Gaming Headset Review 2023

It's not easy as a gamer. Single player campaigns are out, the most successful games of our time are online multiplayer games. In order to participate even halfway successfully in a session, you need a gaming headset. In this TechWatch Let's look at the test series five gaming headsets from well-known manufacturers and try to find out which model convinces us. More interesting test reports are on the site only4gamers a DAK Bungalow.

The reputation precedes them

It should be obvious what gaming headsets are. These are, of course, headphones with an integrated microphone for gamers. In our test, we limit ourselves to wired models. Anyone who is familiar with technology knows what the prefix "gaming" promises. Poor performance in gamer design, ideally trap with RGB LEDs.

Unfortunately, this prejudice can also be confirmed with gaming headsets from the outset. Particularly good position noises are often promised here through digital 7.1 surround sound. This tends to ruin the sound and provide minimal in-game benefit. At least in stereo mode, most gaming headsets sound good.

But they fail in terms of microphone quality across the board. Anyone who has ever been out and about in public lobbies will also have wondered how other players connected their toasters to the PC. There are no excuses like "that's enough" with us. In 2023, even a small microphone must be able to deliver good quality. Greetings from Lavalier radio links.

As a gamer, you also expect particularly good comfort. After all, the gaming headsets have to sit comfortably even after a longer session. In terms of scope of delivery, you can expect extensions and USB sound cards, but at least the possibility of using the expensive 3,5mm sound card to use which promises better sound.

The criteria of the gaming headset test

As always, we set criteria for our test series. Based on this, the gaming headsets are compared individually and in this article with each other. To highlight important aspects, these criteria are weighted as detailed below.

Above all, the audio and microphone quality are decisive for the quality of gaming headsets. Incidentally, you can find recordings of each microphone in the individual tests of the devices. We also rate the comfort of the gaming headsets. Comfort, size adjustment and weight count here. The processing and the design are also evaluated. Ultimately, a decent scope of delivery is also part of the perfect gaming headset.

• Audio quality - 30%
• Microphone quality - 30%
• Comfort – 15%
• Workmanship and Design – 15%
• Scope of delivery – 10%

So far understood? Then listen more closely...

Audio Quality (30%) – Audiophiles should listen away

As expected, no gaming headset completely disappoints in terms of audio quality. The Logitech G433 perform worst here. Clarity and bass are lacking here. In the individual test you will find our equalizer settings that improve the whole thing a bit. The Sennheiser GSP 350, the HyperX Cloud Revolver X and the Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 are roughly on par. Sennheiser lacks a bit of bass, HyperX could be a bit louder. Meanwhile, Razer is trying to kill us. At maximum volume, the Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 reaches a volume of 105 dB. Practical: the headset can also be used as a stylish speaker. That borders on attempted assault. The Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X offers the best sound. Here, too, you can get even more out of it with the equalizer. Incidentally, the difference to the three pursuers is marginal and does not do justice to the high cost point.

Apart from the Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X, all headsets offer virtual 7.1 surround sound. As mentioned above, we think this is a complete waste. If you want better surround sound, you should go for the only open headset - also the Audio-Technica. The open characteristics improve the spatial sound automatically. Virtual 7.1 sound works, but offers hardly any advantages. In addition, the audio quality of the gaming headsets deteriorates dramatically. Whatever you choose, skip the surround sound. If you want 7.1, you should use the old-fashioned setup and distribute speakers in the room.

Overall, it can be said that all gaming headsets sound decent. But none of them even come close to the quality of even cheap studio headphones such as the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro.

Microphone Quality (30%) – Seek and you will find

What is offered in terms of microphone quality from respected manufacturers is bold to say the least. The HyperX Cloud Revolver X sounds bad as hell. The voice seems muffled and compressed. When using an internal sound card, the sound clears up, but the gaming headset starts to hiss. We therefore suspect that HyperX counteracts this with digital noise reduction, thereby reducing the quality. That's not even enough for gaming. Sennheiser and Logitech are roughly on the same level. Again, the quality is mediocre at best, both Microphones sound relatively dull. Both headsets are acceptable for gaming, but you shouldn't record videos with them.

The Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 sounds better and better the more software you disable in Synpase. It is important that you set the microphone sensitivity to 100%. With the standard settings, the person we were talking to could hardly understand us because we were down-regulated in the sentence. The end result is acceptable and, with light post-processing, even suitable for recording. Only the highs seem a bit weak and pops are clearly perceptible. The Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X sounds a bit duller than the Razer but sounds more natural. In addition, the S-sound hardly disturbs. And if it does, Audio-Technica includes a pop filter. Therefore, the Audio-Technica ADG1X also wins in terms of microphone quality.

Comfort (15%) - Between leather and suede

Comfort is certainly a matter of taste. However, there are also some things that are essential for comfort with gaming headsets. It is clear that all headsets are over-ear. While ear cups made of leather are easier to clean and more durable, they lead to unwanted warm ears in summer or during extensive sessions. We therefore prefer shells made of velor or other fabrics. While HyperX, Razer and Sennheiser use leather, Logitech and Audio-Technica use fabric. At the same time, the G433's material is relatively rough and feels unappealing. When it comes to headphone adjustment, we like the Audio-Technica and HyperX systems the most. Here the size of the headset is automatically adjusted by the loose headband. At the same time, this means that at least the Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X cannot be hung on normal headphone holders. The manual adjustment of the other devices works properly, but the Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 is the easiest to adjust precisely. The microphone adjustment also shows differences.

