Gaming headphones, unlike ordinary, have a bright design, they are more ergonomic, are characterized by high strength and other specific features. There are a huge number of headsets for gamers on the market, like wire, and wireless, expensive and budget models. Before, how to choose gaming headphones among this variety, it is important to understand, what characteristics this headset should have.
The main characteristics of the gaming headset
Choosing a gaming headset, you should pay attention to the following:
- device design;
- build quality and headset characteristics;
- type of cup headset.
Device design
When choosing a design for new headphones should not be about pathos or coolness. In the first place, the gadget must have the correct design. If all the rules are followed and all points of support are calculated, then the gadget sits on your head easily and does not cause discomfort. If you feel any pressure, it should be taken into account, that after many hours of playing or a night marathon there will be severe pain in this place. This is especially true of the ears, which begin to hurt so, that you want to stop the game and remove the headset.
Assembly quality and headset characteristics
You need to carefully feel the whole structure. Click in the weak spots, verify, how well the cups of the device are attached. Simply put, if oscillations of parts are found, backlash, creaks, etc.. d., then set this model aside.
It is also recommended to pay attention to the following characteristics.
- Welcome, if the gadget will implement surround sound technology, example, imitation 7.1. Thanks to this, when playing actions with many opponents, for example, counter-strike: global offensive, in surround sound, you can hear the enemy's footsteps long before he appears from behind.
- The gaming headset must have a long cable, not less than 2 meters. It must be removable. This will make it easier to replace, if a shorter cord is required, or in case of breakage.
- It is not recommended to buy wireless gaming headphones, because they can not work autonomously for a long time and require periodic recharging. Also, according to users, their sound quality is worse, than in ordinary, are connected by a cable. It is advisable to buy wireless headphones with a microphone, if you are going to play with a console (console), being at a great distance from the TV.
- All right, if the gadget control for games is located on a wire. If the control buttons are located on the body of the gadget, then in the process of the game they are very distracting and time consuming, to configure.
- Gadget connection type must be usb, because when using gaming headphones with a microphone with a standard jack 3,5 mm possible distortion. This is expressed in the poor quality of sound transmission through the microphone.
- When choosing a headset with a microphone for your computer, you should prefer a headset with a metal structure. Although it differs in weight, but will last you longer than usual - plastic.
Because sounds vary in frequency, from low to high, then, you have not yet purchased a headset, you should pay attention to the frequency, indicated on the package. Recommended frequency - 20-20000 Hz.
If you see the frequency below somewhere 16 Hz, then do not pay attention to it, since it's a publicity stunt, and the manufacturer is trying to mislead you. The human ear is unable to hear frequencies below 16 Hz.
The value of resistance (impedance), plays an important role in choosing a device. The higher its value, the better the sound. But this reduces the volume. In some headsets, the resistance reaches 300 Ohm, and they require a strong signal source. Impedance is the optimal value for all gaming headphones 32 Ohm.
Type of headset cups
Overhead headphones (game) can be divided into an open type headset, semi-open and closed type.
An open headset allows you to hear the doorbell, telephone call, the sound of an approaching car, etc.. d. Air circulation in such a gadget will be better, than indoors. With, except you, slightly muffled sounds will be heard by others. This version of the gadget is better to buy for listening to music.
Semi-open headphones - headset, cups which have holes. This achieves normal sound insulation, and ears do not get tired. This gadget is often used by professionals, and in its performance it is closer to open devices, as external noise nevertheless passes.
Closed headset - headphones with a good soundproof case, let you enjoy, directly, low frequencies. You will feel deep and powerful bass. This is achieved by, that in the bowl of the gadget around the membrane is a sealed environment, and the air has nowhere to go.
The headset creates a sound pressure on the hearing organs, resulting in fatigue of the latter. Headaches also often occur after prolonged use of the gadget. So, if a question arises, which headphones are better to buy a semi-open type headset.
As a budget option, you can buy drop earphones (liners or vacuum). They are compact in size and light. During operation, the drops become virtually invisible to the user. But the sound quality in them is inferior to overhead gadgets.
If the cost of the headset is not a fundamental indicator for you, then drops from well-known brands will be able to provide a full range of quality sound, from bass to treble.
How to choose a budget headset
In modern computer games, everything is thought out to the smallest detail, so that the player gets maximum pleasure from the process. This also applies to the sound design of the gameplay. Sound designers are working on the game no less than programmers, creating exciting and realistic sound effects. To fully immerse yourself in the game world, it is important to have a good headset, able to transmit as the smallest rustles, and powerful, low frequency sounds.
