Gaming headsets

[DickDalewood]

Re: Gaming headsets

I'd like to see some impressions once you pick these up. Currently trying to decide between getting a nice headset or a soundbar/surround sound setup.

Will do man!

[rspencer86]

Re: Gaming headsets

Read a lot of reviews on the Pulse and it sounds like the real deal. Might have to pick one up so I can crank up the sound when playing Borderlands 2 and NBA 2K13 and not have the people in the apartment below me banging on their ceiling.

[Burns11]

Re: Gaming headsets

I'm really hesitant to buy unheard, I'll watch for someone trustworthy to give a review before I think about it, the feature set does look nice though.

[rspencer86]

Re: Gaming headsets

Well I ordered one from Amazon, will have it tomorrow and will post some impressions once I get it set up and cranking.

[rspencer86]

Re: Gaming headsets

OK, been using them for about three hours non-stop now. Played some Madden, a little Borderlands 2 and listened to some music on Spotify on my iPhone with the provided audio cable.

Absolutely love 'em. First of all, they are comfortable, which is always a huge sticking point with me and headphones. The padding on the earcups is very soft and provide plenty of cushion while also creating enough of a seal to block out some level of ambient noise and allow the bass to really thump. I was even able to wear my glasses while using the headset, which sometimes can be a bit tricky in past experiences with other headsets.

The volume controls, mixer and bass controls are all located on the sides of the earcups and are easily accessible (once you train yourself where they are while wearing them). Other function buttons, such as mic mute and the surround sound toggle are also on the sides of the earcups. I might prefer the mic mute to be a tad bit easier to access, but I'm sure it will become easier once I use them more.

The sound is quite good. I listened to quite a mix of music (Rush, Rilo Kiley, Skrillex) and it all sounded great. The bass rumble feature is well done once you find the "right" level. Anything above the 66% mark on the dial made the vibration too pronounced and even a little annoying. Once I dialed it back a bit though, it was outstanding. I was loving how the drums sounded on Rush's "Limelight" that I was air-drumming all around the apartment.

One thing to know about the surround sound feature: don't expect it to perform like a true 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup would. It's there and it works pretty well, but it won't blow your mind.

The mic works great and the people I was in a party with in Borderlands said my voice was coming through crystal clear. Having the mixer (voice vs. game sound) right on the cups is nice for quick adjustments if someone starts yelling or you get into a gun battle and want to bump up the voice levels a bit.

Again, not much time with them yet, but so far I'd put this in the "highly recommend" category. Well worth the money and a godsend if you don't/can't have a baller surround system.

[Burns11]

Re: Gaming headsets

One thing to know about the surround sound feature: don't expect it to perform like a true 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup would. It's there and it works pretty well, but it won't blow your mind.

I can't speak much for Sony's implementation of virtual surround, but Dolby Headphone with the right headphone (something with great soundstage, clarity, and balance) will more than compete with any speaker based surround. It's really what I was afraid of with these, that they were set up more for bass and midbass rather than for clarity, soundstage, and balance.

[thaSLAB]

Re: Gaming headsets

OK, been using them for about three hours non-stop now. Played some Madden, a little Borderlands 2 and listened to some music on Spotify on my iPhone with the provided audio cable.

Absolutely love 'em. First of all, they are comfortable, which is always a huge sticking point with me and headphones. The padding on the earcups is very soft and provide plenty of cushion while also creating enough of a seal to block out some level of ambient noise and allow the bass to really thump. I was even able to wear my glasses while using the headset, which sometimes can be a bit tricky in past experiences with other headsets.

The volume controls, mixer and bass controls are all located on the sides of the earcups and are easily accessible (once you train yourself where they are while wearing them). Other function buttons, such as mic mute and the surround sound toggle are also on the sides of the earcups. I might prefer the mic mute to be a tad bit easier to access, but I'm sure it will become easier once I use them more.

The sound is quite good. I listened to quite a mix of music (Rush, Rilo Kiley, Skrillex) and it all sounded great. The bass rumble feature is well done once you find the "right" level. Anything above the 66% mark on the dial made the vibration too pronounced and even a little annoying. Once I dialed it back a bit though, it was outstanding. I was loving how the drums sounded on Rush's "Limelight" that I was air-drumming all around the apartment.

One thing to know about the surround sound feature: don't expect it to perform like a true 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup would. It's there and it works pretty well, but it won't blow your mind.

The mic works great and the people I was in a party with in Borderlands said my voice was coming through crystal clear. Having the mixer (voice vs. game sound) right on the cups is nice for quick adjustments if someone starts yelling or you get into a gun battle and want to bump up the voice levels a bit.

Again, not much time with them yet, but so far I'd put this in the "highly recommend" category. Well worth the money and a godsend if you don't/can't have a baller surround system.

I agree totally with your review rspencer86! Except, no glasses .

The actual lady voice that tells you what mode you are in is a nice touch too. And once you find the right levels/modes for particular games (i.e. I play The Show with them set to "Movie") or audio, they are very much the real deal. The "Shooter" setting, IMO is a little too engrossing lol. Other than that, they are definitely kickass... the fact that they can be used on multiple devices is a godsend too. I also like the fact that they work, even if they are not powered on.

I still have to test the mic on my Vita and phone. It is not supposed to work with the 1/4" plug, but my phone does recognize it as a mic'd headset.

I would highly recommend them as well, and they are on the top of my list of cool gadgets!

[FinsUp75]

Re: Gaming headsets

FYI, just pulled the trigger on the headset. $119.99 @ buyspry.com w/free shipping. Thanks rspencer and thaslab for the reviews.

http://www.buyspry.com/672183/sony-ps3-pulse-wireless-stereo.html

[Flightwhite24]

Just snagged these even though i really didn't need them. Turtle Beach X42's

[DickDalewood]

Re: Gaming headsets

Wow... The Sony Pulse is incredible. Best headset I've ever tried/owned. The ridiculously easy setup and the fact that is rechargeable put this in a league of its own.

Must buy for PS3 owners looking for a headset.

[HustlinOwl]

Re: Gaming headsets

damn just got the first Sony Headset this past April, not sure I can convince the wife for an upgrade

[55]

Re: Gaming headsets

Those Sony Pulse headphones are fantastic! It's a damn shame that there isn't even anything remotely comparable available for Xbox 360 on the market. Fact is, I don't really play multiplayer games on my PS3 nearly as much as on my 360 so the Pulse is of no use to me.

I am stunned and amazed that some third party manufacturer hasn't came out with a device that plugs into your Beats by Dre Studio headphones (or any other "powered" headphones) and turns them into a gaming headset.

Oh well.

[Burns11]

Re: Gaming headsets

There are a handful of headphone as gaming headset devices, Mixamp pro, Turtle Beach DSS, Creative Recon3D, plus surround receivers with virtual surround headphone support, etc. You could also buy a headset solution and toss the included mediocre (mixamp) to decent (Tritton) headset and just use the base (Tritton AX720, Mixamp 5.8).

Beats would be horrible for virtual surround, very dark with no soundstage.

[JerzeyReign]

Re: Gaming headsets

You guys and your fancy smancy headsets -- putting my TB PX21 to shame

[Flightwhite24]

Re: Gaming headsets

You guys and your fancy smancy headsets -- putting my TB PX21 to shame

I had the PX21's before and they ain't to shabby.

Gotta say I am liking the X42's a lot. I had the 41's in the past and these are so much better imo. With the 41's I could always here a slight buzzing sound but these are "Crystal clear". Helluva headset if you ask me.