USB Headset Question

[WarpSpider]

G'day all,

I posted this over on OCAU, but am hedging my bets and coming to the experts

I'm finally joining the modern world and getting a (cheap!! please don't go recommending beyerdynamics or anything like that!) headset with mic so I can use voicechat in EVE. A lot of the ones on the market at the moment seem to be USB connection only. This does raise a couple of questions at my end.

Firstly, I currently use a normal pair of headphones so I don't drown the house in whatever I'm listening to on the PC. I plug these in via the available jack on my speakers, and the speakers automatically cut out. If I go with a USB headset, can I set my PC to automatically mute the speakers when the headset is active as it does when I jack into the speaker or the front panel headphone connection?

Second, if this is not possible, and I go with a traditional connection rather than the USB, are there any 2.1 or stereo PC speakers out there that have a jack and a passthrough for the mic plug? Or am I going to have to run a seperate extension from the mic socket on my rear panel and just have it sitting alongside the speaker where I plug my headphones in?

I'm actually kinda weirded out by the concept of USB speakers/headphones. Do they receive their signal via the soundcard/mobo audio, or do they generate their own signal via onboard hardware? How does this sit with a system that primarily outputs sound through traditional speakers? Will I have to change Vista's audio settings every time I want to switch between the headset and my speakers?

Apologies if I've missed something, somewhere, but your advice is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

While this is NOT my HTPC, I do use this PC for watching movies/FTA Dig. TV when the other half is watching something truly awful on my big screen. Again, advice appreciated.

[TheRob]

USB headphones do mute the speakers when they are plugged in and unmute the speakers when they are removed (typically the behaviour is configurable, though). Usually the USB headphones come with a little control applet so you can do additional things like switch the speaker on even when have the headset plugged in - very convenient.

USB headphones receive a digital signal directly - they do not rely on the sound card. They convert the signal to analogue audio themselves. The control applets of many USB headphones have DSP functionality built in so you can set up the sound stage and add various effects.

IMO USB headphones are great and a much better option than straight analogue ones. They will work exactly like normal headphones if you want, but they often have many additional features that you can't get with analogue. Only drawback is that they can only be used with a PC - you can't use them with your stereo or MP3 player.

[WarpSpider]

You see, now that's why I come to this forum. Advice, straight up, no smack talk. You're a champion mate. Logitech Wireless's, here I come

I don't use them for MP3 players, and my PC IS my stereo, so there you go. Cheers, TheRob

[TheRob]

You see, now that's why I come to this forum. Advice, straight up, no smack talk. You're a champion mate. Logitech Wireless's, here I come

Which Logitech wireless headphones are you looking at? I've only seen the ones with the 3.5mm jack that plug into the headphone socket.

[WarpSpider]

Looking at either the Logitech Clearchat PC Wireless or the corded version of the same. Liking the idea of a wireless headset atm. They can be had locally for $99.

[vlad]

I have this one:
http://www.plantronics.com/australia...55/prod5870017
Plantronics is the leading brand for headsets, the quality is just amazing. I use it for Skype and with VOIP soft phone at work.
All USB headsets have some sort of plastic box in the middle of the cable - this is actual sound card.

[WarpSpider]

Funnily enough Vlad, I already have a pair of those

I have the non-USB variety which I use at work sometimes. Not thrilled with their quality, I'm afraid. They clamp very tightly against my ears, and hurt after only a few minutes. Also, as long as they are plugged in (even if the volume is turned down, or even muted) there is a very faint tic-tic-tic-tic-tic sound over both channels. It's faint, but it's THERE. And it annoys the **** out of me after a short time. Cheers for the suggestion anyway.

[vlad]

It's faint, but it's THERE. And it annoys the **** out of me after a short time. Cheers for the suggestion anyway.

Big ears?
Seriously, I like them, my WAF hates it, as say uncomfortable. Not for me
The sound quality of USB ones is exceptional.