Surround sound headphones have a much more complex task compared to regular headphones. With surround sound headphones, it is possible to place right, left, right surround, left surround, center, right, or more surround sound cues precisely in the “space” beyond the borders of your head rather than inside it. Surround sound headphones are commonly for gaming, though the surround sound functionality have always been considered as a marketing gimmick ever since it came into existence. These days, surround sound headphones are gradually becoming the real deal – making use of dedicated software for people to emulate a surround sound experience that helps (quite a lot) in fast-paced competitive multiplayer video games. With surround sound headphones, you’ll be able to pinpoint the exact location of your enemies and kill them before they even know it.
Read our latest guide about the best IR headphones.
How surround sound headphones work
In general, surround sound headphones follow the same principle as that of surround sound speakers – using some discrete speakers that are placed in each headphone cup that handle different channels of sound. Modern surround sound headphone models offer the now familiar 5.1 or 7.1 surround audio; this kind of headphones effectively counter the problem of detached, unnatural sound. The audio it produces no longer appears to be originating directly in the head as the sound enters the ear canal from multiple angles, not like with standard headphones.
Read our complete guide about the best mp3 headphones.
Surround sound headphones strive for the same effect as standard headphones through artificial means. Surround sound headphones have only 2 distinct speakers (one for each ear), as most standard headphones do. As opposed to standard headphones, surround sound headphones rely on either the internal or external pre-amps or mix-amps to translate surround sound or normal stereo signals into surround sound. The said amps rely on algorithms in order to divide signals into smaller and separate angles. Though the sound coming from surround sound headphones enters the ear from 1 or 2 speakers, it is altered in such a way that it appears to be originating from many more sources.
Achieving virtual surround sound
A lot of companies have their own algorithms and methods in order for them to achieve virtual surround sound. What surround sound headphones accomplish is redirecting sound coming from the headphone speaker so that it hits the outer edges of the ear and rolls in over a period of time instead of moving directly into the ear canal. These sound waves will appear to be emanating from multiple angles to avoid the sensation that the sound is being generated directly within the viewer’s head.
What to consider when looking for surround sound headphones
Surround sound execution
Paying attention to how the surround sound has been executed and what king of digital surround sound recreation you can expect from surround suing headphones is a must as the surround sound quality differs from one pair of headphones to another. Just because a certain pair of headphones is described as a surround sound one, you should not take it at face value. Many surround sound headphones have a too synthetic sound. It is also worth noting that the surround sound should put you in the center of the action in a way that is immersive, especially when playing video games or watching movies. A synthetic audio experience is noticeable and will be noticed by those who pay attention to the details.
Comfort
Surround sound headphones are aimed at those who watch movies and play video games – an activity that typically takes multiple hours, which means that you should be looking for excellent comfort. Take for example oversized keycaps – they ensure that the entire ear can fit inside. You should also be looking for headphones with just a little to no pressure placed on the ears as those kind of headphones will prevent sweatiness during long times of wearing them. The headband is another design element that must be considered. Most pairs of headphones, including surround sound ones and standard ones have headbands that are adjustable to comfortably fit the size of your head; they should also be soft to the touch. The overall effect of large ear cups and the headband means that your experience will be comfortable for extended durations of time.
Audio quality
When trying to determine the audio quality, the audio drivers, frequency response, and bass should be considered as it is hard to figure out what kind of audio or sound to expect without trying out the headphones first-hand. Through paying attention to the headphone’s product description’s little details, you’ll be able to figure it out to a certain extent. Also, doing background research on a brand of surround sound headphones that you’re eyeing, is helpful, as it will help you figure out if the brand’s reputation matches your requirements.
Microphone
For those who want to take part in chat when gaming online of those who want to make calls via the internet, a microphone can come in handy. It is good to test out how the microphone performs as a poor quality microphone could be frustrating to use and may lead to you having to repeat yourself just to be heard.
Wireless vs wired
There are a number of surround sound headphones that is Bluetooth technology integrated. The connection quality for Bluetooth devices is becoming better nowadays that you can rely on distortion-free audio. The battery life per charge and the charging time should be taken into account as well, and you must opt for a model with a long battery life if you hate constantly charging your surround sound headphones.
Noise cancellation
Surround sound headphones with noise cancellation features are quite important so you could maximize its features and for the background noise that might surround you to be reduced.
