Reddit reviews Sennheiser PC 151 Binaural Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone & Volume Control (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

If you are going cheap, please do not buy Turtle Beaches. They are the "Beats by Dre" of the gaming world. They are slightly better than dollar general 5$ headphones, but not by much. You only get a good benefit with TBs if you pay over $199. If you are going for cheap, but want decent quality, I recommend Sennheiser PC151. Sennheiser actually makes the speakers in their headsets, unlike Astros or Turtle Beaches. Here's a link, they run around $60
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-151-Noise-Canceling-Microphone/dp/B000NOR89Y

You will also need this to combine the headphone input and microphone output into the same cable to use with the chat adapter: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=12-200-956

edit: Be aware, you will need to buy the Xbox one chat adapter.

[Sennheiser HD151,] (http://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-PC-151-Noise-Canceling-Microphone/dp/B000NOR89Y) Don't even look at "gaming" audio products, they're just mediocre products marketed well.

If you want the best quality, headphones and a standalone microphone/clip-on microphone is the best way to go. Personally, I think it's worth it, but if you want to stay in the $50 range, the PC151s get recommended a lot, available at amazon for a pretty good price. If you are willing to increase your price range, I can recommend some slightly more appealing options.

The answer you will get time and again from people who use headsets a lot is: go for an actual headphone manufacturer, not a general electronics manufacturer. Like Sennheiser, AKG, Shure or Bose for some examples.

I don't know why you'd go for 5.1 or 7.1 headset - it's just fakery. Sure, there are headsets that actually have multiple speakers, but the headphones will still go over your ears, thus diminishing the effect of surround. Also, I've read the sound quality of these kinds of "true surround" headsets is crap. On other hand, if you're looking for a headset with virtual surround, you can do that with a decent soundcard and any kind of headphones.

My personal favorite PC headset is the Sennheiser PC-151.

I actually used to have the PC-155, but it's not made anymore - and anyways, it was just a PC-151 with an added external USB-soundcard (which is quality stuff, too, for the price). The reason I had to get a new pair was because I used the 155's every day, for over 6 years, for like 8 hours a day, and they just kind of... eroded. And that kind of durability for the price is awesome; I can't count the number of hours I spent in awe of the bliss of the crisp and clear sound of these ultracomfortable headphones over my ears (wow, that sounds like a commercial, but it's still true). And when they finally died, I just had to have a new pair.

Thus, while I know from experience that (for example) the Creative headphones suggested earlier in this thread are nice and comfy, and look stylish, they just can't compete with a real headphone manufacturer.

You're going to slightly miss you're $30 mark, but it's worth it.

Sennheiser PC 151.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC151-Headset-Cancelling-Control/dp/B000NOR89Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1279674321&sr=1-1

Screw that logitech garbage. Sounds like ass.

Can wholeheartedly recommend Sennheiser PC-151. Excellent mic and phone quality. They're not very big and do not cover the ears. Soft pads that are not synthetic leather (big plus when it's warm, these were pleasant to use in 30 degree Celsius summer Shanghai).

Less than $43 shipped from Amazon. Maybe you can shop around and find it even cheaper!

if you dont need a mic you should stay far away from everything with "gaming" in its name.

just a pair of headphones will give you much better value on your listening experience, be it in game or for music.

you could google some of these. they are usually the king of bang/bucks.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=superlux+&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asuperlux+

if you need a complete headset with mic even the cheapest sennheiser will be better than any "gaming" crap of companies that otherwise have no market in anything audio related.
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-151-Noise-Canceling-Microphone/dp/B000NOR89Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1450706273&sr=8-4&keywords=sennheiser+headset&refinements=p_89%3ASennheiser

I see when it comes to headsets you're worried about faultiness after awhile. Most companies will leave you with this problem, Logitech, Turtle Beaches, Plantronics.. Some other companies will just pure rip you off. I know quite a bit after the audio world being a head-fier. I can assure you that nothing can beat the quality of a Audio-Technica or Sennheiser gaming headset..

They usually are 3.5mm, but you can get a converter to USB http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SD-CM-UAUD-Adapter-C-Media-Chipset/dp/B001MSS6CS/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b

Audio-Technica is known for being cheap and sturdy, and for its price none of the competitors like Logitech or Turtle beaches will stand a chance, the quality that comes out of them for their price is just amazing.. They might not look as stylish or what not but if you don't care about that, go for it. You can easily just google Sennheiser or Audio-Technica and enjoy :)

If I could really recommend something, buy headphones, get yourself a good sound card and you won't need an actual gaming headset, the 3D sound will work in games amazingly. Then all you need is a stand up mic or something.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-151-Noise-Canceling-Microphone/dp/B000NOR89Y/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311707536&sr=1-5

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826402091

I was - and still am - an "activate on Voice Activity" user.

Back with my rubber dome, I knew on an almost subconscious level where my keys were. I could find it with my mouse hand without looking at the keyboard, and I wouldn't be toggling it during the game anyway. It's more for if I'm getting up from the computer between games or the like. Obviously being on a rubber dome, noise wasn't an issue.

With my mech, I adjust my microphone sensitivity so it doesn't pick up my keyboard, but does activate if I talk. I haven't had any complaints about my mech since like a week after I got it (hadn't adjusted my sensitivity at that point). I was on Discord with one of my Quake Live clanmates like two weeks ago while we were playing and he couldn't hear my keyboard if I wasn't talking already.

Now with this 60%, Scroll Lock is a quick Fn+], and Pause is Fn+\. (I have a Fn key on Caps Lock, and one where the Menu key would be, between right Windows and right Ctrl). Generally I use my mouse hand, which is the right hand. I have two hands.

I don't normally bind a voice chat key in Quake Live, because I'm used to being in Ventrilo or Discord while playing.

cc: /u/nmrci

edit: This is the headset I have. Probably has a lot to do with my mic not picking up my keyboard.

edit 2: typo

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NOR89Y/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1/178-4103888-6460661?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=1YB84K4JBMF5XMNM146T&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=B0000DCRHA

Great warranty (few years, depending on purchase circumstances) and fantastic mic.

I own like 6 headsets and this is the one I fall back on.

For around 35 euro you can get these; http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NOR89Y/, which is probably the best in your priceclass. The cable is 3 meters long.

My experience with Plantronics is that they tend to break.

Your best bet is to maybe look around at some Sennheisers PC 151 or PC161.

Apparently, both of these are going for cheap. They are really comfy and sound awesome.

Logitech G400 is great.

Standard 10 bucks keyboard is fine. I have a backlit one with a wrist rest for 30 bucks, but that isn't really necessary.

Im a big fan of Sennheiser headsets, you can get basically anything from them (circumaural or smaller). If you don't have a soundcard i would recommend that you get one, good ones cost only 30 bucks.

My personal recommendation. I've had these for probably 4-5 years now and the microphone finally went out last year after I rolled over the cord a few thousand times. They're sturdy and extremely comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Also, my ears/head don't really sweat while I'm wearing these.

You're not going to want a wireless headset with that budget. Here's a solid headset, http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-151-Noise-Canceling-Microphone/dp/B000NOR89Y.