There was a thread about surround sound recently started, and this led me to think about gaming headsets. And with that I have a few questions to the wise.

1. I don't have one, infact I've never used one with a PC, so am I missing out on something?
2. Is this something that would add to my overall gaming experience and how so? (any feedback would be welcome)
3. I've quickly looked around and I've stopped at the newly released Logitech G430, it's a Dolby 7.1 Surround sound headset. Is this okay?

Since I now have roommate next door to my room I have had to use a headset recently. i would also like to know some good recommendations. I can tell you for a fact to avoid teh Xbox head set. I picked it up at best buy and it is the most obnoxiously designed head set I have ever seen. You have to plug in three different cables including a USB power cable (serous? why the [censored] do they need that) alongside the cablse for the microphone and the headset itself. When I did plug it in I got a high pitched whining sound indicative of [censored] cables that even my cheapy $30 dollar headset from Kohl's doesn't have. Avoid those like the plague.

I recently bought that small Zalman microphone that clips to your shirt and ti sounds great and people online said the sound was great as well. It isn't sticking in you face and you quickly forget you are even wearing it.

Currently I am actually using my iPod head phones and they actually seem to be doing a pretty good job.

I managed to get hold of some corseair 1500's at less than half price and they are amazing. 7.1 is worth the slight extra cost. I think I looked at the Logitech ones and was going to get them only I spotted the corseair. I used to only get turtle beach but found the build quality poor for the price

I wouldn't say you are exactly missing out on something but it does actually add to the experience. I have a pair of turtle beach(x400 i think) and they work incredibly well. They are usually used for FPS games to hear footsteps behind you but I enjoy using them with games like Skyrim much more. It makes everything feel just that much more real. They advise that you buy a 50 dollar box that turns them into "true surround" instead of simulated but they work insanely well without.

Don't spend too much on headphones. I had some awesome headphones before, expensive with a lot of customizable buttons... but then, I just thought "Why would I even use a button on my headset?"

Anyway, shortly after that, my dog decided to eat those headphones, so I had to buy new ones.

I bought some logitech headphones for 60$ and they are awesome. They envelop the ear completely, the sound is very good and the sound quality is very good with the microphone too.

Logitech G-35's are pretty amazing headsets. I've used em for a while.

Recently spent $300 on some Asto A50's, and those are pretty amazing headsets for just about any game. 7.1 surround. They cost quite a bit of money, but so far it seems to be worth while, especially since you can pretty much customize different sound values on the headsets. such as footsteps (for first person shooters). Or you can simply goto their website, and download some presets.

Both of these headsets I'd highly recommend. Best feature is the mute on the microphones. When you lift them up to the ear, it mutes, lower it, unmutes. Simple, and very effective.

I cannot speak to which would be the best, but I have used Logitech G35's for several years, and I love them! There are definitely better ones out there, but for the price/performance provided, I have not personally found a better value.

As for whether it is worth using in games like this, I would say definitely yes! A good/decent headset will provide a much more immersive experience, that is of course once you get used to wearing a headset for several hours at a time. For me, I enjoy the additional atmospheric sounds that you can hear with a good headset, and with one that supports surround sound, you have the added advantage of directional cues which can be helpful in PVE, and are extremely helpful in PVP.

Also, if you join a group or guild that uses voice chat, the headset helps with clarity in hearing voices as well as game sounds, as well as a bit quieter environment for anyone physically near your PC... That alone, can pay for the price of a headset, depending on the reactions of those around you.

For some reason my headsets are never very long lived, I think I've bought 6-7 in the last 8 years and my last edition is by far my favourite.

The Qpad QH-90 offer amazing quality at the 100$ price point and recommend you check them out.

Fantastic! All good info and haven't not used them before, no, I don't want to over invest in a set.

The logitech G430 is a 7.1 but of course like nearly all of them, they are a virtual 7.1 so they sound processing doing the magic work which would be fine although I did come across the Razer tiamat 7.1 and that is a REAL 7.1 headset but very expensive. The G430 doesn't have the boom lift mute function, and it's a 3.5mm jack not USB but it's $70 cheaper from the G35 and I've found a set local to me for $79 which is about $30 cheaper than the logitech RRP. I think I'll get that unless I cave and get the G35's

I've got decent sound in the loungeroom, and I'm not fussed that it won't replicate that kind of quality as the main reason I'm thinking headset is for when everyone else has gone to bed (especially the little one) so I can stay up later with a headset on without the worry of disturbing anyone else.

