Axe Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I bought a new Creative Headset HS-390 but it doesn't work well at all. The microphone is poor and the sound it produces very weak and tinny. Can anyone recommend a decent mic or headset please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardy Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I use a headset from Tesco - cost me a fiver & seems to work OK. Cheap enough for when I break them too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Pouind shop does the mic and phones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Sam Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Sennheisser I got a headset that was truely amazing! Only cost £20. Worked amazingly until I stood on it and 150kg of man did its worst.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 My Son wrecks our hence buying the cheapo's he has broke about 5 sets now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted January 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Sam I have read some good right ups on Sennheiser, though admittedly thy were all very expensive, serious game headsets. Which model did you have and what was the mic quality like. I've also looked at Plantronics, anyone used these before? I aso think I should ask if anyone prefers USB over standard Jack plugs. I have heard that USB mics can be troublesome when it comes to VOIP programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Sam Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 (edited) It was the PC131 model. The mic was so good I managed some singing recording (wearing it) and it came out crystal clear and very loud. I use jack plugs as that goes into the hardward sound card and not the USB software thingy. Edited January 24, 2008 by Big_Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted January 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Looking at local stores I can't source the PC131 any alternatives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 You mentioned Plantronics, we use those headsets on our phones at work, and they are used all over the world NASA etc so they must be OK. Not sure if they do PC headsets, but I would imagine they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamC Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Sounds more like either a faulty mic or other component. Sorry to ask stupid questions, but worked in IT support for a long time and pays to get them out the way first. You are plugging into the MIC slot and not line in? Have you tried adjusting the mixer setting within winder to boost the gain a little? The earphone and mic connectors are not mixed up are they? A lot of theose headset mics are quite directional and you need the mic pointing and the audio source (in this case your mouth). Hope this helps, I find even the cheapest of PC mics work fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted January 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Adam, I checked just about everything I could think off. Definitely plugged in correctly (my Guitar DI's into the line in). Have checked the mixer settings, boosted the gain to max, ticked and unticked settings one by one and in sequnce together. Even boosted the amp settings on my chat software. I was very surprised that the Mic produced such poor quality. As you say, it may well be a faulty mic. Surprised to say the least for a Creative product. Finally, the original cheap mic headset I was using, worked fine, until the kids wrecked it thta is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamC Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 With all this in mind, especially the low volume tinny sound suggests a faulty mic. Have you got a multimeter you could test the impedance across this mic and your old one? A huge difference would suggest a fault. All the best with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Sam Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Looking at local stores I can't source the PC131 any alternatives? I buy everything online these days mate. Try living up here at the north pole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Adam, I do have a multi-meter but to correctly check the impedance would mean dismantling the headset, most of which these day is more of a destruction than a dismantle. Besides, I also have an Argos no quibble money back garuntee, or so i'm lead to believe. I appreciate the advice though. I ended up at PC World and after grilling the assistant for 15 minutes and with stuarts reconmendations in mind, I ended up walking away with a Plantronics Audio 365 headset. Breif review Plantronics Audio 365 headset: Thus far, I am very impressed. The headset is extremely comfortable and has a self adjusting head strap. The closed ear cans stop most if not all distractions to the point that I couldn't hear the wife calling (bliss ). With no distraction of outside noise the only thing left to concentrate on is the sound from the 50mm bass enhanced speakers. Which delivers a very clear and crisp sound with very good bass and tonal qualities. The noise cancelling Mic which can be flipped up out of the way, also delivers good qualtiy audio over VOIP. Overall, the headset looks well made and should last me a good length of time. It is lightweight, comfortable and delivers good sound performance, inbound and out. At £29.99 I consider this to be very good value for money. Thanks to everyone that helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Adam, I do have a multi-meter but to correctly check the impedance would mean dismantling the headset, most of which these day is more of a destruction than a dismantle. Besides, I also have an Argos no quibble money back garuntee, or so i'm lead to believe. I appreciate the advice though. I ended up at PC World and after grilling the assistant for 15 minutes and with stuarts reconmendations in mind, I ended up walking away with a Plantronics Audio 365 headset. Breif review Plantronics Audio 365 headset: Thus far, I am very impressed. The headset is extremely comfortable and has a self adjusting head strap. The closed ear cans stop most if not all distractions to the point that I couldn't hear the wife calling (bliss ). With no distraction of outside noise the only thing left to concentrate on is the sound from the 50mm bass enhanced speakers. Which delivers a very clear and crisp sound with very good bass and tonal qualities. The noise cancelling Mic which can be flipped up out of the way, also delivers good qualtiy audio over VOIP. Overall, the headset looks well made and should last me a good length of time. It is lightweight, comfortable and delivers good sound performance, inbound and out. At £29.99 I consider this to be very good value for money. Thanks to everyone that helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Adam, I do have a multi-meter but to correctly check the impedance would mean dismantling the headset, most of which these day is more of a destruction than a dismantle. Besides, I also have an Argos no quibble money back guarantee, or so i'm lead to believe. I appreciate the advice though. I ended up at PC World and after grilling the assistant for 15 minutes and with stuarts recommendations in mind, I ended up walking away with a Plantronics Audio 365 headset. Brief review Plantronics Audio 365 headset: Thus far, I am very impressed. The headset is extremely comfortable and has a self adjusting head strap. The closed ear cans stop most if not all distractions to the point that I couldn't hear the wife calling (bliss ). With no distraction of outside noise the only thing left to concentrate on is the sound from the 50mm bass enhanced speakers. Which delivers a very clear and crisp sound with very good bass and tonal qualities. The noise cancelling Mic which can be flipped up out of the way, also delivers good quality audio over VOIP. Overall, the headset looks well made and should last me a good length of time. It is lightweight, comfortable and delivers good sound performance, inbound and out. At £29.99 I consider this to be very good value for money. Thanks to everyone that helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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