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5. Razer Megalodon
PC gamer, console gamer, movie-watcher, or music-listener--which surround sound headset is right for you? Logitech, Psyko, Plantronics, Tritton, Razer
Razer's second push into the surround headset, the Megalodon, is jet black and lightweight, but feels flimsy in the hand with both sides wobbling around with an effortless shake. The large headband, emblemized with Razer's logo on the top, is surprisingly large. It is the only headset in this group where the headrest doesn't actually rest on all heads in normal use. The cans just barely cover the ears entirely. It covers more than Plantronics' set, but it still sits on the ears. Within thirty minutes the headphones pinch the ear, but after that there is no additional soreness. Only where the cushion rests on the ear is there a problem.
A thin metal frame holds the Megalodon together, making it feel unstable. Even a slight shake will dislodge them when worn. The microphone boom sits on the left side, longer than all the others and flexible to boot. It sticks out when not in use, and can swivel 270 degrees. Just beneath the microphone is Razer's triple-snake logo, which lights up blue when plugged in.
On the 10-foot cable sits the control pod, which houses the onboard soundcard. Unlike the other headsets, this control pod is big and bulky, made to sit on your table and not hang loose. The control pod is large and unwieldy, has sharp corners and is difficult to pick up. It does stay put on a surface, but depending on how you sit while gaming, it may or may not be easy to use.
The control pod has a dial in the center which controls volume levels, a button inside it to select quadrants for volume change (center, front left and right, left and right, rear left and right, and the sub), and three microphone buttons to set sensitivity, volume, and mute. On top sits the Maelstrom button, which can activate the Maelstrom sound engine for either 7.1 surround or stereo audio. The pod is lit like a blue Christmas tree.
The Megalodon doesn’t provide true surround sound. The Maelstrom engine, built off the same technology the French Air Force employs to generate surround sound for fighter pilots, simulates surround sound and volume levels of the action on-screen to give it more effect, and more oomph.
While not stable on the head, the Megalodon does provide very good sound quality. Bass is fairly good, though not as good as Logitech's G35. Stereo sound is crisp and clear, while stereo played through the Maelstrom engine loses much of its depth, and oddly gains bass. Surround, however, has profoundly great quality (even though it isn’t “true” surround sound). So good, in fact, that it made the discomfort seemingly disappear, at least for a little while. Finding noise-making objects in a game world is easy.
The Razer Megalodon, which has only just released in the US, is listed at $150.
| Test | Score | High points | low points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 7 | Passes the three hour test. Lightweight. | Headrest is too tall. Cushions don't fully surround the ear. Leaves the ears sore. |
| Convenience | 9 | Plug-and-play. Control pod is simple and intuitive, easy to control with one hand. Great for traveling. | Control pod must sit flat on a surface, has sharp corners. May not be suitable for everyone. |
| Surround Quality | 10 | Excellent directional audio. | Stereo audio is poor with Maelstrom active. |
| Stereo Quality | 9 | Good bass. Sound is clear and crisp. | Bass is not as sharp as expected. |
| Overall | 8 | Given the price, the Megalodon is an excellent option for traveling, especially with its hardened case. Directional audio is excellent. | Slightly more expensive than we'd like. Comfort is below expected standards. Flimsy design. |
I have the G35 headset myself and I am very happy with it. Its very comfy to wear for long periods of time, it looks cool, and I love the macro buttons on the headset. Fun for on the fly voice modding. Space squirrel always gets people laughing in vent. People tend to also mention to me that I sound very crisp and clear and always ask what kind of mic I use so they can get the same lol.
bump for Plantronics 777... great headset, built like a tank, unlike the review i find it very very comfortable and i have a pretty large head, mic is perfect(constant compliments over vent), loud enough to lay it down on the table and use as speakers... had it for about a year, no problems... used it for every type of gameplay (even used it for CPL CSS leagues, great if you rely on sound a lot)
The best surround sound headset I've ever tried is the Turtle Beach HPA2. It's very affordable (about $70), and the directional sound is really quite accurate. I'd say the only downside to it is the subwoofer, but what do you expect from a headset?
It's also very comfortable, but constantly gets bad reviews because of its HPA1 predecessor. The HPA2 has a new foam ear cup which makes it easily wearable for hours.
One other benefit (at least for me) is the USB powered amp. I was hesitant at first because of how dirty USB power is, but the transformer really does clean it up just fine. I game with my laptop, so it's nice to only have to plug in my laptop charger and get on with it (my laptop is a bit rare in that it has the 4 3.5mm ports for 7.1ch output).
I personally like the SteelSeries 5H v2 USB Headset. I don't use the sound card that it comes with though. The microphone retracts into the headset.
A buddy of mine has the Logitech G35s and loves them. I have the Tritton Ax Pros and love them as well. They can be a little heavy, but never uncomfortable. I love the detatching mic.
One thing to note about the Trittons is there is a version for less than $100 without the breakout box; it only has 5.1 analog jacks for your soundcard. It is a deeper silver color (and also the one I purchased).
i think im fine with the simulated surround sound from my creative hs-900's
Quantumrand, Turtle Beach does make some great headsets, but they stick with console-only, for the most part. On top of that, their latest headset came out almost 8 months ago, though they do have some new stuff coming up.
dvanholland, I have heard good things about the 5H v2, but they're also fairly old. Not sure what they've got planned for the future.
