I would like some ear warmers...

[=98=]

So, i found out the other day that i have ears, and i was thinking tonight, i really need something to put over them to keep them warm (University heating doesn't work).

So, i set aside £40 for a new headset. Can someone suggest one that is good for gaming and music (not bothered about films)? I do have a relatively small head, i don't know if that comes into play anywhere.

Enigma suggested these, what do you think?

Thanks!

EDIT: I have an X-Fi, and i see some headsets are USB. Should i be looking for 3.5mm jack ones, or does it not matter, i'll still get the full X-Fi experience?

[TheEn|gma]

Disclaimer: I didn't suggest anything, Alex asked where I got my headset from and I kindly provided a link. I will be not responsible for any Spawn's creek flowing from undisclosed locations

On the other hand I love them

[camper.]

Speedlink Medusa, cream of the crop. Make sure you get the 5.1 version with standard analogue jacks.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/106186

Currently got these which are crappy clones of the above but are pretty damn good themselves. Very warm on the ears

Not sure about these but it's the newest iteration of the medusas: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=402843

Seems to be USB-powered only, still uses the PC's sound card (i.e. 3.5mm jacks and a USB power cable). Only get 3.5mm jack audio if you want it to use your sound card.


Considering you have an X-Fi, a stereo headset using virtual surround would be much better. As silly as that sounds...

Feel spendy?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grado-SR80-GRADO-SR-80-HEADPHONES/dp/B000G3LCQC/ref=pd_sbs_ce_img_1

[=98=]

The only problem with the Speedlink Medusa's is that i already have my speakers plugged in.

I was kind of hoping they ran off a single 3.5mm jack which i could plugin to the speakers break out control box rather than have to plugin all four cables, and then switch one when I wanted speakers or headset.

[Scinto]

no front panel audio jacks on that case of yours?

[=98=]

Yea, but how do i connect them up?

Motherboard or on the sound card itself?

[Bisley_Bob]

I used to have a speedlink medusa, it was very good until one day it broke itself for no reason. I now have a set of Sennheiser PC151 headphones. Personally i rate the Sennheisers above the medusas.
As for your question abut plugs and whatnot with the medusa, all the millions of audio jacks from your soundcard go into the breakout box which cleverly has an audio out jack which you can plug your speakers into, so you wont be snorting dust under your desk for 5 mins everytime you want to switch.

[Stormy{CAN}]

I have an X-Fi, and i see some headsets are USB. Should i be looking for 3.5mm jack ones, or does it not matter, i'll still get the full X-Fi experience?

If you buy USB headphones you can pull the X-Fi as it will not be used at all.

Assuming that your speakers provide a headphone jack, do yourself a favor and get a decent set of stereo headphones. Then plug them into the jack on the speakers, with the speaker setting set to 5.1 in the Windows audio settings and headphones in the X-Fi controls (can also use CMSS3D).

As for connecting the front panel to the X-Fi you will need one of these,

http://www.x-tap.com/

or you can make your own,

http://audigy2zshowto.blogspot.com/

[[MyIS]Dan]

Well, time for my 2cents

The ones tha TheEnigma pointed out, look good but are USB meaning when using em, your sound card wont be helping it (Last set of USB ones I had installed their own driver and my sound card did nothing )

The Speedlink ones are nice, very nice, but I gave up after my 3rd set breaking. First I had the USB set, they broke randomley. Then I got my X-Fi sound card so got another set of Speedlink (With the audio plugs so I could use my sound card) the mic broke after six months, then a year later same thing happend again. Heh must be bad luck. So I went and got another pair (Half price ) same thing happend again. Bye bye Speedlink.

Then I got my Razer Barracuda headset and wuv it. And if you want your speakers in at the same time, just use spliters.

[Chris_Redfield]

From my own experience, aswell as experience of people in music business (DJs and the like) whom I know.

In simple terms. If you want music and videos, and a headset. You have to buy a very high quality stereo headset. Theres a wide selection of them, and youll find reviews off the net, but the price is steep and even goes above Medusas, which in gaming are considered the "cream of the crop" (linestealer).

If you want a gaming set, 5.1, youll find that Medusas are praised everywhere. Very good players at SWAT4, I used to play with, praised Medusas and suggested them over anything else. SWAT4 is a game that relies heavily on sound and location (not just footsteps, but carpet material and the like).

[=98=]

hmmm... i like the Medusa's, but there is a lot of people saying they break easily. I'm quite tempted to try them, and if they break, so be it, i RMA them, but i have to find a version of them that isn't USB.

[camper.]

hmmm... i like the Medusa's, but there is a lot of people saying they break easily. I'm quite tempted to try them, and if they break, so be it, i RMA them, but i have to find a version of them that isn't USB.

Read the description, it usually will tell you. From what I gather, there are three versions - full on USB, USB-powered with 3.5mm audio jacks and 3.5mm audio jacks with amplifier. You want the last one, ideally.


These would be the stuff dreams are made of...

[=98=]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=402843

I went for those in the end. If they break, RMA, if not, they look awesome.

Apparently they vibrate, so likelyhood is that i'll have a brain tumour by the end of the year...

[Hellsent 2.0]

Wtf vibrating headset...weeeeird....Imagine an air strike in cod4 with those on full volume..lol youre brain are gonna be smeared across youre bedroom

[Chris_Redfield]

I had Phillips 2.1 vibrating headset. The vibration is merely a bass-substitute. Was a great headset though.