up by chat mic
• Microphone Monitoring – A USB connection provides power – no AC adapters or batteries necessary

Testimonials from Amazon:

Kevin Quattro: I can’t believe how “right” Turtle Beach got these. It is rare that a manufacture actually makes a product that does everything exactly right. True 5.1 sound in headphones without cheesy DSP or simulation. Does NOT use it’s own crappy USB based sound card. So it works on ANY system. (no drivers needed). They place the ‘mic’ sound right in the middle of your head using the center channel speakers…so it doesn’t kill the stereo and surround sound when talking. They are VERY cozy. Wore for over 4 hours with no complaints. They don’t block outside noise so much that you can’t hear your phone ring. The mic is very clean sounding. The mini amp is USB powered! With separate channel controls in case your computer 5.1 audio sucks and doesn’t let you set levels. When watching Blurays I get about 85% of the sound with these that I get with my full blown $8,000 home theater system. I am not kidding. Put these on, watch any Michael Bay movie. You’ll poo your pants.

BUY THESE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR 5.1 HEADPHONE MOVIE WATCHING OR GAMING.

Read the full review here

Grieger: While there are plenty of headsets out there, few do 5.1 surround sound properly and this is one of them. I play FPSes and have played a lot of COD4 of late and a serious competitive advantage when playing is knowing where people are with surround sound. With most modern shooters supporting surround sound, these headphones really work well for me. I don’t know how many times people accused me of cheating because I knew where they were…they never considered how much noise they make running around like they do. It’s rock solid for gaming!

Sound quality with music is also really good, though I’m using iTunes with mp3s so I haven’t tried it with a 5.1 stereo system. I’ve got a Creative X-Fi card with the 5.1 ports on the back which I plugged direct into and used the splitter cables included to pass my regular speakers through. This way, I can switch to headphones at night so I don’t wake the wife.

Also, these suckers are big so you’re not gonna win any beauty contests with them (I feel like I should be piloting a helo or something) but because of that even big ears like mine are almost completely surrounded by the speakers/padding. You do feel them after a long while but this is something like four hours of near non-stop use. And, my big head fits well within these as well. One size does seem to fit all.

Read the full review here