Razer and Audio-Technica enable precise placement thanks to the thin and flexible design of their microphones. The Cloud Revolver S cannot quite keep up, but at least allows for an approximate positioning. Sennheiser and Logitech are noticeably stiffer and snap back to their original position when flexed. Anyone who is aware of their noisy breathing should take this into account. Last but not least, the convenience of the headsets also includes their weight.

Here, the Sennheiser benefits from the narrow design and the cut-outs on the headband, but none of the gaming headsets are uncomfortably heavy. Ultimately, the Audio-Technica prevails here as well. However, the cheaper competition stays in the form of Razer and HyperX.

Workmanship and design (15%) - High quality down to the smallest detail

The gaming headsets in this comparison all come from respectable manufacturers. The fact that the workmanship is consistently high is therefore not surprising. The small differences are therefore provided by the design. Sennheiser and Logitech perform somewhat weaker here than the competition. The Sennheiser looks good, but seems a bit unimaginative. The G433 comes in different colors and therefore offers a certain color choice. Unfortunately, we don't like the rough material the gaming headset's surface is made of. The Revolver S does not win an innovation award in terms of design either, but it manages to convince with the elegant embossing and seam on the top of the headband.

Audio-Technica relies on a simple and stylish exterior. The open characteristics of the headphones are beautifully staged by the grille on the headphones. The blue interior looks high quality, while the wing design of the headband creates a touch of futurism. Razer installs RGB LEDs in the headphones and thus fully relies on the gamer look. You can like that or think it's nonsensical. While we're more in the second group, we have to give Razer credit for the consistency with which they carry their design language across product lines.

Scope of delivery (10%) – extensions are mandatory

Anyone who puts a lot of money on the table can also expect to receive everything for using the headsets. The Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 is surprisingly weak here. Without a jack adapter and with a relatively short USB cable, it was getting tight in our setup. Especially because the gaming headset was also designed for the PS4, you can be surprised as a customer.

The Cloud Revolver S also comes without an extension, but at least the cable is longer than the Razer Kraken. There is also no USB, the sound card ends in a jack. However, this will ensure compatibility with all platforms guaranteed. The Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X and the Sennheiser both offer sufficient extension cables. Audio-Technica adds pop protection for the microphone, but there is no sound card. Sennheiser includes the USB sound card, but the jack adapter has to be bought later. The G433 offers the most pronounced scope of delivery. With a USB sound card, additional ear pads, a travel case and a 3,5mm jack cable for the consoles, everything is included.

Editor's Choice – Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro + AntLion MODMIC

Apart from the enormously expensive Audio-Technica as an all-rounder or the Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 as a price-performance winner, we wouldn't really recommend any tested gaming headsets. Sennheiser, Logitech and HyperX are not bad, but for a little more money there is a solution that even outshines the ATH-ADG1X.

The Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro is perhaps the best headphone you can buy for under $150. When I switched from my Sennheiser PC363D to the 990 Pro, I was literally at a loss for words. In music I've been listening to for years I suddenly found details that I had never noticed before. Due to the open characteristics, the headphones are absolutely suitable for gaming.

Combined with the AntLion MODMIC you get very good audio and microphone quality for just under €200. The MODMIC is a detachable microphone. It comes with a magnetic sticky pad that you can easily attach to any headphone.

The microphone and headphone cables can then be tied together with the supplied clips. The MODMIC clearly surpasses the quality of most tested headsets. Only the Audio-Technica is stronger. Incidentally, we recommend the cheaper V4 of the microphone because the sound differences to the latest version are limited. In order to exploit the full potential, a high-quality sound card is also required, which further increases the cost of the combination. Even with an integrated sound card, we wouldn't advise anyone to go with the Audio-Technica, even though the device is the undisputed test winner. The combination is not only cheaper, but also has a better sound and is equipped with an almost equally good microphone.

Conclusion on the gaming headset test

Gaming headsets deserve their bad reputation. Many devices offer poor audio and microphone quality. The bright spot is the extremely expensive Audio-Technica ADG1X, which dominates our comparison.

The device is even suitable for streamers and YouTubers. Established itself as a price-performance winner, just like in the Capture card Test series, once more Razer with the Kraken 7.1 V2. For those who have no problem sacrificing 30 minutes of their time, we recommend our combination of the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro and the AntLion MODMIC. If you want the best of the best, you have to do it yourself. As always, our scenarios:

The best is just good enough.

Audio Technica ATH-ADG1X.

I'm saving up for the next RGB Fidget Spinner.

Perfect. The Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 is affordable and customizable in color!

Over 300€ is too much for me and I want great sound.

Use the combination of Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro and MODMIC V4.

I want a gaming headset for my XBOX One and PC.

Then grab the Logitech G433.

With your new gaming headset, nothing is missing to start your streaming career. Unless you gamble on the console. Then you should check out our series of tests on the subject Capture cards view. Maybe you need a cheaper one too Gaming keyboard. We have prepared everything for you!