The Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming in 2021
The world of gaming peripherals is a large and frankly scary place. From keyboards that all have their own individual signature. To gaming mice that are suited to all different kinds of gamers like fans of the FPS genre or MMO players. There’s a huge variety of stuff out there that can up your game to that next level. But one of the most important kinds of gaming peripheral is one that a lot of gamers tend to forget about: headphones. See our Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming Guide below!
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Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming
Headphones are one of your most valuable tools when it comes to gaming. If you play games like Rainbow Six: Siege then you need to have high-quality audio to know what’s around the next corner. And even if the games you’re playing don’t really depend on sound, it’s still important to get a really good pair of headphones. Especially if you’re grinding out a few levels in an RPG and want to put some music on in the background. So we’ve put together a list of some of the best Gaming Headphones that you can get right now!
Razer Kraken X
We’re starting this list off with a budget option for gamers that don’t want to break the bank on a new pair of headphones. We’ve gone for these headphones from Razer for their low price and good build quality. Now, normally it’s a little unusual to see Razer first on these lists. Since they usually sit in the mid to high range when it comes to stuff like this. But these headphones were designed to appeal to gamers on a budget. And after looking at their relatively simple build quality you can probably see why.
Let’s take a closer look at what we’re getting with these headphones. First up, it comes with a microphone so you won’t need to mess around with an external mic if you don’t have one of those. The microphone here is fine, it isn’t really a high-quality mic but at this price point, it’s about what you expect. These headphones support almost every major console so whether you’re a PC gamer or do most of your gaming on the couch, you’re good. The cups that rest over your ears aren’t covered in padding and that means that these headphones could get a little uncomfortable after a while.
In terms of general sound quality, these headphones aren’t going to match up with higher-end options. The bass is weak and the mids don’t translate very well. But for audiophiles on a budget, this should be enough to satisfy you in the short term. They also come with the ability to use 7.1 surround sound which could be useful in games that require spatial awareness. Though you’ll need to download the mandatory software to use it. If you’re looking for something that is on the cheap side then these are a fantastic option to go for.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Average Sound Quality
- On-Board Sound Control
Cons:
- Mandatory Software
- Boring Design
SteelSeries Arctis 3
Next up we’ve got an option for those that are looking to spend a little more money to get some nice headphones. We’ve gone for these headphones from SteelSeries for their affordability and good sound quality. Straight away you’ll notice that these headphones look a little boring. With a matte black design all over the headphones, save for the patterned support padding. So if you’re a gamer that cares about flashy aesthetics, you might be a little disappointed with these headphones. But these headphones do make up for that with their sound quality.
Let’s take a closer look at what these headphones can do now and at this price point, it’s pretty good. The general build quality here is fantastic. Almost every piece of these headphones feels secure and high quality. The microphone here has the added benefit of being detachable. Making them much more comfortable for everyday use. The microphone itself is also fairly high quality, so your teammates should be able to hear you with no issues. The ear cups are again not very padded so they might not be comfortable for long periods of time. So keep that in mind if you intend to use headphones for long gaming sessions.
The sound quality here is very balanced. Meaning that the bass is fairly weak and the sound, in general, isn’t really going to surprise you all that much. These are very balanced and if you’re an audiophile you should be able to tweak the EQ for these to get it sounding just right for you. If you’re looking for a pair of budget headphones these are a great option. But if you’re looking for something a little more impressive, check out some of our other options.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Good Sound Quality
- On-Board Sound Control
Cons:
- Uncomfortable for Long Sessions
- Boring Design
HyperX Cloud Alpha
Next up, we’ve got an option for those that want to spend a little more money on a quality pair of headphones. We’ve gone for these headphones from HyperX for their great sound quality and great build quality. Right away you can tell these gamer aesthetics have entered the list. These headphones have a really nice red and black color combination that looks great while still being pretty subtle. The overall all design here is more reminiscent of studio-style headphones and that’s a very good thing.
But let’s take a closer look at what these headphones can do. First up, the build quality here is really good. Nothing really feels cheap on these headphones. From the stitching on the headband to the metal frame holding the ear cups. Almost everything on this pair of headphones feels high quality and worth the price. The ear cups themselves have plenty of padding so that they’re comfortable for long sessions of gaming. Though one of the aspects that is a little disappointing is the quality of the microphone.
The sound quality that it outputs is average at best and it’s just a shame when you compare it to everything else that this pair does so well. Also, the onboard sound controls are on the cord which is a strange choice. The general sound quality here is really something great, especially for any audiophiles out there. The bass on these headphones feels really punchy and the general sound feels really crisp. After messing around with the EQ you’ll be able to get exactly the kind of sound that you want from them. And after you’ve done that there really isn’t much wrong with these headphones. If you want a fantastic mid-range option then these are the ones to go for.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Great Sound Quality
- Great Build Quality
Cons:
- Below Average Mic Quality
- Volume Controls on Cord
Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X
Next up on our list we’ve got an option for those that are willing to spend a little more of their money to get some great audio. We’ve gone for these headphones from Sennheiser for their great sound quality and comfort. Aesthetically speaking these headphones definitely look like a Sennheiser product. With the simple black colour scheme with the white accented branding. Visually these headphones are a little boring to look at but how’s the overall experience?
