In our first official hardware review, we take a shot at two of the oldest and most commonly asked questions by today’s gamers, which are: “what headset should I get?” and “does it really make that much of a difference?” The answer isn’t really as straightforward as most people believe.

It’s all in your head … or is it?

Written by Phil Brickman

In our first official hardware review, we take a shot at two of the oldest and most commonly asked questions by today’s gamers, which are: “what headset should I get?” and “does it really make that much of a difference?” The answer isn’t really as straightforward as most people believe. It all depends on the individual listeners taste in sound. Are you into that loud thumping bass that could blow-dry your hair? Or maybe that crisp high end sound that could shatter your glasses? Well, we’ve tested 8 very high quality headphones, and which headphone is best for you will depend on your needs, the type of music or game you play, and lastly, your budget. We took these 8 headsets and ran them through three different tests: 1) Games - 2 hours a day for each headset. 2) Music - 4 hours on each headset, with 1 hr of alternative, trance, classical and jazz. 3) Movies – 3+ hours, anything goes on DVD.

“But where are the graphs and charts?” Well, I’m glad you asked, because they are in the toilet where they belong. Don’t get me wrong, they make for a good read, but you don’t listen with your eyes, so we went with the old school method of “If it sounds awesome, it is awesome.” We’ll leave the numbers game to the people who like to read boxes while at the store. I’ll try to keep this as simple as possible, so here goes.

Let’s kick off the list with the new kid on the block:

I happened to get a glimpse of the PC150s while competing at the CPL over this past summer, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. It’s a compact headset with a noise-canceling mic, so my first impression was ok, it’s a gamers headset. So I went straight for the movie and music tests expecting average results and man, did I get shot down. The sound range these little guys produce is about as good as it gets without spending the money for the upper level audiophile headsets. I hate considering them a bargain at around 50-60 dollars, but for what you get you can’t go wrong with the pc150s. Very respectable job for Sennheisers first attempt at a line oriented for gamers but is dynamic enough for any use. It’s pretty crazy thinking about what they have up their sleeves for the second generation of gamer headsets.

Sounds like?
1) Movies – 4/5 Sennheisers patented imaging even at this level, is still impressive.
2) Music – 4/5 Awesome, but these little guys could use a bit more power.
3) Games – 4.2/5 A crystal clear noise canceling mic, and a really good sound range prove this headset was made with the gamer in mind.

Pros:
- Small and lightweight.
- Excellent noise canceling mic.
- Volume control on the headset cable.
- Excellent sound reproduction for its size.
- Price.

Cons:
- Headphones could use a bit more power.
- I would have liked to see the usual large speaker design Sennheiser uses on its other brands, but that’s personal preference.
{mospagebreak heading=Intro, Sennheiser PC150&title=Plantronics Audio .90, DSP-500}

I really can’t say much about the audio 90s, other then they are your everyday run of the mill headset, with an excellent mic. They feature a noise canceling mic, but the headset itself doesn’t produce that dynamic of a sound range. It’s a very good overall headset if you’re an occasional gamer or music listener who just needed a headset, but for the more avid gamer I’d look over other options. They are not the sturdiest headset around, and I myself have had more than a couple of replacement headsets. With the audio 90s you basically get what you pay for, which on the average happens to be about 20 bucks.

Sounds like?
1) Movies – 3/5 Decent sound, but it won’t blow you away.
2) Music – 3/5 Wasn’t all that bad, but again only if you are the occasional listener.
3) Games – 3/5 Excellent mic, but I wouldn’t expect to hear people across a map/board.

Pros:
- Cheap.
- Excellent noise canceling mic.
- Volume control on the headset cable.

Cons:
- Reliability is a big question
- Not very dynamic in sound. Flat, low response levels.

The dsp-500s are an interesting change from your conventional headset. They include a digital sound processor built on the cord, and come in USB flavor. I was happy with the clarity and quality of sound, until I started to run into a few problems. I’ve heard many people complain about losing sound in one ear, static, or even the mic stop working altogether. I encountered pretty much all of the same problems in the two sets I tested. So if you do end up getting a pair, I seriously recommend treating them with kid gloves, or you may be paying a visit to the RMA department at Plantronics, which may end up sounding better then it really is. You get a refurbished headset sent back to you, with an old firmware revision, and the ones I had sent to me didn’t agree with WinXP (yes I tried the firmware upgrade but the static just wouldn’t go away). At around 75 dollars you get a pretty good bang for your buck, but with most systems supplying a quality onboard sound solution and the lack of use on stereos and such, the downside of the DSP’s is the limited use. Overall, the imaging on the headset was very good, but lacked in the bass department.

Sounds like?
1) Movies – 4/5 Only comes in USB, so you can only use these when watching movies on the computer, but sound was definitely above average.
2) Music – 3.8/5 Limitations by the USB means only computer based music and the headset could use a bit more strength in the bass area.
3) Games – 4/5 I’m pretty impressed by the quality of sound the DSP’s possess, but you have take good care of them or they are useless.

