New Headset

Bloodaxes

I've been contemplating whether on getting a new headset or not but lately I keep getting inconveniences with my bluetooth headset so I said I might just ask here and see the suggestions.

I'm currently using a pair of http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B3QAFBY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

They are nothing special, infact I tried searching but couldn't find much options and I thought I'd give a try a wireless headset for once (Not as bad as I anticipated). The problem? Well there's more than one.

1 - The charge after like 3-6 months lasts a day and a half! 
2 - The charging cord is so short I have to plug it on my front usb drive + bluetooth receiver taking both my front usb slots.
3 - While handy, they have a tendency with certain games to not work until I turn them off then back on or have to use a wired headset.

Now, with that being said I'd like to explain on why point 2 and 3 are there. My computer obviously has empty usb slots on the back but the cord is too short for me to have them on my head while charging. I also can't put the bluetooth on the back because it's as long as a usb drive and would need to move the tower forward and thus hitting it with my leg when moving. Why is it a problem? Well it's not exactly a problem, more an inconvenience.

I record some videos and I like to attach my gamepad on the front (I don't like keeping it attached all time due to some games that force you to use the gamepad if they detect one). When the headset has charge there's no problem, but if it starts beeping I have to halt everything until it's charged or obviously no sound gets recorded.

As for point 3, the sound stops on certain games. This started happening lately while I tried to use voice chat from steam with friends, warframe and ALL valve games. Whenever I launch these games, sound plays as normal on the title screen, then when I attempt to go in a match, sound stops. I also had a game (Dead space 3) that wouldn't work if I used my bluetooth headset. It simply wouldn't load at all beyond the title screen. 

Why make all this text? Well I'm just explaining why I'd rather get a wired headset for the next time and maybe save some poor souls on the extra hassle.

Now that all is explained I'll conclude with what I'm looking for in a headset.

1 - It MUST be over the ear, resting on my back of the head. Headsets that rest on the top of my head give me headaches if I wear them for long hours.
2 - It doesn't have to have a microphone but I wouldn't mind one. (I bought a clip on mic but it's hard to clip it close to my mouth)
3 - Not wireless or at the very least, it can be plugged and used without using the bluetooth due to the problem with certain games.

I'd rather it not be very expensive but I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks

Ridelynn

The charging cable is USB, why not just get a longer cable? I know that doesn't fix the usability problems, but USB cables are a no-brainer.

Bloodaxes

Yea I could do that, however if I'm going to get a longer cord might as well just get a new headset instead.

It's coming to a point where keeping the charger plugged would be wiser on these bluetooth headset.

Ridelynn

If the headset otherwise sucks, yeah I guess. 

A 25' USB cable is running $11US right now on Amazon, that would get you clear across a room. And shorter lengths get down to around $4-5.

Regardless, if your looking at keeping a headset plugged in all the time, I agree, why get wireless in the first place - just get a standard 1/8" / 3.5mm wired headset, it won't need auxillary power, probably sound better anyway, and would be a lot less expensive than an equivalent bluetooth-enabled headset.

Gdemami

Buy proper headphones....

Bloodaxes

Gdemami said:

Buy proper headphones....

Thanks sherlock! I thought I didn't ask that in my first post.

Thanks for providing options on what headsets you recommend!

Grunty

1 - The charge after like 3-6 months lasts a day and a half! 

This is most likely caused by the way you use it.  Lithium Ion batteries should be almost fully discharged before being charged. You are probably putting the headset on the charger every time you take it off.  All batteries can only be charged so many cycles before they start to lose the ability to be recharged. Lithium Ion batteries can be charged approximately 1000 times.   

Bloodaxes

Grunty said:

1 - The charge after like 3-6 months lasts a day and a half! 

This is most likely caused by the way you use it.  Lithium Ion batteries should be almost fully discharged before being charged. You are probably putting the headset on the charger every time you take it off.  All batteries can only be charged so many cycles before they start to lose the ability to be recharged. Lithium Ion batteries can be charged approximately 1000 times.   

No.

I put them on charge when they start beeping. Not any minute before.

Gdemami

Bloodaxes said:

Thanks sherlock! I thought I didn't ask that in my first post.

Thanks for providing options on what headsets you recommend!

Again, do not buy a headset but headphones...do you know there is a difference?

You did not provide elementary parameters for headphones - open or closed, supraaural, etc? Not to say your budget...


Forget any PC accessories and go to any audio store and try them out yourself, no one but you has your ears, audio perception is subjective to large margin.

megarax

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453398150&sr=8-1&keywords=audiotechnica+ath+m50x

Bloodaxes

Gdemami said:

Bloodaxes said:

Thanks sherlock! I thought I didn't ask that in my first post.

Thanks for providing options on what headsets you recommend!

Again, do not buy a headset but headphones...do you know there is a difference?

You did not provide elementary parameters for headphones - open or closed, supraaural, etc? Not to say your budget...


Forget any PC accessories and go to any audio store and try them out yourself, no one but you has your ears, audio perception is subjective to large margin.

"1 - It MUST be over the ear, resting on my back of the head. Headsets that rest on the top of my head give me headaches if I wear them for long hours.
2 - It doesn't have to have a microphone but I wouldn't mind one. (I bought a clip on mic but it's hard to clip it close to my mouth)
3 - Not wireless or at the very least, it can be plugged and used without using the bluetooth due to the problem with certain games."