It's personal preference, go look at them in the flesh if you can.

I like my razor Tiamat double base speakers for umph

3d positional sound can make a huge difference to your experience and your ability to immerse yourself into the environment. even standard sound cards (or on-board) these days are more than capable of giving you rich 3d (surround) sound. i played for many years using a cheap pair of stereo headphones a was more than happy with the performance of them for 3d positional sound, they eventually fell apart so i went and purchased a very good set of 5.1"surround" phones to replace them, and im more than happy with their performance, ecpecially in the bass range. the phones i got are "Speedlink" 5.1 with in-line amps. stereo phones are generally lighter weight than surround jobbies, but dont quite give the same performance, although they get close. my phones were about AU$160+ imported from UK. The only issue i have with them is that because they are heavier than normal phones i do tend to get a sore head where the phones rest on top, if i use them for more than a couple of hours at a time. to be honest i cannot see the point of going to 7.1 unless you are an audiophile and must have the latest and greatest. also there are many discussions on the interwebs primarily aimed at headsets and gaming. one last thing, Don't be taken in by "Gaming" labelled phones, i know people that have purchased so-called top-of-the-line gaming phones from gaming related companies, and these phones have been found lacking in various areas (for instance, stay well clear of microphones in "solid" booms, they sound terrible, pick up erroneuos sound from the hard boom, and can sound very 'hollow', always go for a flexible boom type).

I'm not out to get 7.1 for the sake of having it, it's just that seems to be now what's on offer. My home theatre is still 5.1 and I love it.

Going to try to get out at lunch and try a few pairs, although I'm terrible in a store. I'll end up walking out having bought half the damn store and some magic beans.

because it is not stereo. most 5.1 or greater sets will have multiple plugs (for the extra channels). my set has USB (power for the amps) and 4 or 5 plugs for the signals.

squeeling sounds could be either plugs in the wrong place or not quite seated fully into a socket.

my old set i refered to above cost AU$10.00 from BigW and were so good i actually went through two sets.

I've had the logitech G930 7.1 wireless headset now for a few years and they are nice. Paid $130.00 when they first came out but you can get them cheaper now. you get 10 hours battery life on wireless but you can also use the long charge cable and have them plugged in for those times you forgot to charge.

Try Steelseries

Im a big fan, got mouse and keyboard from them as well as headset

Another G35 user here, I like everything about them except for one thing....they are over the entire ear for a bit of noise cancellation which is nice but your ears get no fresh air and tend to get a little sweaty.

I wouldnt spend too much on head sets. I would also recommend to go wired if you dont mind it, its irritating having your headset die in the middle of doing something.

I tend to be hard on headsets and break them every year or two, but I bought a set from Best Buy (because I had reward coupons that were expiring) that were on sale for about $25 and they are pretty nice and have good sound. I want to say they are probably Rocketfish brand, but im not sure since im not at home to check.

Technology has come a long way, and most standard setups are pretty good as long as they dont fall apart after a few weeks.

Okay, so I've locked in the new Logitech G430, picked it up for $79 AUD and I'm happy with that. Fitted up on my noggin it's comfortable around my ears and lighter than it's bulky looks suggest, and it feels very sturdy ( I was concerned about that given the replies in this thread on people who go through them quickly) so all in all, I'm happy.

It's wired and has removable ear cups (if that's what they are called) so you can wash them.

This is it here in case anyone is interested: http://gaming.logitech.com/en-au/product/g430-7-1-surround-sound-gaming-headset

Thanks everyone.

I recently bought a Razer headset. They svcked so bad I went back to Turtlebeach. Specifically they were noisy on both the input and the output.

They can add a little or a lot to the game. On the little side, they are much better for telling what direction sound is coming from and can help keep you from being bushwhacked. On the lot side, if you have a friend or more that you like to play with, and also want to chat with it's a much better way than speakers and a microphone.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I like being able to control game and chat volumes separately. That's an important feature that doesn't come on all headsets.

Platronics Gamecon 780 with 7.1 surround sound, good headset for about 80 bucks.