Pros:
- Very good sound for what you are paying.
- Awesome noise canceling mic included.
- Volume control on the headset cable.

Cons:
- Extremely fragile (I went through two pairs).
- Limited use with an only USB platform.
- May be considered a little high in price, considering there are non-processor solutions out there that sound as good, if not better.
{mospagebreak title=Sennheiser HD-280, Bose Triport/QC}

When I took the 280s out of its packaging the first thing that came to mind was, “what would YOU do for a Klondike bar?” Sennheiser really thought things out when they designed this headset, with features like a collapsible design for easy compact storage, as well as completely enclosing the headphone enclosures to block out any and all external noises. A favorite from your local LANner who just doesn’t want to hear that noob who just got his second frag in ten rounds, to DJ’s and recording studios who take blocking out sound on a more serious level. Hell, I even went as far as walking around with them on just to drown out the “are you going to take the trash out” for the twentieth time while writing this review. Of course, that’s not all you get for around seventy dollars. That Sennheiser trademark of awesome imaging, and the comfort of knowing your head won’t be needing that bucket of ice water dumped on you like you just coached a superbowl win. An all too common feeling you normally get from wearing other headphones for extended periods of time.

Sounds like?
1) Movies – 4.4/5 Can’t say something this good would disappoint you with any movie genre.
2) Music – 4.6/5 Designed with the DJ and recording studio in mind. The sound blocking design make music its specialty.
3) Games – 4.5/5 Quality imaging is a must, but where these babies shine is again that sound blocking design, which makes even the loudest LAN event no problem.

Pros:
- Very light.
- Can handle high power levels.
- Sealed headset blocks out everything.
- Studio quality sound used by professionals.
- Price is a bargain at this quality level.
- Designed for comfort and portability.

Cons:
- Wish it had a mic.
- No volume control.

We put both headsets in one review here because they are similar in a few ways. Both headsets have exceptional sound, are light as a feather and cost more then they should. Granted, they are the Gucci bag of sound, but do you really want to pay for the name? At anywhere from 150 for the TriPort to 300 for the QuietComfort, you are getting quality sound, but shouldn’t be paying that high for what you can get at lower costs in the other headsets we’re reviewing. Sound was robust, but the headset seemed a bit too light and I got this whole flimsy feel. They may have both passed my stop, drop and roll test, but I have some doubts as to how long they would last in the active world of gaming/music appreciation. The reason they were included in the overall review was because we’ve seen a number of units pop up at LANs, so we had to see what all the fuss was about.

Sounds like?
1) Movies – 4/5 Very vivid sound that left little to be desired. Imaging was good, especially in the treble or higher areas.
2) Music – 4.2/5 Excellent. You know bose has a way of getting big sound out of little products, but the real question here is “At what cost?” I can see these headsets in catalogues on top of 2000-dollar units, but a pretty picture doesn’t mean much to the aggressive user.
3) Games – 4/5 They didn’t give me that “I just ate a York Peppermint Patty” feel to them. Overall they sounded real nice, but it wasn’t much of a difference when you compare them to some of the other less expensive headsets that produce the same quality.

Pros:
- Light weight.
- Excellent sound quality.

Cons:
- Cost way too much for sound reproduction. You can get at almost half the price in other headphones.
- No mic.
- Didn’t have that sturdy feeling especially the TriPort with its 3-cable design.

{mospagebreak title=Sony MDR-7506, Sennheiser HD570}

Well, considering Sony has more money than Richy Rich for research and development, all expectations were that the MDR-7506 would be high quality and very comfortable. I really liked the feel of the 7506 and sound quality was closely matched with to the Sennheiser HD280’s. At around a hundred dollars, you get a high level of performance and comfort, but I still think I would go with the HD280s. Don’t get me wrong if you have a pair already, as a lot of people do, I wouldn’t bother upgrading to another headset. But my choice, if you I both pairs in front of me, would have to give the edge to the hd280s. They fold up nicely, sound a touch better, block out all external sound and are less expensive which makes them the better bargain. The 7506’s are definitely above average so they justify the price tag.

Sounds like?
1) Movies – 4.4/5 High quality spacious sound makes any movie enjoyable.
2) Music – 4.5/5 Sony shines as usual in this department. Full sounds on headphones that can handle any stereo systems power levels make them a real gem.
3) Games – 4.4/5 Between the high sound imaging and the level of sound they block out make them a great any use headset.

Pros:
- High level of quality sound.
- Lightweight and comfortable.
- Designed to block out all sound and does it well.
- Strong enough to handle amplified sound.

Cons:
- Price makes the HD280s the better solution.
- No mic attached. - No volume control.