Compatibility and connection
A surround sound headphone’s compatibility with your device is one of the most important considerations that you should remember. The connection used may either via a 3.5mm audio jack, wireless transmission, or through a USB cable. Some surround sound headphones also require a driver for it to be installed in your computer. In cases like this, you should first check on the headphone’s compatibility as some would only work on certain versions of Mac computers, Windows computers, etc. There are also a number of surround sound headphones that are compatible with the Xbox, Sony PlayStation, and more.
Advantages and disadvantages of surround sound headphones
There are naturally advantages and disadvantages to surround sound headphones. Theoretically, true surround sound headphones offer a surround experience that is more accurate given the dedicated drivers for each channel. This feature is especially useful for those looking to use the headphones for gaming, especially in multiplayer games where proper sound placement can mean the difference between being killed or killing. True surround sound headphones have their disadvantages too. Because they utilize surround sound processing and multiple drivers while trying to maintain a reasonable cost point for consumers at the same time, the build quality can be inferior to virtual surround sound headphones. Also, since virtual surround sound headphones’ speakers are larger, they are often capable of producing a dynamic and more powerful sound.
Both true surround sound headphones and virtual surround sound headphones’ technologies may have a hard time to live up to the ideal audible fidelity that you can get from a physical surround sound setup. While advanced processors or multiple drivers in the ear cups can replicate the experience of surround sound, they do not and cannot fully recreate the wide range of tones nor the sense of physical distance created by larger speakers.
Top 15 Best Surround Sound Headphones in 2022
1. Audeze Mobius Headset with Surround Sound
Audeze originated back in 2008 when their founders met an engineer who developed specialized flexible circuit materials for NASA. They then quickly realized the material might be perfect for headphones. Audeze feature powerful custom magnets, extremely thin-fil driver materials, and proprietary planar magnetic designs. Since planars overcome many limitations inherent in typical cone drivers, their lightweight diaphragms are both faster and more responsive than dome or heavier moving-coil drivers.
Design & comfort
The Audeze Mobius looks like a traditional pair of headphones. It is available in 2 colors: blue and copper. Both of its ear pads and top band are padded with memory foam – making for an extremely comfortable headset. It is made of premium materials, which is why the Mobius is hefty, but not to the point where it feels uncomfortable or exhausting to wear. Its tightness is just enough to feel snug – a kind of gaming headset that you can wear through long hours of gaming sessions without getting a headache. Each side of the ear cups has a nice, patterned design, with the left ear cup having all the ports and buttons. The power button is found on the side of the ear cup, which you can push twice to pair to your Bluetooth device. Above the power button is the microphone mute switch. You’ll also find mic and volume dials, USB-C port, mic out, aux in, and the 3D audio button. To switch between 3D audio, auto, and manual, you just have to hold the button down or tap it while facing forward to center the audio.
Performance
The Audeze Mobius produces an amazing sound and has a neutral soundstage and sound signature – making whatever you’re listening to extremely clear and detailed. Because of its neutral and open soundstage, certain types of games sound way better. The Mobius tend to be much more immersive even when the 3D surround sound is not in use. It works in such a way that the audio will shift whenever you turn your head.
Other features
The Audeze Mobius has a removable mic that can be bent into a position that you desire. It has planar magnetic drivers and features head tracking. It also has Bluetooth integration and could also be used via a wired connection. It also integrates Waves Nx technology for a real-time 3D processing in hardware.
Pros
- The audio quality is just superb
- It is very comfortable to wear
- It gives you the most immersive gaming experience on the market
Cons
- The mic doesn’t feel as well constructed and rigid as the rest of the headphones
2. Sony MDR-DS6500 Surround Sound Headphones
Sony’s purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of technology and creativity. They want to pioneer the future with curiosity and dreams, pursue the making of the very best by harnessing varying viewpoints and diversity, earn the trust for their brand through responsible and ethical conduct, and fulfill their responsibilities as a stakeholder through disciplined business practices.
Design & comfort
The Sony MDR-DS6500 has a sleek jet black design with a silver trim on the ear cups. It has buttons that do not stick out anywhere, and has a soft foam on the headrest that fits comfortably to your ears. Like other headphones in its class, the size of the headpiece can be slid and modified pretty easily with just one hand. Because it is wireless and can perform while being up to 328 feet away from the audio transmitter, you are set free from cord constriction, in style.
