In the spoiler tags is some background story on the issue, if you just want the basics skip it...


So really what I need is a pair of noise cancelling headphones or a headset with noise cancelling capabilities. However I do not want to spend a hundred bucks on a pair of headphones unless it will do everything I need. Some of my requirements are

- A microphone- Preferably high quality and preferable uses the microphone jack as opposed to a USB port but either will work. Used for Skype, Low Quality recordings, Ventrillo. The mic can be detachable, removable or a secondary piece of equipment
- Noise cancelling headphones - to block out the fan noise
- Transportable - They should fit in my backpack and it would be nice if they could double as headphones for my Ipod or Android Phone
- Comfort
- Not look to bulky

So knowing exactly what I want I have looked at some products...

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106570- Sennheiser Headphones
Pros - Tried these on in Best Buy, Comfort, Nice quality, Noise cancelling 80$
Cons - No mic, have a weird shape to them

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106571 - Sennheiser DJ Styled
Pros- Nice looking, dont know how they feel, high quality sound, on sale for 100$
Cons- Again no mic and I have no way of knowing what they feel like

----If I go with either of the pair listed above I would usehttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836111601 as a mic

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826785024- ASUS Gaming Headset
Pros- Nice looking, detachable mic so I can use as headphones while walking across campus or hook up a mic for Skype/Gaming chat, Either a USB or Audio jack.
Cons- Unsure about quality, noise cancelling and mic quality

Some other options I have looked over would be to purchase a lower priced gaming headset with noise cancelling, maybe in the 50-70 dollar range, and then purchase a nicer pair of noise cancelling earbuds for when I am on the go. Not sure please help with any suggest products or feedback....


Final Note - Also If you think that the issue may not be fixed by using noise cancelling headphones please let me know. I have taken my PC to a shop and they plugged in speakers and a pair of headphones and both worked fine. As I said, my speakers work great with it, but sometimes I prefer to chat in Skype or use headphones as to not disturb my roommate. The shop also said that it may be a grounding issue but I am not really sure what that means as I use a grounded power strip and the PC power cord is grounded as well. Also I have used the PC in about 5 different locations and dozens of different outlets and most of them cause a similar disturbance.

If Newegg have it look for the Corsair Vengeance 1300 (uses the jacks) or 1500 (usb, built in soundcard). It has comfort, reasonable noise cancelling (when I have audio on I can't hear anyone shouting me unless they come in my room), works with Ipod and Iphone. Over here the 1300 costs about ￡60, so I think that is about $80 but IDK for certain. It has a good microphone (not detachable though, if that is a con). They are transportable as the cups fold inwards, however they do look a bit bulky but not that bulky. The only thing I dislike about it is that in the in-line volume control it does not have an option to mute the sound, only the microphone.

I have a pair of http://www.trittonusa.com/prod/pc510.asp that I love. It does require a 5.1 connection for you, maybe that's a deal breaker, but I figure it doesn't hurt to suggest them anyway.

Pros-
Removable flexable mic.
Very comfy, I can wear them all day with no problems
Can't hear anything else when I'm wearing them

Cons-
Get occasional interference from my cellphone. If it happens I can just move the phone 1' farther away and it goes away.

Other than that bit of interference, I've had no problems during the 8 months(I think) that I've owned them.

I'm not sure if they are noise canceling, but I heard Plantronic is planning on releasing two new headsets on the 15th. When they release we may see a price drop for their other models.
www.pcgamer.com/2012/01/06/plantronics-reveals-gamecom-780-7-1-headsetsgamecom-380-headsets/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

Those are some nice options, the Corsairs look pretty nice and would certainly be a top contender if I decide that I will just use earbuds when walking around campus. However the PC 510 look like a gift from god, they have the same features that made the ASUS Vulcan pair so desirable, however I am not sure If i have the appropriate hookup or soundcard. Also, not sure if they will work with an ipod/phone the same way that the Vulcans will.

BTW I read reviews about the ASUS Vulcan and apparently when the noise cancelling is turned on it makes the sound quality wierd

Also, if you have the appropriate hardware the 1300 will enable you to have 7.1 surround sound, and the 1500 has it built in.

How can I check what kind of sound hardware I have?

Run dxdiag, never ran it myself but I'm sure someone on here will know

I like my Turtle Beach X12 headset, but I'm no sound expert. I just like them because it provides good sound and I can play 360 without disturbing my roommate, and I use them to watch movies on my laptop because they sound good (to my ears...I suppose a $300 set like Beats by Dre would sound better if you wanted to go that far).

Beats by Dre are for music I believe (I have a pair of the earphones) and IMO they are overpriced and overrated. Don't really know what they would be like for games.

Half of the price is probably from the celebrity endorsemant. Better to go with an established brand like Audio-Technica or Sennheiser.

I agree, although I can't recommend the Corsair headsets any more

Logitech G35 is supposed to be good.

For around $100, the Audio Technica AD-700 still one of the better cans for gaming:
http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B000CMS0XU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1326451177&sr=1-1

if need a mic, get the zalman clip-on mic:
http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1326451263&sr=1-1

Are you plugging your headphones into the front or back ports of your case? The wires leading to the front audio ports on the Antec 900 and 1200 cases are very poorly insulated and cause buzzing noises for most people. Plugging your headphones directly into your motherboard at the back of the computer should fix the problem.

The AD-700 Tig ol bitties recommended has a super long cable, so you can easily plug it into the back of your computer without issues. I actually have the next model up (AD-900) and that Zalman mike, It works great for gaming and the mike is better than those you get on a lot of headsets.
Edit: I'd recommend the AD-700 over the AD-900, the difference in price is probably not worth it.

If you want loads of technical and user reviews on headphones http://www.testfreaks.com/headphones-headsets/ is pretty good