Logitech’s G35 Surround Sound Headset is jam-packed with features including Dolby surround sound; user-definable profiles; a spring-steel headband; and a USB interface that keeps the audio signal in the digital domain until it reaches the headphones. By performing the digital-to-analog conversion in the headphones, Logitech eliminates any chance that the audio will be polluted by electrical noise radiating inside the computer.

You can also program the buttons to tweak the headphone’s EQ settings, to launch the VoIP application Ventrilo, or to activate the Screaming Bee voice-morphing software that can do very strange things to your voice in real-time (making you sound like an angry giant or a space alien, among other things). However, having three buttons doesn’t limit you to controlling three programs, because you can also create an unlimited number of profiles—each of which has one slot for each button—using software running on the PC.

The left earmuff also hosts a switch for turning the Dolby surround-sound on and off, a very handy mute button for the speakers, and the best-designed volume-control thumbwheel we’ve encountered on a headphone. The unidirectional microphone is mounted on a semi-flexible boom that is sufficiently rigid that it can smoothly swing up and away from your mouth, but it can also be bent and twisted into the optimal position for your speaking style. The mic automatically mutes when the boom is pivoted to the up position, and there’s an LED on the end that can be programmed to remain lit, remain off, or glow only when the mic is muted.

It certainly starts well enough — the rugged, rubberised plastic so popular on gaming mouses these days is everywhere, it comes with three vinyl covered headband pads of varying thickness which can be attached by velcro for extra comfort, and each earpiece is precisely adjustable, clicking between numbered detents.

The flexible microphone can be adjusted with reasonable precision, and feels likely to survive a lot of punishment. Flick it to the up position, and it automatically mutes itself, indicated by a red LED at the end of the mic.

The PMX 680 is the latest evolution of neckband fit headphones from Sennheiser, and for this version they have co-branded the product with Adidas. The styling is mostly black in color and is accentuated by bright green striping along the neckband along with a bright green cable. The “behind the head” neckband fit is traditionally used for providing extra support to the ear pieces in order to keep them from falling out while exercising, and the same is used for the PMX 680. A unique feature called the “neckband vertical transducer system” is the highlight of this set of headphones, as it is intended to absorb the impact of running/exercising and to keep the headphones firmly in place regardless of how hard you are exercising. The neckband also offers a universal fit – no adjustments are needed to accommodate different head sizes or head shapes.

One set of black foam ear pads is included to soften the feel of the plastic earpieces. The earpieces house drivers that fit inside your ears in the same way that earbuds fit. They do not fit directly into your ear canal, but rather sit inside your ear to allow some external environment noise. For anyone who exercises outdoors, this is a safety feature that helps to keep awareness of your surroundings.

Only wraparounds are foolproof stay-putters, so as the PMX 680s adopt the design, and throw in sweat-proofing to boot. They’re an open-back design that lets in the din of the world – a pro or a con, depending on how aware of your surroundings you prefer to be.

The behind-the-head, wraparound design isn’t a new one, but the PMX 680 has a few flourishes that are. The arches that sit on top of the ear are stretchy rubber, and the back of the neckband has a reflective strip for safer night running.

The Genius HS-03U USB  Gaming Headset with Vibration is the perfect audio device for gaming, entertainment and all around use for both the  microphone and general listening pleasure. The light headset is very comfortable and includes some nicely padded ear pieces that are very comfortable with that just right grip to your head.

Genius makes some of the best products for computing with not only innovative designs and fantastic features but keeping style and good looks in mind as well. The HS-03U USB Gaming Headset with Vibration is a great looking headset, well built and very comfortable. The headset comes complete with inline adjustments and a rubber coated microphone boom for easy adjustments while gaming, recording or using a VOIP.

Foldable USB gaming headset with vibration function Easy installation; plug and play with USB In-line volume control for volume and microphone
Noise-canceling microphone assures clear voice.  The HS-03U includes the great vibration that adds to your gaming experience while playing, the headset has some vibrations for low loud noises just like those of a bass subwoofer. The loudness of the volume has to be pretty decent to get a very noticeable feel out of the vibration but you can still tell its there when it is at lower volumes.

