Unfortunately, only a wannabe Gaming Headset

I have the Plantronics GameCom 780 for about 50 and the SteelSeries bought and compared v2 USB and QPad QH-85 for each 84. How it came to be deposited and how they, in my view, is to be reported in the following.
Incidentally, I have with headset and high quality Hi-Fi equipment little experience. So if you expect a sophisticated review, I have to disappoint you.

As I previously only an ancient Logitech Headset possessed, which sat ill and had a horrible sound, should now over here a new. My price expectations went originally to 50 and so I jumped right the Plantronics GameCom 780 with virtual 7.1 sound eye.

Plantronics GameCom 780 ++++ ++++

The GameCom 780 is on Amazon often assessed positively and the negative criticisms relate mainly to the rapid material fatigue on the bracket. I figured that if I know this ahead of time that I could prevent with extra cautious treatment of premature fatigue, so I ordered the unit times.

The first impression is how many others have noted, sobering. Much cheaper, the whole thing could hardly act. Cheapest plastic everywhere you look, the controls (but are nevertheless directly to the ear cups) wiggle and in the left ear cup clatters anything. The only glimmer of hope regarding the external characteristics are the flip-up rubber arm of the microphone and the well padded hangers.

Included is a software CD. The headset can be connected via USB only. So quickly connected the headset and install the software. When practical test but soon other weaknesses of the headset are then clearly.

First of all the comfort: The bracket is far too stiff for my mind and the ear pieces for my quite big ears too small. The headset pressed in several places and I can not imagine it to be able to easily carry over several hours to me. After all, it seems relatively easy.

The supplied software has to breathe the buttons on the pinna life only the function (as I gather from the other reviews) and to switch between stereo and 7.1 gaming or movie mode can. Other settings on the Sound are not possible.

The micro makes a very useful impression at first glance. However, I have tested it only very briefly.

The sound I feel in stereo mode as ok. If you switch on 7.1 but it sounds absolutely horrible. Tinny and echoing it hits probably best. That true gamers actually use this headset as suggested by the images of the product description, I can not imagine the best of intentions.

At a glance:

+ Custom Sound Card
+ Fold-microcantilever

+/- Micro
+/- Acceptable stereo
+/- Open design

- Poor sound 7.1
- Bad processing
- Poor comfort
- Software does not provide any setting options

Overall, I am of the opinion that the device is its 50 not really worth.
So I decided to buy two more devices that are also somewhat more expensive than the Plantronics.

++++ SteelSeries v2 USB ++++

The SteelSeries v2 USB consists of the normal SteelSeries v2 with jack plugs and a USB adapter with its own sound card, so herewith also 7.1 sound can be simulated.
The scope of supply also has a jack extension cable.
However, the driver software must be downloaded from the Internet. A link is included on a small piece of paper.

After unpacking the you realize that you here in any case a step further than with the Plantronics. While the SteelSeries is also mainly made of plastic, but everything is much more flexible. I can well imagine that nothing will break any time soon. Processing affects overall significantly valent, although here also appears to be loose anything in the left ear.
Volume control and microphone mute are located both on the USB adapter and the cable of the headphones.

Connection and software installation work as expected easy. The software provides in this case also a variety of settings.

The comfort is much better than the Plantronics, although here the earcups my ears can not completely encircle.
The headband is not directly on the head by the way. Between the ears a flexible band is excited about what makes carrying more comfortable to some.
After some time, I have to say that the headset to push with me began as eyeglass wearers.
Speaking one notices a slight pressure on the jaw.
If you move your head at times you can hear also a faint crunch of plastic joints.

At the sound can not fault my opinion. In the operation of the 7.1 sound is full and if someone wants to do some fine tuning, then he can play around in your software settings a bit.

The retractable microphone is the one quite practical and sounds on the other neatly. A slight noise is heard, but the sound quality was rated by my interlocutors in total as well. The voice is loud and clear.

