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PC communication headsets compared

John Falcone
Senior editor

Updated November 23, 2005

These days, standard headphones just don't cut it on the PC. For any interactive application--from online gaming to Voice over IP (VoIP) communications such as Skype--you'll want a full headset rig that adds a microphone to the mix. Unlike the monaural headset for your cell phone, a stereo model will fully envelope you. Some models even up the ante with a virtual surround effect. But the bottom line is that even an average headset will provide you with a better communications setup than dealing with the feedback and noise you'd get from the combination of a desktop microphone and speakers.

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Product name	Logitech Precision PC Gaming Headset	Turtle Beach Ear Force X-51	Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA	Sennheiser PC160	Altec Lansing AHS602

Review date	October 25, 2005	June 23, 2005	November 23, 2005	November 1, 2005	January 25, 2005

Editors' rating (Editors' rating explained)	5.3 Average	5.6 Average	7.3 Very good	7.0 Very good	7.0 Very good

Buying choices	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...

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Review summary	The two-way Logitech Precision PC Gaming Headset delivers passable performance for a low price.	The Turtle Beach Ear Force X-51 delivers true 5.1 surround sound for PC gamers.	The Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA two-way headset delivers the most convincing surround-sound experience you can get from headphones.	The Sennheiser PC160 two-way headset performs equally well with games and music, and its mic sounds exceptionally clean.	Serious online gamers will dig the functionality and sound quality of Altec Lansing's AHS602 two-way headset, but it's overkill for more-pedestrian applications.

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Basic Specs
Recommended Use	PC multimedia	PC multimedia	PC multimedia	PC multimedia	PC multimedia

Headphones Form Factor	Ear-cup	Ear-cup	Ear-cup	Ear-cup	Ear-cup

Sound Output Mode	Stereo	5.1 channel surround	5.1 channel surround	Stereo	Stereo

Microphone Technology	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Electret condenser

Microphone Operation Mode	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Mono	Mono


Product name	Logitech Precision PC Gaming Headset	Turtle Beach Ear Force X-51	Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA	Sennheiser PC160	Altec Lansing AHS602

Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications

Price range	Check latest prices $19-$24 from 5 stores	Email me when this product is available	Email me when this product is available	Email me when this product is available	Check latest prices $55-$73 from 6 stores