The 3 Best Gaming Headsets of 2023

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1. Electronics
2. Gaming

Photo: Michael Hession

FYI

June 2023

Great audio can draw you into a video game with bold effects, realistic details, and immersive soundtracks. A good gaming headset allows you to enjoy all of that while you chat with your friends and teammates, too. But even the best sound quality won’t do you any good if the headset isn’t comfortable to wear for long periods of time. After testing close to 20 new headsets in 2022 and 2023, we’ve found that the Razer BlackShark V2 is the most comfortable, best-sounding gaming headset for the price.

Our pick

Razer BlackShark V2

Comfortable across a wide range of head sizes, this headset provides detailed, spacious sound that’s perfect for games, and it works on every modern platform and device.

The Razer BlackShark V2 can adjust to fit a range of head sizes and shapes, and it has crisp audio with clear distinction across the bass, mids, and highs so you can hear rumbling explosions, dialogue, and light footsteps. The combination of comfort and sound quality is rare at this price, and it works with nearly any console or device. Its microphone also works well enough for casual chats, and doesn’t pick up excess noise leaking from the earcups.

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Budget pick

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers clear and impressive sound quality seldom found in headsets at this price, and it’s comfortable enough for most people to wear for hours on end without complaint.

If you don’t want to spend more than $50 on a headset, buy the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2. Its leatherette earcups feel good against the skin, and it’s lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time. The Cloud Stinger 2 also delivers clear, balanced sound that keeps its integrity at any volume, and this headset has the best microphone of all our picks. After our first-impression audio test, we were shocked to learn that it costs only $50.

Upgrade pick

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

Indisputably the best headset we tested in the past year, this model has rich, enveloping sound with superb clarity, as well as a lightweight build that makes it easy to forget you’re wearing a headset—even while wearing glasses.

No other headset we’ve tested in the past year has matched the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro in crispness and detail. Its immersive surround sound makes playing familiar games feel like a new experience, and it’s light and breathable enough to wear all day. Although it’s a wireless headset, it also comes with a 3.5 mm cable that makes it compatible with any console.

Everything we recommend

Our pick

Razer BlackShark V2

Comfortable across a wide range of head sizes, this headset provides detailed, spacious sound that’s perfect for games, and it works on every modern platform and device.

Budget pick

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers clear and impressive sound quality seldom found in headsets at this price, and it’s comfortable enough for most people to wear for hours on end without complaint.

Upgrade pick

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

Indisputably the best headset we tested in the past year, this model has rich, enveloping sound with superb clarity, as well as a lightweight build that makes it easy to forget you’re wearing a headset—even while wearing glasses.

The research

• Headset picks and system compatibility
• Why you should trust us
• Who this is for
• How we picked
• How we tested
• Our pick: Razer BlackShark V2
• Budget pick: HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
• Upgrade pick: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
• What to look forward to
• The competition
• Frequently asked questions

Headset picks and system compatibility

	Razer BlackShark V2	HyperX Cloud Stinger 2	Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
PC	✅	✅	✅
PlayStation 5	✅	✅	✅
Xbox Series X|S	✅	✅	✅
PlayStation 4	✅	✅	✅
Xbox One	✅	✅	✅
Nintendo Switch	✅	✅	✅
Mobile	✅	✅	✅

Why you should trust us

I spent a full year preparing to take over this guide in 2022, taking a semester-long course with Berklee College of Music to study critical listening analysis of music and sound, as well as to learn more about the recording, mixing, and mastering processes of audio production. I also read Understanding Audio by Daniel M. Thompson and practiced ear training to distinguish different frequencies and instruments. Additionally, I have more than 23 years of combined musical experience in classical piano, vocal accompaniment, and voice. I’ve also covered gaming hardware and video games for five years.

Who this is for

A gaming headset is the best option if you play a lot of multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Warzone, Fortnite, or Overwatch 2 and you want to communicate with your teammates. If you don’t play multiplayer games with voice chat, you should buy a good pair of headphones instead; for less money, you’ll get a better-sounding, nicer-looking set.

If you stream games online or you’re looking for a headset that can also work for the occasional meeting, podcast session, or professional recording, a gaming headset is not the best option. If mic sound quality is important to you, a USB microphone paired with good headphones will give you better clarity and vocal fidelity.