Unfortunately, a good headset for gamers costs a lot of money. But there are not very well-known manufacturers of gadgets, whose parameters are not inferior to the same devices of well-known brands. At the same time, that the price of their products is much lower, than competitors. To such manufacturers, example, belongs to the American company Koss.
Koss Corporation presents the following gaming wall models.
- SB40. This gadget has bowls with closed ear pads. Though, that the microphone in this device is dynamic, should know, that Koss has developed and uses a special noise reduction technology, which minimizes all the hassle, related to the purity of the original sound.
Koss Corporation SB40 headphones
That fact is also gratifying, that the headset is capable of reproducing sound within frequencies from 20 to 20000 Hz. The microphone operates in the frequency range from 10 to 16000 Hz, which is quite enough for quality communication online.
The design itself can be called shaky, as immediately visible, that it is made on conscience. The cable length of this gadget is 2,4 meters, and resistance - 120 Ohm at sensitivity - 96 dB / mW. Its cost is within 1200 rubles.
- SB45 can be called a more convenient and advanced version of the previous headset. Unlike the SB40 is a more sensitive microphone (capacitor). The output sound is processed by the Clear Voice Technology noise reduction system, which copes with any background noise.
Koss Corporation SB45 headphones
The input sound also became better, due to the content of a dynamic element of anisotropic ferrite. This means, that the sound at any volume level is not subject to distortion. This problem is also eliminated, like hissing in the "ears" after a sharp jump in volume. The gadget is capable of reproducing sound in the range of 18 to 20000 Hz. The impedance is equal to 100 Ohm, and the sensitivity of the device - 103 dB. Price - from 2200 rub.
- SB49 differ from the previous model "juicy" and "fat" bass. Also, thanks to ferrite magnets, achieved high sensitivity of the gadget. The device has good sound insulation, which will reliably protect you from extraneous distracting noises and will allow to plunge with the head in game process.
Koss Corporation SB49 headphones
SB49 can be called a headset, created specifically for gamers. Such a sensitive headset, allowing you to hear the faintest rustle of approach in the game of danger, will come in handy in competitive fights.
The operating range of the device is within 18-20000 Hz, and sensitivity - 103 dB / mW. SB49 can rightly be called a headphone, close to the title of professional, despite the low cost (from 3400 rubles), as the latter can cost tens of thousands of rubles.
Inexpensive gaming headsets of famous brands
Headset, designed for gamers by well-known electronics manufacturers, of course, will cost more than models, discussed above. But in general, they differ little in frequency characteristics.
Kingston HyperX Cloud II
Kingston is known to Russian consumers for such products, as memory modules (operational), SSDs, flash cards, USB drives. Kingston has also started making headsets for gamers, among which the Kingston HyperX Cloud II model occupies a special place.
Kingston HyperX Cloud II headphones
The gadget has full size cups, ear cushions which completely cover the ears, and adjustable (fairly soft headboard). The base of the headboard is a metal plate. The microphone is easily detachable, after which the gadget becomes normal. By frequency characteristics, the manufacturer indicates slightly inflated figures, namely - 15-25000 Hz. This is most likely a publicity stunt, as mentioned above, that a person is able to perceive sound vibrations within 16 to 20000 Hz.
The headset has a cable length 3 meters, on which the control panel with a sound card is located. The remote control allows you to activate the surround sound (7.1), turn the microphone on or off, and it also controls the volume.
The price of Kingston HyperX Cloud II in online stores ranges from 7600 to 11000 rubles.
Steelseries Siberia Raw Prism
This gadget has high-quality surround sound, and in registration good illumination is realized. The device comes with drivers for better communication with a PC. The headset works in range 20-20000 Hz and has a quality microphone.
Steelseries Siberia Raw Prism headphones
The only drawback is the short cable, the length of which 1,5 meters. A USB connector is used to connect to a PC 2.0. The price of the device is not higher 5000 rubles.
Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headse
Fans of computer games, as well as some experts, this gadget is named the best gaming headset 2016 year. Headphones are capable of excellent surround sound, inherent in most modern PC games, and for consoles. Gadget frequency range 20-20000 Hz. There is also a noise reduction system. Resistance is within standard limits - 32 Ohm at sensitivity - 90 dB.
The price for this wonderful headset is low, and is within 3000-5000 rubles.
Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headse
There are also more expensive models of headsets for gamers, whose price reaches about 44000 rubles. Such devices look great, have a spectacular appearance and a sturdy body. Also differ in the presence of various improvements, in the form of sound cards, backlight, vibration signal, etc.. d. But for the inexperienced user, these frills do not play a special role. The main thing, that the sound was high quality, and the price is reasonable.
So, when choosing a gaming headset, you should pay attention not only to expensive devices from well-known manufacturers, but also for gadgets at an affordable price, who adequately cope with their functions.