Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

Why are headsets so dear anyways??? I have a feeling it must be the manufucturing side of things and the quality of the magnet and membrane…

No, its more to do with the engineering side. The design of the coupling crap and also the composition of the materials used in production.
Cheap headsets are really made of sh!t, if you open them up, the components are literally rusty bits soldered together unlike the good stuff where they use real copper, gold and other premium conductive materials along with proper sound proofing foam and leather finishes for that new car smell and touch.
I don’t know why you can’t tell the difference because the cheap and premium headsets are worlds apart.

The components and soldering etc all fall under manufacturing, not under engineering. KRIF designs are all the same engineering blueprint, it is just the parts they throw in that makes the difference.

Cheers

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

No, its more to do with the engineering side. The design of the coupling crap and also the composition of the materials used in production.

The components and soldering etc all fall under manufacturing, not under engineering. KRIF designs are all the same engineering blueprint, it is just the parts they throw in that makes the difference.
Cheers

Actually the components fall under engineering, only the labour, manual stuff fall under manufacturing.
Anyway I was talking about the design blueprint which lies under engineering :p

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

In terms of general sound quality a $20 item can be as good as a $150 one. The components used do make the difference in situations where you require longevity when the item is constantly put through harsh conditions. I have had my $15 pioneer headphones now for over 2yrs and the sound is still crisp clear. Headsetss are made in a similiar fashion but I dont understand how this could inflate the price so much if you compare headphones and headsets…is it the ammount of material you use, the way its desiged and made, or because of the exotic materals/compounds used? Or perhaps because its not made in china? Its funnuy how decreasing the impedance in head/ear-phones means higher price lol.

Check this result (it compares headphones and headsets made by Pioneer) [url] http://www.myshopping.com.au/PT–111_He … fs_560_e__[/url]

IMO you will get the same sound quality out of both except that headphones deliver a more comfy and luder sound in general through “better” materials used, via a more expensive method of putting it together.

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

In terms of general sound quality a $20 item can be as good as a $150 one. The components used do make the difference in situations where you require longevity when the item is constantly put through harsh conditions. I have had my $15 pioneer headphones now for over 2yrs and the sound is still crisp clear. Headsetss are made in a similiar fashion but I dont understand how this could inflate the price so much if you compare headphones and headsets…is it the ammount of material you use, the way its desiged and made, or because of the exotic materals/compounds used? Or perhaps because its not made in china?

If you bother to read the specs of each headset you’ll notice the difference in terms of sensitivity, frequency response, impedence, power capability and etc.
The additional features such as bass boost, noise cancelling and etc are other dead give aways of the price differences.

Its funnuy how decreasing the impedance in head/ear-phones means higher price lol.

How is that funny? Lower impedance headsets are more efficient with consumer goods meaning the components are smaller which allows for additional features to be implemented on the device.

Check this result (it compares headphones and headsets made by Pioneer) [url] http://www.myshopping.com.au/PT–111_He … fs_560_e__[/url]

Isn’t it obvious that the price difference is due to the additional features for each headset?
I mean its common knowledge that the generic wired headsets will be the budget range, wireless headset will be mid-range and the wireless 5.1 headset will fit into the premium range.

IMO you will get the same sound quality out of both except that headphones deliver a more comfy and luder sound in general through “better” materials used, via a more expensive method of putting it together.

Find the worst mp3 player money can buy, use it with a cheap headset then swap it with a premium headset. If you still can’t tell the difference then you obvious have an ear infection or some other nasty ear related problem.

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

In terms of general sound quality a $20 item can be as good as a $150 one. The components used do make the difference in situations where you require longevity when the item is constantly put through harsh conditions. I have had my $15 pioneer headphones now for over 2yrs and the sound is still crisp clear. Headsetss are made in a similiar fashion but I dont understand how this could inflate the price so much if you compare headphones and headsets…is it the ammount of material you use, the way its desiged and made, or because of the exotic materals/compounds used? Or perhaps because its not made in china?

If you bother to read the specs of each headset you’ll notice the difference in terms of sensitivity, frequency response, impedence, power capability and etc.
The additional features such as bass boost, noise cancelling and etc are other dead give aways of the price differences.

Afcourse these aditions would increase the price of the audio device but the general sound quality would still be decent and easily understood. You can have all of these extras but if were are talking about someone who is playing ET at home in their room, why bother?

Its funnuy how decreasing the impedance in head/ear-phones means higher price lol.

How is that funny? Lower impedance headsets are more efficient with consumer goods meaning the components are smaller which allows for additional features to be implemented on the device.

You dont get it do you? For me its funny that there is a relationship between impedance and price of an audio item. I dont expect you to understand that. Having low impedance items does not necessearly imply that you can add extra features to it, just because its smaller. It really depends on what the audio device is used for and what kind of Amperage is supplied through what kind of thick conductive cabling.

