Altec Lansing AHS-502 Studio Headset with Mic

by Altec Lansing

Product Details

• Item Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000EI9VK
• Item model number: AHS-502
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 29, 2004

Product Description

The AHS502i Studio Headset from Altec Lansing is a stereo headset with in-line volume control designed for use with a computer. The headset features stereo headphones and an integrated microphone. It connects to your computer via the standard 1/8" headphone and microphone connections on the sound card. The headset is an excellent choice for anyone who wishes to participate in web conferencing or VoIP communications. The stereo headset features a powerful bass output, allowing you to use it comfortably as a standard pair of headphones or for Internet telephony and conferencing. The headset features an integrated microphone, allowing you to use it for Internet voice communications and video conferencing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars they're ok.. but they look far better than they actually are, December 10, 2004

By 

tearsinraine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altec Lansing AHS-502 Studio Headset with Mic (Personal Computers)

My primary purpose for getting this headset was for gaming. When I originally bought this pair about a year ago, I paid almost twice as much at Best Buy, which is completely ludicrous for the kind of product this turned out to be. For around $20, it might be an okay value, but I would recommend you look around some more, in case you feel like settling on this.

So here's what I thought about the AHS-502...

SOUND:

I got suckered in by the neat look and packaging of the AHS-502, but don't let its sleek silver appearance or the fact they're calling themselves a "Studio Headset" get your hopes up too much. The sound, overall, is pretty mediocre. Nothing terribly bad, but pretty lackluster. They're adequate for gaming and not so great for music.

MIC:

The microphone tends to pick up a fair amount of ambient noise, so watch out where your fans are pointed.

CONSTRUCTION:

The headphones are actually quite sturdy. The same goes for the microphone boom. I've moved the boom thousands of times and it's still attached to my headset with no sign of wear. I've trashed my fair share of headphones, and this one has stayed in one piece.

HOWEVER.... the wires are another matter. The only place I used this pair of headphones was strictly for PC gaming, so it pretty much stayed in one place all the time. Given that, the wear on the wires shouldn't have been that extreme, but within about half a year I started having problems with the microphone. It seems that part of the cord near the little volume control pod seems to have broken or lost contact so it wasn't passing my mic signal through. I would have to fidget with the wire in order to get my mic working again. Eventually, my microphone boom became a useless prop.

COMFORT:

Overall, these weren't too comfortable. They would be okay for short periods of time, but they're definitely not meant to be worn for extended periods of time. I was typically ready for a break after about an hour. Given the lackluster sound, they should have gone for a lighter physical design. And since my primary purpose was for gaming, the lack of comfort was pretty disappointing.

FEATURES:

The cord has an attached control pod which includes a volume wheel and a 3-position switch for the microphone input volume (low, high, off).

PROS:

1) sturdy headset & microphone boom

2) decent value for around $20, but no more than that

CONS:

1) flimsy wires killed my mic

2) mediocre sound

3) fair amount of ambient noise via the mic

4) uncomfortable within short period of time

If the microphone didn't crap out on me, I might have been a bit more forgiving, but that was my final straw with an already mediocre, over-priced headset. Maybe you'll have better luck with your cord, and the price here at Amazon is definitely better than the price I paid for it, but I would definitely recommend looking around further.

Personally, I just picked up a pair of Sennheiser PC150s to see what all the fuss is about and I'm fairly happy with them so far. I'll probably post a full review on them in a bit, once I've had more time to evaluate them.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Headphones, Horrible Mic, March 2, 2005

By 

David - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altec Lansing AHS-502 Studio Headset with Mic (Personal Computers)

The headset is great except for one thing. I'd would totally agree with the guy that said the microphone cord sucks. I've been through 4 sets of these headphones. Everytime the mic has stopped working on each set. Drives me nuts! The headsets only get picked up from the desk, put on my head, and then back down to the desk. Not even heavy use... and they break. I contacted Altec Lansing and their reprsentative said that they do indeed have multiple reported problems with the mics going out. They said they will replace the headphones, but I will be without them for 4 weeks. Sucks! Look at another set of headphones if you'd like them to work longer.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid buy, especially at Amazon's low, low price., March 2, 2005

By 

shancarrick (Syracuse, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altec Lansing AHS-502 Studio Headset with Mic (Personal Computers)

I purchased these headphones at a national retail chain for $40.00. I feel like a chump for neglecting to check out Amazon first. Headphones are satisfactory. They fit very comfortably, but I can see how a person with a small-to-medium sized head could be annoyed by them. The headset is very wide. The cups would tend to tilt in at an awkward angle on a person with a small/narrow head. Excellent buy at Amazon's low, low price.