Gaming headphones: what are they and how to choose?

When it comes to something playful, they usually think that it is not too serious. However, in reality It's very helpful to know what gaming headphones are. After all, understanding how to choose them is useful not only for the players themselves, but also for those who decide to present them with a gift.

Giving a general characterization to gaming headphones, it is useful to pay attention to how they are applied. For games, even amateurs often have to unite into teams, whose members are sometimes located at a distance of hundreds and thousands of kilometers. Even more often this is typical for gamers participating in various competitions, and not just embodying their craving for shelling monsters and building virtual cities. But for full interaction, only headphones with microphone. Few people like taking a separate microphone, and it's impractical. Of course, the microphone isn't everything.

Another indispensable feature of gaming headphones is their increased comfort. After all, even amateurs sometimes spend long hours in front of the monitor. Yet even this description leaves one important question.

The crux of this question is simple: how "ears" for game lovers differ from their musical counterparts. After all, those are exactly the same:

• are equipped with a microphone;
• count on long-term comfortable listening;
• give a clear, pleasant and well-detailed sound;
• have a comfortable fit;
• have a significant price range.

But despite these similarities, there are differences, and moreover, these differences are such that you can use musical headphones in the game only in a hopeless situation when there is nothing more suitable.

But it's not only that. Game lovers strive to stand out emphasize your individuality... Therefore, their headphones always differ in brightness and catchiness. Bad is the gamer who uses dull, faded acoustics. Many models are even equipped with special lighting, and this immediately increases their popularity. Even the best gaming headphones are made full-sizedto ensure maximum focus on the process. Finally, models for games most sensitive, since it is important to broadcast even the weakest sounds, and wireless performance (an absolute disadvantage for music lovers) by gamers, on the contrary, is welcome.

What game lovers prefer full-size products Is an indisputable fact. But among them there are a wide variety of people, and preferences for the form factor can sometimes differ. So, part of the public chooses small "droplets"... This is a perfectly acceptable solution for a single player or for playing with a close partner, when you can talk live. It is customary to refer to droplets as intracanal devices, that is, those that are introduced directly into the ear canal.

It is possible to listen to something through the droplets outside only at the maximum volume or close to it.This is done mainly when buying, when it is necessary to evaluate the merits of the product. In everyday use, the "droplets" are held by the force of elasticity and the use of additional attachments.

But it is imperative to note the possible confusion: intracanal can also be called "gags". Such devices provide decent isolation from outside noise penetrating from the outside. Since when playing, unlike moving along a city street, there are no dangers - this will be an advantage, not a disadvantage. Acoustic waves travel through an air section isolated from the external atmosphere.

Deserve a separate analysis liners. This type of earphone fits into the auricle and not into the ear canal. Only the force of elasticity holds them in place. Since the diaphragms of the speakers in the earbuds are extremely small, and there is no sound insulation in principle, it is impossible to achieve a good working out of all frequencies.

But it remains to disassemble only one more type of construction, namely, on-ear headphones... They are placed over the ear. However, there will be no complete coverage of the shell.

There are different types of on-ear fixation... And just with this moment it is time to get acquainted closer.

Often meets option "with bow"... This element rigidly connects both speakers. A similar solution is used mainly in full-size and overhead models. Therefore, gamers use it very often. The occipital arch differs only in that it is not placed on the head, as usual, but on the back of the head.

You can also find:

• ear clip with a clip;
• fastening on the ear with a behind-the-ear;
• devices without attachment (inserted or inserted into the ear canal).

Headphones for gamers can be both wired and wireless. The second option, for obvious reasons, is used more and more often today. But many people remain committed to traditional cable systems. They are less mobile, but better transmit sound.

But there are a few more constructive subtleties that must be taken apart. So, separate headphones have a USB connector... It is usually not used for sound transmission, but for powering wired devices.

There are also devices with noise reduction. As with music headphones, this option helps to improve the overall experience and make the experience more enjoyable. But even this is not enough for a gaming headset to fully cope with its task. A good, solid device is always made with surround sound, when the acoustic accompaniment of the game fully reflects the picture, which would be in a true three-dimensional space. Some models even do with vibrationto simulate the situation as fully as possible, to increase the realism of the video game.

Quite a few people prefer gaming headphones with a port or even a dedicated USB cable. A good example of such a device is a headset SVEN AP-U980MV. The product can be painted in blue or black according to the user's choice. The monitor ear pads work quite well. The creators have worked well and the cable connection system.

The main technical parameters are as follows:

• volume control using a device located on the wire;
• surround sound standard 7.1;
• reliable attachment (headband);
• speaker diameter 50 mm;
• closed acoustic design;
• working off frequencies from 20 to 20,000 Hz;
• total electrical impedance 32 Ohm;
• sensitivity at the audio input 108 dB;
• confident working out of the microphone frequencies from 30 to 16000 Hz;
• microphone sensitivity not less than 58 dB;
• cable 2.2 m long.

But you can also choose the model K3 from Onikuma... It is an attractive, state-of-the-art backlit device with a microphone. The size of the speakers is 50 mm. The total impedance is 32 ohms. The headphones work out all the frequencies necessary for full-fledged perception. The cable is approximately 2.2 m long. The pre-installed microphone has an option to suppress extraneous noise. Excellent voice acting in game chats is guaranteed. The sensitivity level of the headphones ranges from 102 to 108 dB.

