Each has a unique acoustic sensitivity, but there are several factors to consider before buying headphones. The opinions regarding gaming headphones are manifold, but our vision is this: if, listening to a song, I notice a higher quality than other headphones, then the sounds during the game will also be more detailed and defined. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, which is clearly a matter of personal taste, the choice of headphones must be based on a series of specific parameters and needs:


HEADPHONE TYPE
A fundamental aspect in the choice of headphones is the type of design of the pavilion, which can be opened, half open or closed. From a sound point of view, the open headphones are generally the most recommended, since they offer greater spatiality and a more natural and faithful audio performance, creating a deeper immersion sensation. Closed headphones, on the other hand, have the advantage of better isolating from external noises, reducing distractions and allowing a more concentrated sound experience. This feature makes them particularly suitable for noisy environments or for those looking for a complete immersion in games or music, without interruptions.


FREQUENCIES AND RESPONSE OF FREQUENCES
These factors do not directly determine the absolute quality of a headset, but still offer useful indications for a more conscious choice.

Frequency response: Indicates the range of frequencies that the headphones are able to reproduce, from the lowest to the highest. Professional headphones often boast a range that exceeds that audible to the human ear (approximately 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz), to ensure a more complete sound performance. However, at the ends of the range, drivers may encounter difficulties, losing quality in playing the most extreme sounds, with potential compromises especially in the higher and lower frequencies.

Impedance: Refers to the “resistance ” that the electric current encounters when it passes through the driver, the component inside the pavilion that produces the sound. The higher the impedance, the greater the amount of current needed to properly power the headphones via an amplifier. Impedance is measured in Ohm and, although a higher impedance may result in a more detailed and precise sound, it also requires a more powerful audio source to make the best of it.

FUNCTIONALITY ’
Each headset offers a variety of features designed to improve the user experience. Among these, we find the button for the mute of the microphone, the volume wheel, the monitoring of the voice in the headphones, the noise canceling technology and the mixer to manage the volume of the game and chat separately. It is important to choose the model that best suits your specific needs, in order to optimize comfort and performance during use.

JACK (AUX), USB OR WIRELESS
Headphones with Jack: In this case, the sound is generated by the sound card, which can be internal to the PC or controller, or external. The audio signal then passes through the AUX cable (3.5 mm jack) and reaches the headphone pavilions, where it is reproduced.

USB (or Wireless) headphones: For USB headphones, the sound is processed by an internal driver, which means that an external sound card is not required. USB headphones use native settings to manage audio directly. Wireless headphones, on the other hand, transmit sound via a base station or a USB connection, always thanks to an internal driver. Although latency in wireless devices is becoming increasingly imperceptible, there is still a very slight delay that could be felt in particular situations, such as in high-speed games or when watching videos in real time.


“GAMING CUFFIES ”
The so-called “gaming headphones ” are nothing more than normal headphones with microphone. Nothing more, nothing less. Pay attention to the aggressive promotions of the manufacturers: it is true that some headphones are designed with audio balances that emphasize sounds such as steps or shots in certain games, but how do you know which game works best and which worse? The truth is that there is no single answer. The ideal choice is to buy headphones with a balanced sound performance and, subsequently, apply the customized audio balances according to the game or individual preferences. In this way, you can adapt the audio to your needs, without being influenced by the promises of producers who try to sell you “the best gaming sound ”.

AUDIO BUDGETS
Each game has its own frequency range, which includes ups, downs and mids. The best solution is to apply customized audio equalizations for each game, in order to optimize the performance of the most relevant frequencies for that experience. Many sound cards and some USB headphones are equipped with native software that allow you to make these improvements directly. If the headphones or sound card do not offer this function, there are applications such as “SteelSeries GG ” or “Equalizer APO ” which are compatible with any type of headset, both USB and traditional, and allow you to apply audio balances customized.

It is important to be careful: the audio balances must be applied with criteria. It makes no sense to use a preset that enhances the bass or treble in a game, and then apply another preset that reduces them. It is advisable to start from a setting “flat ” (i.e. neutral) or almost, so as not to compromise the integrity of the game sound.

PS: If you have ASTRO headphones, avoid using “SteelSeries GG ” and directly apply the balances via the software ASTRO Command Center, which is optimized for these headphones.


DOLBY SOURROUND / 7.1
The real Dolby system consists of 5 or 7 speakers and a subwoofer, but 90% of the headphones that claim to support this technology actually offer a virtualized system. In other words, it is an emulation of sound 7.1 on two speakers (one for the right pavilion and one for the left pavilion), creating a stereophonic audio effect 2.1 (often simply defined “Stereo ”). Although the sound may seem more enveloping, we have noticed that, in FPS games, when Dolby is active, sounds from a specific direction, such as an opponent's footsteps completely to our left, can also be heard in the right headphones . This, in our opinion, is counterproductive,especially when it is essential to have a precise location of the sounds to correctly identify the directionality of the opponents.

ASTRO
Headphones ASTRO they offer very valid features, particularly appreciated in the console. However, from our point of view, the hardware does not stand out for its exceptional characteristics, and the quality of the materials does not completely justify the high price. Software side, however, the ASTRO they stand out thanks to an advanced personalization program, which allows you to optimize the audio experience based on individual preferences. One aspect to consider is that the new consoles do not have an optical output, which means that an adapter will be needed to make the best use of them.


WHAT ARE THE BEST HEADPHES?
The best headphones they are, have been and will continue to be those produced by companies that have made sound quality their trademark, such as Sennheiser, Shure, Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic and other similar realities. These headphones cannot even be remotely compared to the so-called “gaming headphones ” with USB audio driver. In fact, many companies in the gaming sector do not even have a research and development department dedicated to audio, but are limited to “brandishing ” low quality headphones, focusing on marketing rather than sound performance.

Headphones from studyThey also always connect via Jack (AUX cable) and not via USB. In this case, the management and processing of the sound flow is entrusted to an external device, such as one dedicated sound card or integrated, while the headphones themselves have the task of reproducing the sound in a clear, clear and defined way. To make the most of their potential, we recommend purchasing one external USB sound card (to be preferred over a PCI-Express to avoid possible electromagnetic interference from the motherboard).