Would it be better to go with a gaming headset or just get a really nice pair of headphones and a cheap $5-10 desk mic?

I'm kind of leaning towards headphones + desk mic but would like to know if anyone has experience comparing the two before I make a decision.

I know that the mic choice doesn't make as big of a difference in quality as the chat program you use (I just use skype) and other outside variables (internet connection, etc...).

Headphones - http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1368345033&sr=1-1&keywords=ath-m50
Mic - http://www.amazon.com/Labtec-Verse-504-Microphone-Voice-Access/dp/B000053VYB/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1368345066&sr=1-3&keywords=desk+microphone

Headset I'm considering - http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Gaming-Headset/dp/B005I8INDA/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1368345245&sr=1-2&keywords=steelseries+headset

Also, have a good night, everybody, and do something nice for your mother tomorrow

This post was edited by Brinkles on May 12 2013 01:57am

Personally I'd go for headset. Sure you may not have the absolute best sound but its still pretty damn good + mic quality is much better. You wouldn't even notice the difference. I own the M50's and yes it is superior sound but my Gamecom 780 still has great sound. (Love the surround sound even though emulated)

I tried to do mic + headphones also but didn't work out too well. Realistically, go for headset. You're not a junkie so don't listen to junkie words. If you're just primarily gaming, the difference in quality of sounds is negligible. It's not a night and day difference if that's what you're looking for.

Also I'd recommend instead:
http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Headset-Built-In/dp/B008OQTLI4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368346025&sr=8-1&keywords=siberia+v2+frost+blue

if you can fork out a little more. Has better sound and whatnot.

This post was edited by Extz on May 12 2013 02:07am

Bump for more knowledge, please and thank you

Headphones + Clip on mic

Your not gonna get anywhere near the quality coming from headset.

Whats your budget?

it's always better to go real headphones + desk mic

at least in the case of audio quality

if audio quality isn't a problem or matter and you just want convinence then I guess a headset works

This post was edited by Sophia on May 12 2013 08:11am

id say go with a lil bit of both
razer electra and a desk mic
(electra doesnt have a built in mic, but still has a gaming headset design comfort audio quality)

I use a pair of ATH-700's they're amazing compared to the 2-3 "gaming headsets" that I've used in the past.
I dont enjoy having a semi-obstructive Blue Snowball mic on my desk but that's a matter of preference due to where my comp is in relation to desk/mic.

I would always take a quality desk mic/headphones over a gaming headset tho
That being said I haven't spent 250ish on a "gaming headset" compared to what my current setup would be around 50+/-

headset better sound for mic usually

for reference, I've used a few "gaming headsets"

and am currently using beyerdynamic dt 770 pros with a 10 dollar logitech deskmic

Get Headphones and Clip-on or desk mic.

I've had a few different pairs of "Gaming headsets".

Siberia v1 - Quite bad sound, okay fit, okay mic.
Siberia v2 - Bad sound, bad fit, worthless mic (Picks up every breath you take and sounds like shit)
Logitech G35 - Okay sound, great mic. Also LOVED that they had Paus/play, next and back as well as volume control on the left ear.
Fatal!ty something. - Bad feel, Bad sound

Then I decided to spend a little extra and got the Sennheiser HD 598 (Not fair to compare against those headsets though since theese are $300 headphones)

Hd598 - Amazing sound, Amazing feel (Can't even feel that I'm wearing them), Quality seems good (5 moths use and still as new) and amazing looks IMO

This post was edited by mavajava on May 12 2013 09:12am