How is that not describing what I want? I don't want those headphones/headset that rest on the top of your head, I need ones that go behind your head due to headaches.

And the difference between a headset and headphones is the microphone principally. [mod edit]

Cleffy

I always had trouble with headphones in general. I wouldn't get any expecting them to last more than 2 years. When buying opt for just the headphone from a company that specializes in audio. Your ears will like you better. My suggestions would be Sennheiser, Sony, Bose, or Audio-technica.

Vada_G

The SteelSeries Siberia Neckband Gaming Headset is the only one I can think of that comes close to what you're looking for. I won't vouch for them though as I generally stick to Turtle Beach or Plantronics headsets for sound and build quality.

Billr00

Steel Series headphones can be very hit or miss .. I tried the ones that have the collapsing/foldable head piece and they squeezed the hell out of my head .. but went back bought the wired ones that were more expensive and non collapsing and they have served me great 

Catibrie

Bluetooth headsets do not have a rich and full sound as corded headphones. If you like your music get some JBLs

Bloodaxes

Vada_G said:

The SteelSeries Siberia Neckband Gaming Headset is the only one I can think of that comes close to what you're looking for. I won't vouch for them though as I generally stick to Turtle Beach or Plantronics headsets for sound and build quality.

Hmm these don't look that bad!

Thanks for the name.

megarax

Don't buy gaming headsets. Just don't. Please for the love of god (or gods). 

I have the ATH-M50X and they are the shit for the price range. I use mine for music production as I want as a neutral sound as I can get.  Sennheiser and Sony makes great cans in that price range too.

Don't buy a 5.1 or 7.1 headset. Let your soundcard fix that and get a good pair of stereo headphones.

Gaming headsets are SHIT.
 

Vada_G

@megarax You say to avoid gaming headsets because they are "shit" but then go on to reference that your ATH-M50X are "shit". The ATH-M50X is NOT a gaming headset and that price point, with the number of positive audiophile reviews, I'd like to know your actual opinion instead of a generalized statement.

I used a Turtle Beach headset for a price point of $<60  (equivalent to the X12 now) and only had an issue when I'd worn out one of the side pieces (heavy wear and tear over 3 years). I now use a set of Razer Cariches (sp?) which are the older version (the newer version doesn't have the same positive recommendations) and have been using them for 2 years (again price point $<60). 

I agree not to worry about 5.1 or 7.1 support, your soundcard should be able to handle that for you. I also recommend that you use analog over USB unless you really need to use USB because there can often be crossover issues with a headsets microphone/earpiece. Without the need for a microphone, you aren't resigned to a gaming headset and there are a lot more options available.

Finding a set of headphones/headset is very individualized and you may have to go through a few (try them out at stores or borrow friend's sets) until you find one that has the comfort and sound you want.

Cleffy

USB should be fine today as long as its a modern USB technology in use. They have sufficient bandwidth, don't pick up as much interference, and the technology has advanced sufficiently.

Asm0deus

megarax said:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453398150&sr=8-1&keywords=audiotechnica+ath+m50x

I agree with this recommendation, if you want something better quality your going to start having to pay lots more and lose bang for buck quickly for each step up.

Bloodaxes

That's nice and all but it breaks the major point on asking on a new headphone in my first post.

1 - It MUST be over the ear, resting on the back of my head. Headsets that rest on the top of my head give me headaches if I wear them for long hours.

Asm0deus

Bloodaxes said:

That's nice and all but it breaks the major point on asking on a new headphone in my first post.

1 - It MUST be over the ear, resting on the back of my head. Headsets that rest on the top of my head give me headaches if I wear them for long hours.

What your looking for is "behind the neck" headphones which tend to be used more for sports and in ear as well as tend to be less quality....anyways

http://www.cnet.com/topics/headphones/products/?filter=audio-output-headphones-form_behind-the-neck&min-price=79

CavemanBE

Hammerheads Razer

Bloodaxes

Asm0deus said:

Bloodaxes said:

That's nice and all but it breaks the major point on asking on a new headphone in my first post.

1 - It MUST be over the ear, resting on the back of my head. Headsets that rest on the top of my head give me headaches if I wear them for long hours.

What your looking for is "behind the neck" headphones which tend to be used more for sports and in ear as well as tend to be less quality....anyways

Yes, neck band headphones.

Well I don't usually buy a random one, I check reviews before trying a pair. Vada_G suggested SteelSeries Siberia Neckband Gaming Headset which look quite similar to normal headphones but rest on your neck.

CavemanBE said:

Hammerheads Razer

I don't know why but whenever I wear ear plugs like those, they keep popping out of my ear so I tend to avoid them.

Thanks for the suggestion tough.

Cleffy

The Siberia headphones won't pose the same stress on the head as other head phones. They use a lightweight strap instead of a bulky band. They can also be made out of cheap plastics which make it lighter.
The problem I would have with behind the head is that it may not offer sufficient support.

Vada_G

I personally couldn't use behind the neck headsets unless they were supported by something (like a neck pillow) they just wouldn't feel secure enough for me for long sessions. I understand wanting them or needing them though, as after a three day work binge I end up with a very sore spot on the top of my head where the headset rests.

Stizzled said:

I believe they actually said that their ATH-M50X are "the shit", meaning they like them. 

Now I feel really old.