Less convenient, but better sound

How we picked

Photo: Michael Hession

There are so, so, so many gaming headsets, and it’s impossible to differentiate between them based on specs alone. In our research and testing, we look at the following criteria:

• Comfort: A gaming headset should be comfortable to wear for hours, and shouldn’t clamp too tight on your head or jaw (or slip off your head). The headband shouldn’t dig into the top of your head, the cups shouldn’t make your ears too hot, and the headset shouldn’t pinch or let too much sound leak out if you wear glasses.
• Sound quality: Gaming headsets rarely sound as detailed as comparably priced headphones, but they should still be clear and accurate, with no particular frequency range overpowering another.
• Microphone: A good microphone should be able to reproduce your voice clearly and accurately, and cancel out as much background noise as possible. We like headsets with sidetone, also known as mic monitoring, which is a feature that allows you to hear your own voice through your headset, but very few models include this.
• Price: After researching hundreds of headsets, we’ve found that most people should be happy with a wired set that costs around $100. Solid budget options are available for around $50, but cheaper models lose sound clarity in the headphones and mic, and comfort and build quality drop considerably. For a great-sounding wireless headset, expect to pay between $150 and $200.
• Build quality: The headband shouldn’t creak when you put the headset on or move around, and the headset should survive being tossed in a bag. We prefer headsets with detachable cables and microphones, which are easier to replace if they break, as well as replaceable earpads. Most headsets come with a two-year warranty, but some companies (such as JBL) offer only a one-year warranty.
• Volume controls: Gaming headsets should have volume and microphone mute controls on the earcups or on the cable. We pay attention to how easy these are to use, especially the mic-mute function.
• Compatibility: Headsets with 3.5 mm connectors, like many headphones with microphones, are compatible with a wider range of gaming devices—PCs, consoles, and mobile devices—than USB headsets, which typically work only with PCs and either PlayStation consoles or Xbox consoles (almost never both).
• Surround sound: If an already good headset offers virtual surround sound, that’s fine, but it’s not worth paying more for the feature. Often listed as “virtual 7.1 surround sound,” virtual surround sound simulates positional audio by artificially adding reverb and distance between channels, an effect that we’ve found makes games and music sound terrible—like throwing a tin can down a concrete hallway. In our testing, in-game surround-sound settings have sounded much better and have been much more accurate than any headset’s artificial surround sound. And any set of headphones can gain virtual surround sound on a PC with paid software like Razer Surround Sound or Dolby Atmos or the free Windows Sonic for Headphones (each of which instructs you to disable any headset-specific surround-sound settings).
• Software: Some companies offer software that can customize equalizer settings, change button behavior, display battery life, or deliver firmware updates. This software should be optional, and a headset should produce excellent sound without extra drivers or downloads.

In addition to the above criteria, for wireless headsets we consider the following:

• Battery life: A good wireless headset should last at least 15 to 20 hours on a single charge—longer battery life is always better—and you should be able to use the headset while it’s charging.
• Connectivity: With the exception of a small handful of Bluetooth headsets, most wireless headsets come with a 2.4 GHz wireless USB dongle. The dongle should be well built, easy to use, and hard to lose. There shouldn’t be any connectivity issues, noticeable latency, buzzing sounds, or white noise.

How we tested

We try each headset on a variety of head and ear sizes to rule out those that squeeze too hard, have uncomfortable headbands, have itchy or creaky earpads, or feel uncomfortable with glasses. For every headset that passes the initial comfort test, we test audio quality by listening to a playlist of songs and other clips selected to evaluate detail, bass, and soundstage. We eliminate headsets that sound too inaccurate or unpleasant, or that lose significant elements when set to lower volumes.

Next, we test each headset with games on our budget gaming-laptop pick and various game consoles. We turn off sound-processing software installed on the laptop, though sound and microphone quality can be affected by your PC’s motherboard or sound card. We also don’t use external DACs or amplifiers, unless they come in the box with the headset. We wear all of our picks for five consecutive hours or more while gaming to test for long-term comfort.

