Need new headset recommendations?

[zman]

I'm in the market for a new headset.

I hear the A40 is what all the pros use, but I have also read a lot of complaints about them breaking recently.

I also looked at the Megalodon, but read that the mic is not that great.

Also, does surround 5.1/7.1 work for PS2?

budget is upto $200

Thank you for the input!

Zman

[Rbstr]

Do you have a sound card? (just an aside point: sound processing CPU usage is pretty miniscule, only ditch on-board if you're interested in sound quality)

I've found every headset I've owned to be a disappointment in some fashion...They might be the prime reason for my distaste in "gamer" branded junk. So I gave them up, got some good headphones and an independent mic. Much happier now.

Comfortable, field serviceable and fantastic sound quality for $50 (you'll feel really smart compared to someone with Beats). It's hard to understate what a deal these are.
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M40FS-Professional-Precision-Headphones/dp/B0002D03ZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360860987&sr=1-1&keywords=Audio+Technica+M40
You will need one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-3-5mm-Stereo-6-35mm-Adaptor/dp/B003R70OA4/ref=sr_1_21?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360861154&sr=1-21&keywords=1%2F4-inch+to+1%2F8+adapter
And
http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360861010&sr=1-1&keywords=zalman+mic
Gets clipped to the cable, is as good as anything.

Feel free to bump up to the M50 'phones if you really want to spend more.

[Goku]

I highly recommend Audio Technica. I have this set (http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B000CMS0XU/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360894306&sr=1-7&keywords=Audio+Technica) right now and its by far the best headset I've ever had.

Hard OCP has done reviews for many of their popular headsets. Here is a link (http://hardocp.com/reviews/sound_products/1/audiotechnica) if you want to check them out.

[baconchaney]

I'm more familliar with the Xbox than the pc for fps' but I have a low end set of turtle beach that give me good enough audio and they only cost around £40 but it depends really on whether you are looking for a higher end setup :)

[SGOniell]

The razer Megalodon is absolutely fantastic. I've used a few razer products, various logitech ones, a creative headset, and others along the way. Addressing your concern regarding the mic, it is absolutely wonderful. I consistently get compliments on it when I'm using skype or chatting through steam. The control block is a little annoying at first, simply because I'm not sure where I want to set it as I play (I never uncoiled the cord because I like to keep it neat), but I like being able to have all of the settings at my fingertips like that. Mic level, mic sensitivity, mic mute, switching from 7.1 to stereo, controlling each individual speaker level...its an amazing headset. Very comfortable too. And PS2 is definitely a bit different using the 7.1 surround sound. Music is just odd, but PS2 seems fine to me, the surround sound seems to work like it should.

[ChipMHazard]

If you are interested in getting headphones and you do not have a soundcard, might I suggest buying a ASUS XONAR DG (http://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_DG/#overview) or DGX (http://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_DGX/), depending on whether you have a spare PCI or PCI Express slot. The prices on Newegg are $30 and $40 respectively.
That would still leave enough money for a quality headphone + mic combo.

[Assist]

I use the badass Logitech usb desktop mic - circa 2003 - $5!

Then I buy nice headphones! I currently use Sennheiser HD650's, but I also have a few 555's that I used to use.