Performance
With the Sony MDR-DS6500, you get a cinematic sound experience. It gives you the feeling of 7.1 surround sound. It has a 1.57-inch neodymium magnetic dynamic drivers and a lumirror diaphragm. The audio details that this pair of headphones provide is very clear and detailed, and just feels like they are where they should be. It has a 20-hour battery life, meaning that you won’t run out of power in the middle of your gaming session or your favorite show. It also takes only 3 hours to fully recharge and the built-in Li-ion battery has an LED indicator.
Other features
The Sony MDR-DS6500 offers you diversity, giving you numerous options like input options, effect options, and compression options. You get to choose between analog or digital listening and cinema, voice in stereo, game, or no effects. You also get to choose if the sound you’d want to get should be compressed or not. For louder sound effects and natural-sounding audio, it is better to leave the compression off.
Pros
- The claim that it is designed to give you a 7.1 surround sound experience holds pretty well
- The sound is really solid and a good, full range is reproduced
- Has a great range that lets you move around the house without losing the sound
- It is easy and comfortable on the ears
Cons
- Changing options has to be done through manual slider and input switches
- It is mechanically terrible
3. HyperX Cloud II Surround Sound Gaming Headset
HyperX is the high-performance product division of the world’s largest independent manufacturer – Kingston Technology. Founded in 2001, the company began with a line of high-performance memory and over the years has grown to encompass a number of high-performance memory; growing over the years to encompass a number of product lines of solid-state drives, USB flash drives, memory modules, mouse pads, and headsets. Their products feature best-in-class components that deliver grander performance, aesthetic design, and quality for more than a decade. Their products are one of the top choice of tech enthusiasts, top-rated gamers, and overclockers worldwide. The company has made it their commitment to deliver reliable products with the highest performance standards.
Design & comfort
The HyperX Cloud II has a stylish, understated appearance – making it one of the best-looking surround sound headphones at its price range. Its band is leatherette-coated and its ear cups come connected by metal forks on both sides – allowing each of them to be adjusted for about an inch up or down. Its ear cups swivel back and forth. It has metal-brushed, sport slick exteriors and its band’s top packs an attractively embroidered logo. Its mic could also be extended for up to 6 inches. Additionally, it has a large foam tip and a highly flexible coil and is completely detachable – transforming the headphone into a sweet-looking and pretty pair. It also includes USB dongle controls for game volume, chat volume, muting the mic, and toggling 7.1 surround sound. It also comes with a clothing clip. With its feathery 11oz construction and memory foam headband and ear cups, you’ll never have the urge to take it off over even for extended gaming sessions and frequent use.
Performance
The HyperX Cloud II transmits and delivers a very clear and detailed sound. Its audio output is also pretty impressive. With the virtual 7.1 surround sound turned on, it definitely makes a difference – making for a better highlight details when gaming. Its mic also performs really well, with just a minimal background noise.
Other features
The HyperX Cloud II includes a number of accessories including a carry case, a replaceable velour ear cushion, and an airline adaptor.
Pros
- Has a lightweight and stylish design
- Has both pleather and plush ear covers
- Has a comfortable and modular design and overall a premium build quality
Cons
- Carry case is pretty flimsy
4. Sennheiser PC 373D Surround Sound Gaming Headset
Shaping the future of audio, Sennheiser has a vision built on more than 70 years of history of a continued drive for excellence and innovation that is woven into the company’s culture and DNA. Their employees all over the world share this passion in pursuing the perfect sound – designing and manufacturing products that set new benchmarks in audio all while exceeding expectations.
Design & comfort
The Sennheiser PC 373D is aesthetically understated and handsome. Each one of its components is matte black in color – seamlessly complementing your battle station or office setup. It has a comfy and secure headband that is adjustable – so you won’t have to consider the size of your head. Its plush and extra large velvet ear pads also offer a spacious fit, with the right ear cup having a volume adjustment wheel – allowing you to tweak in the heat of battle. It has a 10ft braided cable which is long enough to reach the desktop towers’ back. It is also extremely comfortable that you might forgot wearing it during extra-long gaming sessions. It has a lightweight 12.5oz frame, too, and its plush ear cups do not get suffocatingly hot afterhours of playing.