We test the microphone performance of our most promising contenders by recording voice samples over background coffee-shop noises and while typing on a mechanical keyboard to evaluate audio quality and noise cancellation. We also chat with friends while playing loud action games to make sure that sound coming from the headset doesn’t bleed and echo into the mics. Finally, we look for any glaring latency issues by watching YouTube videos and TV shows with lots of dialogue to check the synchronization between the sound we are hearing and the mouth movements on screen.

Our pick: Razer BlackShark V2

Photo: Michael Hession

Our pick

Razer BlackShark V2

Comfortable across a wide range of head sizes, this headset provides detailed, spacious sound that’s perfect for games, and it works on every modern platform and device.

Wired/wireless:	wired	Microphone:	detachable, no sidetone
Connection:	3.5 mm auxiliary cable, or optional USB-A sound card for PC	Compatibility:	Switch, PC, PlayStation, Xbox, mobile devices
Colors:	black, blue and yellow, yellow and black	Warranty:	two years

The Razer BlackShark V2 is the best wired headset for most people thanks to its solid combination of comfort, price, and audio quality.

It’s comfortable enough to wear for hours. It adjusts to a wide range of head sizes and shapes, and it has foam earcups that feel soft against the skin. The headband doesn’t push down on the top of the head with too much force.

It has great audio quality for the price. The roomy soundstage spreads directional sounds better than some other headsets at this price, which is especially useful in online games and shooters. It also sounds crisp and clear, and doesn’t sacrifice much quality at lower volumes.

It doesn’t pick up sound bleed through the microphone. Some microphones pick up in-game sounds that leak through the earcups, which can annoy your friends or teammates. The BlackShark V2 doesn’t have this issue, and its detachable microphone reproduces your voice clearly without making it sound nasally or muffled.

It’s compatible with any console. The Blackshark V2 uses a wired 3.5 mm cable to connect to any console or controller you may have. It also comes with an optional USB-A connector for PCs that enables THX Spatial Audio through Razer’s Synapse software. We didn’t notice a significant difference between audio quality through the sound card compared with the standard 3.5 mm connection, but it didn’t hurt our listening experience, either.

It has decent noise cancellation that makes it easy to stay immersed in the game. Compared with many of the other headsets we tested, the BlackShark V2 blocks out a lot of noise. But because it doesn’t have sidetone, it can leave you prone to shouting through the microphone.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Razer BlackShark V2’s cable isn’t detachable, so if some part of the wire breaks after the headset’s warranty period is over, you’ll have to open up the earcup and solder a new wire to replace it.
• Some people may find the memory foam on the earcups to be warmer than a material like leatherette, and it’s also a bit harder to clean.
• The onboard audio controls are minimal, with only a volume knob and a mute button on the left earcup. Some people may want more controls, such as chat-volume adjustment.

Budget pick: HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

Photo: Michael Hession

Budget pick

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers clear and impressive sound quality seldom found in headsets at this price, and it’s comfortable enough for most people to wear for hours on end without complaint.

Wired/wireless:	wired	Microphone:	swivel-to-mute, no sidetone
Connection:	3.5 mm auxiliary cable	Compatibility:	Switch, PC, PlayStation, Xbox, mobile devices
Available colors:	black	Warranty:	two years

We were surprised to find that the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 costs only $50. It’s well balanced and comfortable to wear for long periods of time, it has the best microphone of all our picks, and it sounds better than many of the more expensive headsets we tested.

It sounds better than many headsets that cost triple the price. The results were spacious enough for us to distinguish similar sound effects and tones from one another. It has less audible complexity than our other picks, but the quality is still impressive for a headset at this price.

It doesn’t sacrifice quality at lower volumes. Many gaming headsets—including more expensive models—clip off certain frequencies when set to lower volumes, but in our tests the Cloud Stinger 2 kept all of the elements of music and in-game sounds no matter how quiet it was.

It has decent virtual surround sound. This headset comes with a two-year software license for DTS Sound Unbound, which creates virtual surround sound for certain devices on PCs and Xbox consoles. The difference isn’t drastic, but it’s worth taking advantage and enabling DTS:X Spatial Audio to widen the headset’s soundstage even more. It never delivers true 360-degree surround sound—most directional sounds can be heard in an arc of about 180 degrees around the front and sides—but that’s better than most budget headsets can promise.

