Koss SB40 Computer Headset with Microphone

I would not purchase again. Entirely too much static on BOTH sides of the conversation. Have sinced replaced them with a different brand which work much better, and cost less.

The koss SB40 was recommended by a forum that was into audiophiling. Most of the people have hardcore expensive equipment, let alone headphones. So when they reviewed the SB40 as a great headphone even thought they have some $300-$500 headphones as well, it peaked my interest.
I use these headphone for both listening to MP3's and playing computer games. This is strictly a computer headset for me.
I have not tested the microphone, but the opinion on the forum was the microphone is so-so. So out of 1-10 probably a 6.

Sound Computer Games:
I have a Soundblast x-fi titanium and running on Vista 64. I am also piping my sound via a Logitech z550 via a coax cable so I am listening digital sound.
Since Vista 64 does not support EAX sound I am not sure how to rate the overall "surround sound." I have only played warhammer online, Company of heroes, Assassin creed, call of cuty world at wars.

From my experience, I do hear directional sound, but people who have my setup who run window XP they claim that they could pinpoint the direction of the sound if they were blindfolded. This is not the case with me.
Assasin Creed is a lot more directional than the other games as it is one of the games that uses the alchemy software from creative to compensate for this in Vista.

The other games do pipe in some directional sound, but the directional sound is not very accurate. I did buy the new creative wireless FX headset. I did notice a huge improvement in directional sound. Unfortnately I returned them as they were uncomfortable and made a popping noise. For $100 I did not want to deal with them.

I bought this headset for the directional sound that the forum claimed it could produced without buying a 5.1 headphone. I believe that these headphones do, infact give you directional sound even in stereo setting if your computer OS is in-line with the computer game/software you are running.


Music
Again through the logitech z550 I set my sound to headset. I can really hear directional sound if the mp3 has intended it to. The sound is more heavier in bass and deeper. The forum said that closed earphone versus open earphone produce more bass and sound deeper sacrificing more of the light airy feeling of music. I have to agree on this. But Over all these headphones for $30-$40 dollars are solid sounding for the consumer who can distinguish cruddy sound but not a total sound nut.

Comfortability.
This is why I have rated this headset 3 stars. The performance is awesome. It is even more awesome, becasue of the price. The headset does clamp my head a bit too agressively making my temples throb something awful. I have "modded" the tention by pulling it and cursing at it. It still gives me some issues after about hour of nonstop use. I have come to live with it. I bought another headphone from plantronics for about the same price range. They fit like heaven. I think the difference was the pillowy cushioned earmuffs and the non agressive headgear made for the most comfortable headset experience of this price range.
I returned those, because I could not get as much directional sound and I am a hardcore FPS game nut.
Also I have bought the turtle beach 5.1 headphones, those headphones were also highly agressive on your temples and ears since they too lacked good earmuffs and had a crazy clamp headgear. They only relaxed after I stretched bent and basically broke it. Then they felt just fine.

Conclusion
If you are a hardcore FPS nutcake, wanting to save cash, who still want some good sound from your mp3's and willing to "beat up" the headphones so they don't feel like a vice grip, then you are in luck!
If you are a hardcore Fps nutcake who wants comfortability--look elsewere unless your head is not as big as mine. If you want good music and game quality you will have to buy 2 headsets. A 5.1 or 7.1 headset dedicated to gaming and one decent stereo headphones. Or else you need to buy an expensive headset with other expensive gear.
If you are a music dude who wants to chatty chatty with your buddies, then I recommend a headset with more of a pillowy earmuffs or you got a small head. I don't see how anyone who would enjoy music and do some chatting on the internet would tolerate the vice grip without "beating" them up to relax them.
You can go elsewhere for the same price--like plantronics.

Again these conclusion are based on Price Range. If I had like another $100 I would get something else but I would have spent $140 not $40. And If I spent $140 I would rather spend $300 to get the headset and gear I wanted. But I only had $40 not $300. So if you have too much money for your own good who likes comfortability look elsewhere.

I'd recommend this headset to anyone, great sound,comfortable in my opinion. Also lifetime warranty no one can beat that. Only downside is the microphone, very poor quality, I'd recommend getting a zalman mic to go along with it or some kind of mic attachment.

The sound is great. Isolation from outside sounds is good. This is good for listening to a game, but not the best if someone is trying to say something to you over the game. So it can be a mixed blessing in a LAN setting. They are quite comfortable for long use, but can get a bit warm. The last little issue is that there is no in-line volume control. This isn't much of an issue for me since my keyboard has volume control. But if yours does not, it might be an issue as tabbing out to the desktop from a game for volume control or opening up a game options menu to adjust volume is suboptimal.

Bottom line: if sound quality and solid construction are things that you want, this is a great product.

The headphones are fine for what they're advertised to do. The microphone works welland the "folding" mechanism keeps it secure and out of the way. The headphones should easily cover your ears and help isolate you from the environment.

My only real complaint is the inability to reproduce higher frequencies well, but I'm fully aware these are low-cost headphones. I needed a headset with a microphone and these do the job perfectly.