Performance
The Sennheiser PC 373D features an incredible 7.1 Dolby surround sound – making about every single game that you play sound significantly fuller. Its surround sound feature also allows you to exactly pinpoint where the enemy’s blaster fire is coming from, and makes thermal detonator explosions sound impactful.
Other features
The Sennheiser PC 373D has a companion app that gives you some extra features that are not overwhelming. There are 3 sound presets, too: game, e-sport, and music. Its equalizer could also be turned off if you’re into a more neutral sound. Its companion app also lets you toggle the mic’s noise cancellation. The headset’s sidetone’s intensity could also be adjusted – letting you hear your own voice when chatting.
Pros
- Has a companion app that lets you further customize the headset
- The surround sound feature is immersive
- Is extremely lightweight and comfortable
- Has a crisp microphone
Cons
- With the surround sound off, it noticeably loses richness and directionality
5. Corsair Void Pro Surround Sound Gaming Headset
Corsair was founded in 1994 and has since been growing from pioneering the high-performance market – becoming one of the world’s leading providers of high-quality and high-performance computer peripherals and components. The company offers a wide range of products to equip enthusiasts, gamers, and e-sports athletes. These products include precision gaming mice, mechanical keyboards, wireless headsets, high-performance components, and much more. They are committed to designing and manufacturing innovative and quality design. The company has earned their place in gamers’ hands with thousands of industry and media awards. Their team is dedicated to manufacturing great products that they themselves would like to use.
Design & comfort
The Corsair Void Pro’s design creates a premium impression with its RGB lighting. It has a plastic design – which isn’t quite as premium as it lacks the robust feel that you’re likely to experience with more expensive headsets. The plastic construction helps keep the Void Pro’s weigh less, which is ideal for extended gaming sessions. The outside features metal pillars, making it feel like a durable headset that could probably withstand abuse and won’t break easily. It also is very comfortable to wear, thanks to its padded ear cups and the band that goes over your head. Its RGB feature also lets you choose from a range of colors through configuring it via the headset’s software. The Corsair logo that gets the glowing treatment of this pair of headphones is pretty nice, too. The mic arm is positioned on the left of the headset, and could be raised or lowered – helping you become aware of whether the mic is on or off. There is also a button for muting the mic on the left side, a micro-USB port for charging, and a power button for turning it on.
Performance
The Corsair Void Pro will not disappoint you in terms of sound quality, considering the fact that it is aimed primarily for gamers and its price point. Its sound signature is pretty well-balanced, and is also nice when using it to listen to music. It has a vivid and punchy audio and the virtual surround sound is great. Its volume can be controlled through a dial on its left side, and the mic does a pretty good job of delivering speech, all while keeping the background noise to a minimum. Its battery life is pretty good, too.
Other features
The Corsair Void Pro has an automatic shutdown feature that turns it off when it is not in use. Its wireless range is very good too, and covers pretty much a large room. It comes in different versions – wired, USB or analogue, and wireless.
Pros
- Is a nicely designed headset that has a balanced, stylish design
- Has a believable 7.1 virtual surround implementation
- It is a good-looking headset
Cons
- The mic sometimes do not automatically turn on when lowered
6. Audiux True Multidimensional Surround Sound Headphones
Design & comfort
The Audiux True Multidimensional Surround Sound Headphones is designed for comfort, with its self-adjusting headband that could be easily worn for extended gaming sessions for gamers that want a non-stop and comfortable experience. Its ear cushions are covered by soft leather and are made with conforming density memory foam pads.
Performance
The Audiux True Multidimensional Surround Sound Headphone’s surround sound feature produces a high-quality and natural sound and has a patented neodymium driver structure that comes with medium frequency, two bass, and two drives that output high frequency – giving you the ultimate 3D music and gaming experience. Its all metal cavity structure makes for a better music and sound resonance response, together with a purer 3D stereo sound – making every strum of the guitar, every beat of the drum, and action-packed noise smooth and crystal cleat for the ultimate listening experience. Creating a sound that is very similar to what you would hear on a stage is its linear array structure design and special frequency. The 3D sound of the Audiux True Multidimensional Surround Sound Headphones lets you hear sound from the front, back, left, and right directions – making you feel like you are in a theater, concert, or inside the game you’re playing.
Other features
The Audiux True Multidimensional Surround Sound Headphones is multi-device compatible – being compatible with MP3, MP4, iPhones, iPads, and a lot more mobile devices. It includes a nice and convenient carrying pouch and a 5-foot long copper, nylon braided cable, making it durable enough.
