I do not use a gaming headset anymore. It is not that I do not like them, there are some which might be simply unbelievable. The Razer BlackShark V2 remains to be my favourite, regardless of having been launched a while in the past now. However I do not get something additional from a gaming headset over a daily pair of headphones.
Why is that? As a result of the microphones on this stuff all suck. All of them. If I am going again by means of my very own historical past of reviewing gaming headsets, nearly all the time the microphones simply do not sound good. I am uninterested in saying “it will handle for sport chat however you may’t create any content material with one” or phrases to that impact. “First rate” shouldn’t be the higher echelons of high quality.
Given what number of streamers and YouTubers are sponsored by headset makers, you’d be forgiven for pondering {that a} gaming headset is a superb funding. However for many of us, it is not. You would purchase a greater pair of headphones for a similar cash, and be capable of go away the home with out wanting like you’ve Princess Leia’s notorious aspect hair connected to your head. It would not matter how good the audio from them is that if the microphone is terrible.
And that should change.
Gaming headsets are poorer worth than headphones total
The thought of utilizing a gaming headset is that it needs to be your one-stop store for your entire gaming. Get nice sport audio in your ears, and chat with your pals on the identical time.
However the microphones simply sound rubbish. If I am enjoying with somebody utilizing a gaming headset for his or her audio enter, half the time it is unintelligible. There should not be a necessity to have a devoted, exterior microphone simply to have serviceable voice enter.
Some are higher than others, in fact. However on the entire, why even hassle? It makes me unhappy as a result of headsets just like the BlackShark V2 actually are good. However what goal does it serve over spending the identical or much less on a very nice pair of headphones?
I exploit my Audio Technica M50x headphones for every part. Music, gaming, podcasts, anytime I would like good audio on my PC I plug them in. They’re my favourite headphones, they’re snug and price the identical as a good mid-range gaming headset. If I would like to speak, I would as nicely use the in-built microphone on my laptop computer, as a result of it is about the identical high quality as a gaming headset. In some circumstances, higher than.
RGB is not a characteristic value paying extra for. Nor are some other gimmicks. Granted, there are some good options that can assist you to improve in-game audio, however certainly for the value, we’re paying for gaming headsets the microphone high quality should be a precedence.
But it surely by no means is.
Make higher microphones, PLEASE
Here is an instance of what I imply. Beneath is a pattern from the Razer Barracuda headset which, at launch, value $160. On the face of it, an amazing headset, with an superior design and glorious sound. However the microphone was constructed into the earcups and that is the end result.
Simply horrible. Is that what you’d need should you have been spending $160?
Even worse is our latest assessment of the Alienware 720H, one other $160 gaming headset. One thing so good that very same assessment mentioned it might be excellent save for one massive downside. Are you able to guess what that downside is?
The microphone. Hear for your self.
In each of those examples, to get even simply first rate high quality audio out of your microphone you may want to purchase a devoted one. Even one thing just like the Razer Seiren V2X will be had for beneath $100. However that then takes your complete spending even larger. So why hassle with a headset and never simply get some good-quality headphones?
And that is the place my rant leads. I am uninterested in getting awesome-sounding, feature-packed, supremely snug, feature-packed gaming headsets with horrible microphones. Both make them value utilizing, or simply cease. Please, for the love of god, cease placing terrible microphones on this stuff.
Saying the identical unhealthy factor in each assessment is tiring, and it makes the entire thought of getting a gaming headset a bit of pointless. Please, PLEASE, make your microphones higher. I do know I am not alone.
