USB Audio vs. Analog for 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headsets

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've had a some experience with the Razer Tiamats, and I have to say, you can literally hear the difference of someone walking, even with background noise, between the Rear Right and the Side Right speaker, they're great. However, my brother did say the same for his Kraken 7.1s, so I'm in a bind.

I have tried about 10 different forums on them and a couple articles, some helped but most were biased opinions and/or rage threads. :/

I will definitely look at the sound drivers though, thanks for that input

Edit: I did find this short article however, he has a very good position on the subject and seems to be not biased at all, purely just review it ^_^

http://www.techhive.com/article/2047134/review-razers-kraken-7-1-headset-delivers-great-virtual-surround-sound-at-a-reasonable-price.html

@ssddx, nice desktop background btw xD

Thanks for the reply again ^_^.

After personally trying the Tiamat, I can say:
-The directional 7.1 is amazing, you can hear almost everything from any direction
-It has a very customizable volume control. You can control every speaker, the sub woofer, over all volume, mic volume, turn on 7.1 for surround or 2.1 for stereo and bass, and even if you have separate speakers hooked up, you can switch between those and your headsets, all in one "on-the-fly" device.


After what I hear from the Kraken 7.1, I can say:
-For $99, and from the sound quality reviews, people say it is great and worth the $99 purchase.
-The design of the headsets (from most reviewers, said) are much more comfortable than the Tiamat.

The downsides:
Kraken:
-No on the fly volume control, which may be annoying >.>
-Apparently, one reviewer said that the braided cord for the sound, if rubbing against certain shirt materials (tshirt, dress shirts. etc.) that you can hear the rubbing sound and it takes over all the sound in the left earmuff.

Tiamats:
-Personally, not enough bass, but that can be fixed with the bass boost and EQ settings in Surround

Both (compared to my Current Trittons):
- I will definitely miss the separate speakers for communications. Since this is a PS3 made headset, there is a separate volume switch for communications, which are stereo speakers, and have a completely different sound and volume level other than the surround speakers.

That really comes in handy when gaming, so if in CS:GO and people don't want to shut up in TS3, I can turn off the comm. sound and focus on footsteps and other things, but I think I can get over it ^_^.

I think the main point for me is to have more directional than anything. If it really comes down to it, I can still have my trittons aside for casual gaming and everything else, and use the Tiamats when I really need them.

Thanks for the support, I think I may go with the Tiamats purely because it has true 7.1, not virtual, and they are still pretty comfortable ^_^.

I would try those other headphones you suggest, but really what it comes down to is that, I'd rather go for something that has purely good 7.1 over quality since I have another pair for quality if the 7.1 doesn't prove to be "high quality." Thanks for the help ^_^

P.S: I'd love to see the wallpapers ^_^

Wow that's awesome! I love the SaW ones :3

You have a steam? Mines: http://steamcommunity.com/id/TheDarkSwordsman/