I was looking into getting a Headset for my new PC build but I'm stuck! I have researched everywhere and all roads go towards the Sennhiser (sorry if its spelled wrong) PC360 headset!
I was wondering, is this really one of the best headsets for gaming and little music for under $200? Is it worth getting it WITHOUT a sound card?
Thanks!
--Edit--
Hardware specs:
Intel i7 4770k
Gigabyte GA-Z87MX-D3H
Corsair Vengance 2x 8gb
Samsung 840 Pro 256gb
EVGA 660TI SLI (Changing them later for a single card of the new 800 series)
Corsair HX 850
Corsair 350D - MicroATX Case
Since my experience is limited, my first jack-of-all-trades headset was the Arctic P531, unfortunately it went out of stock in Newegg but it is a killer!
The headset is 5.1 true surround, USB input, let me tell you that at first I was pretty convinced that all the surround headsets are gimmicks, but since the P531 was listed at $65 I told myself, why not try it? it is cheap and if it wasn't as performing as I thought then I can simply return it back or gift it to someone.. so I just installed the drivers and set it up then downloaded the highest quality music and songs, listened to it and had a totally different experience!
Not to mention the gaming experience, when it comes to it no one can beat you at pinpoint sound tracking...
Sennhieser HD 598, Audio Technica ATH-M50 and V MODA crossfade LP would work amazing. All of them look amazing as well..
There are all headphones, not headsets. I know most people reccomend headphones and just buy a zalman mic for the headphone but I was wondering if the PC360 is worth getting without a SoundCard. Thanks!
Since my experience is limited, my first jack-of-all-trades headset was the Arctic P531, unfortunately it went out of stock in Newegg but it is a killer!
The headset is 5.1 true surround, USB input, let me tell you that at first I was pretty convinced that all the surround headsets are gimmicks, but since the P531 was listed at $65 I told myself, why not try it? it is cheap and if it wasn't as performing as I thought then I can simply return it back or gift it to someone.. so I just installed the drivers and set it up then downloaded the highest quality music and songs, listened to it and had a totally different experience!
Not to mention the gaming experience, when it comes to it no one can beat you at pinpoint sound tracking! I was able to pinpoint the location of incoming attacks of creatures in Metro Last Light, as well as in Battlefield 3 and 4.
It is so accurate, crisp and clear to the level that it became scary, sometimes I think the sounds are actually produced from the real world and my surroundings, while watching a movie I heard something in the background, probably a bird or something.. I paused the movie multiple times thinking that it is coming from outside and took off my headset and went to check out, I was fooled and later realized that the sound is actually coming from the headset, the sound was like simulated (in the movie, the background sound) to be a distant one coming from the right drive..
Honestly if you ever find the P531 for sale, buy it and try it.. you will not go back. It's been a year and the headset didn't malfunction or stopped working, it has vibrating units (which are nice if you want the immersion, but they shake my eye glasses, so I have that function disabled) it has very crisp yet deep sound to it.
If you're lucky enough and you found it, then buy it. Otherwise look for any top-notch stereo headset with analog input along with a sufficient sound card for the virtual surround effect (if you're going to use it for gaming)
P.S.: As for the problems that I've faced with the P531, it is minor but could be annoying.. it started happening a few weeks ago where the controller would be too sensitive (when at max it might produce low sounds, but slightly adjusting it can get it fixed). I am not sure what makes it happen but I'd recommend you to be careful with this headset since it is reinforced plastic but I'd still be more careful to treating/storing it.
P.P.S: Read this spoiler if you're going to buy the headset, it is a review from Amazon:
]
5.0 out of 5 stars Best gaming headset I have ever tried! *UPDATE*, January 8, 2012
By Buddy Christ
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: ARCTIC P531 Gaming Stereo USB Headphones, True 5.1 Surround Sound, Vibration Feedback - Black (Electronics)
I had read all 5 star reviews from another vendors site and decided to give them a try. I am so glad I did. Per this other site you need to follow these steps to get the most out of this headset:
1. Download current drivers from the website - easy to find and do.
2. Set system input & analog output to 6 channel.
3. Then adjust re-verb and EQ to your personal taste under the Effect tab.
4. Open your control panel and open Sound. Select Speakers USB multichannel audio device and click properties. Then under the advanced tab, configure to 24-bit 96Khz.
To quote the other reviewer "I was instantly blown away by the insane clarity and depth of sound."
You will not find a better sounding or better made headset at this price or even $150.00. I have a big head and they feel very comfortable for up to 5 hours of gaming. Speaking of gaming it has made a huge difference on the virtual battlefield. I hear them coming from across the map and from behind.
*UPDATE* December * 2012:
Arctic has wonderful caring support people!
I ordered the P531 5.1 surround sound gaming headset about a year ago. The mic failed, and I email Arctic support. They informed me that my headset had a 2 year warranty and asking me to mail the defective unit back to them and they will ship me a a replacement. They even offered to ship the replacement before they received mine (as soon as could give them a tracking number). I received my new headset the day after they shipped it!
Thank you Tan!
*UPDATE* January 2014:
Thought I would update because I have had no problem with the replacement set. It still looks and work like new. I use it 4 times a week some times for 8 hours a day!
