5 things to look for when buying an Xbox / PC gaming headset

Source: Windows Primal

In the market for a gaming headset? If you are, you lot'll probably be aware of the vast range of options out at that place. Manufacturers like Corsair, Razer, LucidSound, Turtle Beach, HyperX and beyond make a vast range of sound products, many of which feature in our roundups like all-time Xbox One headset, best Xbox Serial X and Series Southward headsets, best Xbox Wireless headsets, and best Xbox headsets nether $100. Our aforementioned guides provide tons of options, but if you lot're interested in doing some of your ain research, here are some tips and full general rules of thumb when you're hunting for a new pair of headphones.

1. Compatibility

Source: Windows Central

One potentially confusing aspect of buying a headset from the outset is the issue of compatibility. Some headsets might exist advertised equally "Licensed by Xbox" and still work on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, PC, and so on. When information technology comes to compatibility, at that place are a few general rules and ports which tin provide clarity on what platforms your prospective headset will run on.

• By and large, nearly headsets list on the box which platforms they're compatible with, so exist sure to read the store listing in full.
• If the headset is iii.5mm wired (the standard cable for nigh headsets), information technology'll practically work with annihilation. Xbox 1 and PlayStation controllers have 3.5mm sockets for audio, and the Nintendo Switch has a 3.5mm socket in its base.
• Some headsets come up with Bluetooth, which is supported past most laptops, tablets, and phones, merely not all PCs take Bluetooth capability without a separate dongle. Likewise, Xbox consoles are not uniform with Bluetooth headsets, unless they also have a 3.5mm cablevision option, or an Xbox Wireless signal baked in, such as the Bluetooth Xbox Wireless combo headset LucidSound LS50X, or the upcoming official Xbox Wireless Headset.
• USB-based headsets volition nearly always work on modern Windows PCs, but not all of them work with Xbox consoles unless stated.
• Some wireless Xbox headsets tin connect direct to the Xbox without a USB stick indicate receiver, such as the Turtle Beach Stealth 600. Others, however, exercise take up a USB slot with a dongle receiver, like the Plantronics RIG 800LX.
• There's also a niche of headsets that use SPDIF optical cables to feed audio directly from a Tv to a base receiver. The Astro A50 can function purely as a USB-based headset for PCs and consoles. Notwithstanding, information technology can also receiver audio over the optical cable and fifty-fifty mix two sources using this method.

2. Wireless vs. Wired

Source: Windows Central

With compatibility locked down, y'all'll next desire to consider wirelessness vs. wired headsets. Wireless headsets used to be a fleck iffy when it came to indicate quality. Still, the technology has improved to the signal where differentiating between wired and wireless sound is nearly incommunicable to the naked ear. Bluetooth remains a bit dodgy, but generally, your Xbox or PC headset volition utilise a proprietary radio signal which is far stronger. Every bit such, it effectively comes downwards to preference.

If you're not a fan of headsets draining your controller'south battery or don't similar your workspace chaotic with cables, a wireless headset may exist the best option for you. Some headsets even let the mixing of multiple radio signals, such as the Lucidsound LS50X, letting you mix a Bluetooth source from a phone or laptop with a wireless USB source from a console or PC. Wireless headsets are more often than not more expensive as a trade-off, though. Yous can get a like sound experience for much, much less if yous're willing to buy something with cables, similar the HyperX CloudX headset.

3. Frequency response and speaker type

Source: Windows Central

Many headsets list their speaker size and frequency response on their products, but what do they actually hateful?

Speaker size, by and large around 40mm or 50mm, refers to the speaker's physical size inside the earcup. Larger speakers can potentially produce a more immersive feel, with some reaching upwards to 60mm. For surround sound algorithms like Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos, potentially, larger speakers can provide a greater sense of positional awareness. The speaker's quality and the tuning of the audio reproduction also tin play a large part in how you volition perceive the audio on the other terminate. Even things similar ear shape and skull shape can affect how different people experience dissimilar headsets, and naturally, everybody's hearing degrades as we age. A youngster may experience a headset very different from an older gamer, for case.