Airborne11b and gryphyn, the G35s are great, and I see why you and your friends like them. The Tritton AX Pro is also great, but I remember first opening it and cursing. Why the hell are there so many cables! They do have a cheaper set that doesn't include the audio controller, but that's a different model and its PC only. They've got some new ones out now that look pretty nice as well.
xc0mmiex, when I first used the 777's, I thought they were great. Literally did a drop test to see the damage, and it was a champ. But over time they became very annoying, at least to me and others testing them, very tight on the ears. If it works for you, great! Best deal on a surround sound headset out there yet.
Just so you all know, the market for surround headsets isn't going to grow very much. Tritton is pushing it hard, as is Razer with the Megalodon and soon Psyko Audiolabs, and Turtle Beach, so the expensive sets will have pretty big price drops come holiday season.
I just ordered a set of the tritton AX Pro based on this review. Dont let me down Toms!
Astro A40 are the best IMO...
Rol, we spoke with the guys at Astro for a while before deciding not to include the A40's in this roundup. They are obviously very good headphones; the reviews for them have been glowing for two years. But they are two years old, and we were looking for newer sets. Astro has something new planned, but not for a bit, and we already delayed the roundup to include Razer's Megalodon and Psyko AudioLabs' 5.1.
But I do agree, the A40's are a great set.
The cheaper Trittons with 5.1 analog inputs only are called the Tritton Ax51 Pro. The Tritton PC Pro has a USB connection, but the volume control box isn't great.
I personally don’t think any of these things are worth it. Whilst playing crisis a while back I started to really notice just how bad the sounds in the game was. Or more to the point the lack of sounds.
The trees were moving but I couldn’t hear them. The waves were smashing on the shore, nothing.
A good things animators where taught back in the good old Disney was “See a sound, Hear a sound”. “Immersive” games fail really really badly. The headphones may be great but the games don't show you want the head phones can really do. You're getting 40% value.
Other options:
Granted there is no mic for the Panasonic 5.1-channel Wireless Headphones type but they are very good. Used them whilst in japan.
But I’d say - get yourself a very decent set of stereo headphone. You’ll hear more detail and they can be used for more things than games.
I got these a month ago. Grado 80i http://www.gradolabs.com/frameset_main.htm
You need a good amp.
waxdart, I couldn't disagree more. While I haven't put in Crysis in awhile, games like Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress 2, the recent Section 8 beta, and plenty of others use and have great surround sound. Stalker and Clear Sky are two more. Dead Space used surround sound excellently, and Mirror's Edge did it properly.
Some games don't even offer surround sound. If you can't hear things in other channels, I'd suggest making sure your PC settings are properly set, that your speakers/headphones are relaying in surround, and that the in-game settings are set for surround. Most are not default, so look into it.
As for high-end headphones, I can't comment on them. I know people who use them, audiophiles who think music is junk at anything less than CD quality, and are willing to put up thousands of dollars to get what they consider good equipment. Practically speaking, it's never worth it, though I do understand the reasons for it. If you like them, great, keep going. But surround sound is not up to the audiophile level yet. On the same token, it does work, though it is up to developers and producers to ensure content is made in surround.
i've been using Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA2 for a long time...
it has 5.1 input and i already have Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum so i didn't need AK-R8 headset...
a good headset is a must for playing games late at night and don't want to disturb others while having good directionality and sound quality...
i say spend a good money and get a decent set so you'll be happy with many hours of late night gaming session...
I have one question, if you are using surround headsets, what should the game's audio setting be? Headphone or 5.1/7.1? (if a game has those to choose from).
Th-z, it depends on your headphones. If they do 5.1, then you set it for 5.1. If they do 7.1, and mind you most do not, then you set it for 7.1.
Also, most games do not feature 7.1 surround sound. Neither do most HD movies. Valve titles like Left 4 Dead and Team Fortress 2 do, but very few others do as well.
the real question is how do these stack up to creative x-fi's cmss3d and a pair of decent sennheisers.
Sennheisers aren't surround sound. Not yet.
jamezrp , Well you missed the point didn't you.
yet I still do it.
Where in my post did I say anything about games not having surround sound? Or my PC setup? Even if I did have only 1 channel configured, why would there be silence at any point?
Do you have silent zones in your house? When I listen, I’m surrounded by sound 100% of the all the time. Air pressure being what it is.
So I'll try again just you.
The ambient sound in games is still awful. Not an mp3 background track playing rain fall or a storm. Real things you can see moving in the game with no sound attached.
Go out side and count all the sounds you can hear. It's in the 1000s.
If you think Mirror's Edge had accurate great sound then you have sold yourself a bit short. Sound in games is way behind the the RnD that goes into graphics.
We have Holophonic Effects - 3D Sound recordings which work very well with headphone. Why not have it in games? 5.1 / 7.1 setups are not needed. Just 2 earphones and a monster DSP chip to drive the soundscape.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiR-ZT4X4eg
>>it is up to developers and producers to ensure content is made.
Yeap and they are not.
??Practically speaking, it's never worth it ??
Spending 1000s on a machine to play games is practical.