Some time ago, our The first reviewthe best gaming devices. By pike command, according to our want, he was completely dedicated to the mice – the main instrument of any player. Now let me go to the headphones.
Without high -quality gaming "ears", or rather, even a headset – headphones with a microphone – today enthusiastic gamers are almost nowhere. The main “Time Eater”-online games, whether it be MMORPG or FPS players-it is difficult to imagine without programs like TeamSpeak 3 , Ventrillo , Mumble , Raidcall , Yes at least the same Skype.
Manufacturers also understand all this perfectly, and the head of the headset for every taste, color and size at our service. This review is the author's user view on game headphones. It is based on many years of observation for the best professional teams and players in Counter-Strike 1.6 , Starcraft , Warcraft III. However, first, let's clarify: what we mean by the words "high -quality gaming headphones"?
Na’vi.Markeloff. Professionals, like no one, understand how important the correct "ears" are.
One of the most important characteristics for the headset – design. Not in the sense that a bunch of light bulbs or a shape in the form of a Darth Vader helmet, but in how competently the headphones are made. The structure should have several points of the support so that the weight is evenly distributed and you can sit for more than one hour.
The next – Build quality and materials. Here attention should be paid to nodal points. For example, how the speakers are attached to an arc, on which the headline rests. If the elements are flimsy or a characteristic play appears under the load, such headphones will not live for a long time.
There are sets of sets closed and open. Open models are characterized by a more voluminous sound picture. They have better positioning sources of sound, and this is important for shooters. But you will not be able to fence off from external noise – for example, a TV, and households are unlikely to delight the heart -rending cries of your computer. Another drawback of open sets – the interlocutor can hear himself. Closed headphones are protected from external noise, but they suffer from excessive bassovitality and some kind of clamping of sound.
The last thing to note is is Type of outpatient. On large headphones there are two types: covering and invoices. The former fully cover the ear, fit tightly to the head and protect from extraneous noise. The second simply rely on the ears, and you continue to hear what is happening around. What to choose is to decide. We only note that the overhead headphones are slightly pressed on the head – the structure holds on the top and does not use ears as additional points of the support.
Choosing models for review, we examined the most common brands – Sennheiser , Steelseries , Razer And Logitech. Of course, "ears" from companies such as Thermaltake Esports , Creative , Zowie , also worthy of attention, but not this time.
Taiwanese company Thermaltake offers its playful headset – TT Esports Shock.
It is difficult to say who was the first to aim at the release of gaming headphones. In the middle-end of the nineties, when the author began to closely monitor the professional scene Counter-Strike 1.6 , There were only a few models in wide everyday life, mainly from Sennheiser And Plantronics.
German Sennheiser It was born soon after the Second World War and has been leading in the production of audio equipment for many years. During this time, Hanoverian engineers made a number of discoveries and patented several technological solutions. The company grew up, developed and gradually expanded the assortment.
In 2003, it was bought from her SENNHEISERCOMMUNICIONS. She is located next door, in Denmark, and aimed at products for houses, offices and telecommunication centers. Professional players in shooters, be it CS 1.6 or Quake , They fell in love with them Sennheiser PC 150. These open -type headphones stood out with an excellent sound, comfortable design and good assembly. There was also a version of PC155 – with a good external sound card.
Sennheiser PC 150. Light and convenient "open" headphones were to the taste of many pros.
The first representatives of the model were made in Germany or Ireland. Excellent "top" and "bottom" with juicy bass people definitely liked. Perhaps, only a cable, thin and fragile, caused complaints: if it was rubbed, I had to take up the soldering iron or drag it to the service center. In addition, Sennheiser prudently came up with the idea to sponsor many professional teams – MTW , Mousesports , Mym and the dreams that contributed to its popularity.
A few years ago, the light saw "closed" Sennheiser PC 350 – And this miracle of German technology immediately began to clash. In terms of quality price ratio, this model is probably the best in the world to this day: excellent sound insulation and sound, convenient folding structure and noise -disposal microphone. Like many others, the author at that time saw these handsome men in a dream, but the price of six thousand scared away.
Sennheiser PC 350. One of the most expensive, but at the same time the highest quality in the game market.
If you stopped on this model, do not allow yourself to deceive "fantastically low" prices in little -known stores, it is easy to get to the fake. It almost does not differ outwardly, but the build quality and sound – there is nowhere worse.
Sennheiser also releases models PC 330 , RS 161 And RS 360. The latter-"open" version of the 350s. No matter how funny, those who were lucky enough to listen to RS 350 and RS 360, note that the "older brother" has a better sound and juicier.
Sennheiser PC360. The younger brother PC 350 is impressive with characteristics much less.
The overseas competitor Sennheiser, Americans Plantronics , A rich history and many years of experience are also behind. Since 1961, the company has been developing a headset and has been working closely with NASA. The most famous model – Plantronics DSP-500 – characterized by an aggressive design, its own sound board and USB connection. The assembly quality did not fail – many have these headphones regularly worked for several years. In terms of sound, they were slightly inferior to competitors from Sennheiser, but this did not interfere with the popularity. In addition, the DSP-500 cost less cheaper.
Today Plantronics is represented by three models: Gamecom 367 , 377 And 777. The first two, in addition to coloring, also differ in the fact that 367 is a closed type, and 377 – open.
Plantronics DSP-550. Old, but everyone's favorite American audio camp at one time conquered the hearts of many players.Plantronics Gamecom 777. The new line of players from Plantronics has been a successful quality, but our players do not take root.