The Audeze Penrose Ten definitely has an edge when information technology comes to pure audio.

Frequency response refers to the range of frequencies a headset can produce across the audio spectrum. For gaming, we have bassy lows that cover sound effects similar explosions and rumbling to crisp highs, which can accentuate enemy footsteps on the crunchy footing or the clang of a reloaded clip. A more immersive headset will find a balance across the lows, mids, and highs to create a realistic-sounding audio profile. Some headsets, however, accentuate tactical sound effects similar footsteps and enemy movements to help you in competitive play. Turtle Embankment's "SuperHuman Hearing" is one such feature that claims to do this.

Nigh headsets, on average, list a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range, give or take a few on the high or depression finish. Some headsets like the Audeze Penrose X sport advanced planar magnet technology to reproduce audio and have a much broader frequency response. However, over again, as we age, the spectrum of frequencies we can actually perceive diminishes. Most humans tin can't perceive sound outside of this average range, although you may all the same become a sense of college quality from a broader frequency range. The Audeze Penrose X definitely has an edge in pure audio, despite their incredibly high cost.

4. Features

Source: Windows Central

It's worth having an overview of what actress features the headset potentially has before diving in. The Astro A50, for case, has a magnetic charge dock that charges your headset's batteries when non in use. The LucidSound LS50X comes with a hardshell carrying example for travel. Corsair's HS75 XB has Dolby Atmos as an integration, meaning you don't have to buy a license to get the Atmos environs algorithm while using them.

One feature I ever cheque before investigating a headset purchase is mic monitoring (also called sidetone). This feature feeds your voice dorsum to you and so you lot can self-regulate your volume and not yell loudly while speaking. It tends to be wireless headsets that have this feature or headsets with a USB audio controller. But in some cases, fifty-fifty wireless headsets don't have mic monitoring, which is a shame.

Also, check reviews for configuration software features. Wired headsets are mostly "what you come across is what you become," but wireless headsets with onboard firmware and processing often come with software you can employ to go actress settings and features. Astro headsets accept very robust software on PC and Xbox for changing EQ presets. For example, with the ability to tweak sidetone and even the dissonance gate level on the microphone, block out external noise.

5. Value

Source: Windows Central

The final matter to look for is value, which is a fleck catchy without having piles of headsets lying around for comparing's sake. To that end, it'due south worth checking multiple reviews across multiple sources to determine if y'all think whatsoever detail headset would be the best for you.

Price doesn't always necessarily mean all-time, peculiarly when information technology comes to headsets. Some of the most expensive headsets on the market, including the Audeze Penrose Ten or the Astro A50, may not necessarily be the best headset for you. Audeze's headset, for example, uses avant-garde planar drivers, which seems to inflate the cost a fair flake. While it does provide an edge in sound quality, I'1000 not certain it's such a huge advantage over much cheaper options. Similarly, the Astro A50 is $300 simply doesn't necessarily have the best audio or design. Information technology's all about that magnetic charge dock, which is a great characteristic, but perhaps you simply want great audio instead.

Our headset roundups are a great place to first, either mode, featuring products we've personally tested in-house. Our best Xbox I headset, best Xbox Series 10 and Series Southward headsets, best Xbox Wireless headsets, and best Xbox headsets under $100 all provide a good overview of the headset options out at that place, all of which are compatible with Windows PCs in various means. From there, y'all can get a good pic of what is potentially on offer earlier doing further inquiry.

If you take any questions about headsets, feel free to driblet them in the comments beneath too, and I'll effort and answer them for y'all!

Xbox

Main

• What is Xbox Game Laissez passer?
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• Must-purchase Xbox One Headsets
• Our Favorite Xbox I Wireless Headsets
• All-time Upcoming Xbox Games for 2022
• Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series South

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/things-look-when-buying-xbox-pc-gaming-headset

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