Most gaming headsets are priced to look fancy and deliver a seamless experience. If you're interested in a truly amazing audio experience you're looking in the wrong category though...check out this guide on how to make the most of your buck!
Introduction
Are you looking for a new high-end gaming headset? Above something like the HyperX Cloud Stinger (which is good for all-in-one) lies a realm of gaming headsets that include sleek looking headsets like:
However, what if I told you that if you're planning on spending that much money, there were far better options in sound quality, build quality, and overall performance?
Even better, you can mix and match your favorites and do partial upgrades without throwing out the whole setup!
- ASTRO A50s (Wireless) - $249
- Sennheiser GAME ONE - $107
- SteelSeries Arctic Pro Wireless - $276
- Razer Nari 7.1 Wireless - $229
They're not necessarily bad, but charge WAY too much just to look cool and sleek. Out of the ones above, if you're really bent on picking up a gaming headset on the high end, the Sennheiser is the only one I'd really recommend as they're an actual audio equipment company.
However, what if I told you that if you're planning on spending that much money, there were far better options in sound quality, build quality, and overall performance?
Even better, you can mix and match your favorites and do partial upgrades without throwing out the whole setup!
Ideal Setup
Headphones
- Audio-Technica ATH-M-50X Professional Monitor Headphones ($129); or
- Superlux HD6688 Semi-Open Headphones - ($38); or
- Your favorite pair of headphones.
Microphone
- Antlion Audio ModMic Attachable Boom Microphone - Get the unidirectional one ($38)
- Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone ($49)
DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)
Descriptions of the Above
Headphones
Any good pair of headphones will do as long as they're made by an actual audio equipment producing company. Some of you may be wondering if you can use the Bose QC35 or the Sony WH1000XM2 (two of the best consumer level headphones on the planet).
However, the active noise canceling drowns out your voice and most people end up shouting into the microphone. While the sound quality on them is amazing, you may want to pick up an open ear headphone instead for breathability during long gaming sessions.
Microphone
The Antlion Audio ModMic is the one I'm using at the moment and works quite well. It has a small mount that sticks onto the headphone, and results in a magnetically detachable piece. Make sure to get the uni-directional micophone though, or else it will pick up all the sounds in the room.
The blue snowball is also very popular, but I don't like how it condenses your voice and makes it sound round.
The blue snowball is also very popular, but I don't like how it condenses your voice and makes it sound round.
DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)
If you already have a dedicated sound card installed inside your machine you may not need one of these. However, if you don't, then this performs the same job but better and generally cheaper.
In a nutshell, it turns computers sounds into ear sounds and doing it outside of your computer away from all the electrical components works better.
It also provides an extra boost of power to your headphones, which helps you level out sound and fully immerse yourself in the experience.
On the other hand, if your budget is under $100 it obviously won't make sense to pick one of these up, but it does make a noticeable difference for most people. It's much smaller than the picture looks though, so return shipping isn't much of a hassle if you decide it's not worth it for you.
It also provides an extra boost of power to your headphones, which helps you level out sound and fully immerse yourself in the experience.
On the other hand, if your budget is under $100 it obviously won't make sense to pick one of these up, but it does make a noticeable difference for most people. It's much smaller than the picture looks though, so return shipping isn't much of a hassle if you decide it's not worth it for you.
Conclusions
If you intend on spending under a hundred and want to just plug and play then picking up a nice HyperX is totally still a good option. But if you want to maximize your cash efficiency and get a really nice pair of gaming headphones, then just get a really nice pair of headphones that can be used for gaming instead.
You won't regret it.
Credits: PC Master Race thread on Reddit
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