Last, Gamecom 777 , I received my own sound card with support for the sound of format 5.1 and technology Dolby Headphone and Pro Logic II. The sound is detailed and does not cut the hearing, the microphone is not bad. Assembly – for a solid four.
The beauty of the first Siberia guaranteed her "place under the monitor".
The old Plantronics and Sennheiser models seemed to have everything that a gamer needed, except … a fashionable appearance. As an element of the headphone style was one of the first to look at the workers Icemat. The Danish company, previously known for its "glass" rugs, ordered the company's design a few years ago TOONG in and released bright white ears Yummy Wins Casino Siberia. The game community accepted them positively. The music did not play too expressive, but for most games of that time there was enough. The Danes did not work out the sliding microphone, and it was attached to the cable. This is they, I think, in vain.
Steelseries Siberia V2. The sound became better and cleaner, and the microphone finally became a sliding.
Then another Danish company, Steelseries , I knocked Icemat for herself and continued to release Siberia, but already under its flag. Soon the light saw and Steelseries5h , 5HV2 , 4h And 3H.
The most popular today Siberia v2 And 7h. The direct heiress of the legendary Siberia received a retractable microphone and increased to 50 mm dynamics with excellent bass. Siberia v2 headphones – closed type, hence good sound insulation. The microphone is narrowly targeted, which means that it will not collect surrounding sounds, only your voice. The microphone holds on a metal arc hidden in the left ear. As for the connection method, everything is standard here-two 3.5 mm Jack.
Like the senior version, the headphones are produced and complete with the external sound card of Steelseries (it should be noted, not bad), and without it. Color variations – a whole rainbow. In addition to standard white and black, there is red, blue, green, orange, black-gold and yellow-black versions. The latter, by the way, Na’vi Edition. There are special publications: for example, recently released a model dedicated to a speedy launch Diablo 3.
Steelseries 7h is a very ambiguous model, some owners complain about quality.
If anyone certainly wants a headset from Steelseries, but not enthusiastic about Siberia, you can pay attention to Steelseries 7h. This is a kind of descendant of 5HV2, closed type and focused on the regulars. The design is folding. They sit well on their heads: the ears do not hurt even after a few hours.
But we will not recommend the "seven", it is ambiguous. Some owners complain about the wire and fragility: "Only four months have passed, and one ear has already died". Someone soon refuses the microphone.
If you read our “mouse” review, you noticed that the main competitor of Steelseries in that field – Razer. The California company, which at first spoke with game surfaces and mice, not so long ago made her way here.
Razer Barracuda. First test on the new field.
Their first model, Razerbarracuda , The players were not impressed. Compact Razerpiranha , Analogue Sennheiser RS 150 turned out to be controversial: expressive design and shimmering logos – but mediocre sound and weak microphone. Many owners noted that in the "piranha" you can’t sit for a long time, they squeeze the ears.
Now the flagship model of the company – Razermegalodon , The namesake of the prehistoric shark. Razer tested a new technology for emulating "sound around". The kit has a separate sound board, at the same time playing the role of the control panel. The headphones again evoke mixed feelings. On the one hand, they sit on their heads perfectly, on the other, the sound is weak for such a price (6000 rubles). And virtual technology 7.1 was not impressed, well, at least no one forbids to switch to honest 2.0. There is also a budget version on sale – Carcharias , without sound board.
Razer Megalodon. "Prehistoric shark" shines with characteristics and configuration. "Razer" is "Razer".Razer Banshee. Celtic mythology? Not at all, "Starcraft"!
For lovers Starcraft II a year ago released Razerbanshee , in honor of a military helicopter from the game. Made in Terranian style, they successfully fit into the universe and are intended primarily for professional players in SCII. They have excellent sound and sound insulation, as well as a multicolor APM lighting system, which is sensitive to your actions in the game. Shines bright and juicy, the colors flow smoothly into each other. There are three independent light sources – logo, diodes at the edges and lower backlight.
And we finish the review on Logitech G35. Like Razer Megalodon, they provide virtual volumetric sound in format 7.1 with the support of Dolby technology. For 3700 rubles (plus or minus a couple of hundred) Swiss offer us headphones, three soft heads and pieces of paper with drivers in a load.
Logitech G35. You never spoke in the voice of a troll or cosmic squirrel?
Positioning of sound sources at altitude. On the left “ear” there are three mechanical G-sknops that control the reproduction of music and modulation of the voice. In the raid channel, you can pretend to be a troll, mutant, alien, giant, cyborg or cosmic squirrel. The thing is useless, but funny. Your friends who are sitting with you on the same TeamSpeak channel will definitely be delighted, having heard a whitish squeak at a crucial moment: “In the attack, lads, we will give them nuts for nuts!»But with what the headphones were not lucky, it is with the quality of the assembly. Many note a flimsy fastening of cups to the headlines.
Steelseries Neckband – a compromise between games and player. And on the street it is not a shame to show off, and at home they work properly.
Often they say that there is no need to wait for high -quality sound from game sets. And it really is. In all such headphones, the main emphasis is on low frequencies so that the shots sound more natural. If you want the perfect "ears" for music, it is better to take a closer look at professional sets.
Finally – little advice. If you see your headphones, first of all, bright and stylish, so as not to seem ashamed to people – Steelseries or Razer will suit you. Particularly good Steelseries Neckband – And they will be friends with the player, and they will cope with games. But the music plays sluggish in them. If you like high sound quality, pay attention to Plantronics and Sennheiser.
Captain Evidence still tells us that before buying it is worth trying on and listen to your favorite headphones. Thank you, cap, you read our thoughts! Next time we'll talk about game keyboards. Until new meetings!