Small review from Charity Case:

Originally Posted by Charity Case

...

On the audio front, things aren't so pretty. So I started out by ordering the Tritton AX51 Pro 5.1 surround sound headset. When that arrived and I plugged it in, it sounded horrible. After an hour of tinkering, I discovered that my aging Soundblaster Audigy 2 Value had a broken center/sub port, so surround sound was out of the question. This led me to purchase a Turtle Beach Montego DDL soundcard, and I also decided to order a Speedlink Medusa 5.1 Home Edition headset because I didn't like the feel of the AX51 Pro.

Well, the new soundcard and the new headset have arrived, and I've compared the two headsets. Here's what I've deduced:

AX51 Pro:
+ The sound of the AX51 is richer and deeper than the Medusa, bass is noticeably better.
+ In line volume control is excellent and allows precision control of the individual speakers.
- Headset is heavy and somewhat uncomfortable, it also looks super nerdy.
- Channels besides the sub/center sound rather tinny and cheap (an issue with all 5.1 headsets).
- Sound transitions from front to side to rear do not blend well, sounds seem to come directly from the front, side or rear, there's no 'diagonal.'
- Sound is imbalanced with one side being louder than the other (an easy fix through the mixer, but still annoying).
- I distrust the impotent and flimsy mic.

Medusa:
+ Fairly comfy, should be quite easy to wear once broken in.
+ The external amp, while somewhat cheap, is really useful. I don't have to go fiddle around under my desk to switch from headphones to speakers, I simply push a button. Also, it serves as a holder for the headphones.
+ 5.1 is more 'directional' than the AX51, the different channels seem to blend together.
+ Clear sound and decent bass.
+ Mic is flexible and quite clear (way better than the AX51).
- Bass is not so good.
- In-line volume control is kind of cheap

Here's the thing, both headsets sound kind of crappy because the new sound card I got doesn't allow bass redirection, which is pretty much a requirement for 5.1 headsets. So if I'm going to actually keep one of these things, I have to get yet another sound card (probably an X-Fi Xtremegamer). Plus, whenever I enable 5.1 on the Montego, all the little voice commands in BF2 are super-stuttery. I hear this might have something to do with KX sound drivers, but I'm not sure. Anyway, 5.1 is basically unusable with this card, so I think I'm going to end up getting the X-Fi.

For a little while, I was going to return both headsets and go with a pair of Sennheiser PC161s (on Wickens recommendation) , but I've decided to keep the Medusas and work with them. In the end, this setup is probably going to cost me $50 from all the RMAs and shipping, but I don't give a **** anymore, I just want something that works and sounds good.

My GF ordered the Carcharias for my BD, I 'll post back with my thoughts next week.