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There have been a lot of aftermarket accessories
introduced on the market directed towards gamers and computer
enthusiasts, performance mice, gaming controllers and flight
sticks. In the age of online massive multiplayer games, USB
headsets are one of the most popular accessories. Users have
been communicating with headsets instead of standalone microphones
and headphones.
The first communication headsets were standard
1/8” headphones with a microphone which used both a
speaker jack and a secondary 1/8” microphone jack. Users
would have to unplug their main speakers and microphones in
order to use their gaming headsets, and eventually case manufacturers
realized the need for additional headphone and microphone
jacks and integrated them into the front panel of the chassis.
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Nowadays, aftermarket companies have moved
away from the standard headphone jack style headsets and have
moved over to USB connection. With the USB connection there
is less of a cluttered mess around where multiple wires are
connected, and no need for a special case with the headphone
jacks up front. Now just a single wire allows the connection
to a computer or a hub and sends the audio signal to and from
the headset and the computer. Simple to connect and disconnect
they are ideal for communicating over the computer.
Setup is simple, a basic Plug and Play affair.
All you need is a spare USB port. Once plugged in the headset
was detected immediately and worked flawlessly in both Windows
XP/2000 and Mac OS X. It doesn't even require a sound card.
Bearing this in mind, if your computer has a high end soundcard
you are better off with a conventional non USB headset.
Cost savings on materials have allowed Logitech
to spend elsewhere. Differences between the Premium 350 and
lesser models are substantial. The padding is soft foam as
opposed to the fake leather found on cheaper models. Also,
the USB cable has a remote that either mutes or adjusts the
volume, with controls which were very tactile and well placed.
Interestingly the actual Logitech logo is used as the mute
button.
An attached shirt clip also proved very handy.
Inside the speaker sits a 40mm Neodymium driver which provides
a much richer sound overall.
The noise-cancelling microphone enhances
VoIP applications by reducing ambient sounds making communications
clearer with quality improved for both listener and sender.
The plush earpads, though comfortable, do not completely cover
the ear, so ambient sounds can still be heard.
Even with background noise, sound quality
was excellent. With the volume set to max we were unable to
hear any distortion or hissing. Sound is well balanced at
all levels; bass response is excellent.
USB
Headset
| How
to choose between computer microphones | Headset
Installation Guide |
Analog
(non-USB) headset microphones | Logitech
USB 350 Headset | Reviews
of Plantronics Headsets
|
