FPSLabs - Forums - Headsets and Sound - PC151 or PC166USB or PC350

Currently using 5hv2USB, but i am thinking of changing to either of the 3 mentioned above. I am thinking of changing to a PC166USB since it can hear as good as PC350 imo and cheaper.
Any suggestions out there ?

I'd definitely go for PC350. I'm thinking about getting those for myself too. Currently using HD555, but they are good too so I think what it is a little bit risky to buy PC350 because difference can be almost none.

Precisely, the 3 above that I mentioned can hear better than 5hv2 and the price isn't much of a difference.

I actually dont recommend a headset. Recommend headphones with either a clip-on-mic or desktop mic.

Headsets are crap quality, especially PC350.

If you dont go to LANs or have noisy environment, get a great pair of headphones. The money you spend on PC350, you can spend that money on Sennheiser HD555 or ATH-AD700.

The PC350 sounds like shit/muffled/low quality product when compared to those headphones.

But if you still insist on getting a headset(just coz there is a mic attached), go and spend useless money on headsets.

#2

Dont! Difference can almost be none? Rofl...u should read reviews or ask someone who had both(ME). First of all, PC350 is a closed headset, closed headphones/headset have bad soundstage. Thats a fact. U wont need a closed headset/headphone, unless you have a noisy environment.

If you dont believe and buy it anyway, well...you will hit your head against the walls, coz it will be a huge downgrade. Ive had many headsets/headphones (Siberia/5hv2/fatality headset/PC161/PC166/PC350/Medusa/HD555/AD 700/A500) so I know whats a good product and a bad product.

In my opinion, if you are willing to spend �100-�150 get ATH-AD700. If you cant find it in your country, get Sennheiser HD555. Simple as that. And if you still think you can have better sound quality, get a x-fi soundcard(Creative Xtremegamer/Auzentech prelude/ Creative titanium)

This comment was edited at 09/06/2009 6:58 AM

I heard that HD555 is good, but how's the quality like ?

100x better then PC350.

Its clean, rich and a fantastic soundstage. Its a great headphone to own. Its comfy too.

But if you can find ATH-AD700 and spend a little more, you will have a better headphone. AD700 soundstage is seen as one of the best. Quick responsive bass, very smooth midrange and fantastic highs.

And you cant beat its comfort. Its one of the most comfy headphones there is. Combined with a soundcard, you can enjoy music and games like you have never did before!

And about the 3D-positioning, ive tested all my headsets/headphones with Xtremegamer x-fi on the same settings. And HD555 + ATH-AD700 has the best positioning imo. You know where the enemies are coming from/shooting from. And its range of hearing footsteps increases as well. Its more then other headsets(u might think that the range has something to do with the soundcard, it does. But it also effects the headphone's. Certain headsets/headphones have less hearing range or you just cant hear it due to bad quality).

But I must say, that the steel$hit 5hv2, was better, when it comes to HEARING footsteps in CS/CSS.
Coz of the bad environment quality and bad soundstage, only thing you hear well are the footsteps and gunshots. Listing music with those things is hell.

So like I said, HD555 are fine (and better then any other headset in the world) and its a pleasure to own one of those. But if you can spend just 20-30 euros more(and in some stores its the same price!) and its available in your country, get ATH-AD700!

And if you want to take your sound quality up to a next level, Creative x-fi soundcard(xtremegamer/titanium/auzentech prelude) is recommended by me.

This comment was edited at 09/06/2009 8:38 AM

I'd take the 166USB any day.. haven't tried those AD700 though. HD555 was amazing while listening to music and such, but they were really uncomfortable to use. Siberia's were good in CS because of the zero bass and high treble but really sucked for everything else plus the build quality was horrible.

Now, PC166 is very comfortable to use, you almost don't feel wearing them. They are great for CS due to the sound positioning (not an expert in these audio things and don't know the right terms but I know what I hear, PC166 is a lot better than HD555 for CS) while maintaining a good level of bass. It comes with a USB sound card, which I can't really complain about. I've owned an expensive soundblaster sound card and the sennheiser's usb sound card is just as good, if not better. It doesn't need any drivers to work and you can fine-tune bass and treble from windows. I've owned the 166USB's for a few years, taken them to various lans and dropped them at least a hundred times and they still work.

#6 which settings you turn on on creative control panel in order to make positioning sounds as good as possible ?

#7

uhm...I think your kinda wrong there buddy.
Im curious what expensive card you owned.

Coz ive had that $hitty USB card and tried it out. I find it slightly better then onboard, but its still coming no were near a good creative x-fi card. I think you should have tested out some settings.

About PC166 being better then HD555 for CS. Close range positioning were almost identical, but when it came to far range positioning, I could hear better with the HD555. And with better, I mean...hearing footsteps while others fire(nearby my position).

Imo if you have the right settings, the HD555 does a better job in positioning then PC161/PC166.

#8

Its a weird setting and you may not like it. And it may sound weird if ur not used to, but its what im using.

Game mode:
- Speakers: Headphones - Windows setting = 5.1 (untick "sync with CP" if its ticked)

- Bass boost not enabled

- CMSS- 3D: On and both settings on auto ( U might want to turn them off tho, test with it. I play more CSS then CS, so turning that setting on might be not a great idea for CS, just experiment)

- Crystalizer: Off - its personal preference tho, set it to any level you want
- Enable eax: = on and its standard

- EQ: = on. Here is a screenshot: http://i28.tinypic.com/124hsar.jpg

This is not a setting that I just randomly did, I experimented a lot. And came to a conclusion that with these EQ settings, the footsteps become more clear. Some people think that having these settings linear is better, but its their opinion. I find this better.

These are my settings that I use when im playing 1.6/CSS.
But when im listing to music, I swap to Audio Creation Mode. In audio creation mode, I have "bit matched playback" on and have put the "Master sampling rate" to 44.1Khz. For music, its perfect :)

but the steelseries soundcard is working perfect for me. Creative cost a bomb ! :<

its only 60-70 euro's max(here in europe).

U dont have to get a titanium or auzentech prelude. Creative xtremegamer is fine too(i have it) : \

HD595 or pc350, i've been using pc350 for about a year, and they're sick

#9 thank you :)

#12 I would rather go with the PC166 :p

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PC151 or PC166USB or PC350

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