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The best USB headset for your computer
By Ray Aguilera and Daniel Varghese This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to USB headset for your computer. After putting in more than 50 hours of research and testing 17 different headsets, we've identified the Jabra Evolve 40 as our pick for the best USB headset for the office. It has the best sound quality—thanks to an excellent microphone and good headphones—of all the models we tested, and it's comfortable enough to wear for a full workday filled with long conference calls due to soft, well-padded earpieces that don't put pressure on your ears. In our tests, calls we made sounded crisp and easy to understand to the people on the other end, and we could hear other people clearly. Though the boom mic is a little tricky to position, once placed correctly it picks up very little breathing and keeps voices sounding clear. The Evolve 40's passive noise-cancelling abilities let you focus on the call instead of the sounds around you, and the mic filters out most background noise. When you don't want to be heard, the easy-to-use mute controls work exactly as they should. Microsoft's LifeChat LX-6000 was a previous top pick and runner-up and is still a good headset. Its headphones produce full sound that especially shines when listening to music, and the quality of its microphone is only a little worse than that of our main pick. But due to its headband design and small ear pads, the LX-6000 isn't very comfortable for long periods of use. If you don't need to wear a headset all day and make calls only occasionally, the LifeChat is a good way to save some money compared to the Jabra.
Ask Engadget: best USB headset for Skype calls and on-the-go podcasting?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from yours truly, who managed to destroy his Freetalk Everyman during a rough battle within a piece of carry-on luggage. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I previously owned a Freetalk Everyman, also known as a low-end, $30 USB headset that was ultra handy for making Skype calls and even podcasting in a quiet room. It traveled well, but not well enough. Recently, one of the ear cups were demolished during a turbulent flight back from NYC, and now I need a replacement. I'm too rough on these things to spend more than $40 or $50, so outside of replacing it in kind, what are my options for a USB headset that travels easily? You'll be hearing a lot of me in the months to come, so don't lead me astray. My life, as it were, is in your ever-so-capable hands." Ain't much more to say when the question's not coming from a third-party, so... have fun in comments!
Corsair's ear-straddling HS1 headset earns high marks in early reviews
You had to know that Corsair wouldn't stride into a new product category with just so-so hardware. Its new HS1 gaming headset has been sent out to a couple of UK reviewers and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Both Hexus and Bit-tech praised the circumaural (made to fit around, rather than on top of, your ears) design for its weight distribution and memory foam-assisted comfort, while also giving the thumbs up to sound quality. Bass reproduction is said to be somewhat weaker than desirable, but the bundled software gives you plenty of adjustment options. It's a shame that you'll have to install the drivers in order to avoid the in-line remote control blinking madly at you, and it's also not too awesome that you won't be able to use the mic on a Mac, but so long as these vices don't bother you unduly, you should find the $99 investment in an HS1 set more than worth it. Hit the links below for more detailed impressions.
Corsair sails into gaming headset waters with noise-isolating HS1 cans
For some people, the association of Corsair and quality PC components is so strong that they'd buy anything that bears the triple sail logo. It makes perfect sense, therefore, for the company that made its name by producing memory sticks to diversify its portfolio even further, this time into gaming headsets, with the introduction of the HS1. It's a USB headset offering multichannel audio via 50mm drivers, a noise-isolating closed design, noise-cancelling and articulating mic, and inline volume and microphone mute controls. Aside from the larger than usual drivers, we're not seeing anything particularly unique here, but that ethereal element of quality is rarely apparent on black and white fact sheets. Availability is said to be immediate, though our quick pricing investigation threw up only a UK pre-order for £84 ($129). So yeah, Corsair's certainly pricing the HS1 as a premium product. [Thanks, Mark S.]
iPad Camera Kit ships with USB headset and keyboard support
Reports are coming in that the iPad Camera Connection Kit has finally shown up on a couple buyer doorsteps, and that the pair of white dongles may actually have been worth the wait. While one is a simple SD card adapter that adds one-touch image and video import (including RAW, complete with EXIF data) to the iPad, the second provides a USB port with some exciting new functionality. TUAW reports one reader could type on an iPad via USB keyboard, and those rumors about USB audio were true, too: TidBITS was actually able to make a Skype call after connecting a USB headset. Before you get too excited, however, please note that the USB and SD image transfers are one-way, and not all peripherals are supported -- for instance, TidBITS' iPad sneezed at an external hard drive. Also, according to the Apple Store, Camera Connection Kit shipments are still two to three weeks out, so don't be surprised if it still takes some time to get yours. For now you can make do with the video after the break.
Ask Engadget: Best headset / microphone for podcasting?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Marcus, who's looking to hook himself up with a solid USB headset / microphone for Skype calling, podcasting and just generally having a royally great time. "I've found myself using my PC for a lot of conversations lately, and I'm also considering recording a podcast to share with anyone who will listen. There are tons of USB headset / microphones out there, and I'm hoping someone has some solid recommendations based on experience. I'll consider both headsets and standalone mics, by the way, but I'd like to keep the bill under $100 if possible. Help!" To be completely honest, we're still trying to determine for ourselves which device is best for these kinds of activities. If you've found a diamond in the proverbial rough, spill it in comments below, won'tcha?
Rant: SOE needs to offer more compelling PlayStation Store content
Sony Online Entertainment had a fairly sizable role in the PlayStation Store development thus far. They offered the original IP Cash Guns Chaos and helped fund Sidhe's Gripshift on its graphical upgrade for the PS3 reissue. Gripshift was enjoyable for the first 30 minutes we played it, but the tracks were so easy and uninspired, we soon lost interest. It was hardly compelling. Did we miss something here? Also, SOE helped secure the deal to port those Midway classics we've come to both tolerate and despise. Although not one Midway classic burned our eyes with anticipation, we've been so hungry for content, we downloaded nearly all those titles anyway. Perhaps we're not being true to the spirit of classics, but we envision something a little more meaty than an unabridged arcade port with online multiplayer. Mortal Kombat II fared okay in our book but Championship Sprint and Rampage definitely lost something in their translation, and it was mostly fun.
