Customer Reviews

Sennheiser PC 155 USB Binaural Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This headset is awsome, a nice improvement over my cheap 20 dollar lan center ones, as well as my plantronics. Very comfortable, and easy to set up. I hd dsp-500's and these own those to hell. Better sound, better bass, more comfort. Must buy!

If you are a gamer or better yet...if you are a person who cares to have the best headset in the market...look no more. The PC 155 USB is it!

It feels great...it looks great....the sounds are out of this world and best of all...it is USB.

If you have a regular speakers that are connected to your pc....don't even worry. When you connect the PC 155 to your pc via the USB connector....all sound come out via the PC 155. However, once you disconnect the PC 155 from you USB connector your sounds come out via the speakers you had before.

It is great! Just get it! You will not regret it!!!!!

First off, I bought this headset for gaming, which anyone who enjoys the pastime will tell you how quickly the hours can melt away. Gamers are dependant on an ultra comfortable pair of headphones that we shouldn't be able to feel. I have been searching high and low for the Holy Grail of comfort and I was certain paying $90+ for a "gaming" headset would be the end of my search. Sorry, these guys are going back.

I've tried a couple "cheap" Best-Buy headsets that I found painful to wear after an hour or so. Then I decided to spring for "top of the line". I wore these for 15 minutes before it became obvious this headset was not the Holy Grail I've been looking for.

The headset itself feels flimsy and cheap. The padding is made of an itchy fabric, and even on my small head, it feels tight. The earphones do not cover my ears and I can feel them slowly being crushed. I'm not impressed with the sound, but I could overlook that if they were comfortable to wear. I didn't even bother to try the mic.

If this is how Sennheiser makes their high end gaming equipment, I think it's safe to say I will avoid these guys in the future. The $30 pair of Aiwa's I wear at work are more comfortable than this and sound the same... if only that pair had a mic.

*My ears still feel uncomfortable after taking the set off and then writing this review- I couldn't imagine wearing them for a few hours while gaming. If I find the perfect pair I'll let you all know.

Very well designed with good comfort level when used over extended periods of time. The sound quality is excellent and there is no set-up required as it uses a USB connection. However, I am disappointed with the build quality - the cushion at the top of the headset is not properly attached and the adhesive keeps peeling back.

I have tried several headsets and USB phones for use with VoIP calls using Skype.

The most impressive feature of this headset is the mic. Other headsets and devices have trouble picking up my fairly low voice. This comes through loud and clear, no one has problems hearing me at all.

The headset is very comfortable and can be used for an extended period without any of the discomfort other cheaper brands subject you to.

It has inline volume control and mute switch. The USB adapter can be removed if you want to plug directly into the audio jacks on a laptop with limited USB ports available or if the jacks are simply more accesible, as they are with my Toshiba Tecra.

Having used this headset I can never go back to a cheaper model, it is SO SO superior, definately worth the extra money if you use a headset on a regular basis and/or for long periods at one time.

I was looking for a good headset to play online games like Battlefield 2 and to use with general applications like TeamSpeak. I tried Logitech Precision PC Gaming but if anything they were designed for anything BUT gaming. After returning them and reading some good reviews about this set I decided to spend the extra $$$ and I am SO GLAD i did. The headphones are extremely confortable. Sound quality is top notch for both, speakers and mic. USB based means you don't even need a soundcard to use them (you do have the option to use regular minijacks if you prefer. My only gripe is with the minijacks themselves as they feel kind of flimsy so I would be careful handling when plugging. Other than that there is no better way to enjoy Battlefield 2. Well, maybe there is but it would be extraordinary expensive. Amazon price is good too so buy with confidence.

I bought these earphones to go with my Skype and also occasionally use them for listening to music. The sound is rich and nuanced. The set looks big - it is big - but very light and comfortable. I liked this set so much, I bought two - one for home and for the office