I have been reviewing gaming peripherals for some time, and as someone who is been a PC gamer for so long as I can bear in mind, there is one issue that always bugs me gaming headset.
I’m now not saying headsets don’t have their region, especially for console gamers who want a brief solution for sound and a microphone in one device. But why are so many headsets being pushed for PC gamers?
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I get it headsets are convenient. You don’t have to worry about separate devices for audio and communication. For professional esports players at LAN events, headsets make sense. You don’t want to fiddle with microphone placement or desk clutter during a tournament. But for the rest of us? Whether it’s chatting with friends during a game or making small talk in a Valorant match, we want to sound good without compromising on audio quality or spending a fortune.
My advice is simple: skip the headset and invest in two separate devices.
Why I’m Against Headsets
The trouble with gaming headsets is which you regularly pay extra and get less. We’ve all skilled that letdown you unbox an highly-priced tech gadget, and after the excitement fades, it doesn’t stay up for your expectancies.
I’ve examined several headsets advertised to PC game enthusiasts, and there’s one issue that stands proud: the microphone great is always a letdown. The compact layout of headset mics means they cannot seize sound as actually as a standalone microphone. It’s mainly irritating when you’ve spent loads on some thing that doesn’t carry out as it must.
Take the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro ($249), as an example. It’s one of the higher headsets I’ve tried, however my voice still sounds muffled and bassy. And don’t even get me started on the Turtle Beach Atlas Air ($179) the Bluetooth connection was so bad that talking on Discord felt like a chore.
You Don’t Have to Be a Streamer to Get Great Sound
Standalone microphones are a extraordinary manner to enhance your audio first-class without breaking the financial institution. Most USB mics are plug-and-play, so that you can set them up in seconds, and even the cheaper alternatives regularly outperform the best headset mics.
If you’re into content advent, you would possibly want to spend money on a exquisite microphone. The Sennheiser Profile for $99 is an superb choice for streamers or everyone who wishes their voice to sound crisp and professional.
But if you just want a strong mic for gaming and chatting, you don’t want to move all out. One of my favorites is the HyperX Solocast ($forty nine). It’s low-priced, reliable, and ideal for Discord and in-sport voice chats. I use it after I play Counter-Strike 2, in which clear verbal exchange is vital.
If you’re willing to spend a piece extra, the Blue Yeti Nano is a high-quality option. It’s compact, brilliant for small desks, and affords extremely good sound exceptional. The JLab Talk, presently priced at $42, is any other price range-friendly option with easy overall performance and both USB and aux connectivity.
These mics will provide you with a substantial development in sound high-quality over headset mics, and that they won’t take in too much area in your table.
Headphones That Deliver
Once you’ve got a USB mic, you’ll have lots of money left over for an awesome pair of headphones. The amusing element about the usage of a separate microphone is that it opens up your options for headphones. You can nevertheless use a headset just like the Audeze Maxwell ($299) for pinnacle-notch sound quality, but now you can pair it with a better mic.
Personally, I like headphones that supply superb sound for each video games and music. You don’t must spend a ton to get audiophile-great sound. My top select is the Sennheiser HD 560s, which charges about $175. These headphones offer studio-fine sound, perfect for gaming and track.
I pick stressed out headphones due to the fact they provide the quality sound nice and have no latency. But if you need the benefit of wireless, there are plenty of extraordinary over-ear options. One of my favorites is the Sony WH-1000XM5, although it’s on the pricier facet at over $three hundred. Still, it’s similar in fee to excessive-quit gaming headsets like the Sony Inzone five or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, each of which are around $three hundred.
Conclusion
It makes me unhappy to see PC gamers spend a lot on gaming headsets when higher, extra lower priced alternatives are accessible. A separate microphone and headphones will come up with some distance higher sound pleasant, and you gained’t need to be that individual whose pals courteously advocate upgrading their mic.
