How to choose headphones for games

Gaming headphones, unlike conventional ones, have a bright design, they are more ergonomic, they are distinguished by high durability and other specific features. The market offers a huge number of headsets for gamers, both wired and wireless, expensive and budget models. Before you 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 characteristics of the headset;
• type of headset cups.

Device design

When choosing a design of new headphones should not talk about pretentiousness or coolness. First of all, the gadget should have correct design. If all rules are followed and all points of support are calculated, then the gadget sits on the head easily and does not cause discomfort. If you feel some pressure, then it should be noted that after many hours of play or a night marathon, there will be severe pain in this place. This is especially true of the ears that are starting to hurt so much that I want to stop the game and take off my headset.

Build quality and headset specifications

It is required to carefully probe the entire structure. Press in weak places, check how well the cups of the device are attached. Simply put, if the reels of parts, backlashes, squeaks, etc. are detected, then set this model aside.

Also, it is recommended to pay attention to the following characteristics.

1. Welcome, if the gadget will be implemented surround technology, for example, imitation 7.1. Because of this, when playing action games with many opponents, for example, counter-strike: global offensive, with surround sound, you can hear the opponent's footsteps long before they appear from the rear.
2. Gaming headset must have long cable, at least 2 meters. However, it must be removable. This will make it easier to replace if a shorter cord is required, or if it breaks.
3. Wireless gaming headphones It is not recommended to purchase, because they can not work independently for a long time and require periodic recharging. Also, according to users, the sound quality in them is worse than normal, connected with a cable. Wireless headphones with a microphone, it is advisable to buy if you are going to play using the console (console), being at a great distance from the TV.
4. Well, if the gadget control for games is located On the wire. If the control buttons are placed on the body of the gadget, then during the game they are very distracting and taking time to make the setting.
5. The type of gadget connection should be usb, since using gaming headphones with a microphone with a standard 3.5 mm jack may cause distortion. This is expressed in the poor quality of the sound transmission through the microphone.
6. When choosing headphones with a microphone for a computer, you should prefer a headset with metal construction. Although it is different in weight, it will serve you more time than the usual plastic one.

Since the sounds vary in frequency, from low to high, then you have not yet purchased the headset, you should pay attention to the frequency indicated on the box. The recommended frequency is 20-20000 Hz.

If you see anywhere below 16 Hz, then do not pay attention to it, as this is an advertising move, and the manufacturer is trying to mislead you. The human ear is not able 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 will be. But at the same time loudness decreases. In some headsets, the resistance indicator reaches 300 ohms, and they require a strong signal source. The optimal value for all gaming headphones is an impedance of 32 ohms.

Headset type

Overhead headphones (gaming) can be divided into open-type, semi-open and closed type headsets.

Open headset allows you to hear a doorbell, a phone call, the sound of an approaching car, etc. Air circulation in such a gadget will be better than in the closed.In this case, except for you, a little muffled sounds will be heard by others. This version of the gadget is better to buy to listen to music.

Half open headphones - headset, cups which have holes. This is achieved and normal sound insulation, and do not get tired ears. Such a gadget is often used by professionals, and in terms of its performance, it is closer to open devices, since it still lets out external noise.

Closed headset - headphones with a good soundproof body, allow you to enjoy, directly, low frequencies. You will experience deep and powerful bass. This is achieved by the fact that in the bowl of the gadget around the membrane is a sealed medium, and the air has nowhere to go.

In a closed-type headset, sound pressure is generated on the hearing organs, resulting in fatigue of the latter. Also, there is often a headache after a long use of the gadget. Therefore, if the question arises, which headset is better to buy a half-open type headset.

As a budget option you can purchase headphones droplets (liners or vacuum). They are compact and lightweight. During operation, the drops become almost invisible to the user.But the sound quality in them is inferior to the overhead gadgets.

If the cost of the headset for you is not a principle indicator, then droplets from famous brands will be able to provide a full range of high-quality sound, from bass to high frequencies.

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 work on the game no less programmers, creating a fascinating and realistic sound effects. To fully immerse yourself in the gaming world, it is important to have a good headset capable of transmitting both the slightest rustling 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 famous brands. Moreover, the price of their products is much lower than that of competitors. Such manufacturers, for example, include the American company Koss.

Koss Corporation presents the following models of gaming headsets.

1. SB40. This gadget has bowls with closed ear cushions.Although the microphone in this device is dynamic, you should be aware that Koss has developed and uses a special noise reduction technologywhich minimizes all troubles associated with the purity of the outgoing sound.
   