Pros
- The sound it produces is nice and the headset itself feels great and comfortable
- It blocks out all the background nice
- Its build quality and fit are impressive
- Its sound seems to be projected in your head and retains a good channel separation and a vertical or narrow soundstage
Cons
- Its clamping pressure, while being light, tends to start being a little uncomfortable over time
7. Logitech G633 Artemis Spectrum Surround Sound Headphones
Logitech G is comprised of a team focused on exploring the possibilities of play and pushing the boundaries of performance. They are dedicated to meeting the challenge of the forever evolving gaming world. Through designing better gear and game integration, they facilitate a greater gaming experience. They hold a long list of industry firsts in the gaming gear’s advancement. The company is also known for having a long legacy of optimizing engineering and inventing new technology.
Design & comfort
The Logitech G633 Artemis Spectrum is available in both white and black variants – making it an attractive piece of hardware. It is quite big and has large ear cups and support pillars that are pretty thick, making it durable. It has a large plastic headband housed in its upper section, which is neatly engraved with a series of lines. The headband is also adjustable so you won’t have to worry about it not fitting your head because it can accommodate any sized head. Coated in a layer of cloth-covered foam is its underside, making the unit produce a rather tight fit against one’s head. It still remains comfortable over extended gaming sessions, though. Both of its left and right ear cups are rotatable by 90 degrees, and feature side panels that are magnetic that can be removed to reveal its replaceable battery and USB dongle. It has a matte plastic finish that seems strong and well-constructed. Spanning its sides are veins of RGB lighting that comes in an array of customizable dials and buttons lining the left hand side.
Performance
The Logitech G633 Artemis Spectrum has an excellent, raw audio performance that is certainly tailored for gaming. The sound it produces is detailed without traces of distortion and static. It also has an excellent bass response with plenty of punch. It has both Dolby and DTS virtual surround sound technology – making it capable of a more expansive audio experience. With regards to music, this pair performs relatively well, with tracks having low-end kick while still having controlled highs. Its mic performs excellently and clearly records voice.
Other features
The Logitech G633 Artemis Spectrum has a maximum range of 20 meters and its battery lasts for about 8 to 10 hours. It also is customizable using Logitech’s gaming software – giving you the ability to configure its surround sound settings, configure the RGB lighting, and tweak the equalizer.
Pros
- Has a comfortable and nice design, coupled with a good microphone and great audio quality
- Has a flawless wireless performance
- Is customizable
Cons
- Battery life is among the lowest in its class
- Has fiddly controls
8. Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Surround Sound Gaming Headset for Xbox One
Design & comfort
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 has sharp edges bisecting its ear cups and has bright green highlights. Its boom mic folds all the way back – parallel to its ear cup. The ear cups swivel a little bit – helping them fit comfortably on your head. The ear cups also fold up for portability reasons. The headband’s foam padding is plush and has a lot to give. The left ear cup houses the chat-volume dial, the volume dial, and the charging port, while the right ear cup houses the power button, the equalization button (which lets you choose between 4 modes), and the pairing button. All of its buttons are quite simple. With the Stealth 600’s technology called ProSpecs, the headset’s ear cups are made easier on people who wear glasses. The headset really is easy on the ears, and manages to make a good seal without being uncomfortable. It has a strange, upright construction though, which tend to lean forward a bit. Because of this, the headset sits behind the crown, and not behind the forehead.
Performance
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 sounds spectacular, and offers both surround sound and stereo mode on the Xbox One or the PS4. It produces a balanced and clear audio. It also handles music quite well as it produces a subtle, rich, and a seemingly full of life sound. Overall, it delivers a superlative sound for both music and gaming, which is the main factor that you’ll have to consider when looking for a headset.
Other features
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 can be configured (though there are limited configurations to be done) through Turtle Beach’s Audio Hub software. With the software, you can alter the volume of the tones and switch among its 4 equalization modes, which include treble boost, balanced sound, bass boost, and chat boost.
