There is no such thing as “best” when it comes to gaming headphones And computer speakersAnd. The only important thing is which one is more suitable for you. After all, each one comes with its own advantages, which we’ll explore here, and which one is ideal for you depends largely on your specific needs.
Think about what you need from the listening and possibly chatting experience. If you only play Call of Duty and like to berate your opponents, then a headset will always be the best choice. But not everyone is the same. Some people may prefer to lie on the sofa or gaming chair And enjoy the great sound waves of a 2.1 or even 5.1 sound system, whether they’re gaming or catching up on Netflix.
While we suggest investing in both a quality gaming headset and computer speakers, this isn’t feasible for everyone. Even if that is the case, this article may help you decide which one to prioritize. After all, you can always splurge on a file Razer Barracuda Pro When you want a loud audio experience and get cheap speaker solution like Creative People Plus For more informal listening or vice versa.
Headphone features vs. speaker features
Besides the actual form factor, the feature set may be the biggest visual shift between headphones and speakers. After all, gaming headphones come with a built-in microphone. It doesn’t matter if you splurge or go with a low-cost headphone like this Corsair HS65It will come with a microphone. Of course, not all headset mics are created equal but you’ll still be able to chat with friends around the world while gaming regardless of your choice.
Gaming headsets also often come with features like virtual surround sound, background noise rejection, and mic side control, sometimes as unique if they look as gimmicky as haptic feedback.
Computer speakers, in general, are pretty stripped down in what they offer. None of them come with microphones, so you’ll have to buy a separate one. You can’t use them anyway because microphones tend to get feedback when placed in front of speakers. Their feature sets usually amount to connectivity options such as Bluetooth and USB connectivity and perhaps a control dial for adjusting volume and switching between inputs as you will find in Logitech Z407.
Of course, you’ll find one or two that offer something that doesn’t exist with headphones and that physical, true surround sound. the Steel Series Arena 9, for example, does just that thanks to its six-speaker setup. No spatial audio or virtual surround sound compares or is immersive.
You’ll be hard pressed to find better stereo sound for your PC at this price
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- Good sound quality
- Easy step
- Comes with a subwoofer
against
- No bass controls
- Lots of cables
- Not the most accurate setting
A whole lotta boom for your buck
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- Amazing sound
- Stylish and versatile
- Incredibly affordable
against
- Soundstage is not amazing
- Control is not intuitive
Immerse yourself in immersive gaming audio with SteelSeries Arena 9
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- Full and engaging sound
- Epic surround sound
- Lots of contact
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- RGB lighting is not very extensive
- Needs a bit of space
Gaming headphones and computer speakers are different
The actual audio experience is different between headphones and speakers, even if it’s not apparent on the surface. Headphones and all headphones by extension need to fill a few inches of the space between the drivers in the ear cups and your ears with sound. The sound is transmitted directly to your ears. On the other hand, your speakers will usually sit at least a few feet away, and the sound you emit will bounce around your room so that you hear not only the sound directly from your speakers, but all the reflections of that sound as well.
This has a huge impact on what you hear. With headphones, you hear the sound without any coloration from the outside, while with the speakers you’ll also hear the room you’re in. This means that the headphones will sound a little clearer and more detailed while the speakers will get more room for their sound. Of course, you can always use virtual surround sound to add some artificial space to what you hear but it’s not the same. Also, the sound from the speakers hits not only your ears but your body. So, when you’re running a set of speakers with a subwoofer, you actually feel this rumble when something explodes or there’s a low, ominous sound that indicates danger in that horror movie you insist on watching alone.
You’ll also experience the headphone’s soundstage inside your head while the loudspeakers will make it sound like it’s right in front of you. And if they’re good speakers, the sound will seem to float in that space between you and the speakers.
comfort
When it comes to comfort, wearing nothing on your head always wins. Peripheral manufacturers have gone to great lengths to make headphones more comfortable by using gel-infused memory foam and breathable fabric. So, you can wear a headphone for a long time without a problem but at some point, your head will need a break from a foreign object being clamped to it. This is not even to say that some respectable headphones come with a tight fit that can be painful to wear for extended periods.
If you don’t have to worry about waking up your roommates or reaching for a microphone and want your ears to breathe freely, headphones are always the best choice. However, if you don’t wear them as if it’s a job, using the headphones for a few hours shouldn’t be a problem. And with all of the cushiony headphones that come with it, it just might offer an experience as luxurious as you’ll find on something like Turtle beach stealth 700 gen 2 game.
The Razer Barracuda Pro is sexy and smart, what more could you want?
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- Strong noise isolation
- Great sound quality
- Simple yet awesome
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- very expensive
- The sound quality is good
- Bluetooth switching is intermittent
The Corsair HS65 Surround strikes a great balance between performance and budget
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- Incredible stereo sound
- Incredibly comfortable fit
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- Stereo sound via USB
- There is no wireless or bluetooth connection
Turtle beach stealth 700 gen 2 game
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is a new generation and a new high point for the brand
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- Long lasting battery
- Great connection
- Rest assured easy to use
Other considerations
There are a few other things to keep in mind. If you don’t want to disturb the family or roommates, you will have to lower the speakers which will affect your listening experience, not to mention the loud sounds like explosions that will keep coming. Headphones will naturally keep this sound isolated so you can hear whatever you’re listening to loud and clear without disturbing anyone else. If this is a big consideration, then headphones are the best buy.
You’ll also need to consider what type of footprint works best for you. The headphones will be much smaller than most computer speakers and can be tucked away when not in use. Of course, some speakers, like the Creative Pebble Plus and Logitech Z407 mentioned above, have satellites that are surprisingly small and won’t take up much space on your desk. You just need to set aside some floor space for the subwoofer.
Gaming Headsets vs Computer Speakers: Which is Best for You?
The answer to this question boils down to what you want from your audio equipment. Gaming headsets have a distinct advantage when you want a chat mic as you won’t have to buy one separately, let alone use the mic with speakers as often. They also provide more detail with their listening experience and won’t wake your roommate up with a virtual 3am blast.
On the other hand, speakers will always win in comfort since you won’t have to wear anything to use them. They also provide a more immersive listening experience as you can feel the sound at sufficiently high volumes. In a way, it’s a more immersive experience.