So, as most of you know, I recently changed course and went down the “Daddy” path… Needless to say, this was unexpected and not something that I had really been prepared for. But I’m doing the best I can with everything, which includes some major downsizing… including moving my cool-@ssed office into the corner of the master bedroom.

Doing this forced me to re-think the entire setup, including the use of my kick-@ss 5.1 surround system I would use for games with an 8″ subwoofer. Can’t have the sounds of bullets ricocheting overhead and bombs going off¬† without giving my son PTSD. LOL

So, my saga begins with an online search, as I have become a research hound before buying anything these days. I looked at newegg.com, bestbuy.com, circuitcity.com, amazon.com and a host of other sites that had lots of reviews on headsets. Some were way out of my price range, while others were downright cheap, (both $$ and looks) and I knew would not fit the bill of what I was wanting/expecting.

So after much deliberation, and a case of “I gotta have it now”, I decided to head down to BestBuy and pick up:

First on the list: a Tritton Technologies Stereo Gaming Headset, model AX180:

Mine were different from what is pictured in that the ear surround was a fuzzy velour-type fabric, and not the pictured cushy vinyl.

These had some great features:

• Features two full-range speakers that deliver rich stereo audio
• Removable microphone provides smooth, reliable voice communication
• Offers USB mic support for PlayStation 3 and Mac/Windows; voice compatible with Xbox Live
• In-line audio controller features master volume control and mute, microphone mute and independent chat volume control
• Breakaway cable design offers options for MP3 and iPhone connectivity

Even with all of these features, however, the sound quality was pretty “meh”, even when driven right from my Soundblaster Audigy2 soundcard and eQ’d properly. It had decent bass for explosions and such, but the highs and midtones were flat. But the killer, for me, was the external bleed-over of sound. I could hear things going on in the room and across the house, which was distracting as hell in-game. A deal breaker for me, and they were on the next bus back to BestBuy. (which, as a side note, the returns guy told me they had huge numbers of these returned for various similar reasons. Would have been nice to have been told this when I looked earlier, but at least they returned without hassle)

Strike two: Zalman “Theatre 6″ headset:

Now these I ordered from Amazon.com, after again reading many reviews on various websites, but got over my “have to have it now” syndrome.

Again, a bunch of great features to this set:

• Real surround field comparable to a complete multi-channel speaker system and thus enhances directional, spatial, and realistic effects
• Enhanced spatial and realistic effects by separating front, rear, and center speakers
• Easy setup with sound card in your PC equipped with a DVD-ROM for games or DVD movies
• Excellent fidelity, enhanced localization of on-screen sound, clear dialogue and discrete sound audibility
• Ample 9.8-foot cord

The design of these is nice, and were pretty comfortable with an innovative, compact storage method with the way the phones flip in and against each other, but even with all of the innovations, the sound quality left a heck of alot to be desired. While there are truly multiple speakers in the headset, and it seemed to give full surround, (needed fine tuning – it was overpowering) the quality of the sound was in a word – horrible.

It was like listening to bad country songs on an old handheld, mono-speaker voice recorder while in a bathroom stall at a rest area.

Really… it was that bad. I don’t know why I didn’t pay attention to this, but if you look at the specs, these only cover the sound spectrum from 50hz-20khz. And 16ohm to boot.

Read my full inept review [ HERE ]

Third time is the charm: Seinnheiser HD280 Headset:

While not thought of as a “gaming” headset, Seinnheiser is known the world over by audio buffs for excellent sound quality, and these in particular are used by many nightclub DJs, so I thought these might fit the bill.

Features:

Now… these do lack some really “nice to have” features, such as inline volume control and a built in speaker, but the volume I can deal with via a volume control right on my FangPad. The built in mic I took care of with a clip-on speaker, also from Zalman: Zm-Mic1 High Sensitivity Microphone ( product HERE ) You guys have to let me know how my mic sounds, because I only have a rough idea.

All in all though, these things ROCK! The amount of sound they block out, coupled with the great sound diversity (mids are a little flat) really allows one to get into the game, and really pick up on sounds you would not normally hear. I have been on a number of servers where I have been accused of wall hacks because I could hear the person coming, and could see on the mini map that they were not teammates. Of course, I didn’t hear the end of it, and nothing I said or demonstrated made a difference…

These do get a little uncomfortable after long periods of play, but I haven’t gamed enough to break them in really. Even so, the cups around the ears are comfortable as hell, and I really can’t hear anything more than 2 feet away from me in the room, and even then, it’s really muffled. I have been yelled at a few times because I haven’t heard things… LOL

Again, some things that would be nice:

• In-line volume control
• Break away cord
• Built-in Mic (although easily solved)
• True 5.1 surround

But again, for under $100, these have been a GREAT pair of headsets, IMHO, and I would highly recommend them to anyone needing something similar. Definitely pick up that microphone too… makes an easy addition.

Hope you guys enjoy, and hope it helps others… if you have your own story, post it below…