At a glance

+ Own soundcard
+ Software with many configuration options
+ Pull-out microphone
+ Light weight
+ Good sound quality

+/- Verabreitung
+/- Closed construction

- Uncomfortable for people wearing glasses I think after a long time

++++ QPad QH-85 ++++

Many reviewers have already praised the QPads packaging and quite a few have been criticized for it. But I have to say that means me something like much. If a product is of such high quality packaged like this started with heavy card stock, a small dedication of the founder on the inside of the lid, to soft foam in the embedded headset is then that means for me that someone was sitting and the product has planned out from beginning to end. Since no half measures are taken.

If one then takes the QPad the first time in the hand, you feel confirmed. You can feel the quality really. From the outer impression alone ago it would not have surprised me if the headset would have been three times as expensive. The ear cups are slightly rubberized from the outside, the suspension of the ear Muschen is made of aluminum and the removable Micro is pleasantly flexible and can be positioned well.
Some have criticized that the QPad THAT CONDITION total clunky. One must not forget, however, that the somewhat bulky impression due by the size of the ears and that the last is at least in my case that my ears are completely enclosed.

Substituting the QPad on, you realize that you can tell almost nothing. The bracket is very flexible and pushes just enough that nothing slips. The relatively high weight is hardly noticeable.
In terms of finishing and comfort I would give the QPad top marks.

The QPad can be connected only via jack to the PC. If someone wants to use the headset for example for his cell phone, then this is also a suitable adapter is included.

At the first trial hearing and at the first test shots, the mood is first but lightly steamed. The sound of the headphones is indeed very fine, but the Micro sounds terrible. That reminds me then but that I run this headset as opposed to the other two about my crappy onboard soundcard.

But since I was so impressed by the external values ​​of the headset to date, I've decided my original budget of 50 continue to extend for an additional sound card.
Thus, the new sound card and bought the QPad reconnected. This time also via USB.
The sound is better just around worlds. I have already mentioned that I did not have much experience with HiFi devices, but I can not imagine that you can get a much better overall package for about 80 not actually. However, the bass is a little weak, but personally I do not mind.
The voice is now also clear when shooting. However, you can hear a slight noise here and background sounds are filtered out, unfortunately, hardly. I could hear in a recording that in the next room my gas heater is tackled. The microphone is also generally quite quiet.

At a glance

+ Excellent workmanship
+ Extremely comfortable
+ Extensive accessories (extension cords, adapters for mobile phones, carrying case)
+ Very nice sound

+/- Open design

- Micro is fairly quiet
- Slightly weak bass
- Not have a sound card

Overall, I really ultimately chose the most expensive option, namely for the QPad with external sound card. I also have the SteelSeries trial connected to the new sound card in order to have a better comparison and I must say that I find the sound of QPads than anything else pleasant. The bass is the SteelSeries however powerful. My interlocutors felt both Mirko's as well, that the micro QPads was perhaps a little clearer.

Because a headset next to the sound of the speakers and the microphone also the comfort plays a decisive role, the QPad for me but clearly ahead, especially if you have a decent sound card. In addition, the QPad stands clearly with the great processing. Personally I also prefer the open design of QPads.

Should you, however, as I have only cheap onboard sound available and want to spend more money in any way and the headset should also want to use as normal headphones in public, which should perhaps choose the SteelSeries (even if you are not wearing glasses) , But you have to accept then that the SteelSeries compared to QPad rather acts like a plastic toy.

The Plantronics is here far behind and that's because it's cheaper not only 30. It might be worth 30 and even then I could not keep it well.

1. QPad QH-85: 5 stars *****
2. SteelSeries v2 USB: 4 stars ****
3. Plantronics GameCom 780: 2 stars **

Edit: I've now tested the QPad already for a long time. I have to say that I regret my purchase at all. The sound convinced me to continue and it is incredibly comfortable. (Played 10h at a stretch) even during long gaming sessions I noticed the headset even unpleasant.