It has the best microphone of all our picks. The microphone on the Cloud Stinger 2 swivels out of the way and automatically mutes when raised, which we love—as might anyone who has ever had a mute-button mishap in the past. The mic offers clear and accurate voice reproduction, and in our tests, it didn’t pick up ambient background or typing noises. While we wouldn’t use the mics on any of our other picks for something like streaming or recording a podcast, we believe the Cloud Stinger 2’s mic would fare just fine in such instances.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Cloud Stinger 2 is compatible with all consoles thanks to its 3.5 mm cable, but the cable is built into the headset and thus cannot be removed. If it breaks after the headset’s warranty period is over, you’ll have to open up the earcup and solder a new wire to replace it.
• The build quality feels cheaper and more rickety than our other picks, but its leatherette earcups feel nice against the skin, and if they wear out over time, you can replace them with a number of third-party options.

Upgrade pick: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

Photo: Michael Hession

Upgrade pick

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

Indisputably the best headset we tested in the past year, this model has rich, enveloping sound with superb clarity, as well as a lightweight build that makes it easy to forget you’re wearing a headset—even while wearing glasses.

Wired/wireless:	wireless	Microphone:	detachable, no sidetone
Connection:	USB-A dongle, or detachable 3.5 mm auxiliary cable	Compatibility:	wireless for Switch, PC, and PlayStation; wired for Xbox and mobile devices
Available colors:	black, white, white and black with orange highlights	Warranty:	two years

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro looks nearly identical to our top pick, the Razer BlackShark V2, but it offers wireless connectivity and an upgraded listening experience with its crisp audio and immersive surround sound.

It’s more comfortable. The BlackShark V2 Pro has the same soft memory-foam earcups and wide range of adjustment as the BlackShark V2, but it weighs about 2 ounces more, which actually makes it feel sturdier and more balanced on the head.

You can ditch the cable. This headset connects wirelessly with a USB-A dongle and charges via micro-USB, but it can also work with any console thanks to the included 3.5 mm cable.

It sounds amazing. We played a number of games with the BlackShark V2 Pro, including titles we’re very familiar with, and we were in awe of the new sounds we heard through this headset that we’d never noticed before. We could hear characters speaking behind us from a distance more clearly than ever before in games like God of War and Grand Theft Auto V, and atmospheric details like wind blowing and birds chirping sounded realistic in tone and proximity. The BlackShark V2 Pro’s soundstage is extremely roomy, and the audio quality is crisp and balanced. It’s also an excellent headset for simply listening to music.

Photo: Michael Hession

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The BlackShark V2 Pro’s detachable microphone made my voice sound distant, muffled, and nasally. It came through audibly enough for basic chat, but for this headset’s price, we’d expect better voice reproduction.
• The inner headband and memory-foam earcups are comfortable and breathable, but this material is harder to clean and more likely to absorb sweat than something like leatherette.

What to look forward to

We’ll test more Xbox-compatible wireless headsets for our next update. Xbox wireless headsets are scarcer than options for PlayStation, and we haven’t been impressed with the ones we’ve tested so far.

The competition

We dismissed the following headsets because they’re uncomfortable for a variety of head and ear sizes, have a poor range of adjustment and slide off the head easily, or apply too much pressure in one or more areas:

• HyperX Cloud Core + 7. 1, HyperX Cloud Stinger Core
• JBL Quantum 100, JBL Quantum 200, JBL Quantum 400, JBL Quantum 600
• Logitech G332, Logitech G733, Logitech G735
• Razer BlackShark V2 X, Razer Kraken X, Razer Kraken 2019
• SteelSeries Arctis 7+, SteelSeries Arctis 7P+, SteelSeries Arctis 9, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1
• Audeze Maxwell Wireless
• Beyerdynamic MMX 100
• Drop + Sennheiser PC38X
• Drop + Epos h4X
• PDP Airlite Pro Wireless
• PlayStation Pulse 3D
• Skullcandy PLYR

These headsets were dismissed for poor audio quality, or quality that couldn’t beat our current picks:

