When we think of gaming headsets, we often imagine sweaty gamers in dark rooms wearing glowing RGB headphones. The truth is, most gaming headsets are highly adaptable to life outside of a gaming den, whether it’s for work or listening to music. Here are a few reasons why you might choose a gaming headset over a standard one, even if you’re not a gamer.
1. They deliver top quality sound
Gamers are very picky about their audio, so most gaming headsets produce crisp, clear sound that goes directly into your ears. This delivers a far better audio experience than PC speakers or your computer’s built-in sound system.
For example, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless boasts 96KHz / 24-Bit Hi-Res audio that’s very rich and detailed. This headset also works with software that lets you modify the EQ and voice settings, so that you can get the audio sounding exactly how you want it.
Similarly, the Audeze Maxwell Wireless is a premium gaming headset with 96KHz / 24-Bit sound. It has 90 mm planar magnetic drivers that deliver an audiophile-grade sound, which is very impressive.
2. They’re very comfortable
Gaming headsets have a certain number of commonalities, one of which is that they need to be highly comfortable for the long gaming sessions. Most gamers play for hours at a time. Headsets, therefore, need to be more than tolerable, they need to feel great.
That’s why gaming headsets come with plush PU leather or mesh earcups. Most also have adjustable headbands for a precise fit. Meanwhile, extra features like rotating cups provide a degree of horizontal movement, which help prevent players from getting stiff necks.
While they may be comfortable, these headsets also have to withstand the rigors of gaming life, so they’re often made from robust materials like metal.
3. They have spatial audio
The biggest difference between a standard headset and a gaming one is that the latter has spatial audio. This allows players to hear the sound all around them instead of just left or right, allowing players to become totally engrossed in their games.
But it also serves another purpose: it can give players a competitive edge. By knowing where the sounds are coming from, for example, player footsteps, gunfire, or grenades, players have better spatial awareness and can react at a moment’s notice.
Spatial audio is just as good for movies, too, so you don’t need to be a gamer to enjoy it.
4. Noise cancelation is good
Background noise can be a huge distraction, whether it’s from appliances or conversations in the next room. Most gaming headsets I’ve used have good noise cancelation. They’ve got either passive noise cancelation, where the earcups become the barrier to external sound, or active noise cancelation (ANC), a technology that’s designed to listen for background noise and reduce it.
ANC works by using tiny microphones to pick up background noise. These microphones analyze any sound and make a counter signal to cancel it out. In gaming headsets, the noise canceling feature is present in both the speakers and the microphone.
Again, this is in pursuit of immersion. Gamers don’t want any other sound interfering with the audio of their games, so blocking external sound is important.
Clamp pressure is important for passive noise cancelation, too, as gaming headsets need a certain amount of pressure on the ears. Of course, too much pressure isn’t a good thing. While it’s useful to block out sound, nobody wants to be uncomfortable. Most gaming headsets get this balance right, offering effective noise cancelation while still being comfortable.
5. They’re affordable
If you’re deciding between a sound system and a gaming headset, a gaming headset is often the more affordable option. You can find a heap of different options in the market, ranging from cheap headsets up to very expensive premium headsets. For similar sound quality, a sound system usually comes with a higher base price than a quality gaming headset. Overall, gaming headsets tend to offer better value while offering better audio delivery.
6. They have quick connectivity and accessible controls
Gaming headsets often have accessible controls on their earcups. Some even include audio mixers, allowing you to combine different audio sources into a single stream. That means you could play music while also listening to your team chat or in-game audio.
Most gaming headsets are also wireless, offering quick connection via a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi signal or via Bluetooth, but some also offer an analog connection via a 3.5mm audio jack. There’s even a few that offer simultaneous connectivity, which means you can stream two audio sources at once.
One big benefit of gaming headsets with Bluetooth is that they can double as headphones. Most have removable microphones, so you can wear them without anyone knowing they’re gaming headphones.
