Sennheiser PC 155 USB Binaural Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone

by Sennheiser

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001MHYK6
• Item model number: PC 155 USB
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

The Ultimate gaming tool.This is the bestgaming set period. The USB adapter with integrated sound card lets you take your own personal extreme surround sound with you wherever you play. The XL ear caps block out surrounding noise and give you ultimate wearing comfort.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A vast improvement over the $30 variety..., October 12, 2005

By 

P. Summersgill (San Rafael, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sennheiser PC 155 USB Binaural Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone (Personal Computers)

I have two business partners that are not nearby. One is in the next area code, the other overseas. We use Skype to chat with USB headsets and avoid long distance charges. Finding the right headset has been a journey, but I think I'm now as close as I've gotten with this pair.

Anyone that has looked will tell you that there just isn't the broad selection of high quality USB headphones that there is with standard audio headphones. I should point out, my issue with the cheap headphones was more about comfort than it was about audio quality. The cheap ones sounded fine, they were just uncomfortable, didn't fit right and were easy to break. In reading other reviews, I'm surprised that people would use such an expensive unit for online gaming. Seems a bit frivolous, and I don't know that I would've gone the Sennheiser route if it wasn't a business thing, but that's just me.

I purchased Sennheiser PC155's out of frustration with the cheap USB headsets from other manufacturers. They feel and fit like the cheezy headphones you get on airplanes. They PC155's more expensive than the other two I purchased, but the quality difference is definitely there. They feel sturdier and fit on my head better. The padding is more comfortable. The cord to the USB jack is long, and the headset came with a spindle that you can wind excess cord on and hang somewhere convenient. I also like that you can choose if you want to use USB or mini-jacks. I still use the other headsets when I travel as they pack down tighter, but this is the set I use at my desk in my home office.

The only thing I don't like about this headset is that the cord is very thin and makes me worry that I'll snap it right off if I'm not careful. It's actually thinner than the cord on some of the cheaper brands. This is a $100+ piece of hardware, so I was expecting something a bit more sturdy. Still, even with that relatively small issue, I'm happy.

A MONTH LATER: Well, I'm still pleased with this purchase. However, I have noticed that the people I Skype with complain of more static when I use the mini-plugs versus the USB connection. I was spurred to use the mini-plug connection because the USB occasionally knocks out my sound card. Nothing a restart won't fix, but still an annoyance. I don't think this problem is specific to this headset, as I've had it happen with the other, cheaper varieties as well.

3 MONTHS LATER: Got sick of my sound card kicking the bucket, so I reinstalled the OS, and ever since I've had problem free Skyping with this headset. Couldn't be happier.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great sound, not so great comfort., May 2, 2006

By 

Jonathan D. Schmidt (Chillicothe, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sennheiser PC 155 USB Binaural Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone (Personal Computers)

I agree with most of the reviews here. The PC155 is a great headset overall. The sound quality is great. Volume is more than adequate and fidelity is excellent. I've listened to a great deal of MP3 music through these babies and I am very impressed. Spacial/stereo imaging is great and I've actually heard things in the songs that I have never heard before! It actually shows the imperfections of my MP3 and makes me realize that I probably need to turn up the bit rate when ripping my CDs. The controls are also simple to use, both on the cord and on the PC.

Audio recording quality is great as well. I have tried it with Dragon and recognition works great with it. Playback of recorded sound shows that the sound is a little on the dark side, however. Ps and Bs are a little too hot even though I have tried different mike positions and used the included wind sock.

My biggest problem with the set is in the comfort department. I first feel obligated to tell you that I do not normally wear full coverage headphones. Usually, I wear high-quality buds. So, perhaps I just have to get used to it. However, I feel as though my ears are being squeezed too much with these headphones. Instead of feeling like they are comfortably secure, they feel as though they are too tight and they make my ears hot... even after only 15 minutes.

So, despite my positive review of the sound quality, I am going to send these back and try the PC165. They supposedly have bigger ear cups, which will hopefully translate to more comfort? Other people here have not had problems with the comfort of the 155s so it is probably just me.

UPDATE: I received the PC165 set and there is a big difference. The sound is fuller and bigger (not louder) on the 165s. Also, the comfort is much better. They don't pinch my ears like the 155s. The cord going to the headset is also thicker, which means fewer tangles and less chance of damage. If you're thinking of the 155s, I would get the 165s instead!

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but let the business pay for it., April 28, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sennheiser PC 155 USB Binaural Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone (Personal Computers)

I was looking for the product on their website and I eventually found a completely different website for supporting this product.
The website for this product is www.sennheisercommunication.com

The construction is well made and feels solid, but the cables and ear pads are not replaceable, unlike many of their models. The USB is nice and works fine, but you can also detach the USB to have MIC and headphone 3.5mm outs which is very convenient if you have a good soundcard. I would presume that the pc150 model is only lacking the USB interface.

The microphone does the job well, but can easily pick up wind noise even though it has a noise-cancellation feature. Make sure that you place the mic below your mouth and you will be fine.

The price is a bit much, but the quality of the sound being produced by the headphone portion is as good as my 497s to my ears. I can sit and listen to music and take phone calls from my Cisco IP communicator with ease.

I would recommend it highly, but the retail listing prevents me from giving it 5 stars. Purchase the pc150s if you do not need the USB feature.