Check this result (it compares headphones and headsets made by Pioneer) [url] http://www.myshopping.com.au/PT–111_He … fs_560_e__[/url]

Isn’t it obvious that the price difference is due to the additional features for each headset?
I mean its common knowledge that the generic wired headsets will be the budget range, wireless headset will be mid-range and the wireless 5.1 headset will fit into the premium range.

I find it that the price range is not just governed by the additional features but what is used in the item and if it has any new features, like the 5.1 surround sound which is ATM a brand new feature of a headset. I just wanted to compare the price difference between headseet and headphones, in that the headset are generally more costly yet all of the items provide good sound.

IMO you will get the same sound quality out of both except that headphones deliver a more comfy and luder sound in general through “better” materials used, via a more expensive method of putting it together.

Find the worst mp3 player money can buy, use it with a cheap headset then swap it with a premium headset. If you still can’t tell the difference then you obvious have an ear infection or some other nasty ear related problem.

Now you are adding another variable to this equation…why? Any headphone/headset speaker can provide decent sound as long as the item which is generating the sound can do it well. One thing you are forgetting though is the quality of sound; for a human 128kbps MP3 format is the basis of good quality sound, anything lower and you can start to hear the difference. Any kind of ear/head phone speaker can reproduce that sound clearly and its not necessary to buy items that cost $100+ to listen to sound when you can do it with the same quality as a $20-30 headphone for example. People want those extra features then thats ok but I know that its stupid to buy an expensive headset if the only thing I want from it is to listen to sound. I just increase the volume when im on the train…

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

baaaahahahaaa! good sh.it guys

Nelots, your serve.

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

Afcourse these aditions would increase the price of the audio device but the general sound quality would still be decent and easily understood. You can have all of these extras but if were are talking about someone who is playing ET at home in their room, why bother?

Obviously you don’t know that majority of the time headsets are used for other purposes such as listening to music and watching videos. If you read the OP’s responses he did say 90-95% of the time it wouldn’t be used for gaming.
Also just because you don’t have an idea of how materials work, generally the sound quality is far superior when driven by good conductive components which makes it more expensive.

You dont get it do you? For me its funny that there is a relationship between impedance and price of an audio item. I dont expect you to understand that. Having low impedance items does not necessearly imply that you can add extra features to it, just because its smaller. It really depends on what the audio device is used for and what kind of Amperage is supplied through what kind of thick conductive cabling.

Theres a difference between consumer and industrial goods and thats why low impedance in headsets will carry the higher price due to its compact nature allowing additional components to create a value-added device.

I find it that the price range is not just governed by the additional features but what is used in the item and if it has any new features, like the 5.1 surround sound which is ATM a brand new feature of a headset. I just wanted to compare the price difference between headseet and headphones, in that the headset are generally more costly yet all of the items provide good sound.

You do realize that headsets come with microphones and are targeted to that part of the consumer sector whilst headphones are for those anal about sound.
In saying that it’s common knowledge that the components(ie: chipsets and circuits) used in headphones would be far superior to those used in headsets hence the price differentiation.

Now you are adding another variable to this equation…why? Any headphone/headset speaker can provide decent sound as long as the item which is generating the sound can do it well. One thing you are forgetting though is the quality of sound; for a human 128kbps MP3 format is the basis of good quality sound, anything lower and you can start to hear the difference. Any kind of ear/head phone speaker can reproduce that sound clearly and its not necessary to buy items that cost $100+ to listen to sound when you can do it with the same quality as a $20-30 headphone for example. People want those extra features then thats ok but I know that its stupid to buy an expensive headset if the only thing I want from it is to listen to sound. I just increase the volume when im on the train…

Another variable??? no, I am just adding a control item being the mp3 player, the only variables will be the cheap headset and premium headset.
Also consumers buy products for the entire package not just one aspect of the product so u do da maff!

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

Obviously you don’t know that majority of the time headsets are used for other purposes such as listening to music and watching videos. If you read the OP’s responses he did say 90-95% of the time it wouldn’t be used for gaming.
Also just because you don’t have an idea of how materials work, generally the sound quality is far superior when driven by good conductive components which makes it more expensive.