• Astro A30 Wireless
• Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3, Audio-Technica ATH-GL3
• Beyerdynamic MMX 100, Beyerdynamic MMX 150, Beyerdynamic MMX 300
• Corsair HS60 Pro
• Drop + Sennheiser PC38X
• HyperX Cloud II Wireless + 7.1
• JBL Quantum 350 Wireless, JBL Quantum 400, JBL Quantum One
• PDP Airlite Pro Wireless
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3
• Raycon Gaming Headphones
• Razer Kaira Pro, Razer Kraken 2019, Razer Kraken V3 Pro
• SteelSeries Arctis 9, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless, Steelseries Arctis Prime

We dismissed the following headsets for connectivity limitations or issues, such as wireless headsets offering no option for wired connections, or USB-A-only connection types:

This article was edited by Arthur Gies and Caitlin McGarry.

Frequently asked questions

Do wireless gaming headsets use Bluetooth?

Some wireless gaming headsets use Bluetooth to connect to computers or mobile devices, but it’s less ideal for consoles or as the primary form of connection. Most headsets connect through a USB-A 2.4 GHz dongle because that type of connection is more stable and reliable.

Can I use a USB headset with an Xbox, PS4, or PS5?

Only officially licensed USB headsets work with each console via USB—be sure to do a quick Google search to see if your headset is supported. We have a compatibility table for our picks at the top of this guide.

Meet your guide

Haley Perry

Haley Perry is an associate staff writer at Wirecutter covering video games and technology. She used to review video games full-time, and she’s also a big fan of mezcal. If you get enough in her, she may just admit that she still plays The Sims … a lot.

Further reading

• Gear and Peripherals for PC Gaming

  by Haley Perry

  We’ve tested hundreds of gaming laptops, keyboards, mice, and other essentials to make your PC gaming experience even more immersive and enjoyable.

• The Best VR Headset

  by Signe Brewster and Arthur Gies

  Our pick pairs great performance with a very low cost of entry.

• The Best PC Gaming Controller

  by Andrew Cunningham and Britt H. Young

  With nearly complete compatibility for every controller-based game on Windows or Mac, the Xbox controller for Series X|S is the best option for most people.

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ASTRO Gaming, a Division of Logitech G – USA

CHOOSE YOUR PATH

OR CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON

Wireless 2.4GHZ

Mod-kit ready

Play Anything

Durable Construc­tion

A50

• Microphone
  FLIP-TO-MUTE
• Compatibility
  PS, XB, PC, MAC
• Sound Quality
  DOLBY AUDIO™
• PRICE

EXPLORE

A40 TR

• Microphone
  SWAPPABLE / REMOVABLE
• Compatibility
  PS, XB, PC, MAC, Switch
• Sound Quality
  DOLBY AUDIO™
• PRICE

EXPLORE

A30

• Microphone
  Built-in + Removable Boom
• Compatibility
  PS, XB, PC, MAC, MOBILE
• Sound Quality
  Dolby Atmos
• PRICE

EXPLORE

A10

• Microphone
  FLIP-TO-MUTE
• Compatibility
  PS, XB, PC-MAC, Switch
• Sound Quality
  STEREO
• PRICE

EXPLORE

Made for gaming — what’s the difference between gaming headsets and music headphones — Promo on DTF

It’s not just about RGB lighting.

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Material prepared with the support of Harman

“Gaming headset” is not just a marketing term. These are specialized devices that differ significantly from conventional “musical” acoustics and are often more than just the sum of a microphone and headphones.

Large sound industry brands like JBL have made a big contribution to the development of this direction. Previously, they tried to have as little in common with computer technology as possible, but the growth of the gaming industry and eSports forced them to reconsider their position.

In this material, we will analyze in detail what a gaming headset consists of and how modern models differ from music headphones and headsets for portable equipment.

All in One

“Regular” headphones and headsets have different purposes – the former reproduce the sound in the best possible way, while the latter perform several tasks at the same time, but at the cost of some compromises.

A headset is a versatile “combine” that combines headphones, a microphone, and sometimes also a discrete audio card and electronics for wireless communication and noise reduction.

