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Recently, I have had an issue where sound is notably weaker with the left side. A Friend of mine just got a brand new headset and is experiencing the same issue.

Mine is a G930, his is a H540. I have read different reasons for this, most point to chrome and the flash player, but I am not sure if that's related to us or not. Anyone else experience this, and or have a fix?

I'm actually testing a G930 out right now. I only use it for PlanetSide 2, though (I use my regular speakers for other stuff). Haven't noticed the problem you are describing. Have you tried turning off the surround sound mode?

I actually have an older, cheaper set - H390 - they've been great for about two years with no issues. I've had what you have in some previous sets from Plantronics and a much older set of Logitech. That previously was a sign that the wiring was going bad on those headsets. Typical use for my Logitech headsets have been about 2-3 years with lots of usage.

Do you have any examples of Flash/YouTube videos where you hear this problem? I'm listening to some YouTube videos in Chrome and I don't hear a problem (assuming the video's audio is mixed properly).

Is there a way in PS2 to make the voice comms come over the headset with game sound through the speakers? I've done it with discreet voice comms, but voice seems to go over the speakers in PS2 (meaning I will never use voice comms in PS2 :p

Yes, in Audio pick the output as your speakers and in Voice pick the output as your headset. I wouldn't talk if you have that setup, though, as you'll likely get a feedback loop.

I have the G930 too, no issues. Though surround sound turned on does make it funky, so make sure that is off.

There's no way to get a feedback loop if you do game audio to speakers and voice audio to headset. But folks will be able to hear you getting shot when you start whining over vchat. Usually not a problem as long as you have PTT rather than Vox (which would only apply to TS or Vent I think, no Vox setting for PS vchat).

Yeah, feedback is more of an issue with speaker playing the voice, because the mic can pick that up, unlike the headphones.

I just bought a logitech headset as a replacement for my old creative labs.  I hate it.  Sounds tinny and the headphones are utter shit.  I will NEVER buy another logitech headset again.  They are utter shit.

Which one did you buy?

This one.  (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104214)

You get what you pay for :awesome_for_real:

If you don't have a big head get something like this instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106157 (out of stock at Newegg currently)

No, like I said I only read about it. I do not even know if its our issue or not, but it seems to be common recently with headsets. Its not content being played by them that's the issue, its something that chrome and or flash does to your sound system/drivers.

Speaking of, you have the wireless, does yours also ping everyone on vent when you turn the power on and off on the headset?

I think I may just go with the wired version....


Yeah, that's been off. In windows. I Need my 7.1!  :cry:

Haven't tried it in Ventrilo.

I have used the G330 for like the last 10 years.

Wow, Nebu, I've got the same one and my son and I fight over who gets to use it lol.  Then again mine is like 3 years old I think.

I'm really confused on some of it anymore, some don't need a sound card, some do, some see to be really comfortable, but then setting up the games can be a pain.

What would be awesome is for them to have one that types what you are saying for some of the MMOG's I've played (WoW currently) and be able to talk in Vent or Teamspeak when needed.  Same with FPS.  And have great sound!  I was amazed how good WoW sounds as I've had shitty speakers for years and always played with the sound off.  It is like a new game at times.

Has anyone tried Razor products?

In almost every market they participate in, Razer makes flashy, stylish products with lots of 'on the box' features that are inferior (usually in terms of longevity/build quality) to directly competing products.  I've been using a Tritton AX180 (http://www.trittonaudio.com/prod/ax180.asp) headset that isn't too terrible (that my brother picked up for $30 on clearance at Target) for quite some time now and would recommend it if you can find it discounted - $70 is a bit steep for what they are.

You all are making me ashamed of my $30 Dynex headset.   :why_so_serious:

My wallet and it's $20 cyber acustics headset laughs at all of you.

I'm now using a pair of earbuds and a $10 mic.  I like it much better. 

I needed something to pad out my xmas list. I am now the proud owner of these.

http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Gaming-Headset/dp/B002Q8IHDQ (http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Gaming-Headset/dp/B002Q8IHDQ)

Id never spend this much of my own money on headphones, but I am very happy with these on my head. My favorite part about them is that I can wear em for extended gaming sessions with my glasses without any pain from pinching or whatever.

