I think I'm over "Gaming" headsets. Looking for a stand alone mic solution to pair with Bose QC35ii

[Atekk920]

Recently I left my gaming headphones at work so I grabbed my Bose QC35ii headphones (these are my primary mobile device headphones) I had to dig for it for about 10 minutes but i found and used the AUX cable to plug them into FPAUDIO of my sound card, enabling the headphone amplifier and activated the Bose ANC... and they sounded absolutely amazing. I'm by no means an audiophile, honestly don't know much about audio technical aspects and what "sounds better" is always subjective. But this is by far the best audio I have experienced from a pair of headphones on my PC

My Roccat Elo 7.1 gaming headset is picky so whenever i need to switch from speakers I have to open the headphone app before connecting, then after the connection I have to disable the RGB every time I connect them. Then need to go into windows options and change the primary output. The Bose is so much easier... I plug in the headphones to the front panel and it switches over automatically.... no need to jump out of the game, just plug\unplug and that's it.

Anyways - I really like the Bose setup but need a practical stand alone mic for voice comms. Any suggestions around the 60$ price point?

 

[Colif]

its not hard to sound better than gaming headsets, and wired headphones do still sound better than wireless. I assume your pc doesn't have Bluetooth as you may have been able to connect that way, but wired does sound better.

Gaming headsets covered in rgb are prioritizing the wrong things. No one can see you in your bedroom so why have lights? I much prefer better sound.

Not sure what these are like

ModMic, a new microphone concept

The only high quality microphone that you can easily attach to any pair of headphones. Enjoy the audio quality you prefer, while adding the stellar clarity and communications capabilities of the ModMic.

antlionaudio.com

if you want a more stand alone

Best microphone for gaming in 2024: from streaming to podcast mics, these are my top picks

Make your voice heard with the best microphones for streaming and gaming.

www.pcgamer.com

 

[Atekk920]

Gaming headsets covered in rgb are prioritizing the wrong things. No one can see you in your bedroom so why have lights? I much prefer better sound.

I agree that RGB is useless. you cant see it, and I've never heard anyone say "They sound better because they light up" (ok so maybe I've said it; but we all know its BS LMAO) - headphones should be for the ears, not the eyes, for sure

I got these Elo Air 7.1's as a gift some years ago and its time for an upgrade. I just hate all these bulky, gaudy, RGB laden, heavy, uncomfortable helmets they call gaming headsets. I think they are all ugly, and cant imagine spending that kind of money on something i just wont be happy with at all.

The Bose headset is stylish and premium; and still has many years of life left in it. Its lightweight, comfortable, and that ANC really does make a massive difference in immersion. Plus using the DAC gives me amazing quality.

I assume your pc doesn't have Bluetooth as you may have been able to connect that way, but wired does sound better.

I connected QC35ii via Bluetooth and the audio quality is similar to the wireless Elo Air 7.1's as long as the game isn't using any sort of voice chat. Once the mic on the QC35ii is engaged the headset switches to very low bitrate mono audio (for phone calls, im guessing) - the target here is a wired 3.5 aux type connector because with the 3.5mm input I can connect the headphones to my internal DAC and headphone amp. The DAC and amp are really what's making the biggest difference in sound here, so I'd like to utilize it for my headphones and mic as well.

ModMic does look like a great solution, the uni2 is basically exactly what I asked for! It will turn any set of wired audiophile style headphones into a "gaming" headset that runs through my DAC for input via a 3.5mm aux connector

 

[Colif]

I connected QC35ii via Bluetooth and the audio quality is similar to the wireless Elo Air 7.1's as long as the game isn't using any sort of voice chat. Once the mic on the QC35ii is engaged the headset switches to very low bitrate mono audio (for phone calls, im guessing)

they would need to as sound and voice both using same connection, I guess. It can't do both at once. same chip would do both. Offsetting music to a cable means the Bluetooth chip doesn't have to do it.

I haven't ever taken a call on my Wireless headphones so not sure if they would be the same. I got a digital audio player to avoid being interrupted by calls, but then I am moving against the tide, and prefer wired to wireless.

A good dac/amp combo can make big difference.
I am currently listening to a pair of IEM attached to my new DAC/Headphone Amp myself. Makes them sound really good, and with enough volume I don't need ANC
Got this yesterday

attached to PC via USB, beats a sound card. Especially most of the ones built onto motherboards now.

I haven't tried it in any games.

I don't play multiplayer games so the need for a microphone is small. If I were to, I might look at those myself and attach them to my Sennheiser HD600.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

Not sure what these are like

ModMic, a new microphone concept

The only high quality microphone that you can easily attach to any pair of headphones. Enjoy the audio quality you prefer, while adding the stellar clarity and communications capabilities of the ModMic.

antlionaudio.com

if you want a more stand alone

Best microphone for gaming in 2024: from streaming to podcast mics, these are my top picks

Make your voice heard with the best microphones for streaming and gaming.

www.pcgamer.com

ModMic does look like a great solution, the uni2 is basically exactly what I asked for! It will turn any set of wired audiophile style headphones into a "gaming" headset that runs through my DAC for input via a 3.5mm aux connector

I have an Antlion Modmic Uni. Its been great for about 3 years. Clips on and off with a magnet.

Might not be the best if youre streaming, podcasting or whatever but its convenient and much better than any basic mic.

 

[Atekk920]

Might not be the best if youre streaming, podcasting or whatever but its convenient and much better than any basic mic.

Nah, not doing anything like that - just some in game voice and on rare occasion a video call

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

Works perfectly for that for me, Discord and Steam chat is where Ive used it most, and the occasional work thing in Google Meet.

 

[Colif]

I have added a link to one to my shopping list. Funny, first thing added to it is still there... one day I will get the Xbox wireless adapter.

 

[Colif]