A certain part of the players tries to choose models with detachable cable. In this case, the device is quite a decent option. SteelSeries Arctis 3. The designers carefully approached the creation of the headband and ear cushions. As a result, both of these details fully satisfy even the most discerning taste. The 40 mm drivers contain a neodymium magnet and can produce sounds in the range of 20 to 22 kHz.

It is also worth emphasizing the following features:

• bringing the volume control to the headset cup;
• sensitivity level on average 98 dB;
• harmonic coefficient not less than 3%;
• retractable microphone, confidently working with frequencies from 100 Hz to 10 kHz;
• cable up to 3 m long.

Pay no less attention to headphones with built-in sound card. For example, SADES A60 7.1 Surround Sound Professional USB Vibration Wired Mic Gaming Headset. The sensitivity of the microphone unit varies from 35 to 41 dB. The net weight is 0.7 kg. A typical minijack connector is used.

You can pay attention to other devices, first of all to glowing gaming headphones... For example, Razer Nari Ultimate... It is a state-of-the-art wireless device that can work for at least 7 hours with a full battery charge. Thanks to the vibration mechanism, it will be possible to immerse yourself as fully as possible in the playing space.

The holder flexibly adjusts to the shape of the players' head - and that's good. But a similar result is achieved due to the extendable arcs - and this is just not very convenient. The total electrical impedance is 32 ohms. When the backlight is on, the operating time is 8 hours. By disabling it, they increase the maximum work on a single charge up to 20 hours.

For lovers white headphones worth paying attention to model Defender Warhead G-120. This 32-ohm device handles frequencies from 200 to 20,000 Hz with confidence. The on-ear cushions are delightfully soft. Adjusting the headband to suit your needs is not that difficult. The sensitivity reaches 110 dB, and the length of the proprietary cable is 2 m (this is quite enough for any gamer).

If we talk about pink headphones, then it is imperative to consider a model such as Sony MDR-100AAPPC... By the way, they can also have a more familiar black, red or even yellow design. The total impedance is 24 ohms. The speaker diameter in this full-size device is 40 mm.

Finally, it is worth mentioning the model Sennheiser GSP 500, which promises unsurpassed sound quality and extraordinary realism. The updated model is designed taking into account the increased strength requirements. As a result, even a careless, emotionally dictated movement of the player is unlikely to cause any harmful consequences for the device.The contact pressure is flexibly adjustable to allow for a completely customized fit.

The choice of gaming headphones, as is clear from their general overview, is not so simple. Those people who play "from time to time", but want to indulge in this activity, as they say, "with all their heart" should take the usual high-quality headphones for music. In this case, they can cope well. But if computer games become a real hobby, and even more so, participation in tournaments is planned, you need to give preference to specialized samples.

The phrase "choosing a gaming headphone for your phone" can be discouraging for anyone, but not for gamers and seasoned experts. Both of them know very well that there are even solid competitions in games on telephone and smartphone applications. The problem is that you cannot use the same headphones as for the computer. The impedance is too different when connected, and therefore it turns out that "at best, you can hear something clearly." It is unlikely that such a state will inspire real players.

But in most cases they still choose computer gaming headphones. And here it is important to understand whether they are needed for a PC or a laptop. In the second case, preference should be given to devices with wireless audio transmission via Bluetooth... Then there will be more space on the desktop. And there will be no problems with wires, with busy ports either. You just need to understand that those who are really keen on games almost always use wired headsets.

The slightest instability in sound transmission can lead to loss. This is extremely offensive even when playing for fun. What can we say about championships with solid rewards for the winners, and just about authority in the team and the gaming community in general. Attention: Unlike music headphones, low frequencies are not very relevant for gaming models. Rather, they should be, but not as the main acoustic component - otherwise it is simply tiresome.

Headphone cost for games can vary greatly. But of course, buying a really solid device at a low price is unlikely to come out. And even with good declared characteristics, it is often suitable only at the very initial level. The choice of a particular brand is largely a matter of taste.... If you don't have any knowledge at all, you can focus on the same manufacturers that produce good-quality headphones for general and musical purposes.

Besides, it is these modifications that are highly appreciated by film fans. If you decide to purchase model with built-in sound card, there is no need to concentrate on the products of any one brand - there are such products in the assortment of many brands.

Headset form factor - a matter of personal priority. Therefore, you need to focus on your taste or unobtrusively find out what a particular person uses. If in doubt, uncertainty, then it is advisable to focus on full-size devices. Even the overhead versions are much inferior to them. And the attitude towards “plugs” and “drops” in the gaming community is completely negative.

If a person pays a lot of attention to the appearance of his desktop (physical and virtual), then by far the best choice will be designer headphones. If you have funds, it is worth buying models covered with genuine leather. But with a limited budget, you will have to make do with its substitutes. When choosing cable headphones it is worth preferring designs with rubberized wires. They are stronger, more reliable and much less frayed than even a cable with a high-quality fabric braid, and even more so without any protection.

For an overview of gaming headphones, see the following video.