I know you may think “ok is there something you are trying to tell us here, another Sennheiser headsets?” Well, I’m glad you brought that up, because yes, there is a message here. One of the most underrated and hidden secrets in sound industry is Sennheiser. They have a “quality” headset for every single level of gamer/music lover or whatever type of listener you can think of. The 570s are the next level up above both the pc150 and HD280, respectively. The 570s are pretty much on par with the HD280, but the design is definitely different. They sport an around the ear design that ensures a high level of comfort, for those long days of LANning or just hanging out listening to music. Aside from feeling lighter, the sound quality was slightly better then the HD280s, and they seemed to handle power levels a touch better. At around the eighty dollar level, you can’t go wrong with a headset that has a replacement for almost every part of the headset.

Sounds like?
1) Movies – 4.4/5 A nice and open 3D sound feel to them. Got to love the shoot em’ up scenes with shots ricocheting all over the place.
2) Music – 4.6/5 Like the HD280s, they handle power levels at high ranges before hearing distortion, if any at all. The design makes them all the more worth getting.
3) Games – 4.5/5 Once you lower the bass levels just a hair, you are all set with the 570s. Awesome imaging, with almost a built in EAX feel to them.

Pros:
- Very light.
- Can handle high power levels.
- Almost every part is replaceable.
- Sound quality is very high.
- Price is a bargain at this quality level.
- Comfortable design is a huge plus.

Cons:
- Wish it had a mic.
- Volume control built into the cord would be nice, but isn’t the end of the world as Sennheiser sells one you can add on.
{mospagebreak title=Sennheiser HD-590, Verdict}

Well, they say you should always save the best for last, so that’s exactly what we did. Whether you are a bass fan, or like the crispness of quality sound, there is no way you can not like the well rounded balance of sound the 590’s produce. I don’t think I’ve been this impressed with a headset since I started using them so many years ago. I threw the kitchen sink at them and ran every test in the book from music on a laptop, to movies on a surround sound unit, to whatever–and the only thing the 590s convinced me of was that I needed to get a pair of my own. The 590s go for around 150 dollars give or take, and they have that similar around the ear cushions and removable cord the 570s use in its design. One thing that was definitely different between the two was how light the 590s felt. It left me wondering how sturdy they are, so of course the first thing I did was drop them and run over the cord with my chair… twice. Crazy? Well, I look at it this way, if I’m going to spend 150 dollars on a headset that sounds this good, I’d like to think it’s going to have to pass my daily accidental ritual of knocking the headset off my desk then running the cord over with my chair. I have enough paperweights from past headsets and I really didn’t feel like adding another one to the pile.

Sounds like?
1) Movies – 4.7/5 Excellent, even at the simplest settings. I still had that surround feeling Sennheiser is patented for. After an hour of Saving Private Ryan I had to break out Call of Duty and get my frag on.
2) Music – 4.8/5 Awesome, no matter what type of music you listen to. The 590s will only make it that much more enjoyable. Across the board clean sound from low, to high-level sound.
3) Games – 4.8/5 I cant stop touting how good these headphones really are. If it’s out there, you will hear it. They reproduce every single sound you were meant to hear and the best part is, you can wear them all day and not even know they are on your head.

Pros:
- Sound quality at its finest. Period.
- Every single part is replaceable.
- Even though it’s listed as slightly heavier then the 570s, it feels lighter.
- Durable.
- Can handle the highest sound levels before any distortion sets in. - Comfortable design. - At its price level, some would think it’s a bit steep, but for what you get its nothing short of a bargain.

Cons:
- No mic.
- No volume control.

Final Verdict:
Rank	Headphone/Headset	Movies	Music	Games
1)	Sennheiser HD590	4.7	4.8	4.8
Pound for pound the most enjoyable headset that’s within legitimate budgets. It’s worth every penny.
2)	Sennheiser PC150 (buy)	4	4	4.2
Second? Yes second! Remember we are talking best value versus quality. The PC150’s have it all.
3)	Sennheiser HD570	4.4	4.6	4.5
Almost there, but the HD590s are too good to be true.
4)	Sennheiser HD280	4.4	4.6	4.5
LANs, studios, games, movies, or whatever. They are just that good.
5)	Sony MDR 7506	4.5	4.5	4.4
Close to the HD280s but not quite there. Great sound and very sturdy.
6)	BoseTriPort/ QuietComfort	4	4.2	4
Awesome sound that could use a slight kick start in the bass department. Price will pretty much make these headsets an out of reach product.
7)	Plantronics DSP500	4	3.8	4
Great sound for the price, and the on board sound processor make them a strong buy, but the reliability factor knocks them down a few notches.
	Plantronics .Audio90	3	3	3
Extremely common headset among gamers and regular computer users, but you won’t blow any doors off of any hinges anytime soon.

Yes, there are a couple of brands/models not being evaluated here, and price wise, there are even some more expensive ones available whose quality would put a tear in any mans eye. But in my research, these headphones most frequently pop up as favorites. Unless of course, you are the die-hard audiophile and have no problem spending over 300 dollars on a set, then more power to you.

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