Pros
- It has a striking design and pretty nice colors
- The audio it produces is pretty decent and comes with a number of bespoke profiles
- Both the mic and button placement is intuitive
- Delivers up to 15 hours per charge
Cons
- It kind of feels cheap because of its plastic construction
- Audio can be muffled sometimes
9. LucidSound LS31 Wireless Surround Sound Headphones
Committed to bringing positive change to the gaming industry, LucidSound is comprised of industry veterans, with their collective experience allowing them to take a fresh approach to gaming audio and the knowledge to build high-quality products. They are aspired to design products that anyone can enjoy as they recognize that gaming is truly for everyone. Specifically crafted audio products that LucidSound produces meet gamers’ needs in their everyday lives. Believing that less is sometimes more helps them translate to their simple intuitive controls and sleek designs. The company’s philosophy is to make their products look great, feel great, sound great, and simple.
Design & comfort
The LucidSound LS31 is a nice gaming headset that doesn’t really look like one if its mic is detached. With the mic detached, it looks like regular headphones with thick padding. Due to the thin plastic used on its cups, the LucidSound LS31 looks a bit cheap. This headset has a gray and metallic finish for around the cups and the headframe – giving it a premium look. It only comes in a single color scheme option which is gray. The ear cups of this particular headset has all the controls, with large dials on each ear cup that lets you control the game and chat volume independently. The ear cups come with a red LED that is there to visually inform you of whether the game sound and the mic are muted. In terms of comfort, the LucidSound LS31 delivers quite well, and you won’t feel uncomfortable even on extended gaming sessions. Both its ear cups and headband have thick padding. The headset is also pretty light in weight regardless of its bulky design. It also has a low clamping force.
Performance
The LucidSound LS31 sounds decent – with a good mid-range and deep bass. It has an average soundstage and its harmonic distortion performance is good. With its dual mic system, speech is recorded and transmitted clearly and full-bodied. It also does a great job at separating ambient noise from speech.
Other features
The LucidSOund LS31 has a pretty good battery life that could last up to 15 hours per charge. It has 3 modes: normal, bass boost, and treble boost. It also features mic monitoring which basically lets you hear your own voice. Its ear pads are also easily replaceable.
Pros
- Its gray and metal design is stylish
- Audio is crystal clear and the headset controls are simple
- Has a decent and immersive soundstage
Cons
- Its mic is poor
- Requires an extra cable to use voice chat on Xbox One
10. Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset
Logitech G is comprised of a team focused on exploring the possibilities of play and pushing the boundaries of performance. They are dedicated to meeting the challenge of the forever evolving gaming world. Through designing better gear and game integration, they facilitate a greater gaming experience. They hold a long list of industry firsts in the gaming gear’s advancement. The company is also known for having a long legacy of optimizing engineering and inventing new technology.
Design & comfort
The Logitech G533 is quite large and fairly heavy, but does not waste any space. It is all black in color and looks plain and refined without extraneous flash or frills. Its ear cups are black and glossy, and are both adorned with a Logitech G symbol. To adjust its fit, it incorporates a notch system. The headband and ear cups have a comfortable mesh padding. The left ear cup houses the volume wheel, a programmable button, and the boom mic that extends out with the help of a flexible arm. The Logitech G533 doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio jack, which could be a downside for some. It has an even weight distribution – making it easy to wear for extended hours of gaming sessions. The ear cups that are covered with mesh fabric are also especially soft, pliable, and plush.
Performance
The Logitech G533 has settings for both surround sound and stereo. Additionally, it has a variety of equalization options. It offers some real depth to its sound too, and handles every game genre with equal fidelity and grace. In terms of its music performance. It excels in the absolute variety of equalization and surround sound options that it offers. Its mic also works pretty well, combining a built-in pop filter and a silky voice pickup that truly eliminates the harshness of ‘s’ and ‘p’ sounds. Its battery life lasts for about 16 hours per charge, and has a wireless range of about 30 feet.
Other features
The Logitech G533 works with Logitech’s gaming software – allowing you to modify equalization options, monitor battery life, link profile settings with individual games, and turn the surround sound feature on and off.
Pros
- It is comfortable to wear
- Has an impressive wireless range of 30 feet
- Has an engaging gaming audio
- It has sleek looks
- Its retractable mic is brilliant
Cons
- Its audio settings require a little tweaking for you to get the best of it
11. Logitech G433 Gaming Headset
Logitech G is comprised of a team focused on exploring the possibilities of play and pushing the boundaries of performance. They are dedicated to meeting the challenge of the forever evolving gaming world. Through designing better gear and game integration, they facilitate a greater gaming experience. They hold a long list of industry firsts in the gaming gear’s advancement. The company is also known for having a long legacy of optimizing engineering and inventing new technology.
