Customer Reviews

Sennheiser PC156-USB Binaural Headset with Mircrophone

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This headset is more than twice as expensive as comparable headsets from Microsoft and Logitech. The extra money is more than worth it, though - it's in a totally different league from the cheap headsets:

- It's solidly constructed and doesn't fall to bits
- The cable and connectors don't crackle or go intermittent on you
- Sound quality is dramatically better than on the cheap units - you can really enjoy listening to music on these
- People at the other end can hear you clearly without background noise
- You can wear it for hours and it still feels comfortable

This is my third headset. My first headset was a Logitech which started crackling after a few months; my second was a Microsoft LiveChat which was uncomfortable and sounded boxy and muffled. I eventually bought this unit because of the excellent experience I've had in the past with Sennheiser gear.

This headset is fitted with ordinary analog 3.5mm connectors - and comes with a USB adapter (actually a miniature USB sound card). The advantage of using the USB adapter is that you're guaranteed correct gain on the microphone without having to fiddle with settings in the control panel. It also frees up your main soundcard for other uses, such as connecting to your main stereo. The quality of the USB adapter is good - no noise or obvious distortions. A bonus of the USB adapter is that you can use with other headphones or headsets, too.

My Windows XP and Vista machines installed drivers for the USB adapter automatically (no special software was required). The control panel settings on XP for USB sound cards support tone controls (treble and bass) but you won't need them - the headphones have good tonal balance out of the box. The natural deep clean bass you get from headphones such as these beats any compensatory "bass boost".

Sennheiser recommend this headset for hardcore gaming. I use it mainly for internet telephony - Skype is so much more enjoyable with a decent headset! I also use it for listening to music - you won't get a better sound unless you splash out on something like Sennheiser's HD590.

Highly recommended.

I am a heavy gamer and an appreciator of music. I have been through my share of Logitech, Sony Ericsson, Altec Lansing; Plantronics headsets just to name a few. They all have failed me. After a couple months of daily use they all shorted out. Granted, I do not take very good care of the headsets like I should. I do tend to just pull them off my ears and toss them aside when I stop using them, instead of properly rolling up the cord and putting them away. But I figured what the heck... they are pretty much considered disposable to me.

That was until I purchased my 1st set of Sennheiser Headsets. The quality of these headsets is far superior to any others I have owned in the past...and I have owned quite a few. The ear cups fit comfortably over my ears and I can barley notice they are on my head. The microphone is adjustable and designed perfectly to reduce any noise when adjusting them. The best thing about these headsets is the durability. Like I said before I don't take very good care of my headsets, but these have lasted far longer than any others I have owned in the past. So far I'm going on 8 months and I haven't had one problem at all. Not only is the solid engineering of these outstanding, but the sound quality is superb. They also come with a USB adapter so you can hook them up to almost anything.

I highly recommend this product to anyone who uses and abuses the heck out of their headsets and is tired if them constantly shorting out. Do your self a favor and pay a little more money for a good product like this and you will save money in the long run. A wise man told me once... Good stuff not cheap and cheap stuff not good. So do yourselves a favor and purchase these headsets...you will not be disappointed.

I use this headset for online conferences. The sound is good, the usb connection is easy, the inline mic mute is nice and the cord is long enough to let you move around some. I haven't used it for music yet, so I can't comment on that. It's nice to have the ear cups NOT be foam covered (which has disintegrated quickly on other headsets I have owned). The only minus I have is noticing some faint static noise when I move the cord around a lot. A little pricey, but worth it for the durability and sound quality.

Everything about this headset worked perfectly. I had no problems with the USB sound card on my Vista Home Dell. The only reason I couldn't use this headset is that it sits ON the ears, not around the ears. I wear glasses and this headset pressed my ears into my glasses' temples. If that's not a concern for you, then this is a great headset, with wonderful sound reproduction fitting of the Sennheiser name.

I have tried about 6 different headsets and usb-voip phones, this is the best one regarding audio quality. It's like standing beside the caller.
Also very good sound for hearing music with my ipod.

Wasn't expecting these to be as comfortable as they are. I've used them for two weeks and no complaints so far. Nice sound quality.

This is an excellent headset. Since I use it as both Headphones and Headset, it was important to get a product that provides quality across the board. The mike picks up sound well and folds up when I do not need it. The headphones have very good range and depth of sound. That the device plugs in to my existing sound card is great, but I can also use it on another computer that doesn't have a great sound card (think laptop) and the USB device does a good job.

The headset is well built, has reasonable adjustments for fit and does not weigh too much. I have used professional products from this manufacturer and am pleased their commercial product comes up to snuff.

Not inexpensive, but well worth the price in my opinion.

Sennheniser has always been my weakness! I've got a few pairs of really nice Senns' that I use for everyday listening. If you like music and need a mic for gaming or narration, this is the headset to review. I really wish there was a store where these were set up to listen to, as, everyone audio tastes are different.

I bought these to use for narration. The mic has really nice tonal range for all human voice and the ability to cut out the background noise (like a whiny cat or a neighbor revving up his 'hog).

I use these with N-Track (www.ntrack.com), to record multi-track / multi-mic audio for photo album / home movie narration. It is always great to get a few friends or family members to contribute their two cents to home movies. The Senns' make the job super easy - they are consistent, hold together well, and can be use with either USB or Analog connections.

The USB converters are quiet and don't produce any noise; while the 3.5mm
head phone connections work well with a 'pod, they are not a efficient
as the in-the-ear ear buds.

The Senns provide a wonderful balance between audio playback/record and
are comfy for everyday use. I've got two of them. One for him, and one for her.

As others have mentioned, these can be a little rough on the ears and need to occasionally be readjusted. As well, they are butt-ugly (my wife comments that I look like I'm communicating with the Space Shuttle). However, the sound quality of the music and the quality of the mic (due to the usb sound card) simply does not allow for anything less than five stars. An absolute pleasure.

The Sennheiser Pc156-Usb Over-The-Head Usb Binaural Headset With Large Ear Cups (Purchased on 03/30/2009) are solidly made except for the sound and are very comfortable headset. The wires are extra long, and are hooked to 2 belt clips. The first is for the extra wire, which are wrapped around, the second belt clip on the line is for your mic on & off switch and volume. Let it be known I was very surprised, even if you have the volume turned all the way down on the headset, sound still can be heard depending on how loud you have the sound set on the master volume (computer). Is also comes with a USB adapter which is the sound card. WORKS WITH MACS. Simply plug it in, it shows up automatically, highlight the headphones in the settings in Systems Prefs/Sound. I was VERY shocked at the sound this produces compared to the price I paid. The sound that comes through these headphones are "tinny". BUT ACCEPTABLE. Although sound separation for the channels is good and all the ranges can be heard, bass could be stronger. But again the sound is "tinny". The mic works great and does not get in the way. These headphones were very comfortable for me, although others complained here. Maybe its the attached sound card that causes the tinny sound. I will try the next model up from this one if and when this headset stops working.