Cheap headset or mic+headphones for voice recording and gaming

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

Monsimeph

Reputable
Sep 3, 2015
34
0
4,530
Hi all!

Since you've been much help in the past, I decided to ask for your assistance once again.
I am looking for a cheap yet solid headset or a combo of mic+headphones for voice recording of audio lessons. I suppose the requirements are similar to youtube commentary. I'd also like to use it occasionally for voice chat and just general use - movies, gaming etc.

I don't need it to be super high end. Just decent quality from the mic and decent sound quality for me when I use the headphones. No need for fancy gaming attributes, LED's and such either. Just function. Form is less important.

I am a total noob in everything regarding audio so I really have no idea what my options are. A friend recommended G230, but I am not sure how good is the mic - is it good enough for lessons or just for in-game casual hangouts when you can barely hear what your buddies are mumbling?

Thanks in advance and have a wonderful weekend!
 
Solution
Q
In my opinion, I don't like on-ear headphones. They are uncomfortable, and doesn't really transfer much sound. It's also hard to put it on your head properly. I like over-ear headphones.

The HD 201 is an over-ear headphone, and the HD 407 is an on-ear headphone, probably no differences.

This is the difference: https://www.google.ca/search?q=on-ear+over+ear+differences&safe=active&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=979&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjyqPbawMjJAhVlq4MKHSxTCUoQ_AUIBigB#safe=active&tbm=isch&q=on-ear+vs+over-ear&imgrc=dM6nU17TLvmitM%3A

I've used a on-ear headphone for 2 years, and that 2 years was really uncomfortable. I now, am with a over-ear headphone for more than 1 year, and it changes everything. What I want to hear...
Sort by date Sort by votes
Q

QuestionsNeedToBeAnswered

Reputable
Nov 27, 2015
8
0
4,520
Hey! I know how it feels to post a thread, with no solution. I'll try to help you out.

From what people say, headsets are not that good of a quality - it's either the sound quality or the mic quality has to be good - can't be both.

If you buy a headphone, you will get the most sound quality. If you need to communicate with your friends while gaming, while getting the most sound quality, buy an Antlion ModMic 4.0. It's a microphone that you attach on the side of your headphones.

This is a review of the microphone. [video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVFKbVPTdG8"][/video]

If you need a good headphone, with clear and crisp sound quality, nothing too fancy, your choices are:

Sennheiser HD 598
&
BeyerDynamic DT 990

(I know, it's a disappointment that these are the only two good headphones for gaming. There might be others, but these are the ones people usually go with, and that has very good sound quality.)

Most people tend to go with the Sennheiser HD 598 for gaming, and it's bass light. Bass comes in handy when you listen to music such as dubstep, rap/hip hop or any music that contains intense beats. If you buy a bass light headphones, it's not the best for music as it doesn't contain heavy beats, but it's the best for gaming as it isn't necessary to have beats when gaming.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 is bass heavy, which can be a good or a bad thing for some people. A bass heavy headphone will give you better experience when listening to musics that contain intense beats, and hip hop such as the Beyerdynamic DT 990 but isn't the best for gaming. The Beyerdynamic DT 990 is good if you listen to guitar covers/any music in general, but it does not contain that good of a sound stage while the HD 598 contains very good sound stage. A sound sound stage is how wide you can hear.

You might have heard about Open and Closed headphones, well you will want to go with the open for many reasons.

Open:

A major negative to open headphones are that you can hear the outside world

A major positive is that you will not get headaches, and you will get better sound quality as the air can go in and out, and is not trapped.

Closed:

A major negative to closed headphones are that you can't get much sound quality, and headaches sometimes as air gets trapped and can't escape in and out.

A major positive is that you can only hear what you are listening to on your headphones and nothing can be heard from outside. This can be bad, if you have a phone call or if you want to talk to your friends, you talk too loud to the microphone because you can't hear yourself talk.

I really hope this long message helps you in any way. Another short way of saying this is: Go for open headphones, and go for bass light headphones if gaming.