At the same time, the headsets are very different from each other. For example, when creating wireless earbuds, compactness is a priority, and in models for games, they focus on creating surround sound for deeper immersion.

Gaming headsets also feature better microphones than portable models. The directional mic on the “stem” is closer to the mouth and captures less noise even without additional digital processing.

Sound

In direct comparison, gaming headsets typically sound worse than similarly priced “musical” models. Even flagship models can’t match enthusiast hi-fi speakers for sound quality. But headsets aren’t designed for audiophiles—instead, they offer features for extra comfort.

Music tracks can feel lifeless and a bit “metal”, but this is not a defect or a sign of economy – the headset must sound like that to perform its main task well.

In the case of game models, the focus is not on a balanced scene or drive, but on the clarity and distinguishability of individual sounds. Such a profile, for example, helps to better hear the steps of the enemy and voices in the voice chat.

Each manufacturer sets up their headsets differently, but more often than not, speakers are optimized for online shooters by default. It is important for esports players that shots from several directions do not immediately merge into a continuous rumble and are less distracting, and the voices of other players and sound alerts stand out from the general noise – for this, the bass is minimized, and the high frequencies, on the contrary, are overestimated.

But for singles, movies and music, you need a completely different sound – intelligible but powerful, with balanced bass to enhance the emotions of what is happening on the screen.

At default settings, quality headphones will handle music and movies better. But for gaming headsets, all is not lost – most often it’s enough to tinker with EQ levels a bit to “improve” their sound.

The QuantumENGINE software contains several ready-made equalizer presets for different tasks. The program also allows you to adjust the microphone volume, enable proprietary surround sound technology and control the backlight

By adjusting the levels for different frequencies, you can change the nature of the sound beyond recognition. Many mid-range and high-end gaming models from major “music” brands use modified drivers (as speakers are more correctly called) from “regular” headphones and have a wide frequency range.

Most manufacturers have a characteristic “sound profile”. This feature can be a good help for choosing – if you liked some headphones in a store or from a friend, then most likely other models of the brand will sound similar.

Gaming JBL Quantum 800 and “urban” JBL LIVE 650BT both look and play differently, but both

models have signature vigor and richness of sound.

Connection and additional functions

All headphones and headsets can be divided into analogue and digital. The vast majority of music headphones belong to the first type, and headsets come in many varieties.

Any foreign element in connection with the source negatively affects the sound, so they try to keep the design of the headphones as simple as possible. Headsets, on the other hand, are focused primarily on user convenience, so manufacturers are not shy about using modern technologies and adding additional features.

Analog headphones

Headphones consist of a cable and a pair of magnetic drivers, usually there are no microcircuits or regulators in them.

Any player, computer, console and smartphone with a 3.5 mm port has a built-in audio card that combines a driver, amplifier and DAC (digital-to-analog converter). It turns the digital track of a music file, movie or game into a sequence of electrical impulses that move magnets and extract sound from the membrane.

This makes analog headphones very dependent on the source. If you connect a pair of professional studio “monitors” to a regular computer and turn on an MP3 file, nothing good will come of it – along with the music you will hear the crackle of static and all the defects of a barbarically compressed recording. To enjoy listening, you will need lossless content without quality loss and an external audio card or a quality USB DAC, which can cost more than all the rest of your peripherals put together.

Analog headsets

Gaming headsets are designed for use with various devices and are very unpretentious. Most models have an analog connection, but are usually not sensitive enough to pick up interference and noise – so they can be safely connected to any computer, console or mobile device.

Inexpensive and obsolete models are equipped with a long cable, at the end of which there are two separate “mini-jacks” for headphones and a microphone.

This is the most impractical option, since most modern equipment, except for stationary PCs, has one combo port – there will simply be nowhere to plug the microphone.

More modern models have a combined “minijack” that fits almost any device. In the “combo” connector, to the three regular contacts (left channel, right channel and ground), a fourth is added – for the microphone.

Wired headsets for smartphones may have a keypad on the wire along with the microphone, but it will not work when connected to a computer or console. The fact is that the block with keys is connected by the fifth – digital – contact, which is usually not provided anywhere except for smartphones and tablets.