I ended up with the NaVi (DOTA 2 team) branded version because they were slightly cheaper. I then managed to immediately reel off 9 wins in a row in DOTA 2 while wearing them. DOTA 2: now officially pay2win.

Here is a list of points I would like in my next headset.

1. Wired.
2. 7.1 sound
3. Something I can still hear the room I am in. Big downside to my current headset is I can't hear my girlfriend even when shes in the room, leading to one ear cup off the head.
4. Flexible boom.

Open to suggestions.

Why wired?

Ever been playing Planetside with me when I just drop out right in the middle of orders/talking? Annoying, and plugging in causes my headset to turn on and off repeatedly. I'm over it.  Perhaps it just does not hold a charge anymore, or something, but I think I'm over it.

Unless someone suggests a really elegant charging system, I suppose. I do morn the loss of being mobile with my headset.

Uggg,.... Then i see this http://www.astrogaming.com/a50-wireless-system

  :awesome_for_real:

I have a G35 and love it, it fits all your needs BW except the hearing something in the room part. It is full over-the-ear, which is the only thing I'd ever consider. I hate getting sounds mixed together, and over the ear is far far more comfortable for long-term use than one that sits in contact with my ears, personally.

Almost all the 7.1 headsets are closed back and most are circumaural as well. In theory the Sennheiser PC163D (http://www.sennheiserusa.com/gamer-headset-gaming-computer-headset-pc-usb-mac_504128) comes closest to what you are looking for though I question how much outside noise you can actually hear through the left ear pad (the one with the boom mic).

I own the G930 and the sound quality and voice transmission is great.  My only complaint is that it will reset quite often while in use (every 30mins or so usually).  This is a known interference problem with the headset as it uses 2.4Ghz radio and the older sets are on the more frequently used radio channels.  This wasn't an issue when I lived outside of town, but at my current townhouse it can get annoying. 

I have the Steelseries 5Hv2 (http://steelseries.com/products/audio/steelseries-5hv2) at home; it meets all your requirements except #2, and I honestly can't tell the difference anyway. They sound excellent. The retractable mic is awesome; stow the fucker when you're watching a movie, pull it out when you're ready to tell some motherfuckers to open fire.

If you want to step it up and get something that looks a bit flashier as well as having an incredibly nice, clear sound, try the Siberia V2 (http://steelseries.com/products/audio/steelseries-siberia-v2).

Linked is the corded version; I have the Frost Blue edition, which is a USB headset and has two additional features - LEDs in the ear-cups so you look like something out of TRON, and an "active noise-cancelling mic". Haven't really noticed the difference with the mic, but the sound quality is fantastic and the ear-cups have very soft, sound-damping foam ringing them. Super-comfy for long-term wear, and for me they cut down on noise distractions from coworkers.

(Also, TRON.)

They're both priced at a premium, however. I've had my 5HV2s for about 3 years now, and they're just as good as day 1.

I'm not sure how they rate against other brands, but I only purchase headset mic combos from Plantronics. Their products normally work flawlessly for years. In fact I get a new pair every three of four years. Only because the padding starts to deteriorate after the thousands of hours of use. I generally go with analog over the ear. Plantronics over the ear are amazing if you physically have a large head.

I have to replace the one at our front desk like every 6 months. Granted, that's heavier use than a gamer will see.

Apparently you don't play MMO's!  :why_so_serious:

He types pretty fast.

I 2nd Ingmar's endorsement of the G35. I have them and they are great. Only gripe might be the bulk of these things, they are pretty heavy but other than that they sound great, the mic works excellently and they are really comfortable.

Also I have a really big head and they fit me just fine, which is sometimes hard to find.

I've found that the USB headsets just don't have the sound quality and clarity of line level inputs.  Have you found this to be the case with the G35 at all?

USB is win, in all cases. Unless you have a discrete sound card. IMO.

