I am in the market for a new headset. I have about $100 to spend (of course, cheaper would be better if the quality is good). Does anyone have any ideas? I haven't had much luck looking on my own.

http://www.electronics-expo.com/make-a- ... 116/1.html
same headset, cheaper price.

Question one...do you have a dedicated sound card or plug into your motherboard?

You could get a real pair of headphones that blow headsets outta da water for around $30-50, get a clip on mic for about $10-20 and be good to go.

There are some good headsets out there in the sub-$100 arena too. But after going headphones I try to turn people that way, especially if they have a dedicated sound card already. We'll start there and see where we can go.

From my own experience with getting the Logitech G35 just recently. I would advise to stay away from them. The only thing they had going for them was there Comfortable. You can barely hear yourself speak with them on. and it sounds like you have your fingers shoved into your ears. cant really determine how loud your speaking . I found that annoying. There is a issue in teamspeak 3. I heard the talking only in the right side earpiece , while the other sounds play on the both sides. it's very annoying only hearing speech on one side. In BFBC2 More sound comes from the right. The left side sounds almost muted .which creates a problem when trying to figure out which direction the sound is coming from. You cant tell if someone is coming up on the right of you or the left. Same with tanks, gunfire or choppers.

I returned them right away.

This is the set I'm using now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106157&cm_re=sennheiser_headset-_-26-106-157-_-Product

Sennheiser makes some good stuff. If I had $100, I'd go this route:

JVC HA-RX700 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6826262102
Zalman Clip on Mic - http://www.xoxide.com/zmmic1.html
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6829102007

That's close or just over budget, but will sound better than any gaming headset in the $100 price-range and then some. The RX700's are pretty large, but can put out a ton of sound. They can get hot due to being sealed, but are also very tough, and sound damn good. With the X-fi you'll have a much clearer sound output, enough power to drive the headphones (you can run the RX700's from onboard, but it really sucks in comparison to a dedicated sound card), and much better sound tuning capabilities. For the mic, the Zalman is popular amongst those that use headphones as headsets, and works very well. I used my old mic boom from my Turtle Beach HPA2's with some extra 3.5mm cable and a couple small zip ties, works pretty well overall. All the items can be found a little cheaper, I chose to link the more reputable sties.

Honestly after hearing the cheap RX700's, they pretty much dominate any gaming headphone I've ever used, but I also listen to a lot of music, but imo headphones are the way to go. The list I provided gives you so much bang for the buck and something you could be happy with for a long time and have a very tough time beating for the money.

It's not a dedicated sound card but a 7:1 ratio on the MB. I thought that the surround would be a boon when gaming (possibly wrong there). I already ordered the Logitechs. We'll see what happens. If I need to install a sound card that shouldn't be too expensive a little bit down the road.

The g 35's could possibly work better with a sound card , as there are more options available. I was working with a integrated sound off the mobo. which is pretty good as far as mobo sound drivers are concerned. but you will have more control with a installed sound card that comes with software that is more comprehensive

I'm looking hard at these :

http://store.gameshark.com/viewItem.asp ... tegory=317

You said HARD