Design & comfort
The Logitech G433 is available in a variety of colors: black, blue, red, and a blue camouflage pattern. It could be said that it is one of the best-looking gamin/surround sound headsets on the market today. It has a mesh-fabric design, coupled with large, over the ear cups and sleek, slim headband. It has a braided cable for PCs, a detachable boom mic, a splitter for separate mic and audio connections, a smooth cable for mobile connections, and a USB adapter. There’s also an extra set of ear cups included in the package that offers a soft, fabric feel, as well as a circular carrying case for storage and protection. Both the mobile and PC cables have in-line volume control dials and mic-mute buttons. The headband has adequate padding, and the headset is lightweight.
Performance
The Logitech G433 performs pretty decently in general. The soundscape also gets the job done for a variety of genres. It also offers DTS 7.1 surround sound and its sound is overall functional, though not best in class. It handles music competently – the bass, vocals, and treble are clear enough.
Other features
The Logitech G433 is compatible with Logitech’s Gaming Software. With the software, you can select the color of your headset – which is a nice touch. You can also control the mic’s side tone, customize surround sound options, toy with equalization settings, and create sound profiles for individual games.
Pros
- Has a stylish fabric design
- Is highly versatile and is comfortable to wear
- Mic is great
- Is compatible with PC, console, and mobile devices
Cons
- Not best suited for listening to music
- The ear pad’s fabric is quite uncomfortable
12. RUNMUS Gaming Surround Sound Stereo Headset
Dedicated to designing products that further push professional gaming than anyone dreamed, RUNMUS make gaming innovations that make their products more competitive and fun for gamers. They combine the necessity of durability and professional-grade quality with their unyielding pursuit of modern and simple design. Every switch, button, and key of their products is designed with gamers in mind. They have made it their goal to deliver gaming peripheral that will make you feel like it’s an extension of you.
Design & comfort
The RUNMUS Gaming Surround Sound Stereo Headset has an ergonomic design for long time wear, with a retractable band and a breathable ear pad. For many years, they have tested their headsets on hundreds of different heads – making sure that each and every player could enjoy the optimal wearing comfort. They use only the best and premium materials to manufacture the RUNMUS Gaming Surround Sound Stereo Headset, aiming to provide accompaniment to every customer as long as possible. This headset has a fascinating LED light, too. The LED lights can be found on both sides of the ear cups – making the headset look a lot cooler.
Performance
The RUNMUS Gaming Surround Sound Stereo Headset offers 7.1 surround sound in order to enhance the immersive gaming experience. It has highly responsive audio drivers that let you better make out the direction from which the sound is coming from. It also filters most ambient noises, thanks to its high-end noise cancelling microphone. Its noise cancelling microphone also enables you to chat with your fellow players with crystal clear clarity. The mic could also be turned off by flipping the switch if you want to enjoy your valuable me-time without communicating with your fellow players.
Other features
The RUNMUS Gaming Surround Sound Stereo Headset is compatible with multiple platforms as it has a 3.5mm audio jack that is compatible with PC, Xbox One controller, PS4 controller, Nintendo New 3DS, and the Nintendo Switch.
Pros
- It works beyond expectations with its crystal clear sound that lets you hear every detail
- Its cushions are very comfortable and don’t get uncomfortable after wearing them for hours
- It has a superior balanced sound, with the treble and the bass working well with one another
Cons
- It is quite bulky
13. Logitech G430 Surround Sound Gaming Headset
Logitech G is comprised of a team focused on exploring the possibilities of play and pushing the boundaries of performance. They are dedicated to meeting the challenge of the forever evolving gaming world. Through designing better gear and game integration, they facilitate a greater gaming experience. They hold a long list of industry firsts in the gaming gear’s advancement. The company is also known for having a long legacy of optimizing engineering and inventing new technology.
Design & comfort
The Logitech G430 has an attractive black and blue color scheme, a simple adjustable mic, and a comfortable foam padding around the adjustable headband. This headset’s design is all about simplicity and elegance. It is made of steel and thin plastic, its ears cups do swivel, and its mic is designed to bend. The Logitech G430 offers standard mic and audio jacks together with a USB connector – meaning that you could simply connect it to your computer if you’d rather not toy around with third-part software. This also allows you to plug it right into your mobile device and just listen to music. In terms of comfort, the Logitech G430 is pretty nice – featuring an adjustable headband, foam padding, and swiveling ear cups. All these add to the ease of wearing it for hours on end without feeling uncomfortable.
