Question 1

Is the microphone detachable?

Accepted Answer

It is not, but it is adjustable and auto mutes when in the up position (away from your chin). Also has a volume wheel on the right panel.

Question 2

Do you need to buy a amp or something with this. I only have a onboard sound card?

Accepted Answer

An onboard sound card will work. However, the result will depend on the quality and power output of the sound card. I use this headset for gaming and also sound recording monitoring. For gaming, the G4ME ZERO is the best headset I've ever owned, period. For studio work it is also excellent. Music playback is exceptional for a "headset." I also frequently use Skype also with excellent results.

If you're using motherboard sound, you may want to upgrade to a more powerful card. One I have used on two other PCs with superior results is the Asus Xonar U7. There are many others out there but really like Asus products. This one plugs into a USB port making installation easy.

On my production/gaming PC I have a high end M-Audio Delta AP192 internal card coming out to a Mackie 1202VLZ-Pro external mixer which acts as a preamp to a Blue Sky Exo near field monitor system. I have a batter powered adapter which provides power for the condenser mic in the headset for the headset to plug into the Mackie line-in. But normally you wouldn't need that if you're just going to plug into a PC or Mac sound card but I need the external mixer for guitars, mics, etc.

Hope that answered your question. You will be very happy with this headset. But, with any headset, you do need sufficient power to get good sound. Just get the headset and go from there, adding a more powerful sound card if you need it.

Question 3

will my standard front port mic/headphone jacks be able to adequately power this headset?

Accepted Answer

Firstly, this is the best headset I've ever owned. It is also the most expensive but best value for the dollar spent.

Regarding powering the headset from standard front mic/headphone jacks the short answer is: I think you'll be fine. I use an external Mackie mixer plugged into an M-Audio sound card for recording purposes with returns to the mixer for monitoring. The headset is plugged into the mixer with 1/4" adapters.

In any case, I am a big believer in headphone amps. While I am certain you will hear adequate sound from the standard PC case jacks and sound card, the amount of juice provided with the best situation will be less than optimal if you are a discerning listener no matter what the headset.

If you are considering this headset then I assume you are, at least, somewhat discerning so I'd look into an external headphone amp for that side and the mic will work fine plugged into the sound card. It's not that you want louder, necessarily, but more power produces more frequency width at lower listening levels. At gaming levels, you'll be blown away at the realism. (Driving a 500hp car doesn't mean you always floor it.)

I play mostly World of Warcraft and the Half-Life franchise so when I'm gaming I want 3 things: 1) In your face battle sounds and spatial sensitivity to hear enemies around during sneaky times, 2) Crisp clear mic response without having the mic right up to my mouth so my breathing is broadcast to my teammates, and 3) A comfort level such that after hours of game play my head doesn't feel like it's been in a vice.

This headset meets these criteria better than any other I've ever owned including lesser-cost Sennheisers I've had in the past. Of course, I'm also using the power of the Mackie mixer to add significant power to the signal coming from the sound card.

If your budget's tight I'd give these a try anyway. I think you'll be fine. Then work on saving extra pennies for a headphone amp later to boost the signal and take it to new heights.

Question 4

I use a console, more specifically an xbox one, and i want to know if this headset uses 7.1 surround sound or a virtual surround sound system.?

Accepted Answer

These headphones shine with a sound card purchased along with it. If you are gaming on xbone I would recommend Astros with the sound amp.

*7.1 surround and virtual surround are features of headphone using an Amp or sound card to adjust the sound to a higher quality. So these headphones do not have that but have 50mm to accompany an "amp" if bought also!

Question 5

Is this the newer version with a detachable cord and 50ohm drivers? Also im looking play a fair amount of fps and rpg games as well as listen to some music, would the open back game ones be preferable?

Accepted Answer

The open back ones will give more airflow and keep your ears cooler. It depends on your preference, open back would be better for music, for FPS the closed back ones are better because they have better high end to hear footsteps and such. The open back ones don't have that, but have better bass. You also have to consider that the open back ones may be able to be heard over your mic when talking where the closed ones are going to keep the sound in your ears and not in the room. These are not the newer ones with the detachable cord, the cord is not removable.

Question 6

Can you use this product with a mic/headphone jack to USB converter?

Accepted Answer

Not suggested. The headphones have a higher impedance than normal and probably won't sound good without a proper soundcard.

Question 7

How are the hinges on the ear cups?  How sturdy is the headset itself? I ask because of my experience with the Logitech G930.

Accepted Answer

First off I really love these headsets and so does the rest of my staff.  We are in IT and use these headsets for extended periods of times.  For a normal 8 hour workday, we probably have these on for 4 hours or more at a time.  In the office we use them for music, IM, Video Chat, and more.  We have 3x to 4x more staff than the number of headsets, so they get switched around a lot.  As far as the hinges go, they seem legit.  With different people using them they get moved around a lot and they still seem in good condition.  The headsets are real sturdy, though we do try to take care of them and use the cases as much as possible.  What's also surprising to me is that we also are eating with these headsets on and we've yet to hear chewing.  It's great!  They may also be used for gaming and the quality is better than anything anyone on staff have used.  I hope this helps.

Question 8

Can anyone tell me if I would need a headphone amplifier with a Sound Blaster Titanium HD card?

Accepted Answer

Do you need an amp? No.

Do the G4ME ZEROs benefit from an amp? Yes. However, this is true for most headphones/headsets.

Speaking from personal experience, these work plugged into the PS4 Dualshock 4 controller and sound great. They sound even better when I plug them into my PC with an amp.

I'd try without first, because that Sound Blaster is totally passable, then if you want a more pristine sound... amp 'em up.

Question 9

Is it good for shooters such as Battlefield 4?

Accepted Answer

There is no full surround sound these headphones with a sound card that will produce virtual surround. With that being said however the sound clarity is great. However I have heard that the g4me one's have a much better sound stage with the open back design and give a much better gaming experience. I for one just don't like the open back and prefer full immersion.

Question 10

Has anyone used this with an iPhone for phone calls?  Can I plug a 4 conductor 3.5mm cable directly into the headphones or must I use some sort of adaptor?  Assuming the newer 50 ohm speaker model (matching the specs listed on NewEgg), is the volume loud enough on an iPhone?

Accepted Answer

You need an adapter.  A male 3.5mm to 2 3.5mm female adapter (one for the mic and one for audio) to be exact.  I use mine with a Galaxy.  If you look in one of the pictures the headset has a separate 3.5mm for audio and another for the mic.

Questions & Answers