Although nosotros typically focus on the graphics in blockbusters such as Crysis 3 and Battlefield four, audio is a big part of the experience every bit well. This is especially true for games such every bit Alien: Isolation where graphics may set the scene, but information technology's the unsettling audio that leads to soiled trousers.

I accept long relied on Logitech 5.i speakers when playing games. I used the Z-5500s for the longest time before recently moving to the Z906s -- both of which I assume audiophiles would frown upon, but they have packed enough dial for me to savor many games over the years.

Now that I am a father, withal, those speakers are too loud for me to relish the combined 500 Watts RMS of 5.1 sound. I'm stuck with gaming headsets these days simply the thing is, since I've always preferred desktop speakers and a defended mic, I haven't spent much fourth dimension or money on headsets.

Having merely ever bought relatively inexpensive headsets with proportionally cheap audio quality, it seems about time for me to upgrade. In the process of settling on a new headset, I've caused half-dozen sub-$100 gaming-oriented models from separate hardware manufacturers to compare in a roundup.

I have models from Kingston, Polk, Gigabyte, Razer, Logitech and Tesoro. About of these companies are not known for their audio products, and then information technology'll exist interesting to encounter what they deliver. It goes without proverb only we will anyway: audiophiles may desire to bail at present because these headsets aren't for you.

For testing nosotros will exist using the Asus Xonar Essence STX defended sound card where possible. Autonomously from comparison sound quality itself, we will besides be paying shut attention to attributes such as build quality, condolement, software, connectivity, mic clarity and other criteria relevant to a gaming headset.

Logitech G430

Cost: $80

Logitech has several impressive looking gaming headsets in its G range, including the wireless G930 or the leather-clad G35. Nonetheless we take decided to look at the more affordable G430 headset which costs only $80 and offers some pretty peachy features for the money.

The G430 is clearly designed to lucifer the new G402 Hyperion Fury and G502 Proteus Core mice with its brilliant blue highlights. At first we thought the set was ugly, but for whatever reason its looks grew on us.

It could be down to the fact that once you take them on they are extremely comfortable. Its ear cups are made out of functioning-sport cloth which non but feels nice merely lets them breath, minimizing sweat. Another keen reward of using this material is that these parts tin exist removed and put through the washing machine.

At that place is one disadvantage to the breathable performance-sport cloth and that is sound leakage. If y'all are sitting next to someone wearing a pair of G430s that are playing loudly, chances are y'all can hear what they tin.

The cups tin be rotated upwards to xc degrees which allows them to lay flat on the desk or residue nicely effectually your neck between games. Depending on your preference rotating cups can exist a beneficial characteristic or an annoyance. Typically I prefer fixed cups, but the build quality of the G430s is good enough that they work well.

Each headphone is powered past a 40mm driver with a frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz. At that place'south 32 Ohms of impedance and the sensitivity rings in at 90dB SPL/mW.

Equally this is a headset, in that location is too a noise-cancelling microphone which is mounted on a rather long nail on the correct headphone. This is a unidirectional mic with a frequency response of 50-20KHz. It tin can be muted with a sliding switch on an inline control box most 70cm down the G430'south blueish braided cable. The inline control box as well allows for quick volume adjustments.

Speaking of which, the G430s have you well covered for cablevision length with well over two meters of the stuff. For almost, that is an excessively long cable, but you lot tin can wrap upwardly what yous don't need.

At the end of the cable you'll find two 3.5" audio connectors, a green one for the headphones and a pink i for the mic. Additionally, the G430 likewise comes with a USB dongle that acts every bit a sound card. This is required for using Logitech'south software-based 7.ane surroundings audio . For those wondering we cracked the USB adapter apart and found a inexpensive two-channel CMedia CM6502 USB audio chip.

Audio Quality: For the money, we think it's going to be difficult to find a better sounding headset than the Logitech G430. It sounds crisp in kickoff person shooters and clear even at ear-bleeding volumes. The bass was punchy but non over the superlative and we felt that the headset mostly did well to produce a total range of sounds.

The emulated vii.1 surround sound works well in one case setup using the Logitech Gaming Software, though the USB sound quality isn't equally good as an affordable sound carte. That said, information technology can exist configured to deliver improve sound (the default settings are weak). Sounds such equally footsteps or gun shots were easier to pin point in the 7.ane surround sound fashion, and then that volition no incertitude appeal to gamers.

The noise-cancelling mic works extremely well. Voices go through clearly then teammates will hear you barking orders.

Pros: Comfortable even for folks with a big head and/or ears, excellent build quality, competitively priced, has keen software and decent features such as a sleeved cable and inline controller. Can be plugged into a audio card for meliorate quality audio.

Cons: While the 7.1 environment sound mode is neat, nosotros were disappointed in the resulting drop in audio quality and we disliked how much audio leakage there was with the cloth ear cups. It likewise couldn't hurt to have some more colour choices.