JBL Quantum 200 connects with a 45-degree offset plug. This is a JBL proprietary feature that reduces the chance of cable breakage

Digital headsets

Many modern headsets of medium-high and premium segments are connected digitally, which greatly expands their capabilities.

Models with USB connection are independent of the sound subsystem of a smartphone, computer or game console, as they convert the signal through their own built-in audio chip. Such a decision will disappoint, perhaps, the owners of advanced audio systems that will be idle.

More than just sound can be transmitted over a digital channel. This allows additional features and controls to be added to the headsets.

These can be either additional controls or active noise reduction, backlighting or a built-in voice assistant.

USB headsets often have an optional 3.5 mm connection, but in this case, the backlight, volume control and all the “soft” features will not be available.

The USB connection allowed the engineers to fit the JBL Quantum 400 with a backlight, a volume control, a mute key, and a wheel to adjust the balance between game sound and voice chat

Wireless headsets

Digital connection can be wireless. Without unnecessary wires, it is more convenient, and the desktop looks much neater.

But there are also difficulties – these headphones are noticeably heavier due to the built-in battery, which must be regularly charged.

Wireless gaming headsets connect to a computer or console using a USB receiver. The 2.4 GHz radio channel provides a fairly stable connection with minimal latency, so there is almost no difference in games.

JBL Quantum 800 connects via a USB adapter compatible with PCs and consoles, has Bluetooth for smartphones, and a detachable 3.5 mm cable for Switch. Also, this model is equipped with active noise reduction and backlight

Bluetooth headsets do not require an additional adapter and can provide very good sound. But they often have problems with microphones, and the Bluetooth connection itself is not stable enough for games – for players in competitive shooters, audio cuts, increased latency and unintelligible speech capture can be critical.

These headsets are compatible with smartphones and laptops, but most PC and console owners won’t need them because they don’t support wireless audio.

The JBL LIVE 650BT NC is Bluetooth-enabled, features active noise cancellation and integrated Google Assistant. And if they run out on the road or need to connect to the Switch, a detachable 3.5mm cable is included

Surround

Game immersion is highly dependent on sound, so gaming headset manufacturers are investing heavily in “volume” technology, while regular headphones will have to look to third-party solutions.

Gaming headsets and proprietary algorithms

Just a couple of years ago, headsets with “real” multi-channel sound were popular – each cup had several small speakers, each of which was responsible for its own direction. But the technology did not take root: small speakers are usually inferior to large ones in quality, the design itself turns out to be more complicated, heavier and more expensive. In addition, not everyone was able to establish the perfect synchronization of all the speakers so that when moving quickly in the game, the sound does not lag.

Therefore, now most manufacturers have switched to digital systems that create a sense of volume using a conventional stereo pair. Each manufacturer has a different name for the technology and is based on different algorithms, but the essence is about the same – the soundtrack of a movie, game or music track is divided into several channels.

Quantum Surround technology is built on Harman’s home theater algorithms, which have been developed since 2013. The flagship headset JBL Quantum ONE has a gyroscope and an accelerometer, that is, you can simply turn your head towards the sound source

Such solutions only work with specific headset models, but in all programs and create a very convincing effect in games – it becomes easier to determine where the sound of footsteps comes from in Counter-Strike or gunshots in Overwatch. But for movies and music, these systems are ill-suited due to excessive digital processing.

Headphones and universal software

Headphone manufacturers are not interested in surround sound, since conventional stereo is more than enough for music and even movies. But there are several universal standards that are available to all users.

For cinema, there is DTS, an audio recording format adopted by the film industry. If a movie has a DTS audio track, the movie will sound exactly as it was intended to when mastered. Some games support DTS X, but currently there are only 11.

To play DTS on a computer, you need to purchase a DTS Unbound license through an in-app from the Microsoft Store. The main codec costs $10, and bundled with the headphone extension costs $20.

Dolby Atmos is also compatible with all headphones and creates the most realistic surround effect, but only works with selected content. Tracks in this format are not separated by channels, but by binding to objects. At the same time, the system can track and distribute up to 118 objects across ten virtual or physical channels.