At a comfortable listening level for gaming during some of my favorite games and Tabula Rasa that I am currently reviewing you can notice the vibrations very subtly for an even better in gaming experience. That little bit of vibration and shutter during the louder gaming experiences adds to the gaming fun and brings you more into the game.

The ATH-ANC7b is the upgraded version of the ATH-ANC7—the very first pair we reviewed here on Headfile. These QuietPoint® active noise-canceling headphones reduce noise by as much as 90%, making it perfect for use while traveling, or in busy places where you need to “hear” your music or concentrate. In fact, use the noise-canceling feature without even playing music, and voila, privacy at your fingertips.

As the b denomination indicates, not much has changed from the flat-A-rated prior model to this one, with the exception of a few small things. First and arguably least significant is what appears to be a small change to the noise-cancelling technology, resulting in what initially seems to be slightly diminished active noise cancellation but turns out to be something else. Both versions of the ATH-ANC7 headphones use miniature microphones to listen to the noise environment you’re in and produce sounds that cancel out the ones around you; the original ATH-ANC7 also overlaid a very light layer of white noise that added a slight high-pitched mask to the ambient sound. This light mask has been removed on the ATH-ANC7b, and while the result is what appears to be a little more high-pitched noise intrusion into the earphones, we perceived it as cleaner amplification. In any case, there is no apparent difference once music is playing through both pairs of headphones; the sound of your tracks drowns out virtually everything surrounding you, anyway. Both earphones continue to operate even when their single AAA cells run out of juice after roughly 40 hours of play time, but with substantially diminished treble and midrange performance.

With the noise-cancelling circuitry switched on, the QuietPoint ATH-ANC7b’s deaden ambient sound, and practically eliminate low- and mid-frequency rumbling, like that of plane turbofans, a bus engine, or the chatter of loud conversation. Audio-Technica claims up to an 85 percent reduction of noise, and I’d say that’s about right. And the leftover high-frequency sound that isn’t canceled gets blotted-out when the music starts.

Supplied accessories include a 6.3mm plug adaptor, airline adaptor and Velcro-ed in accessory pouch plus – as the cable is plugged rather than hard-wired in – a choice of two cables, measuring either 1m or 1.6m. Sometimes you need that extra length when using headphones with a Hi-Fi, TV or PC, but you don’t want to have to drag all that cable around when you’re listening to your PMP on the bus. This setup makes a lot of sense.

Philips’s claim that its new SHB9000 headset offers the best-ever music and conversation quality from a Bluetooth headset  might be a bit optimistic, but it’s their PR, so we’ll let ‘em say what they want. The over-the-ear headphones offer native MP3 decoding for loss-less streaming, 40mm neodymium speakers and can automatically switch between calls and music. There’s a digital signal processor to filter out background noise and echo when on the phone, and you can connect to your phone wirelessly or via a provided cord. We’re not quite sure what the difference in SKUs is, but Philips is offering this one in the Spring for $99 and $129 “respectively.”

“The new wave of advanced mobile phones now allow music lovers to listen to their favorite tunes and stay connected to friends through one single, high-performance device,” said Glenn McIlmail, vice president, customer marketing Peripherals and Accessories, Philips Consumer Lifestyle North America. “Our latest Bluetooth wireless headset is perfect for audiophiles that want to enjoy both music and calls from the phone, without compromising on sound or freedom of movement. The Philips SHB9000 provides our most advanced features to date, designed from the ground-up for best-possible comfort and quality!”

Designed for comfort with a soft leatherette cushion and adjustable headband, the SHB9000 incorporates Philips SwitchStream allowing listeners to automatically move between music and incoming calls without missing a beat. The wireless headset also delivers enhanced call quality through a digital signal processor that filters out background noise and echo, automatically adjusts volume in response to outside noise and offers a subtle side-tone into the headphone speaker so users can accurately hear their voice for best conversations at natural volume.