What is the best Gaming Headset or Headphone?

What is the best Gaming Headset or Headphone?

 A simple question, but to answer this there are several things to consider when choosing the right gaming headphone or headset to maximise your gaming experience.


So, first things first:  Gaming Headset Vs Gaming Headphone

Well simply speaking a headphone only allows you to listen to audio in the game, but a headset is the combination of a headphone and a microphone that allows you to speak and actively participate in the game. Online gaming with friends via Discord, TeamSpeak, etc. can add lot more fun in gaming.

Let’s take a deep dive into several important things to consider:

1. Overall sound quality
2. Design – open back Vs closed back
3. Microphone quality – to communicate clearly
4. The overall fit & comfort – for long gaming sessions
5. The connection - required for your gaming platform/s

Sound quality: Something that we know about, it’s in our DNA

Regardless of whether you’re streaming music, listening to a team members conversation during a game, or experiencing a massive stereo soundtrack from the latest blockbuster game; you need a headphone or headset that can deliver excellent sound quality along with an exceptional, detailed sound stage.

When you choose a high-quality headset or headphone with excellent sound quality right from the start, you will be able to enjoy intense sound stages, with detailed sound and rich bass. Your game will then become much more realistic. Anything less than this, may deliver sound in a muffled or distorted manner; this will quickly ruin your gaming experience.


NOTE: Always look for a low impedance headphone or headset for gaming. As a low impedance headphone or headset allows you to game on multiple platforms such as PCs, Consoles, Tablets & Smart Phones.

Typically, a mobile media player, tablet or smartphone will only deliver a low output voltage from the headphone socket; this being the case you should opt for low-impedance headphones as they manage to deliver a more reasonable/higher sound volume when used with low output devices.

No need to sweat the big stuff here, all of our gaming headphone/headsets are suited for gaming :) Click here to see our gaming range.

If you want to know more about impedance to get a better understanding, then Click here.

Design: open back Vs closed back headphones and headsets

Simply put a closed back design is characterised by the back of the capsule being closed off/sealed, as opposed to open back design headphones and headsets that have a capsule that is open in design.

Ok, so how will that change the type of model that I may look to buy?

Closed back design:
If you like to immerse yourself completely in your favourite games without being disturbed, you’re on the safe side with closed back models.  This design ensures that outside noises struggle to penetrate in from the outside, and thus helps prevent anyone or anything from distracting you while you’re gaming. Closed gaming headsets are ideal for you if you are:

1. Being distracted by ambient noise around you (gaming at home)
2. Regularly attend LAN parties (and want to reduce noise at the event)
3. Generally, like your audio with a little more bass response

Open back design:
Open back headphones and headsets not only allow some of the game music to escape, but they are also permeable to noise from your surroundings. Accordingly, they are less dominant than closed models and are characterized by the following properties:

1. A natural sound quality
2. More realistic in sound quality
3. Having a lot of atmospheric depth (think sound stage/stereo imaging)

The above can make it easier for you to locate opponents during a First-person shooter game. In addition, the air can circulate better around your ears. This means that you won't feel as uncomfortable in the hotter summer months. So, if you aren't restricted by noisy roommates or noisy LAN events, you could choose an open back design.

NOTE: Many PRO gamers also use our open back studio headphones, such as the DT 990 PRO, Click here for more information.

Microphone quality: Good vocal quality can be the winning advantage

A good microphone is essential for a gaming headset. In the heat of battle, agreements with your teammates can make the difference between victory and defeat. It is therefore important to ensure that your communications are transmitted clearly and distinctly.

A high-quality, integrated microphone ensures that all players can hear your voice perfectly and background noise is next to eliminated.

 
The overall fit: Comfort for long gaming sessions

Ask any die-hard gamer that may spend several hours a day in the virtual world of computer gaming how important comfort is and they will tell you it’s a must have!  Wearing an uncomfortable headphone or headset become very distractive, very quickly.

In this case, you should make sure that your gaming headset or headphone is optimised to fit comfortably.

Several aspects to consider:

1. An ergonomic and lightweight design
2. The use of soft lush earpads
3. Movable adjustable joints incorporated into the design
4. A comfortable, adjustable headband
5. A comfortable lush, padded headband

All the above will help prevent friction and pressure points on your head.

The connection: what type of connection cable is required

3.5mm Jack plugs, USB-C or Wireless connection may be one of the primary requirements to interface with your device.

Jack plugs:
Are typically widely used in gaming headphones and headsets. They are plugged directly into the sound card ports and, in most cases, can be connected to the following devices:

1. PC
2. Laptop
3. TV
4. Smartphone
5. Tablet
6. Console

USB connection:
USB-C gaming headsets have their own sound card to produce optimal sound from a device that has a USB-C connection.


Wireless headsets:

There are now numerous wireless gaming headsets that also provide an excellent sound experience. With our wireless model, the MMX 200, you benefit from the following advantages:

1. Low latency despite being wireless (using the Low Latency dongle)
2. Up to 35 hours battery life
3. Studio-level sound and voice quality
4. Clear voice transmission without disturbing ambient noise

NOTE: Perhaps the most important aspect when considering a wireless headset for gaming is that you look for a headset that offers Low Latency.

So, what is low latency?

A general example: You may remember a time when you were watching a show, and you noticed that the persons voice (via audio) was faster and/or slower that his mouth movements on the show; (typically referred to as “out of sync”).

A headset (without a low latency option) may also deliver the audio signal that is way out of sync with the image that you are watching.

When a device (in this case a wireless headset being the MMX 200) has a low latency option, the headset reduces the signal time/delay from the device to the headset. 

So, if you’re keen on experiencing the freedom of movement that a wireless headset can bring, the MMX 200 may be a good option!

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