Go for bass heavy headphones if you are listening to rap, intense music etc..
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

Monsimeph

Reputable
Sep 3, 2015
34
0
4,530
I really appreciate the effort you put into this, but no offense you missed the point entirely. I'm sure I have many options for 200+ dollars. Unfortunately, that's really not where I am. The goal is to have a CHEAP, and I mean as cheap as possible, setup. This is not for recreation, but for a voluntary project and there's no budget whatsoever for these things. All I need is to have a bearable sound quality in the headphones and bearable sound quality in the mic so the students can understand what I am saying over background noises.

If anyone has any ideas for something under $30 - you're very welcome. And the less the better, of course.
Thanks again.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Q

QuestionsNeedToBeAnswered

Reputable
Nov 27, 2015
8
0
4,520
Under $30 dollars for a headphone/headset. I guess there is why not many people is replying, but I'll still try to help you. (no offense)

Sennheiser is a very good quality headphone making company, they are based off in Germany and they ONLY work on audio. That means they are very experienced in audio, specifically, and you will get the most sound quality out of their headphones.

Here is a headphone that will give you amazing sound for under $30.

Sennheiser HD 201 -http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-201-Lightweight-Over-Headphones/dp/B0007XJSQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449350342&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd+201

You will get a very good sound quality for under $30 dollars!

[Need a microphone too? - http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449349966&sr=8-1&keywords=zalman+zm-mic1

This is basically a clip-on microphone, you just clip it on your shirt and plug it in, and start talking.

Total - $27.48

I really hope this helps you, and good luck to your project!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

Monsimeph

Reputable
Sep 3, 2015
34
0
4,530
Now, this is very helpful! Thank you so much.

Of course I know that Sennheiser makes killer high end headphones, I just wasn't sure about their low end products and how good they actually were. It only would make sense if they are still a few notches above any given generic garbage out there, so I'll be definitely checking them out.

What can you tell about HD 407? I can get them at pretty much the same price as 201. Are they better?

And the mic is exactly the one I was thinking about. Now all I need to do is to try and find one somewhere in local stores.
Another one I was considering was this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058MJX4O/ref=s9_dcbhz_bw_d0_g267_i1_sh

I think it was on 50% discount during Black Friday, so hopefully it will be on sale once again around Christmas. How does it compare to Zalman?

Thank you again and have a great day!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Q

QuestionsNeedToBeAnswered

Reputable
Nov 27, 2015
8
0
4,520
In my opinion, I don't like on-ear headphones. They are uncomfortable, and doesn't really transfer much sound. It's also hard to put it on your head properly. I like over-ear headphones.

The HD 201 is an over-ear headphone, and the HD 407 is an on-ear headphone, probably no differences.

This is the difference: https://www.google.ca/search?q=on-ear+over+ear+differences&safe=active&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=979&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjyqPbawMjJAhVlq4MKHSxTCUoQ_AUIBigB#safe=active&tbm=isch&q=on-ear+vs+over-ear&imgrc=dM6nU17TLvmitM%3A

I've used a on-ear headphone for 2 years, and that 2 years was really uncomfortable. I now, am with a over-ear headphone for more than 1 year, and it changes everything. What I want to hear, is what I hear 100%.



My opinion? Go with any over-ear headphone, you won't regret it.

About that Sony microphone clip, definitely! Go for it! Sony produces the best, quality products you can find. You should definitely go with that microphone, hands down.

I hope this helps you. Let me know when you made your decision!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
M

Monsimeph

Reputable
Sep 3, 2015
34
0
4,530
Sorry for sort of abandoning the thread. More pressing issues came up. I am still looking for that mic without much luck, but I did pick up the HD201 headphones for about 30 bucks - only nameless Chinese crap ones were cheaper. So far I am beyond impressed with the sound quality. I know I am not picky, but still thought I'd mention that in case someone else on a tight budget will stumble upon this thread.
I was a little concerned with their size - some reviewers claimed they were too small and didn't cover the entire ear... but that's not true. I have what I think is medium size ears and the headphones fit very well. They are also unbelievably lightweight and overall really comfortable.Very very good piece for its price!

Thank you QuestionsNeedToBeAnswered! You convinced me to buy them and I don't regret at all!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom