I bought my first Koss Communications USB Headset with Microphone (CS100-USB) out of desperation. I have a lovely computer my brother bought for me when my previous one went down a few years back. The only problem with that computer is that it came with a terrible sound system, and no way to expand it. It's a work-based computer, but due to its high processing power and good array of RAM, it works great as a medium-grade gaming computer. In order to utilize it the way I need to, I had to come up with a way to make the USB system provide decent sound from both my system and my voice, in order to record videos for my Grandma's Gone Gaming YouTube channel. I tried half a dozen or so USB headsets, that didn't adequately provide much of anything, PLUS they added an overlay of electronics noise, through the USB connection...VERY aggravating. Another problem with many of the other headsets I tried, is that they were very heavy and tight, therefore troublesome to me in several ways, physically. So I started trying the lightweight ones. Each one had pros and cons, but then I landed on this one. It has a good noise cancellation system that works. It's not perfect, but it's way better than some of the others I tried. As long as I adjust the mic correctly before I begin recording, I have no problems with that part of the equation. The quality of the recorded sound is EXCELLENT. I get no feedback, except for an occasional hum or breath-burst if I have bumped the mic somehow, getting it too close to my mouth. A simple adjustment takes care of that. Many people have commented that my sound has been recorded quite clearly and crisply, which pleases me. The set doesn't have a built-in on/off and volume control fixture. All volume control is accomplished through the system's built-in control, and it works seamlessly. If I want to record more loudly or softly, I adjust the volume on my computer...done. The headset is snug enough to be firmly placed on my head, but not tight and restrictive to either my head or ears. I can wear it for long periods of time, without discomfort. The earpads are ON-ear, not OVER-the-ear, so they don't stop ALL the noise around from filtering in, which is fine, because I like to include some interaction with others in the room at times, plus I NEED to be aware of what's happening around me. On the other hand, the pads fit snugly enough on my ears to keep out most of any sharp or invasive sounds, and for other voices to be recorded enough to be easily heard by my watchers/listeners, the others in the room have to be standing right next to me, and speaking fairly clearly. It all "works for me." There are only two things I'd love to see improved for this headset: (1) The adjustment sliders above the headphones, to which the head brace is attached, aren't well-designed. In order to keep the adjusters moved out at about 3/8" on both sides, I've learned to resort to a small piece of clear packing tape on either side, because otherwise I'm always having to re-adjust the sliders, which gets annoying really quickly. Since I've used these headsets for quite some time, now, it's just something I do immediately, upon receiving a new set. (2) As wonderful as the sound quality and ease of use has been, the headset isn't the most durable set I've ever seen or used. It's not the most fragile, either, but it has a definite effective usage time for me, that seems to be about six months. Then the earpad swivels begin to wear out, and the earpads themselves get worn to the point that they aren't as soft and cushiony as they were in the beginning, and they begin to irritate my ears. Since this headset is quite inexpensive, that's not been a huge problem. I pass on the headsets to my seven grandkids (out of our almost 22) who live here with us, with their mom (our youngest daughter) and dad. Everyone, then, gets to benefit from the headsets, over time. Then, when (after a year or so), the additional (hard) use has broken some other parts of the sets, they are thrown away, just in time for a newer pair to be passed down. Again...it works for me. :-D
