The two of us have different tastes in headsets, and of course we have different budgets. However, both of us updated our headsets this past year, and these were our final choices.
His choice: Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 with 7.1 Surround Sound
This was purchased from Amazon.com for about $65 around Black Friday 2012. These are tagged at $160, and the price usually fluctuates between $80-$120 usually when discounted. This is the wireless version of the popular G35, and since my boyfriend likes to talk to people on Skype and get things done, I decided to cash in for the wireless version for his Christmas gift. I honestly don’t like being tethered to my computer desk, and long wires often become a nuisance.
I also thought that this would mean he wouldn’t be able to use the excuse that he didn’t want to leave the call to go make food anymore. (A girl can dream, right?)
The sound quality (with the 7.1 toggled on) is very crisp and clear, and the bases come through very well without being “boomy”. I tested the sound using some calming guitar music and well as some more popular songs, and both gave me the impression that I was in the room with the artist. The sound reminded me of my experience with the Bose earbuds or Logitech Ultimate Ears line, but since I’m not an audiophile, I suggest looking at other reviews for more technical information.
If you want this headset, I suggest waiting for the sale to hit if you’re on a budget. The current listed price of $85 is pretty good for this headset, but you can get it for $50-$70 occasionally.
Her choice: Razer Carcharias Gaming Headset
This was purchased from Amazon.com for about $50. These are tagged at $79.99. Why the Carcharias (which I will admit is a name I can’t pronounce)? My previous headset was the Logitech Stereo H230, which is one of the cheaper headsets Logitech offers. The H230 wasn’t a BAD headset, but after being on the computer for a couple of hours, I found that the H230 hurt my ears since it pinched the side of my head. I wanted comfort, and wanted to spring for better sound quality as well. However, something like the G35s or the G930s is too much for my wallet to handle. That kind of style is also a bit bulky for my taste.
I extensively read reviews online before purchasing these, but it was a series of reviews comparing headsets by Tom's Hardware that convinced me in the end. That 2009 review lists 5 different headsets, while taking into account the following criteria: design, comfort, convenience, sound quality, and console compatibility. Even if you don't want these Razer ones, I think that review is a good place to get an idea of what's out there. Obviously, it's a little outdated, but for a newb like me, it's better than nothing.
Almost every review I stumbled upon that didn’t hate Razer agreed that the Carcharias were the most comfortable set you could find. The padding is made of a velvety material, and is very comfortable to wear. I read some reviews of the headset slipping off the head during use, but I haven’t run into that problem yet. The microphone does pick up some background noise, but my friends agree that it is a great improvement over the H230s. An expected result, but still a relief. My computer is near an antique radiator that hisses and pops a lot, and anyone I talked to complained all the time about the sound previously. Now with the Carcharias, the sound is practically gone.
If you’re interested in this headset, but this is still out of your price range, I suggest checking Woot.com from time to time. They periodically have Razer sales for refurbished items, and I’ve seen this headset on their site before. I was going to buy a refurbished Carcharias from Woot for $35 + $5 shipping, but it sold out pretty quickly. (I know there are negative reviews out there, but I am a great fan of Woot.com, and the customer service has been fantastic every time I’ve dealt with them. Additionally, all the electronics I've bought from that site were up to par.)
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