   

   Koss Corporation SB40 Headphones

   Also pleased with the fact that the headset is able to reproduce sound in the range of frequencies from 20 to 20,000 Hz. The microphone operates in the frequency range from 10 to 16,000 Hz, which is enough for high-quality communication in the network.

   The construction itself cannot be called flimsy, since it is immediately obvious that it was made conscientiously. The cable length of this gadget is 2.4 meters, and the resistance is 120 Ohms with a sensitivity of 96 dB / mW. Its cost is within 1200 rubles.

2. SB45 can be called a more convenient and advanced version of the previous headset. The difference with the SB40 is more sensitive microphone (condenser). Outgoing sound is processed by Clear Voice Technology's noise reduction system, which copes with any background noise.
   

   Koss Corporation SB45 Headphones

   The incoming sound has also become better, thanks to the content dynamic element from anisotropic ferrite. This means that sound at any volume levels is not subject to distortion.Also eliminated such trouble as hissing in the “ears” after a sharp jump in volume. The gadget is able to reproduce sound in the range from 18 to 20,000 Hz. The impedance is 100 Ohms, and the sensitivity of the device is 103 dB. Price - from 2200 rubles.

3. SB49 differ from the previous model more "juicy" and "fat" bass. Also, thanks to ferrite magnets, a high sensitivity of the gadget has been achieved. The device has good sound insulation, which will reliably protect you from extraneous distracting noises and allow you to immerse yourself in the gameplay.
   
   

   Headphones Koss Corporation SB49

   
   SB49 can be called a headset, designed specifically for gamers. Such sensitive headset, allowing you to hear the faintest rustling danger approaching in a game, will come in handy in competitive matches.

The working range of the device is within 18-20000 Hz, and the sensitivity is 103 dB / mW. SB49 deservedly can be called headphones, close to the title of professional, despite the low cost (from 3400 rubles), since the latter can cost tens of thousands of rubles.

Cheap gaming headsets of famous brands

A headset designed for gamers by well-known electronics manufacturers, of course, will cost more than the models discussed above.But in general, they do not differ much in frequency characteristics.

Kingston HyperX Cloud II

Kingston is known to the Russian consumer for products such as memory modules (operational), SSD drives, flash cards, and USB drives. Kingston also began producing headsets for gamers, among which the Kingston HyperX Cloud II model occupies a special place.

Headphones Kingston HyperX Cloud II

The gadget has a full-size cups, ear cushions which completely encircle the ears, and an adjustable (fairly soft headboard). The base of the head is a metal plate. The microphone is easily disconnected, after which, the gadget becomes normal. According to the frequency characteristics, the manufacturer indicates slightly inflated figures, namely - 15-25000 Hz. This is most likely an advertising move, as mentioned above, that a person is able to perceive sound vibrations in the range of 16 to 20,000 Hz.

The headset has a cable length of 3 meters, which houses the control panel with a sound card. The remote allows you to activate surround sound (7.1), enable or disable the microphone, as well as using it to control the volume.

The price of Kingston HyperX Cloud II in online stores ranges from 7,600 to 11,000 rubles.

Steelseries Siberia Raw Prism

This gadget has high-quality surround sound, and in the design is implemented beautiful lighting. The device has drivers for better communication with the PC. The headset works in the range of 20-20000 Hz and has a high-quality microphone.

Headphones Steelseries Siberia Raw Prism

The only drawback is the short cable, which is only 1.5 meters long. To connect to a PC using USB 2.0 connector. The price of the device is not higher than 5000 rubles.

Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headse

Fans of computer games, as well as some experts, this gadget is named the best gaming headset in 2016. Headphones are capable of producing excellent surround sound, inherent in most modern games for both PC and consoles. The frequency range of the gadget 20-20000 Hz. There is also a noise reduction system. Resistance is in the standard range - 32 ohms with sensitivity - 90 dB.

The price of this wonderful headset is low, and is in the range of 3000-5000 rubles.

Headphones Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headse

There are more expensive models of headsets for gamers, the price of which reaches about 44,000 rubles. Such devices look great, have a spectacular appearance and durable body.Also distinguished by the presence of various improvements in the form of sound cards, lights, vibration, etc. But for the inexperienced user, these bells and whistles do not play a special role. The main thing is that the sound is of high quality, and the price is acceptable.

Thus, when choosing a gaming headset, you should pay attention not only to expensive devices of well-known manufacturers, but also to gadgets at an affordable price that adequately cope with their functions.