Difference between usb and 5.1 headsets??? confused!!!

minim3

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Aug 8, 2006
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I am looking to buy 5.1 headset, since my current one (a simple stereo JVC just doesn't cut it anymore). I'm a proud owner of an Audigy card (not 2 or 4, plain old Audigy!!!). I've been looking around for headsets and I see 2 types:
a) usb based virtual 5.1 and b) normal 5.1 (3 cables).

I obviously know that the normal are just ...eh...normal.
So what gives with the usb ones? Is it worth it? Does it have impact on game performance since it's software encoding?
 

bacis

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May 29, 2005
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hi.
you look at 2 different types of headsets?
what the common about these two?
they have nothing to do with each-other.
one is software encoding the usb,the other will get the sound out from your card as normals speakers.
its up to you what you prefer.
i suggest get the sound from your card.
 

minim3

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So your saying that usb based headsets generally suck? (i.e. are not as good as normal ones)
so the only real advantage is that they are separate from the sound card.