I bought THIS motherfucker (http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/gamecom-380) a little over a year ago for $50. It has truly been the best pair of headphones/gaming headset I've ever owned. The range of sound is almost as good as studio headphones, they are fairly comfortable since the ear pieces are larger than most headsets and don't pinch my glasses against my head as much and what little I've used the mic, it's been pretty good. I bought my wife a pair too and she finally broke hers about a month ago. She is HARD on headsets, usually going through one about every 3-4 months. The Best Buy protection plan came in handy. Unfortunately, Best Buy doesn't seem to have them in the stores anymore so she had to settle for the next step down but still a good pair.

Can you hear each other while you have THOSE MOTHERFUCKERS on?

Perhaps that's the beauty in his choice.

I haven't noticed any issues with it, no - at least it isn't worse than onboard sound, which isn't usually very exciting. If I had some high end sound card then I'd go with a line input, though.

I thought we had moved beyond your problems.  :awesome_for_real:

Just send her a tell like civilized people.

I just wanted to thank you guys (especially Haemish) for this thread.  I picked up a pair of Plantronics 780 Headphones (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZS5ATM/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00) and they are amazing.  Best $60 I've spent in a while. Very well built and the surround sound is great while gaming.

I'll make an argument for a wireless headset. (http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/audio-995)

Why? Because you can't run out the slack when there's no wire.  :grin:

I bought a pair of these a while back, and they've already paid for themselves, by virtue of not needing to be replaced.

I have the G930 wireless headset and it's awesome. Qualityis good, they are chunky and solidly built. Sound quality is excellent and they are very comfortable to wear.

I ended up picking up another G930 myself. Devil you know and all that.

Seconded.

It's fantastic.  Sound quality is top notch, comfortable and the wireless is good for like 15'-20' depending on walls.

Also the mic works perfect.

I tried out my son's Turtle Beach for Xbox 360, they are nice and sound awesome, but the headset was a little too big. I ended up getting Plantronics - GameCom 780 ( http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/gamecom-780 ). Very nice! I have been missing out on sound for years, this is really making gaming fun again. My only bitch is that the ear's are not quite comfortable but feel sturdy for long play. The top doesn't support enough in that it feels a little too big again. But for $ 80.00 usd, it is really nice, installed easy, sounds great, decent fit and comfort, sounds awesome, and works great talking to other. Oh came with a free Steam game "Orcs must Die" too.

I don't think I can ever go back to gaming w/o sound now.

Jimbo, make sure you turn on the dolby surround.  It makes gaming awesome. 

The headphones relax a bit over time.  Mine are much more comfortable now than they were a month ago. 

Thanks! Yes I have the dolby surround on, it is wonderful. I hope it does get a little more comfortable, but it is great. Thanks all.

I dabbled with the G930s but just didn't like them.  They squeaked alot.  I've used the Corsair Vengeance 2000 wireless 7.1's for about the last year and love them; plus they're not too heavy.   I get signal from one side of the house to the other.  Bonus if you're like me and have a huge fuckoff head and ears that poke out a bit because they fit wonderfully.  Probably not so much if you have a scary tiny baby head.

Plantronics makes nice, quality well built stuff (especially for the price), but they make my head (and ears) feel like they're in a vice.  Trittons were SHIT. 

The Vengeance 2000 doesn't fit my mongo-sized head as well as the G930. I like the ergonomics on the V2000 better than the G930 (e.g. the power button on the G930 is way too fucking small) but I use the G930 for my PS2 sessions since it's more comfortable on my head and ears (I wear glasses so ear pressure or lack thereof is important).

Figured since it was somewhat relevant, I'd just necro this one..

While I love the idea of wireless headsets, they're just not there yet.  Same for 5.1 (or 7.1) surround, whether real (AX720, Astro, etc) or simulated (pretty much every other 5.1/7.1 headset).  I picked up a set of Razer Tiamat 2.2 on the relative cheap and I am extremely impressed with them.  Spectacular fitment for my big head/pokey ears, really good sound for the price, and unbelieveable sound isolation.  The sound iso is almost too good.  Each can houses 2 40mm drivers - which can make your ears get a little toasty.  Nevertheless, they are LOUD with good low and mid range.

So if you're in the market for a new set of cans, take a look at these.