Havent you noticed how many gamers actually use headsets??? I dont use one but I sure have seen countless LAN players use headsets over headphones. I do know how materials work thank you very much; gold is the perfect conductor but since gold plating wires is good enough then why bother actually soldering gold wires onto PCBs and such? Its too expesnive but not because of its cost…more of the manufacturing side of things. Gold is quite maluable and it can easily break/snap as a wire therefore anything you believe that has gold in it is most likely gold plated rather than pure gold. The next best conductor is copper. The sound quality through copper is as good as through gold if you consider the general purpouse use but what you need to consider is what Amperage you apply to what kind of thickness cabling…therefore generally higher impedance speakers need higher Amperage to deliver the specified wattage output and can handle more curent. Headsets are able to deliver louder sound but require more “juice” but lowering the impedance of headsets you are able to have the best of both worlds (that is comfort and louder sound) although the materials used and manufacturing of them increases the cost but in the end the sound quality is the same as in headphones since both of these types of audio devices are manufactured in similar methods with similar materials.

Theres a difference between consumer and industrial goods and thats why low impedance in headsets will carry the higher price due to its compact nature allowing additional components to create a value-added device.

This mearly justifies my point that I made earlier of ‘the lower the impedance the higher the cost’ relationship (regardless of the additional features that you can add to the device or where its used).

You do realize that headsets come with microphones and are targeted to that part of the consumer sector whilst headphones are for those anal about sound.
In saying that it’s common knowledge that the components(ie: chipsets and circuits) used in headphones would be far superior to those used in headsets hence the price differentiation.

Umm dont you mean the other way around about headsets and headphones? Headsets are larger than headphones hence the circuits used within allow for more functions to be added but because of the ammount of materials used and the way they are made, it inflates the price BUT both still can deliver good sound, its just factors such as materials, muzzling outside noise, extras, sound power output etc that affect the price and why headsets cost more than headphones.

Another variable??? no, I am just adding a control item being the mp3 player, the only variables will be the cheap headset and premium headset.
Also consumers buy products for the entire package not just one aspect of the product so u do da maff!

An mp3 player is what produces the sound in the first place by producing electrical pulses. If there are issues with the quality of those electrical pulses then any speaker will pick this up. You are adding another variable to the sound quality; dont do it. So who would buy $150 headset for their cheapa** MP3 player then??? Hence my point…why bother buying costly items to listen to sound when generally you can still get good quality audio sound through a pair of $20-30 headphones. If you want the extras then go for it, and some people are anal about it but its a waste of money unless you are a DJ or a producer with great hearing. All I need is a decent set of headphones to listen to those footsteps around the corner and such when i play ET. It is a waste of money for a gamer and for anyone eles who would use it for general use. The only thing I can say is that headsets are more comfortable than headphones after wearing them for some time but at least headphones look more compact when you are out and about.

So I have done DE MAFF and came out with this…P=V^2/R

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

Havent you noticed how many gamers actually use headsets??? I dont use one but I sure have seen countless LAN players use headsets over headphones. I do know how materials work thank you very much; gold is the perfect conductor but since gold plating wires is good enough then why bother actually soldering gold wires onto PCBs and such? Its too expesnive but not because of its cost…more of the manufacturing side of things. Gold is quite maluable and it can easily break/snap as a wire therefore anything you believe that has gold in it is most likely gold plated rather than pure gold. The next best conductor is copper. The sound quality through copper is as good as through gold if you consider the general purpouse use but what you need to consider is what Amperage you apply to what kind of thickness cabling…therefore generally higher impedance speakers need higher Amperage to deliver the specified wattage output and can handle more curent. Headsets are able to deliver louder sound but require more “juice” but lowering the impedance of headsets you are able to have the best of both worlds (that is comfort and louder sound) although the materials used and manufacturing of them increases the cost but in the end the sound quality is the same as in headphones since both of these types of audio devices are manufactured in similar methods with similar materials.

Gamers use headsets because it has microphones to talk with their teammates.
Copper is a good conductor, gold is better so theres the reason for the price difference since gold is worth more than copper.

This mearly justifies my point that I made earlier of ‘the lower the impedance the higher the cost’ relationship (regardless of the additional features that you can add to the device or where its used).

When you buy a product, you buy the whole package not just one aspect plus there is no need for high impedance devices for portable audio devices since they’re powered by batteries.

Umm dont you mean the other way around about headsets and headphones? Headsets are larger than headphones hence the circuits used within allow for more functions to be added but because of the ammount of materials used and the way they are made, it inflates the price BUT both still can deliver good sound, its just factors such as materials, muzzling outside noise, extras, sound power output etc that affect the price and why headsets cost more than headphones.

Headset and headphone.
You’ve got it wrong, generally headphones are dearly than headsets because headsets aren’t designed for quality sound output since their purpose is equivalent to telephone handsets.