Since my experience is limited, my first jack-of-all-trades headset was the Arctic P531, unfortunately it went out of stock in Newegg but it is a killer!
The headset is 5.1 true surround, USB input, let me tell you that at first I was pretty convinced that all the surround headsets are gimmicks, but since the P531 was listed at $65 I told myself, why not try it? it is cheap and if it wasn't as performing as I thought then I can simply return it back or gift it to someone.. so I just installed the drivers and set it up then downloaded the highest quality music and songs, listened to it and had a totally different experience!
Not to mention the gaming experience, when it comes to it no one can beat you at pinpoint sound tracking! I was able to pinpoint the location of incoming attacks of creatures in Metro Last Light, as well as in Battlefield 3 and 4.
It is so accurate, crisp and clear to the level that it became scary, sometimes I think the sounds are actually produced from the real world and my surroundings, while watching a movie I heard something in the background, probably a bird or something.. I paused the movie multiple times thinking that it is coming from outside and took off my headset and went to check out, I was fooled and later realized that the sound is actually coming from the headset, the sound was like simulated (in the movie, the background sound) to be a distant one coming from the right drive..
Honestly if you ever find the P531 for sale, buy it and try it.. you will not go back. It's been a year and the headset didn't malfunction or stopped working, it has vibrating units (which are nice if you want the immersion, but they shake my eye glasses, so I have that function disabled) it has very crisp yet deep sound to it.
If you're lucky enough and you found it, then buy it. Otherwise look for any top-notch stereo headset with analog input along with a sufficient sound card for the virtual surround effect (if you're going to use it for gaming)
P.S.: As for the problems that I've faced with the P531, it is minor but could be annoying.. it started happening a few weeks ago where the controller would be too sensitive (when at max it might produce low sounds, but slightly adjusting it can get it fixed). I am not sure what makes it happen but I'd recommend you to be careful with this headset since it is reinforced plastic but I'd still be more careful to treating/storing it.
P.P.S: Read this spoiler if you're going to buy the headset, it is a review from Amazon:
]
5.0 out of 5 stars Best gaming headset I have ever tried! *UPDATE*, January 8, 2012
By Buddy Christ
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: ARCTIC P531 Gaming Stereo USB Headphones, True 5.1 Surround Sound, Vibration Feedback - Black (Electronics)
I had read all 5 star reviews from another vendors site and decided to give them a try. I am so glad I did. Per this other site you need to follow these steps to get the most out of this headset:
1. Download current drivers from the website - easy to find and do.
2. Set system input & analog output to 6 channel.
3. Then adjust re-verb and EQ to your personal taste under the Effect tab.
4. Open your control panel and open Sound. Select Speakers USB multichannel audio device and click properties. Then under the advanced tab, configure to 24-bit 96Khz.
To quote the other reviewer "I was instantly blown away by the insane clarity and depth of sound."
You will not find a better sounding or better made headset at this price or even $150.00. I have a big head and they feel very comfortable for up to 5 hours of gaming. Speaking of gaming it has made a huge difference on the virtual battlefield. I hear them coming from across the map and from behind.
*UPDATE* December * 2012:
Arctic has wonderful caring support people!
I ordered the P531 5.1 surround sound gaming headset about a year ago. The mic failed, and I email Arctic support. They informed me that my headset had a 2 year warranty and asking me to mail the defective unit back to them and they will ship me a a replacement. They even offered to ship the replacement before they received mine (as soon as could give them a tracking number). I received my new headset the day after they shipped it!
Thank you Tan!
*UPDATE* January 2014:
Thought I would update because I have had no problem with the replacement set. It still looks and work like new. I use it 4 times a week some times for 8 hours a day!
I would buy Arctic products again
Thanks neoroify! That headset sounds great! It's cheap and good! I think I might buy it since all the reviews say the same, great quality for such a low price!
I'm in Canada, and everything is crazy over priced over here.
What I found to be the best deal right now is a SRH- 440 and get SRH 840 custom pads on it.
This for about $150 total, the same as in the US right now. Crazy deal.
I'm in Canada, and everything is crazy over priced over here.
What I found to be the best deal right now is a SRH- 440 and get SRH 840 custom pads on it.
This for about $150 total, the same as in the US right now. Crazy deal.
Thanks for the suggestion AgentTran, but I already bought the one that neorify told me. They were suuuuper cheap and seem awesome. Thanks Anyways!
Since you're going to buy it, here is my equalizer settings for the headset: (not too much bass not too much treble)
My windows settings/speaker setup:
P.S.: This headset has the ability to produce virtual 7.1 -- though I find 5.1 more accurate (in terms of tracking sound, etc..) though I switch back and forth between the two settings, but the optimal setting is 5.1 of course..
If you ever have any questions or problems just ask here and I will definitely guide you through!
Since you're going to buy it, here is my equalizer settings for the headset: (not too much bass not too much treble)
My windows settings/speaker setup:
P.S.: This headset has the ability to produce virtual 7.1 -- though I find 5.1 more accurate (in terms of tracking sound, etc..) though I switch back and forth between the two settings, but the optimal setting is 5.1 of course..
If you ever have any questions or problems just ask here and I will definitely guide you through!
Thanks! That is super useful! I can't wait until they get here! I use a 2.1 speaker and I find it good so 5.1 will be just fine for me!
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