I'm looking for some cheap yet durable and robust headsets for use in an inet-cafe which will also offer LAN-games(thus, they will be used for gaming).

Since we will have to buy them x10 (for ten PCs), we're restricted to cheap ones (15-40euro). The priorities are quite unusual:

1. durability/robustness
2. microphone quality
3. comfort
4. "half-closed"-design (not a must, but desirable because of background-music in the room)
5. soundquality of the headphones

As you can see, the soundquality of the headphones is the least important criteria. I do know that some headsets in that price-range do exist, but instead of gambling for what i will get, i thought maybe some folks here do already have experience in this price-range?

- Lyx

It is essential to look at Plantronics (the leading manufacturer of various types of headsets) Computer Headsets at the first place. Of course all your requirements are met if you would choose one of these models.

Good luck!

*very* interesting. thank you!

The very same page in German: Plantronics Analoges Headset.

I think we'll go with the audio90. The audio40 seems interesting as well, but from the images it feels less durable to me (especially after dozens of resizing-attempts) - additionally, the audio90 appears to use a half-closed design and one gets better headphones as a bonus. I'll scout the web later for reports about the audio90's durability. In any case, thanks again for this very helpful hint.

Hmm, apparently, one thing with which people in general have problems is durability of the cords and wiring. This issue seems to apply to a wide variety of headsets from plantronics :-(

I concur. I had a pair of Plantronics HS-1 (previous range) which were shockingly badly built.

I would recommend BeyerDynamic DT-234 pro. They are:

1) Fairly durable.
2) Closed back.
3) Comfortable.
4) 55 Euro + VAT from

http://www.musicians-gear.com/

You may be able to get them cheaper if buying 10 sets at the same time. Unfortunately they don't sound very good. However you can make them sound passable with some fairly extreme EQ settings.

You aren't going to get anything which are durable, has a decent microphone and sounds good for much less than 100 Euro

Probably it will be very hard to find highly durable sets in 40€ range.
KOSS also offers Communication Stereophones, but I have KOSS CS-55 with cord broken after few month of use, so this variant may seem even less attractive than Plantronics.

i'm aware of that. Thats why i am willing to sacrifice headphone-soundquality. Thanks for the hint, i'll take a look at those.

edit: ah, now i know why that model-name sounded familiar to me. I had an eye on the DT-234pro already, but was unable to find a dealer who sells them at an affordable(for us) price. I'll look a bit more around on the web to see if i can find more interesting deals when ordering 10 of them.

edit2: hmm, i should mention that i do already run an IT-company which is able to resell products to endusers - so i am legally able to get access to dealer-sections.

Okay, it seems i cannot find a way to get the DT-234 in germany for less than 60euro. So i'm gonna settle for some kind of middle-ground: pick a headset which has a good reputation but from which i dont expect that it will last *forever*. It should also be easily replacable without having to order from outside germany. And the price should be below 40euro.

From what info i have gathered, this leaves me with the following choices:
- Sennheiser PC130
- Koss CS100

Both sell for about 30euro. Both seem to have a good reputation. The PC130 appears to be quite durable for its price, while the CS100's mic has a very good reputation. Anyone here who has experience with one of the above headsets?

- Lyx