What are the best headphones for use with Skype?

by on February 11, 2009

Tonight I was invited onto Peter Himmelman’s very cool Tuesday night jam session. He calls it his “Furious World.” He’s a musician and damn that show is fun. Anyway, my old headset didn’t work anymore and since I’m on so many podcasts I went to the local computer shop to get a new headset. I wasn’t prepared for the dozens of choices. Logitech. Plantronics. Sennheiser.

I needed one desperately so got the nicest looking set I could find, the Sennheiser PC 166. I paid about $95, list price is $150 (there are plenty of good headsets for far less than that, but I wanted a nice set for playing games and music while everyone else watches TV too).

Anyway, since I was forced into buying quickly, I wonder what your favorite headsets are?

Oh, and next Tuesday night you should check out what Peter’s doing with his friends. It’s the most innovative live video I’ve watched so far online (he mixes in geek talk in between jamming and fooling around with his friends/band/music).

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  • mariahsiungm
    how to talk to friend on my computer on my headphone
  • WHOA! worlds colliding. how did you come across peter's show? have been listening to him for 15+ years, and have been talking it up as well since it's such great stuff.
  • Shiela
    Philips anyone?

    http://tr.im/meat
  • On my Ubuntu box i found USB headphones troublesome in general and with Skype in particular; also difficult to use with Windows Xp on VirtualBox, so I got a 35€ Plantronics noise cancelling headphone, with flexible connection options of either USB sound card or gold plated 3.5mm jacks. With the 3.5mm jacks I don't have any issues.
    In case of doubts get a "Skype Certified" headset or phone, preferably from the Skype Shop... and gain an hour free call.
  • Roy Wheeler
    Been using Skype for years, but I've always found headphones awkwrd to use. A great alternative are USB handsets that u just pick up when u wanna make a call. I use one from IPevo (www.ipevo.com), it actually sounds better than some headphones! Plus I think their designs are pretty neat
  • I've been using the Plantronics CS50-USB wireless headset and have been very happy with it. It's a little more expensive, but being able to roam around is priceless.
  • Definitely once you try wireless headsets like the Logitech Clearchat PC Wireless (nice on comfort and quality) or the Freetalk from Skype.com (cheaper in build, but same underlying tech) or the Creative HS-1200... you will never go back to wired headsets again. I write about these wireless headsets at http://www.wirelessaudioblog.com/archives/categ.... I used to work for the company that designs what is the only wireless chip for this specific application. As easy to use as any other USB headset, only no wire. Cheers.

    Hiro on Heroes used the Logitech one last week!
  • I love my Plantronics Audio 480 "Virtual Phone Booth." They work great and are easily portable:

    http://adjix.com/phi

    -jf.
  • I work at the computer all day and attend conference calls countless hours a week. In the last two years I've wore out two good headsets. Usually, the headsets have a volume/mute combo somewhere in the middle of the cable to the computer. Well, if you move around very much while on the call, you will eventually wear out those connections.

    Therefore, I recently purchased a good USB professional microphone with a L-arm boom to hold the mic over the computer screens -- looks like a DJ setup. I then can use good wireless headphones for listening.

    Yea, I know, sounds like a lot, but if you are working 8 hours a day at the computer and need to get on conference calls it works very well.

    I did try the new Logitech wireless headset, but the set I purchased really sucked and I took them back.
  • Arnie
    I use the Plantronics GameCom 377. Absolutely fantastic.
  • I am using a nasty Logitech headset that is a hand me down on my computer, but I am a HUGE Sennheiser fan generally. Slight high end attenuation to reach my rock-damaged ears. Nicely balanced. Well-made. A + choice!
  • Robert,

    Not sure what you think of Microsoft products anymore, but the Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 works great with Skype, both on a Windows PC and the Mac.

    Good luck!
  • The headset we like is the Plantronics 645, its cheap and does a great job with skype. but if your looking to also use the headset with games and other media I'd go with the Sennheisers.
  • Love my Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless USB Headset. No feedback/echo on conference calls/webinars, and I can walk around. $80 at newegg.com.
  • Lou
    Sennheiser PC 166? Not bad a set. Speaking of sets, Peter's set was great as usual. Glad to see you steppin' out.
  • I'm old-school at the moment, using Stereo headphones for my computer (sim. to DearWebby's remarks)...and the best are the high-end Sony MDR series.

    If you're after more portable options though, I'd still strongly consider the top-end Sony fontopia models...gold-plated plugs improve sound quality, they last forever, and (some of them) come with the longer 1.5m cord lengths...which is more user-friendly. Not as over-priced as the Sennheiser either. The Bang-Olufsen's are lovely headphones but...a bit on the pricey side.
  • Nobody use IPEVO it's great and good design. I have always had one sice the beginning...check it out.

    http://store.ipevo.com/
  • For Skype, I just use an iPhone headset. With the new MacBook(Pro)s, you can just plug an iPhone headset into the headphone socket and use it as a headset. I have a large USB Plantronics headset, which I found to be too big to carry around with me while travelling - the iPhone headset works great as I can use it to listen to music from my iPod (an old classic black iPod) as well.
  • Peter
    I own http://www.bang-olufsen.com/earphones, but as you need mic, then you should have http://www.bang-olufsen.com/earset3

    And you should trust me on that, because I'm not your friend :-)
  • Old fashioned DJ style, with large diameter cups with soft, removable leather cushions. If the ears hurt, you are too critical about sound quality.
  • Am using a cheap Logitech USB one, with boommike. Works great! 35euro
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