Performance
The Logitech G430 offers Dolby 7.1 surround sound, which gives the headset directionality. Its mic works perfectly well too and with a lot of clarity. It has a very good, deep, and punchy bass coupled with a well-balanced and excellent mid-range and a good treble – making the headset suitable for most genres. It also has a decent distortion and imaging performance.
Other features
The Logitech G430 comes with a gaming software that lets you further customize the sound – bringing you a lot of opportunities to tailor it to the games that you play in accordance to your preference and necessities.
Pros
- It reproduces audio well and the mic is good too
- Latency is negligible
- Has a breathable and comfortable design
Cons
- Build quality is mediocre
- Has a poor noise isolation and a relatively high leakage
14. RUNMUS Gaming Headset
Dedicated to designing products that further push professional gaming than anyone dreamed, RUNMUS make gaming innovations that make their products more competitive and fun for gamers. They combine the necessity of durability and professional-grade quality with their unyielding pursuit of modern and simple design. Every switch, button, and key of their products is designed with gamers in mind. They have made it their goal to deliver gaming peripheral that will make you feel like it’s an extension of you.
Design & comfort
The RUNMUS Gaming Headset is made of lightweight material and is ergonomically designed for all day comfort. It utilizes self-adjusting padded headband and all-cover ear cups with memory foam – offering an ultra-comfortable wearing experience. Its soft ear cups has bionic protein cushion coat that will cover your ears gently. Made of lightweight and flexible plastic, it overall weighs only 12oz – eliminating discomfort that may come from the headband and the ear cups.
Performance
The RUNMUS Gaming Headset allows for an immersive gaming experience with the help of its true surround sound effect. It adapts a superior 50mm driver combined with advanced audio techniques. Because it delivers simulated surround sound, it will definitely enhance your gaming experience. Its responsive audio drivers helps you better make out the direction from which the sound is coming. Also, it has an anti-static and noise cancelling microphone for crystal clear communication – filtering most of the environmental noise around you and provide real-time talking without any delay.
Other features
The RUNMUS Gaming Headset is compatible with multiple platforms including the PS4, PS Vita, PSP, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo New 3DS, Windows PC, Mac OS PC, iOS devices, and Android devices. It also has an upgraded 7.1 audio IC, helping it present an incredible simulated surround sound. Its audio cable is robust and is knitted – making it stronger and more durable compared to a normal plastic audio cable.
Pros
- The cushioning is nice and gets the job done; the headband is very comfortable too
- The materials used to make the headset blend together nicely
- It has a very good stereo panning
- The mic very clearly picks up your voice
Cons
- It is quite heavy
15. Vinpie Stereo Surround Sound Gaming Headset
Design & comfort
The Vinpie Stereo Surround Sound Gaming Headset has a great humanized design, with a super comfortable over-ear pads with good air permeability protein. It also features multi-points headband that is in accordance with the human body. Its leather material is skin-friendly and can be used for a long period of time. On the earmuffs, you will find glaring LED lights – highlighting the game atmosphere. It also brings a powerful vibration feel for a great gaming experience.
Performance
The Vinpie Stereo Surround Sound Gaming Headset has a strong, surrounding subwoofer with a clear sound and a splendid ambient noise isolation. Its high-precision 50mm drivers help deliver true surround sound and its precise acoustic positioning enhances the speaker unit’s sensitivity – bringing you clear sound and a vivid sound field. It has a headset-integrated omni-directional mic that transmits high-quality communication with its superior noise cancelling feature. Its mic can pick up sound with great sensitivity while also removing the background noise – enabling you to clearly deliver and receive messages while in game. The mic is long and flexible, allowing for adjusting angle convenience.
Other features
The Vinpie Stereo Surround Sound Gaming Headset is multi-platform compatible. It is compatible with the PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo 3DS, laptops, PSP, tablets, iPad, and mobile phones.
Pros
- Is a really nice headset for gaming
- Has ground surround sound
- Has comfortable ear pads
- Mic quality is great
Cons
- None