USB Headphones

[Fencer51]

I just got a new set of headphones because mine broke over the weekend and my backup pair was already dead.

I got the TekNmotion Pulsewave. (~$50 at Egghead)

Anyhoo.. it has an USB connection.  Seems to work fine.. but just how does this work?  Am I using my SB ZS 2 Audigy?

[Getback]

I've heard that USB Headphones are detrimental to the game based on resource usage.

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,249369.msg3069914.html#msg3069914 Here's some input by skuzzy and LLama.

[maddafinga]

I used to use a usb headset before I got a dedicated sound card.  When I switched to the sound card and disabled the onboard card and got rid of the usb headset I not got improvement in the game sounds, but also better frame rates.  It made a noticeable difference immediatley.  I'd hook it up using the standard jacks if you have that option available to you, especially since you've already got a dedicated sound card going.  I'm no computer hardware pro, but that's my .02 based on my experience.

[llama]

The USB headphones aren't using your sound blaster at all. They have their own usb-powered soundcard, and they usually (but not always) sound worse than a good sound card will, and they always use more CPU than a good soundcard.

-Llama

[Masherbrum]

Return them and get these:

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-EH-150-Evolution-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00067OF80

I've had these for over two years and the sound quality is not only astounding, music is crisp and clear.   These have literally been beat to watermelon by my now 7 year old son.   He's been tangled in the cord and whipped them off of the desk and other things.   They haven't stopped whooping arse with music and games.  

These are on the threshold of sounding better than my buddy's $150 Shure phones.   I'm not lying either, these are really THAT good.