Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.5 Stereo Gaming Headset for PC and Mac, Gloss Black

The mic on this headphone is AMAZING. I've purchased other headsets where people tell me it sounds like I'm talking in a tunnel. Then, I do the Skype test and I see what they mean. I use this headset and it's simply amazing how clear people can hear me. In my business that's ABSOLUTELY KEY. I feel bad I had to go through five other headsets to learn this information about the mic. I even tried the Sennheiser PC 360. And, the mic quality was better than that headset. On the Sennheiser people told me it sounded like I was in a "tunnel underwater." That's not good when the no. 1 thing I need to a headphone is to communicate.The sounds quality is very nice. Anyone who says the sound quality of anything but a "dedicated headphone" is terrible is simply exaggerating. I've played multiple difference instruments. If you put a blindfold on 100 people and asked them which one is the "dedicated headphone" just for music, it's proven most people don't know the difference.Comfort levels are superb. On other headphones with little round ear pieces may hurt if you have glasses or might even feel too small. Headphones like the Sennheiser PC 360 with its ear pieces are comfortable but this one is even more comfortable. Just give it a few days to break in.One thing I don't like about this headset is the Closed acoustics. That means when I'm wearing these headphones I can't hear things going on in my house. This can be a positive and a negative. If you are in an environment with lots of outside sounds you want to avoid, this is good. I notice I can't hear myself when I'm talking on the phone as well as a headset with Open acoustics. But, I can hear myself well enough so I don't feel like I have to yell.People who say the sound on this headphone is crap recommend getting a desk mic with a "dedicate headset" just for music. For me, this suggestion is absurd. I'm someone who doesn't need "perfect sound" like I'm at a concert in London. I need to communicate and have that communication clear. This headset does that PERFECTLY for Skype and my HTC phone. Probably would work with a Iphone as well.And, there's the cool factor with this headset. It just looks and feels really very cool.

Quick:Great sound quality for both sound mic. Comfortable for people with average ear size. Easy setup.ProsEasy SetupNotched adujstmentDetachable micHigh quality micGreat build qualityBuilt in controlsConsSmall amount of background noise when you use USB connecter. None with audio jackA little uncomfortable for people with larger earsNo branching cable (connect to USB and audio jack at once)OverallIt's a great gaming headset for all sorts of genres. The mic quality is great, I tested it over Skype and with Audacity. The only problems that I've ever really had are with the USB cable. When plugged in the sound quality drops and there is notable static background noise. So I generally use the audio jack which works muh better but doesn't allow me to use the mic or built in controls (volume, equalizer presets, and mic muting). So I'm left with a problem.They are get pretty comfortable do people that I know who tested it with average sized ears, but Dumbo over here gets pretty uncomfortable after prolonged use (4 hours on a plane ride). Although the headset is suprisingly light with nice padding. 8/10

Updated 6-12-2014: Time to revamp my review on this headset, as my opinion has totally changed over a span of a couple months during almost daily use.I really wanted to love this headset. The sound was amazing, with deep and heavy (but not muddy) bass, but with crisp and clear highs.The ear padding was comfortable and was great for long wearing sessions. The detachable mic was made of metal, as were the arms holding the ear cups.The cord is Kevlar coated. All of these things suggested that these headphones were meant to last. Except they dont.None of the above matters because of the headband being made of plastic, of which gets more and more brittle over time. I swear, the durability of the headband is worse than skullcandy back in the day. I currently have these headphones collecting dust in my closet, literally broken in half at the headband.I'm not abusive with my headphones at all either, quite the opposite actually. I tried not to flex these too much upon putting them on my head each time, and when I'm not using them, they rest on a headphone stand I bought for these so they're not just getting knocked around by other things on my desk.I feel really bad for recommending these to a friend, because the same thing has probably happened to him. I absolutely recommend avoiding these headphones.It seems the price on these has lowered to around $60. I wouldn't be so disappointed if I had paid that. At the time, these were selling for $150. Totally not worth it.I would recommend to those considering this headset, to please save yourself the grief and look elsewhere.They're high-dollar, but the V-Moda LP2 seem to be everything these headphones were trying to be.