So the headphones that I have are getting worn out, and the only headset that I have is the Xbox 360 headset, which I use by connecting to my wireless 360 controller and syncing it to my PC (using the Xbox 360 wireless adapter for PC) and that's really getting old having to do that, especially since if you don't use the controller for a while it turns off (apparently simply using the headset connected to the controller doesn't count).

Anyway, I have a birthday coming up and of course the family wants to know what to get me, so the only thing I really want right now is a decent headset. What do you guys recommend? I've been doing a lot of research the past couple weeks myself, only problem I come up with is for every two good reviews there's at least one bad review.

My requirements - wired or wireless I really don't care. But I would like it to be compatible with PC/Xbox 360 and PS3 since I own all three. Would be nice if I could plug my DS/3DS and Ipod into it but I do have a set of earbuds that I can use for that if it doesn't work (though I'm sure a headset/headphones would be nicer). Price range, I really don't want to go above the $150ish price mark.

What do you guys use? What would you recommend?
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Depends,If you use it mainly for:
Gaming
SteelSeries Siberia V2
Razer Orca

Music/Movies
Sennheiser RS120
Audio-Technica ATH-M30
Sennheiser HD448

Any of this 5 models will do a great job for you.

I mostly use earphones now for the light weight, and sometimes my $40 Logitech headset which was actually made more for Skype. At the $100-$150 mark, I've always been satisfied with Sennheiser and Plantronics headsets. I haven't kept up with the models, though.

Aren't Plantronics mainly producing Hands-free's? ... Sennheiser are quality on a normal price...

http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-GameCom-Closed-Ear-Gaming-Headset/dp/B001E45XT4/ref=xs_gb_bd_AsDP_xrI6DqA?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_p=441937801&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=20&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0841R832ET8DQHVT5A7Q

This is pretty good...$22 only from amazon. I have the open ear version, and sometimes it does get a bit tight. Overall good quality and very low cost.

If you're not an audiophile then pretty much any headset with a mic will do. Why not just keep using the wireless one for your XBox 360 and get a cheap USB one to leave plugged into your PC? It would cost a grand total of 20 bucks. Unless you really, really want a headset for your birthday, that is.

I'd recommend the Turtle Beach Earforce X12 for gaming.

It's been almost a decade since I've used Plantronics, but I remember having a closed-ear headset just like you'd find from any other headset manufacturer. At the time, people were saying that Plantronics gear are used across call-centers nationwide for a reason, and I listened. I think I gave about $40 for mine, they were regular sized but man my ears were so comfortable. My first one melted in the winter when I dropped it on top of the wall heater overnight and I bought a replacement which I used for another year or two.

While I can't wear this for extended periods (some people claim they have no problem with it), this cheap headset is amazingly functional and clear on everything I've done with it (though I don't Skype): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826105209

I've chatted in multiple games via that one. There's two reasons to pay more, imo:
1) Superior comfort (and this is a hit and miss thing, you could go through a lot to find a super comfortable one)
2) Extremely good sound quality (in which case you can bet you'll be spending at least 300 USD and possibly into the 4 digits)

I can argue with this part. You can get extremly good headphones from Sennheiser for 120-150$ range ;) There is no need to buy Bose for instance.
Also you can look into Klipsch catalogue,they have very good models on normal prices.
That is why I asked the OP about the using of the headphones :)

Btw you can always by this: Razer Megalodon 7.1 Surround Sound and be happy ;)

Ideally you'd pay money for special sound hardware to get the most out of those Sennheiser cans. And while they are good, some folks still take serious issue with them. Sound quality is one of those things people never agree on and if you can get what you feel is audiofile quality sound for 150 USD you're definitely the exception and not the rule.

If you are an audiophile you will not buy headphones in the first place :) You will have hi-end audio system for that ;) I have Sennheiser headphones & Klipsch earbuds and I'm pretty happy with both - the quality is quite good and the total price I paid for both is 250 $

I'm not an audiophile at all, just looking for something that sounds good. Keep in mind that I 1) want a HEADSET - this is so I can have a decent mic for voice chat in MP games and
2) it has to be compatible with PS3/360/PC - some headsets are only compatible with PS3/PC or 360/PC

Problem is the headphones that I normally use are getting worn out and in need of replacing, which is why I'm looking at headsets.

Just to give another point of view. I'm very partial to Microphone + Headphones simply because I have a set of Sennheiser HD555 Headphones and I don't like nor need to mess around with a microphone at the same time. I've been using Desktop microphones for a few years now and it's really nice and surprisingly very good quality to boot. The particular microphone I use(d) is a Logitech USB Desktop Microphone. It's cheap, has a mute button and gets the job done perfectly.

That said, I've switched to a little more professional Microphone lately (Blue Yeti), however I use this setup mostly because I'm on Mumble almost all day, and I do some Streaming every now and then as well, so a cardiod microphone was nice to have for that.


Edit: Ah, nevermind. This setup would probably do you no good for the PS3/Xbox I imagine ^^