USB Headset troubles

[Chalenge]

A memory leak is affecting the C-Media type headsets produced by Plantronics and Logitech. You will know if you have one of the problem headsets because right about one hour after plugging in the sound will begin to distort and (in AH in particular) you will see your program crash.

In the case of Plantronics the simple solution is to remove the USB fob and plug directly to your sound card or motherboard audio connections.

[Masherbrum]

.....or purchase a Mini-Plug Headset.   

[gyrene81]

I really enjoy these...best money I've spent on headphones regardless of what grade the manufacturer states...long cord too.



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FY7LBQ/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

[Chalenge]

I have several headsets and I was using a dual earpiece Altec Lansing USB set (without the fob) but it finally gave out. I then moved to a Heil PR-40 and AKG wireless headset that I use for Skype calls but the my wife cant call her friends with Skype while Im flying.

So I bought the Heil Pro Set Media headset. For the money ($100) you wont find anything better. Heil was commisioned by the US Navy to develop a headset that would have longer life than the typical market headsets. Apparently cheap headbands and thin wires were causing problems aboard ship. The Pro Set Media is the most comfortable headset I have ever found and the dual 1/8" wires are tough enough to take abuse. Plus the cotton ear covers are removable for washing.

Its not a noise cancelling headset like my AKGs but its hard to hear anything but the headphones. Mic is very clear also.



The problem I posted in the first post was mentioned on TWiT over the weekend. Sure enough one of my squaddies is using one of the headsets with the problem.

[gyrene81]

Geez Chalenge, for $100 I can buy 4 sets of the Yapster's and still have money for a good bottle of vodka and OJ...or bourbon and coke... 
I have almost 6 feet of cord...mic on/off and speaker volume control on the cord...metal flex mic boom...washable surfaces on the ear pads and the mic...and the sound quality is so good I can hear the squirrels fart in AH.

I'd be afraid to buy expensive headphones with my luck I'd roll over the cord with my chair and mess up the cord or something... 

[Chalenge]

Not that cord you wont.  

I use it with a mixer/preamp combination.

[ACE]

I've heard that Turtle Beach Headsets were pretty good.

However, i've also heard their expensive.

[Tigger29]

I've heard that Turtle Beach Headsets were pretty good.

However, i've also heard their expensive.

Mine were about $80... AWESOME headphones... also surround sound, but they are also USB, however I haven't had any problems whatsoever with them.

There is a direct plug in version of mine for a little less.. I think it was $70 or so last time I looked.

[Ack-Ack]

I've heard that Turtle Beach Headsets were pretty good.

However, i've also heard their expensive.

I love my Turtle Beach HPA2 head phones, can't recommend them enough.  They use a pass over to connect to your 5.1 sound card and only uses a USB connection to power the mini-amp that comes with it.  The 5.1 is true 5.1 surround sound and the sound quality is excellent for games and very good for movies and music. 

ack-ack

[Erkel]

I've got a Platonics USB headset.  Don't have a problem with game crashing but sometimes if I look around with my hat I'll get intersting noises but only for a moment.  Otherwise I'm having no problems with it.

[Tigger29]

I love my Turtle Beach HPA2 head phones, can't recommend them enough.  They use a pass over to connect to your 5.1 sound card and only uses a USB connection to power the mini-amp that comes with it.  The 5.1 is true 5.1 surround sound and the sound quality is excellent for games and very good for movies and music. 

ack-ack

Mine are the AKR8 version... same thing except it DOES connect via USB using its own drivers.  I love it.  If I had a separate sound card I would consider getting the HPA2 but when you have integrated sound on the motherboard, it's kind of like 'which is the lesser of two evils'?

Regardless... yes I love mine too... the sound is incredible

[Skuzzy]

C-Media products have been crap, since day one.  I cannot figure out how they stay in business.

[BoilerDown]

I'm gone through more headphones than I like to admit trying to find one that I can wear for hours and not have sore ears afterwards.  Finally the Sennheiser HD 555 fit that requirement: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106392 .  I haven't felt it necessary to change my headphones since I bought this one.  I'm not an audiophile but to me it sounds great, although I'm sure someone will pipe in that Sennheiser is overrated/overpriced, and they might be right, I like the pair I have.  It also works perfectly with the TrackIR Trackclip Pro.

Some of the others I've tried over the years were powered over USB (but the audio came through the standard analog jacks).  In every one of those, a lot of electrical "noise" from my computer bled over to something I could hear.  The best solution was to get a powered USB hub instead of plugging it into the computer.  This includes a 5.1 pair that I don't use unless I'm playing a FPS (5.1 is just not needed or useful in AH2 or WoW, and I don't play FPSs much any more).

[Tigger29]

Actually, I find the surround sound to be very useful in AH2, especially when GVing.  You can position an enemy tank by sound alone and it sounds incredible compared to regular stereo headphones.

[ebfd11]

I used to have the Turtle beach heatset and it was OK but the cord (cough cough) got ran over 1 too many times. So I bought the Logitech G35's and I have not had a headset sound so good, IMO. They were a little pricy when I bought them but for full immersion into a game OHH BABY!!!!

Here is the website for them.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/webcam_communications/internet_headsets_phones/devices/5095