Plantronics Launches Tournament Gaming Headphones

[Silicone_Milk]

So, on August 16th, Plantronics has announced that they've launched their latest product, the Gamecom Commander.

This was originally designed for the military - one of the purposes was to block out jet engine noise.

I was able to give these things a try and it's eery being in a busy room of chatting people and hearing nothing but silence.

Now, I'm no audiophile, but the sound quality was damn impressive to me. It's an interesting experience, as well, to be in dead silence then hear a person also using one of the headsets speak into the mic (which has amazing reception btw). Sounded like we were in an isolated sound booth together.

I put in a pre-order today (only 10 thousand are being produced). They ship out on September 16th.

Edited sentence about making a pre-order to be more clear that I had put one in rather than suggesting you do the same.

[Scarface]

pretty sick! Unfortunately I just bought some headphones

[andyman]

Speaker Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 18 kHz

weak... very very weak. and only 40mm drivers. wayyy overpriced for mediocre numbers.

my opinion, of course.

[Tsakali]

headphones with good insulation usually produce too much bass. Are these any different?

[ToxicBug]

Speaker Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 18 kHz

weak... very very weak. and only 40mm drivers. wayyy overpriced for mediocre numbers.

my opinion, of course.

I wouldn't say that you can fairly judge headphones by hardware specs without having listened to them. Then again, they're $300 MSRP headphones with a mic and an integrated USB DAC LOL! I think that gives you a better clue

[GONNAFISTYA]

I was told repeatedly that the Beats headphones from Dr.Dre were "the best headphones in the world" and they were, of course, priced over $300.

They failed miserably and sounded totally flat in a direct comparison to my crappy portable folding Sony noise cancelling headphone set...which only cost me $80 and a AAA battery.

There is no such thing as objective feedback when it comes to speakers or headphones...especially when 99% of them are manufactured by the same company but just given different branding. It's all subjective and anyone who claims otherwise is either a salesman or a moron.

[Eraser]

I was told repeatedly that the Beats headphones from Dr.Dre were "the best headphones in the world"

Don't let xer0s get to you like that man

[ToxicBug]

I was told repeatedly that the Beats headphones from Dr.Dre were "the best headphones in the world" and they were, of course, priced over $300.

They failed miserably and sounded totally flat in a direct comparison to my crappy portable folding Sony noise cancelling headphone set...which only cost me $80 and a AAA battery.

There is no such thing as objective feedback when it comes to speakers or headphones...especially when 99% of them are manufactured by the same company but just given different branding. It's all subjective and anyone who claims otherwise is either a salesman or a moron.

The Beats are pretty much the laughing stock of the headphone nerd (head-fi) community.

[GONNAFISTYA]

I was told repeatedly that the Beats headphones from Dr.Dre were "the best headphones in the world"

Don't let xer0s get to you like that man

lol no...it was some pimply-faced teenager in The Source.

[GONNAFISTYA]

I was told repeatedly that the Beats headphones from Dr.Dre were "the best headphones in the world" and they were, of course, priced over $300.

They failed miserably and sounded totally flat in a direct comparison to my crappy portable folding Sony noise cancelling headphone set...which only cost me $80 and a AAA battery.

There is no such thing as objective feedback when it comes to speakers or headphones...especially when 99% of them are manufactured by the same company but just given different branding. It's all subjective and anyone who claims otherwise is either a salesman or a moron.

The Beats are pretty much the laughing stock of the headphone nerd (head-fi) community.

I honestly couldn't care either way. My point is that someone saying "these headphones are awesome" tells me that it's true for them, but probably not for everyone.

[+JuggerNaut+]

I was told repeatedly that the Beats headphones from Dr.Dre were "the best headphones in the world" and they were, of course, priced over $300.

They failed miserably and sounded totally flat in a direct comparison to my crappy portable folding Sony noise cancelling headphone set...which only cost me $80 and a AAA battery.

There is no such thing as objective feedback when it comes to speakers or headphones...especially when 99% of them are manufactured by the same company but just given different branding. It's all subjective and anyone who claims otherwise is either a salesman or a moron.

The Beats are pretty much the laughing stock of the headphone nerd (head-fi) community.

Truth.

