New gaming setup - Advice?

[PocketzDK]

Hi guys

 

Im looking for a new gaming setup.

 

I currently have a Sennheiser PC 155 USB.

My greatest gripe with this headset is that sound "leaks" into the Mic when gaming.

This is very annoying to both me and my friends.

 

So Im looking for another headset or Standalone mic and headphones.

Only requirement are: it has to be better sounding, and the MIC cant be to sensitive.My Roommate and I, have a small gaming room and are sitting less than 5 feet apart.

The mic cant be capturing his voice and mine at the same level.

 

Budget: Im not looking for true audiophile grade gear. So ill set a max of $350 if it 2 seperate units Ill set it at $550

 

Please link to any reviews of your recommendations if possible.

 

Thank you.

[MrTomnus]

@PocketzDK What do you mean by sound leaking? That your friends can hear your game sounds through your mic? That's odd. The only reason I could think that would happen is if you had an open headset design.

 

Anyway, if your budget is $350 US, here is some pretty great gear you can get. For that budget you can get a nice pair of headphones and a nice microphone too. Here is what I'd recommend if you're not concerned about amazing quality from both, and they are nicely under budget:

 

Audio Technica ATH-M50 - quite highly regarded by many people as a pretty excellent studio quality headphone for a reasonable price.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397989440&sr=8-2&keywords=audio+technica+ath-m50

 

Blue Snowball microphone - this mic is a cardiod mic, meaning it hears sound best when they are directed straight at the microphone. Coupled with some background noise cancellation software from something like on Skype you shouldn't be able to hear your roommate's voice in it It also has an omnidirectional mode.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowball-Microphone-Aluminum/dp/B002OO333Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1397989679&sr=1-1&keywords=blue+snowball

[PocketzDK]

@PocketzDK What do you mean by sound leaking? That your friends can hear your game sounds through your mic? That's odd. The only reason I could think that would happen is if you had an open headset design.

 

 

Basicly people Im on Skype and TS with can hear gunshots and highpitched sounds like the targeting lock in BF4.

At times almost as clear, as if it was in their own game.

[creatip123]

Basicly people Im on Skype and TS with can hear gunshots and highpitched sounds like the targeting lock in BF4.

At times almost as clear, as if it was in their own game.

 

Try playing a game or music, turn on the mic, and cover/grip it tightly with your hand. If they can still hear sounds, than it's not that the mic is over sensitive that it picked up the sound leaking from the headphone cups. Might be something wrong with the cabling or settings. 

 

Headset mics shouldn't be that sensitive.

[ShearMe]

@PocketzDK What do you mean by sound leaking? That your friends can hear your game sounds through your mic? That's odd. The only reason I could think that would happen is if you had an open headset design.

 

Anyway, if your budget is $350 US, here is some pretty great gear you can get. For that budget you can get a nice pair of headphones and a nice microphone too. Here is what I'd recommend if you're not concerned about amazing quality from both, and they are nicely under budget:

 

Audio Technica ATH-M50 - quite highly regarded by many people as a pretty excellent studio quality headphone for a reasonable price.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397989440&sr=8-2&keywords=audio+technica+ath-m50

 

"sound leaking" happens via crosstalk between the mic and headphone circuits. It's a common issue with integrated mics.

 

The M50 was a highly recommended headphone. Please, stop! 

 

____________________

 

If you go with a separate mic, OP, you're gonna need a boom arm to get it closer to your mouth. That way, you can turn the volume really low so it doesn't trip the noise gate when your roommate talks. Because of this, I'll recommend the AntLion ModMic for simplicity's sake. The 4.0 version works pretty good in their demo, and it should be available in May.

 

As per headphones, it's always hard to make a recommendation for newbies cuz neither we nor you really know what kinda sound you prefer. Because of that, you should keep your budget on the lower end. I'll throw out the NVX XPT100 for something with isolation, and the Pioneer SE-A1000 for something without.

[EmoRarity]

Try playing a game or music, turn on the mic, and cover/grip it tightly with your hand. If they can still hear sounds, than it's not that the mic is over sensitive that it picked up the sound leaking from the headphone cups. Might be something wrong with the cabling or settings. 

 

Headset mics shouldn't be that sensitive.

Being a swimmer/distance runner once upon a time, I just fit the headphone to my thigh. Get a better feel for how much something leaks that way. 

[PocketzDK]

"sound leaking" happens via crosstalk between the mic and headphone circuits. It's a common issue with integrated mics.

 

The M50 was a highly recommended headphone. Please, stop! 

 

 

We tested this with other headsets and they didnt have the same issue, so you might be right about that.

Also I had been eyeing the modmic but thpught his own test sounded kinnda breathy. But I might hold off and wait for some reviews before passing judgement.

 

 

Being a swimmer/distance runner once upon a time, I just fit the headphone to my thigh. Get a better feel for how much something leaks that way. 

 

They are very poorly isolated. If im listening to music my roommate is basicly hearing the same thing, just at a slightly reduced volume.

[ShearMe]

Also I had been eyeing the modmic but thpught his own test sounded kinnda breathy. But I might hold off and wait for some reviews before passing judgement.

 

I half suspect he tries to make it sound bad on purpose - even his 2.0 sounded more pop-y than mine did when put at the corner of my mouth - so waiting for actual user reviews sounds like a good idea.