Sound filters

A good headset, with or without a microphone, is a must for most computer users and even some console gamers. Razer, the world’s leading brand in high-end computer gaming peripherals, delights you with its latest Barracuda HP-1 gaming headphones. Attention to microscopic details like using 99 per cent oxygen-free copper cable in the headphones dispenses amazing gaming audio signals and its 8 discrete audio drivers lend optimal audio without compromising the gamer’s comfort when using the headset.

The Barracuda headset is the typical cupped-style headset, with the headphones being heavily padded cups with an adjustable headstrap in between. The Razer Barracuda HP-1 headphone’s built-in microphone is designed specifically for in-game communications — featuring a short shaft for enhanced comfort and audio pickup — the microphone also features advanced noise cancellation capabilities ideal for furious in-game communication. Although the Razer Barracuda HP-1 may be used with all soundcards, using it with the Razer Barracuda AC-1 gaming soundcard is strongly recommended as it delivers the finest gaming audio experience. Razer’s gaming products can be found at specialised gaming counters and will cost around Rs 7,500.

The Razer Piranha gaming communicator, is yet another headset designed for gamers with true-to-life audio quality and a noise-filtering microphone. But they were not the best headphones we have experienced. The headphones had worked the best while gaming, but the sound was not as rich as we would like when listening to music or watching a movie. Admittedly, bass response was good without becoming overpowering. However, the Piranha is certainly better than the speakers integrated into most laptops. The quality of the voice communication was as good as can be expected from headphones worth Rs 4,000.

If you don’t have a sound card or just don’t want to bother with the hassle of unplugging your speakers then your best option is a USB headset. The Genius HS-04U is a gamer-oriented USB headset with support for Dolby headphone, and though we like a lot of what it does, it’s not without its problems. For starters, it is not a fancy headset.

While the headset will just work without drivers, you won’t get any of the cool features unless you install the drivers. Once installed, users get nifty virtual 3D via Dolby headphone support. The Genius HS-04U also packs in surprises such as a sense of a wider soundscape and even a bit of 3D audio. Adjust the size of the virtual room, apply reverb effects to make it sound like an amphitheatre or bathroom, and tweak the tone with a 10-band graphic equaliser. There’s even a karaoke function. From playing games to using it for VoIP services, Genius HS-04U presents itself as an affordable option at just Rs 2,700.