Top gaming headsets

Gaming headsets are a necessary tool in the toolset of any gamer. A gaming headset can save you a lot of trouble, heartache, quarrels and embarrassment. Except you are living alone or you are otherwise playing your games in a sound-proof room, you will definitely experience challenges whenever you try to play your games after sunset. Your only option is to get a gaming headset, and the sooner you do this, the better off you will be. As an added benefit, you also get to immerse yourself more in your games; you will now be able to hear people trying to sneak up on you in an FPS game, you will also hear subtle sounds you never got to hear on your normal speakers, and you will also experience the joys of positional audio, just to name a few.

There is a large variety of gaming headsets in the market, but I would like to group them into three categories for the purpose of this article, namely; budget, mid-range, and high-end. Budget headsets should go for less than $60, mid-range headsets will go for between $60 and $200, while high-end headsets will cost more than $200. Without further ado let us sample the various gaming headsets on offer.

Budget (Less than $60)

Are you on a tight budget? These headsets will make you smile.

Ear Force X12 Amplified Stereo Headset with chat

The Turtle Beach Earforce X12 is an update to the extremely popular X11. The X12 is sturdy and feels strong enough to withstand some abuse and it has big, comfortable ear cups. The microphone is good and has an appreciable level of sensitivity although it uses a 3.5mm connector, and there is a microphone monitoring feature which enables you to hear what you say into the microphone. There is an inline amplifier which sports controls for; chat volume, game volume, bass boost and microphone mute. Audio output is also top notch for this price, making this headset a fantastic update to the X11.

What's hot:

• Microphone monitoring
• Variable Bass control
• Sensitive microphone
• Inline amplifier

What's bad:

• Only 3.5mm microphone connector

Creative Soundblaster Tactic 3D Sigma USB Gaming Headset

Creative are well known for their stellar sound blaster cards so it is no wonder that they also have some nice headsets. The 3D sigma headset has a good build; it has a steel core headband, swivel ear cups, and unlike many other headsets it has a ribbon cord (which easily prevents knotting). The microphone is of the noise-cancelling variety, is detachable, and is quite good for this price point. Connectivity is achieved either through the 3.5mm connectors or through the included USB adapter. The 3D sigma outputs high quality, 3D audio which even rivals the surround sound output from more expensive headsets. The headset is also comfortable and has inline volume and microphone controls, the only let down is some slight issues with some versions of Windows 7.

What's hot:

• 3D audio
• Ribbon cord
• Option of USB or analog connectors
• Detachable noise cancelling microphone
• Swivel ear cups
• Voice morphing application

What's bad:

• Might have issues with some versions of Windows 7

Mid-range (between $60 and $200)

If you want to up the ante but have a budget ceiling of $200, then this is your spot.

Logitech G35 7.1-Channel Surround Sound Headset

The G35 is a surround sound headset from Logitech, the popular accessory manufacturer. It is well built, although I have to admit it does look a wee bit geeky and futuristic. All the headset's controls are conveniently located on the ear cups; microphone mute, volume controls, surround sound adjustment, and three programmable G keys. Ear cups are of the ear enclosing variety and are comfortable, you also get three changeable headband pads for added customization. The microphone is a noise-cancelling type and can be muted by raising the boom arm, the tip of the boom arm also has a mute indicator to let you know when you have muted the microphone. Audio output is 7.1 channel, Dolby powered, surround sound and is of a very high quality. Topping off the design is a 10ft braided cable and a USB connector.

What' hot:

• Dolby powered 7.1 ch surround sound
• Three changeable headband pads
• Audio controls on ear cup
• Noise cancelling microphone
• Braided cable
• Microphone Mute light
• Voice morphing software

What's bad:

• No equalizer

Tritton TRIAX-720 AX 720 Dolby Digital Surround Sound

The Tritton AX 720 is a mid-range gaming headset that retails for just over $100. For this price you get a headset with a decent build, and replaceable ear pads. There is dolby digital 5.1 audio, although it is emulated 5.1 channel surround sound it does a good emulation in both games and movies. There is an inline controller and it has a master volume control, master volume control mute, chat volume control, and microphone mute switch. The inline controller is also detachable. The microphone is decent enough and is detachable. Apart from the inline controller there is also a digital audio control box which has a host of ports (like optical input) for devices like your PS3 and Xbox360. All in all a decent mid-range gaming headset.

What's hot:

• Removeable microphone
• Dolby powered 5.1 ch surround sound (simulated)
• Separate game and chat volume controls
• Optical connecion available
• Also compatible with PS3 and Xbox360

What's bad:

• Not optimal for music
• So many cables

High-end (above $200)

For professional gamers only. Spending more than $200 on a gaming headset is no mean feat, and It is for this reason that I have listed the following headsets; get one of these and you will be satisfied.

Beyerdynamic MMX 300 PC Gaming Premium Digital Headset with Microphone

The Beyerdynamic MMX 300 is a top notch gaming headset and it is my top pick. The MMX 300 is based on Beyerdynamic's HS 300 aviation headset and it provides excellent sound isolation. The headband is flexible and feels comfortable on the head while the ear pads completely cover your ears. The attached microphone is adjustable and also very sensitive, you might need to reduce the sensitivity a bit. The two connectors on the headset are the standard 3.5mm connectors, but Beyerdynamic have thoughtfully included a USB converter for those who would rather connect through their USB ports. To top it off there is a mute button, a volume control, and it comes with a carrying bag.

What's hot:

• Nice sound isolation
• Quality sound output
• Sensitive microphone
• Comfortable
• Choice of analog or USB connectors

What's bad:

• Might require a headphone amplifier

Sennheiser PC 360 Headset for Pro Gaming

My second choice is the Sennheiser PC 360, a decent alternative to the the Beyerdynamic. The PC 360 has a good build with velvet ear pads and a cushioned headband, the volume control is ingeniously located on the the ear cup for easy access. The microphone is an adjustable, noise cancelling microphone and it is quite good, even reportedly better than the one on the beyerdynamic; in a touch of brilliance, raising the microphone boom all the way up will mute the microphone. There is no sound isolation as this headset is of the open air variety, although this will prevent you from having sweaty ears when you go on marathon gaming sessions.

What's hot:

• Noise cancelling microphone with boom arm acting as mute switch
• Accessible volume control on ear cup
• Quality sound output
• Very comfortable
• Open air design

What's bad:

• No sound isolation
• Might need a headphone amplifier

Summary

You can not go wrong with any of the headsets I have highlighted above because they are some of the best headsets in their class, and there are also numerous customer reviews attesting to their quality. Most users have also reported improvements in their gaming sessions because of the new range of sounds they can now hear, if you want to hone your gaming skills and you also want to engage in extended gaming sessions; I would seriously consider getting one of these headsets.