It doesn’t matter if you are a PC gamer or you own a console, what matters is that you are a gamer.
This article is not going be about the never ending war between PC and console gamers; it will be about headgear. In this day and age, we all need a gaming headset, especially if we plan to do any serious online multiplayer gaming.
One thing we know is, if you play video games you must have headphones with a mic so you can communicate with your teammates quickly and efficiently.
If you are in the market for a new gaming headset, you know all too well just how hard is it to pick out on that suits your needs perfectly. With all the different models, brands and price ranges, it can a really hard decision to make. In this article I will not talk about prices or write a review of any specific headset (as new models come out all the time, so what I say is the best right now might become redundant in a year’s time), I will try to answer to some of the frequently asked questions related to gaming head gear.
Mono or Stereo Sound?
Stereo – always go with stereo. It will create a much more immersive and enjoyable gaming experience Mono is good for chatting to people on Skype, but will make the sound effects of a video game sound flat, making the experience less exciting.
This should always be your top priority. For you to enjoy your game and to fully experience its surroundings you need multi-channel. You need a crystal clear sound so you can hear footsteps of your enemy trying to ambush you. Also, it is much easier to know from which direction sounds are coming, allowing you to plan our next move accordingly.
2.1 vs 5.1 vs 7.1
To experience “real surrounding” it would be advisable to buy a sound card (some integrated sound cards on motherboards simply don’t support 5.1 or 7.1). You could end up buying high end headphones and still not experience full power.
2.1 headphones should be enough to play most games but if you are going to play COD, Battlefield, CS, Dayz or any high end FPS you should opt for at least 5.1 sound.
Size
Size matters. A lot of gamers will agree with statement that you should always have headphones that cover your ears. You should try to isolate sound as much as you can, so you don’t mix sounds from the game with sound coming from your house (the sound of the dishwasher beeping can really pull you out of a great gaming moment).
Another thing you should know is that your headphones need to be comfortable as you will probably be using them for several hours at a time.
Wireless
With ongoing improvements in wireless technology, wireless gaming headsets have become quite commonplace. Some say that they are little more than a gimmick, and that the difference they make is negligible at the best of times. That said though, it is clear for all to see (or hear?) that wireless headphones have numerous benefits, just like anything without wires.
In the past, wireless headphones for known for bad sound and constant statics, which is no longer a problem. Remember though, much like a wireless keyboard or mouse, you need a battery to use it. One charge should be enough for at least 10hrs of playing.
Wireless controllers tend to be standard practice for all modern gaming consoles. This is great as it means you don’t have to be too close to your screen.
Cord
Having a cord on your headphones does not mean that you can’t use them with your console. As long they have a 3.5 pin you can connect them on your Xbox or Playstation controller.
Before you buy you next head set do some research, read reviews on sites like cNet, ask for advice on forums and whatever you do, don’t buy a pair just because they look good!