A/V Advantages of Gaming Headsets over Headphones?

Hi,
What are the advantages (if any) of gaming headsets over headphones? Also, why are the majority usb based?

 

Headsets have microphones attached!

Iirc most are USB based due to having an in-line soundcard built in.

Creative make some real high end headsets if you're into sound quality.

 

What's the benefit of having a sound card built in?

 

well for one you won't have to unplug your speakers to plug the headphones. That counts for something

however it's sort of a pain for games and applications who don't always like to switch soundcard. I've used this for a few months back in 2006 and it worked okay so I guess in 2010 it should be working even better

 

I think most speakers have a headphone port so you don't have to unplug it.

 

well yes of course it depends what kind of speakers you have

 

Can't say I've ever had a problem with applications switching between sound cards. It's a real treat to have speakers playing game sounds while Skype plays through the headset.

As far as the benefit of a sound card built in, not sure if there is one. It's just nice being able to use USB since it's so common.

 

Well since I got my Creative Gaming Fatality, I've noticed the sound quality is deffinitly improved. You can pick out sounds better which you might not usually hear - which is very useful on games like FPS's and you can hear the enemy and the direction the sound is coming from much much more clear.

Mic's attached and removable with the fatality which is always useful

 

I use a pair of decent headphones for gaming and music..

And a separate mic, mostly because mics can be cheap, but headphones(aside from the Fatality, but it's still subpar) suck on integrated gaming headphones.