An mp3 player is what produces the sound in the first place by producing electrical pulses. If there are issues with the quality of those electrical pulses then any speaker will pick this up. You are adding another variable to the sound quality; dont do it. So who would buy $150 headset for their cheapa** MP3 player then??? Hence my point…why bother buying costly items to listen to sound when generally you can still get good quality audio sound through a pair of $20-30 headphones. If you want the extras then go for it, and some people are anal about it but its a waste of money unless you are a DJ or a producer with great hearing. All I need is a decent set of headphones to listen to those footsteps around the corner and such when i play ET. It is a waste of money for a gamer and for anyone eles who would use it for general use. The only thing I can say is that headsets are more comfortable than headphones after wearing them for some time but at least headphones look more compact when you are out and about.
So I have done DE MAFF and came out with this…P=V^2/R

Are you an idiot??? oh wait nevermind……… the point was to test the sound from one control source.
Once again, not everyone uses their headsets purely on games, its all purpose hence they’ll spend more on it because they can.
As for the comfort factor, yeah death cheap headsets lined with synthetic leather is going to be way more comfortable than the premium headsets lined with genuine leather stripped from the finest virgin calf straight out of its mothers behind.

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

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Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

Regarding headhpones and headset; I was refering to the differnece between head-phones/sets and earphones, apologies for the mistake and confusion.

Gamers use headsets because it has microphones to talk with their teammates.
Copper is a good conductor, gold is better so theres the reason for the price difference since gold is worth more than copper.

I beg to differ. The ammount of gold used is so small that the price would not jump to those kind of prices. It is the manufacturing side of things (and possibly something like shipping and labour) that inflates the cost i presume.

When you buy a product, you buy the whole package not just one aspect plus there is no need for high impedance devices for portable audio devices since they’re powered by batteries.

Thats the problem, there is no sufficent power to drive higher impedance devices. This is a big issue in car stereo systems since you only have what… 13.8V coming out? Headphones generally have higher impedance than earphones thus meaning that more power is needed at generally higher voltages.

Are you an idiot??? oh wait nevermind……… the point was to test the sound from one control source.

If the sound/control source is faulty than sound coming from any speaker that is attached to that faulty sound/control source will sound bad…WTF man? Who would use a faulty control source in the first place???

Once again, not everyone uses their headsets purely on games, its all purpose hence they’ll spend more on it because they can.
As for the comfort factor, yeah death cheap headsets lined with synthetic leather is going to be way more comfortable than the premium headsets lined with genuine leather stripped from the finest virgin calf straight out of its mothers behind.

Headphones/set generaly cost more than earphones. Simple and the myshopping webiste result I showed you clearly indicates this. If both an earphone and headphone set were lined with finest virgin leather which one would you reckon would cost more? You see more people with earphones these days than headphones/sets because of the price and size. In all cases the sound quality is just as good so this brings me back to the original point I made…why bother paying $150 when you can pay $20-30 for same sound quality and for general purpose…or have you forgotten what I was pointing out in the first place???

The other thing I was not sure about was wether manufacturing side of things inflated the cost of headphones/sets so much or is it due (maybe even in conjunction) of use of exotic materials/compounds, and afcourse the size of the item.

P=V^2/R to infinity and beyond!

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

@ D_R & nelots
Thank you both for what is a genuinely EPIC post!!!

You both seem to have some technical understanding of audio hardware,so I’ll try to be as specific as I can to help you out here.
When I am not on ET & Vent, I am playing music via my soundcard which I will be upgrading later this year (won’t use my onboard sound,it doesn’t measure up to my sound card)which is most of my time!
I use windows media player / vlc with div-X codec installed but I almost never play any song in mp3 format at 128 Kbps (sounds like garbage) ,192 Kbps is my minimum if I can help it & I import all my CD’s at 320 Kbps.
The headphones are for great sound & comfort,whereas I have a voice like a braying mule so no mic will ever make me sound good,so it’s a secondary & disposable if need be & replaced item (the mic).
Headsets from what I have heard here & googling have an inferior sound quality but have a built in mic with noise reduction & tend to have a inferior build quality.
Why did I choose DJ headphones even if I don’t have professional equipment you ask?
When you wear them for spans of 6 hours & longer multiple times a week,things like comfort after prolonged periods & durability become the kinds of issues the DJ’s etc have already factored into the equipment they use & buy besides the obvious sound quality.
If I used them for vent only I have $20 headphones for that which are pretty comfortable but they just don’t stack up next to what I have just purchased.

I looked on Headphonic Forums before I posted here to get a better understanding of what kind of headphones / headset’s I should have considered before posting here where ppl actually use the equipment regularly & tend to have an idea of what products are good & which to avoid,knowing gamers abuse equipment more than average.

What I am looking for is a balanced perspective based on technical knowledge or user experience & I must admit I have not been disappointed so far!!

Thank You Gentlemen. 😉

i0n

Re: Heaset vs headphones & stand alone mic?

apologies for the mistake and confusion.

Wow.