Plantronics 90 vs 45 - Recommendations Please

[bir]

Ok getting ready to get my TeamSpeak setup running here and making my final decision on the headset. I've narrowed it down to Plantronics, specifically the 90 and 45 (Possibly the DSP500?). I see a lot of users here recommend the 90 for comfort/quality, any 45 users that can provide some input?

My current setup is WinXP with SB Live 5.1. I was thinking the 45 would be convenient to just plug in when I am gaming, then unplug and use my 2.1 for everything else. My number one issue is comfort (long wear), number two is quality of mic and speakers. It seems the 45 doesn't have quite the freq range the 90 does, and the pictures make the 90 "look" more comfortable.

Unfortunately I am in middle of nowhere west Texas and there are no local stores that stock any of the Plantronics headsets (just Cyber Acoustics) so I can't test drive them as easily as I would like.

Also, is there any quality/comfort bonus to the DSP-500? I see it's around twice the cost of the 45, but I can't find a comparison chart that lists the differences.

Thanks
bir

[Peter]

Well,

the 45 vs the 90: The 90 is the "high-end" headeset, with the best quality headphones, and the most sophisticated design. Its about money. If you cant afford the 90, then maybe the 45 is ok for your, mic should be bout the same quality, only headphones worse.
the DSP series are USB headsets, meaning they have their own soundcard built into them - hence the much higher price.
If you have a decent soundcard do NOT go for a USB headset.

[bir]

Actually the 45 is more expensive than the 90. The 45 seems to be the very latest in their DSP line (although it is also the cheapest). It looks like they finally figured out a smart design for their dsp sets, the 45 allows you to unplug the headset from the USB soundcard and use it as a regular analog headset. I think it is nothing more than a 40 with a usb adapter. If it was the 90 with a usb I would grab it.

http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/catalog/display_product_detail.jhtml?rootId=cat640035&prodId=prod5020014&productTypeId=cat1430032

The difference in the online price for the 90 and 45 is only about $10, so that is why I was considering the 45, so I could have best of both worlds (usb/analog).

Thanks for the advice, I think I am going to order the 90 as I am very happy with my soundcard, and the speakers look to be better in the 90.

--
bir

[Peter]

Hmm,

basicly the 45 is a analogue headset, budled with a USB soundcard =). If it comes at the same price as a analogue headset without a extra soundcard, you do the math on the value of the analogue headset :).

[SatanClaus]

I still speak in favour of the Plantronics HS1... good mic, good speakers, high price... but yes, it's hard to buy. (analog headset)

cu
SatanClaus