Well first up let’s take a look at the build quality here and overall it’s really solid. The main material used here is plastic but it feels high quality and strong. The padding on the headband of the headphones is thick and feels great after long sessions. The stitching quality here is also really good. The ear cups themselves are large and offer a ton of padding to keep you comfortable. In the Summer this might not be so great since they are a little on the warmer side but if you want thick ear cups, these are the ones for you. The microphone here outputs at a really high quality.
So if you want to make sure that your teammates can hear you, this is a great pair to buy. Though the microphone doesn’t detach from the headphones, so usage away from your PC or games console could be a little limited. The sound quality here is fantastic and is in line with their mid to high-range lineup. So for audiophiles out there, these headphones are a great option. If you’re willing to pay the extra money, you can’t really go wrong with these headphones. But they aren’t quite the best that you can get.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Great Sound Quality
- Great Build Quality
Cons:
- Expensive
- Undetachable Microphone
ROG Strix Fusion 700
Our final option on this list is for the audiophiles that want a pair of gaming headphones that really stand out. We’ve gone for these headphones from ASUS for their great sound quality and cool design. So if you’re a gamer that values RGB lighting in almost all of their peripherals, you’ll be glad to see this option on the list. These gaming headphones have built in RGB lighting on the outside of the cups that help to add some vibrance to your gaming sessions.
But let’s take a closer look at what these headphones can do now and see if they’re worth the rather large price tag. Well first up, the build quality here is really good. The materials used feel really high quality and all of the little detailing of the ROG Strix brand really goes a long way. The ear cups have a mesh material to hold the padding and this means that you shouldn’t get too warm while wearing them. The cups themselves are also really comfy and should keep you gaming for longer without getting uncomfortable.
The microphone quality is really good which is especially great for those that require clear team communication. And while the microphone isn’t detachable, it does fold up into the headset in a really nice way that conceals it. The sound quality here is really great and most audiophiles out there should be pleased with what you get here. When you fine-tune the EQ to how you like it, these headphones offer a fantastic output of sound. So if you’re in the market for some fancy headphones that look great and have great sound, these are the ones for you. And as long as you can afford them, they’re a great option to go for.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Great Sound Quality
- Great Build Quality
Cons:
- Expensive
- Undetachable Microphone
See Also: Best Laptop for The Sims 3
Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming Buyers Guide
If you’ve come this far down the list and you still have no idea which pair of headphones to get, don’t worry! In this section, we’ll be giving you some extra tips and advice to help you out with your purchase.
Get the headphones that suit what you do
In the world of headphones, there are a variety of different kinds that you can get. There are different types of headphones for different kinds of people. For gamers, music listeners, and film watchers, your needs for sound are going to vary. Different headphones prioritize different aspects of sound and that is something you need to keep a lookout for. For instance, budget gaming headphones aren’t really going to be giving you an exceptional listening experience. Since their only job is to get some form of sound into your ears and they don’t really aim to do it that well. So if you want good headphones there are a couple of things you need to pay attention to.
If you want a pair of really good gaming headphones, for instance, stick to brands that deal in high-quality gaming peripherals. Sticking to brands like these means that you can be sure you’ll get a good experience with them for gaming. But if you get more about music and how that sounds then you’ll want to stick to well-known brands that focus on that side of audio.
You get what you pay for
In the world of audio equipment the old saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is very applicable. If you decide to get budget headphones then you can expect to get an audio experience that meets the price. And if you decide to spend a little more money on your audio hardware, you can expect to have a much better experience by comparison. Usually, you get to notice the real differentiation in sound quality when you get to headphones on the higher end. That’s where you start to see different products that all excel at slightly different things. Whereas cheaper headphones are almost always going to give you a very below average experience. So the advice here is to listen to that phrase and make sure that you know what kind of product you are getting.
Tips:
- Check out what kind of headphones your friends and family have. Get their opinions on them and even try them out too. There’s no better way to figure out which kind of headphones are the right ones for you.
- If you’re prone to getting neck pain, aim to get a pair of headphones that are really lightweight. There are some great ones out there that you won’t even notice you’ll have on after a little while.
- Check out your nearest tech store and see if they have any headphones that you can try out. This is another great way to see if the headphones you want are a good fit for you.
- You don’t need to spend a ton of money on headphones to get good quality. There are some budget headphones on the market that also do a really good job. Double-check reviews and get a wide range of opinions before settling on an expensive pair that you don’t really need. And that goes doubly for any budget headphones that you have eyes on.
- Wireless headphones are usually more expensive than their wired counterparts. So if it’s a wireless pair you need, make sure it meets your expectations and check a lot of reviews.
- Stay away from lesser-known brands unless you know that their products are of high quality. Money spent on a cheaper pair of headphones from a worse company could be better spent on better ones.
- Always check multiple reviews of the headphones that you want to buy so that you know exactly what you’re getting.
Verdict
That’s been our list for The Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming. If it helped you out at all, please don’t hesitate to let us know! Thanks for reading.