[ToxicBug]

The Beats are pretty much the laughing stock of the headphone nerd (head-fi) community.

I honestly couldn't care either way. My point is that someone saying "these headphones are awesome" tells me that it's true for them, but probably not for everyone.

There's no argument that it's subjective, but there's still a pretty clear sound quality difference when you go up a tier. They just don't know any better. To them, the Beats are awesome compared to the iBuds, since they probably have never tried anything else. When you let people try good $300 headphones, the Beats aren't so awesome anymore

[Silicone_Milk]

@Gonnafistya - "My point is that someone saying "these headphones are awesome" tells me that it's true for them, but probably not for everyone."

So, your point is to state the obvious? Somebody might like strawberry flavored ice-cream but it doesn't mean everybody will. I don't understand why you took the time to write up that post in order to make that point...

@ToxicBug - True, anything sounds good compared to those horrid iphone earbuds. I compared these against Astros a30s, some cheap Turtle Beach headphones (which sound like listening through a cardboard tube), and will be comparing against the similarly priced Astros a40 side-by-side tomorrow.

What was the most striking to me was the headphone's ability to isolate me from the noisy environment I was in. And its ability to cancel out background noise for the mic picking up only what you're saying and not the conversation of the people 3-4 feet away.

[GONNAFISTYA]

@Gonnafistya - "My point is that someone saying "these headphones are awesome" tells me that it's true for them, but probably not for everyone."

So, your point is to state the obvious? Somebody might like strawberry flavored ice-cream but it doesn't mean everybody will. I don't understand why you took the time to write up that post in order to make that point...

It was in response to the combined posts of andyman and ToxicBug. One talked about hardware numbers as indicators of headphone quality and the other talked about price. I disagreed with both approaches on how to judge headphones.

[ToxicBug]

@ToxicBug - True, anything sounds good compared to those horrid iphone earbuds. I compared these against Astros a30s, some cheap Turtle Beach headphones (which sound like listening through a cardboard tube), and will be comparing against the similarly priced Astros a40 side-by-side tomorrow.

What was the most striking to me was the headphone's ability to isolate me from the noisy environment I was in. And its ability to cancel out background noise for the mic picking up only what you're saying and not the conversation of the people 3-4 feet away.

That's cool, I wonder how they do that. I also took a look at the equipment that they come with. The USB DAC is completely separate and that's great. If I were you, I would test them with a good DAC or sound card instead of using what they're bundling with the headphones. It looks like it could restrict their true potential.

[plained]

i have some sony king that sit on your neck kinda

mdr g45

theryre really great!

[Silicone_Milk]

@gonnafistya - ok that makes more sense then to me. sorry.

@ToxicBug - they're mainly intended to plug straight into a good sound card. To be honest, I'm not sure why the usb dac is there. From what I've seen you need to use a mixamp to connect these to a console which will set you back a few more bucks if you don't already have one laying around.

I intend on using this for the PC though so no worries there.

[andyman]

I was told repeatedly that the Beats headphones from Dr.Dre were "the best headphones in the world" and they were, of course, priced over $300.

They failed miserably and sounded totally flat in a direct comparison to my crappy portable folding Sony noise cancelling headphone set...which only cost me $80 and a AAA battery.

There is no such thing as objective feedback when it comes to speakers or headphones...especially when 99% of them are manufactured by the same company but just given different branding. It's all subjective and anyone who claims otherwise is either a salesman or a moron.

The Beats are pretty much the laughing stock of the headphone nerd (head-fi) community.

it's about the same as wearing one of these, in my book

[andyman]

To be honest, I'm not sure why the usb dac is there.

The USB dongle included supports 7.1 surround, not everyone has that in a sound card. It's about the same value as a plush carrying pouch tbh, they aren't all that great. It's all software driven as far as I can tell.

But to be fair, the USB device that came with my siberia v2's worked great for me (at the time) since I didn't have much going in the sound department. I bought a better dac recently as well as some much nicer headphones than i've had in the past (mmx300 with the custom goodie parts) and those sound super duper compared to what I used to think was real good. cost a lot though.

[xer0s]

Some dude at Radio Shack told me the Gamecom Commander was good...