Dolby Atmos requires the creators of the movie or game to prepare their content in advance. Dolby Atmos is now supported by some Netflix movies and series and by a dozen games, including Overwatch and the latest installments of the Forza, Gears of War, Tomb Raider, Assassin’s Creed and Battlefield series. To activate on Windows 10 or Xbox One X, you will have to buy a license for $18.

JBL headsets and headphones combine state-of-the-art technology with over 70 years of audio experience. The Quantum gaming line includes models with different connection options and additional options.

The entry-level Quantum 100 and 200 feature lightweight construction, soft memory foam ear cushions and are compatible with all independent surround sound technologies such as Windows Sonic, DTS:X and Dolby Atmos.

Digitally connected models come with the QuantumENGINE fine-tuning utility and support proprietary QuantumSURROUND technology. And the flagship Quantum ONE is also equipped with sensors for QuantumSPHERE 360™, which allow you to listen to what is happening in the game, just by turning your head.

Look

Overview of the wired headset for team games KOSS SB40

As far as the unassembled and “dangling” design of the headphones was in the hands, it turned out to be monolithic on the head. You can feel, pull and pull – surprisingly, all the elements cover the head very tightly, which positively affects not only the comfort of wearing, but also the sound – you can forget about any parasitic vibrations – they will not be. There is only one condition – the right earpiece must be on the right, and the left earpiece on the left – otherwise this magic simply stops working!

The weight of the headset (including the wire) was exactly 300 grams, they are not super light, but you can’t call them heavy either – the design of the headset distributes the weight over the head, and does not put pressure on the ears, which is a definite plus.

The headphone cups are quite large, they cover the auricle completely – the headphones are tightly pressed against the head, but not against the ears themselves. The distance from the support surface of the ear pads to the speaker grill is from 14 to 22 mm, which will accommodate most types of ear shells in complete comfort – they do not get tired even after several hours of sitting in headphones.

But the movement of the rotary mechanism for attaching the microphone seemed to me a little. In the upper position, it is limited to just before the headband – this is done so that the microphone does not interfere with the tilt of the bowl – which is a very thoughtful decision. But in the lower position, I lacked some five degrees to comfortably position the microphone body just below the lower jaw – so as not to distract while working with a computer. Of course, this can be corrected simply by bending the flexible leg, but these are already unnecessary movements. However, if the swivel mechanism becomes loose over the years, then this restriction will not allow the microphone to fall on the shirt collar, so maybe this is for the best.

To assess the sound quality of the microphone, we recorded and then listened to the sound in the KOSS SB40 headset. We can safely say that the microphone noise suppression system works very well – breathing noise is almost inaudible on the recording – the voice is read very clearly. At the same time, sound transmission from the headset is carried out in an analog way, therefore, if your PC sound system (like mine, for example) is replete with electrical interference, then they will be present on the recording – unlike digital systems. But, there, the price tags for equipment will be completely different.

The headset does not have a mechanical volume control, it would seem that this is not very good, but for most headsets and headphones that I used this control over time (and sometimes immediately) due to physical wear and tear gave a different volume level to the right and left channels, moreover , this difference could be different at different volume levels, making it difficult to balance. KOSS SB40, due to the absence of this element, produces the same sound level on both channels, and it is convenient to use the volume control using the keyboard.

Noise-insulating material is visible through the ventilation holes in the cups – when putting on the headset, there is a feeling of “woolness” of the sound – the whole environment is muffled – as if you are using earplugs. Accordingly, the sound is extinguished and out – if you do not unscrew the regulator “to its fullest”, then you will not interfere with the rest of relatives in the dead of night.

According to Koss, the main purpose of the SB40 headset is conversations during games, Internet telephony and voice applications (for example, Alice, Marusya or Siri). But, what is there, any working headset is suitable for these purposes, so we evaluated the sound quality with the help of music. The headset’s sound system impedance is 120 ohms (and yes, I checked, it is there), so they can not be recommended for use with a smartphone (up to 32 ohms is recommended) – but we tried it anyway. Surprisingly, the sound is quite loud and juicy, only the basses are somewhat dull. When the headset is connected to a PC, the basses acquire richness, while they are not overloaded – the readability of the sound is excellent – mumbling, hissing, clicks and other defects were not detected. High quality sound is maintained even at full volume.