USB vs Analog Headsets

[Yeabuddy]

Alright i've been hearing a lot of rumors and myths about USB headsets being garbage compared to the analog ones. I want to get this debunked right now.

 

Is it true to avoid USB headsets as they have poorer sound quality? I know a lot of "gaming" headsets market themselves as using USB (and honestly I avoid "gaming" headsets all together). And of course there is also wireless headsets which requires USB as well.

 

Is what I heard true, or it just more myths?

[CollinC]

Well, let's look at how audio works, first. Your PC has the sound digitally in codes that are not directly usable to any headphones. In order to get audio to an output jack, we need a Digital Audio Converter. A DAC creates our analogue signal, and most every motherboard has it built in. Some have higher quality parts, and others, well, throws up in mouth. But some people (like myself) decide to go with a USB DAC, which is separate from the motherboard. I run a simple $30 Behringer UCA202 for it's RCA input and output jacks. It has a fuller, clearer range my PCs. But if you don't have good headphones, then you won't notice the difference. But on to the real answer:

 

On most "gaming" oriented headsets, the audio will probs be worse than on the aforementioned Behringer DAC, but most people will not notice.

 

Now, there are higher end headsets by companies like Sennheiser, but those are rather expensive. If you're looking for a headset, my suggestion is some bass-modded Sennheiser HD429 and a mod-mic. I can't really say whether or not the modmic is amazing from firsthand experience as I use a condenser mic for everything, but the former are the best headphones you can get for under $40, hell, I'd say under $100.

 

Overall, analogue will serve better for the price, but mod-mic'd is the best deal.

 

Also, stay away from wireless headphones unless you got some good $$$ ready to drop.

[Yeabuddy]

That's a very helpful post, but i'm still not sure if that answers my original question. Are you saying that USB headsets are not viable unless it's really expensive? I see you said you have a USB DAC that connects a RCA analog. And those Sennheiser headsets are analog too.

[CollinC]

That's a very helpful post, but i'm still not sure if that answers my original question. Are you saying that USB headsets are not viable unless it's really expensive? I see you said you have a USB DAC that connects a RCA analog. And those Sennheiser headsets are analog too.

What I mean is that it will be a lot more extra cash leaving your wallet to get that DAC built in to the headphones. Most of the time any USB headphones that sound good are going to be hella higher priced than a plain analogue headphone of equivalent sound. Not all cases, but most.

[Fluffinator]

USB headsets are awful, you pay more for the DAC, when your motherboard could do the same job but better.

[bassfisher6522]

USB headsets are awful, you pay more for the DAC, when your motherboard could do the same job but better.

Not necessarily true...that depends on the headset itself as to quality of sound whether it be analog or USB. I find that the cheap 3.5mm analog headsets vs there counter part USB headsets are worse in sound quality. You have to remember that the USB is digital sound which is clearer/crisper/and more vibrant sound than analog period. 

 

Example....logitech H100 headset/mic for $14 at your local walmart has terrible sound, step up to the logitech $19 USB and the sound is noticeable better. Why...because it's digital.

[Fluffinator]

Not necessarily true...that depends on the headset itself as to quality of sound whether it be analog or USB. I find that the cheap 3.5mm analog headsets vs there counter part USB headsets are worse in sound quality. You have to remember that the USB is digital sound which is clearer/crisper/and more vibrant sound than analog period. 

 

Example....logitech H100 headset/mic for $14 at your local walmart has terrible sound, step up to the logitech $19 USB and the sound is noticeable better. Why...because it's digital.

What......" USB is digital sound which is clearer/crisper/and more vibrant sound than analog period." are you serious? You gotta be joking..

[CollinC]

Example....logitech H100 headset/mic for $14 at your local walmart has terrible sound, step up to the logitech $19 USB and the sound is noticeable better. Why...because it's digital.

That hurt. A lot.

 

And really, analogue headsets tend to sound much better for the price than USB will. Why? That little DAC that probs won't do anything.

[Yeabuddy]

Thanks for the answers. It appears that it's the best choice to stick with analog headsets then.