[DRuM]

It was in response to the combined posts of andyman and ToxicBug. One talked about hardware numbers as indicators of headphone quality and the other talked about price. I disagreed with both approaches on how to judge headphones.

I agree, it's definitely a personal taste thing with headphones. Different headphones have varied sound signatures, whether that be more bassy, more laid back, more veiled, more aggressive, more forward, more trebly, wider soundstage, etc. The flagship Sennheisers, the HD800 which I think brisk owns a pair of are meant to be highly analytical. I'm not absolutely positive what that means. I know it means more detail is revealed but I suppose it also suggests it has a clinical sound which might leave some people cold. That's something that I think would appeal to me as I love to catch more detail, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you or someone else would like that, you might prefer a less critical sound, a warmer sound, a more musical sound.

Also bear in mind that some headphones will sound awesome to someone if they're driven from a really good amp and source. Some just need really good hifi to bring the best out of them.
But the Dr.Beats are undoubtedly marketing over quality. I've never tried them but I'm sure they'll be nothing special. Certainly not compared to the Sennheisers, Beyers and Grados of this world.

[GONNAFISTYA]

You're right about needing good hifi to get the best out of most average headphones as alot of them from $10 up to the $200 range are flat across the EQ board. Anyone who has an EQ and leaves it flat doesn't know what an EQ does...and that's what most headphones sound to me, flat. Last time I checked they actually brag about the flat frequency response on the packaging which for me makes most headphones sound the same...dead and boring.

But I guess in the end they're simply trying to have their product sound adequate across multiple inputs/environments/personal tastes.

I have a gaming headset with lots of boomy bass for explosions but they sound like shit for music and way too hollow. The Sony noise cancelling set gives a slight kick in the 70 - 320 range and a boost up in the 6k range when I turn them on and that is what gives them character. When I turn them off they're just another flat-sounding pair of very days. I had a great pair of Vivancos a few years back but they died. They - to me - were quite nice for only costing 60 Euro and I've been trying to get that sound back since.

[Tsakali]

lol sound

[DRuM]

Last time I checked they actually brag about the flat frequency response on the packaging which for me makes most headphones sound the same...dead and boring.

But I guess in the end they're simply trying to have their product sound adequate across multiple inputs/environments/personal tastes.

Yeah and I think it's also about selling to the audiophile purists who like uncoloured sound to get closer to the way the music sounded in the studio as it was recorded. It's a bit like expensive loudspeakers, they do everything they can to make sure the cabinet design and speakers don't influence the sound too much and many expensive amps don't have tone controls. Sometimes I find having everything flat is nice and gives more depth to the sound, but other times I just like to increase some bass and treble.

[ToxicBug]

You're right about needing good hifi to get the best out of most average headphones as alot of them from $10 up to the $200 range are flat across the EQ board. Anyone who has an EQ and leaves it flat doesn't know what an EQ does...and that's what most headphones sound to me, flat. Last time I checked they actually brag about the flat frequency response on the packaging which for me makes most headphones sound the same...dead and boring.

But I guess in the end they're simply trying to have their product sound adequate across multiple inputs/environments/personal tastes.

I have a gaming headset with lots of boomy bass for explosions but they sound like shit for music and way too hollow. The Sony noise cancelling set gives a slight kick in the 70 - 320 range and a boost up in the 6k range when I turn them on and that is what gives them character. When I turn them off they're just another flat-sounding pair of very days. I had a great pair of Vivancos a few years back but they died. They - to me - were quite nice for only costing 60 Euro and I've been trying to get that sound back since.

You should pick your headphones, DAC, and amp so that you like how they sound without EQ. There are headphones for all sorts of kinds of music and all sorts of sound signature tastes. Not everyone is trying to make a neutral-sounding headphones, far from it. No matter how much bass you want, you will be able to find headphones that will provide more than enough without EQ. You just need to try them before you buy.

Also, DRuM, you can have a detailed headphone with a lot of bass. These qualities are independent. Color is why there are so many different headphones. Different brands have their own sound signatures

I've tried several different headphones and earphones and I also have a few mid-tier and top-tier myself. In the end, all I can say is that headphones definitely have their place, but they really don't stack up against a proper speaker setup. I don't use my headphones at home since I got my 2.2 speaker setup, except rarely for watching a movie or listening to music late at night.