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10 Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming in 2023

Mixing Audiophile Headphones With Gaming - Time for an Explosion!

Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming

As we know, audiophile headphones are also known as high-fidelity headphones, high-precision headphones, high-end headphones etc. so we know exactly what to expect from this list of headphones. We have already done extensive research on the best audiophile headphones, but now we get into specifics by looking at the best audiophile headphones for gaming!

Gamers are very particular about their gaming setups. One of the major elements of any gaming setup are the headphones. A classic gaming headset is perfectly fine but why cut yourselves short at that? Audiophile headphones can be a step-up for your game setups by reproducing more accurate audio for the gamers.

Roundup of the Best Audiophile Gaming Headphones

Overall Best Audiophile Headphones for GamingAudeze Mobius Premium 3D Gaming Headset
Best Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones for AudiophilesHyperX Cloud Orbit S-Gaming Hea
Best Closed Back Audiophile Headphones for GamingSteelSeries Arctis 7 – Lossless Wireless Gaming Headset
Best Wireless Audiophile Headphones for GamingLogitech G PRO X Wireless Lightspeed Gaming Headset
Best Budget Audiophile Headphones for GamingEPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset
Audiophile Headphones for Gaming With Ultra Low LatencyAudeze Penrose/Penrose X Wireless Gaming Headset
Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming With USB CASUS ROG Delta S Gaming Headset with USB-C
Audiophile Headphones for Gaming With Best Microphone Qualitybeyerdynamic MMX 300 (2nd Generation) Premium Gaming Headset
Best Open Back Audiophile Headphones for GamingPhilips Audio Fidelio X2HR Over-Ear Open-Air Headphones
Audiophile Headphones for Gaming With Best SoundstageAudio-Technica ATH AG1X Closed Back High-Fidelity Gaming Headset

What Are Audiophile Headphones?

Firstly, we need to understand what exactly are audiophile headphones and how are they different to normal gaming headphones. Gaming headphones or gaming earbuds or other headphones for that matter, have a specific audio profile, whereas an audiophile headphone has a neutral audio profile. These headphones are made with the intention to extract the exact sound as intended by the audio source. Therefore, these headphones have excellent data retrieval ability.

So while using audiophile headphones for gaming, you can expect exceptional sound quality with utmost accuracy. They will especially help users in spotting enemies when playing FPS games that require excellent audio fidelity for being good at them.

Factors to Consider When Buying Audiophile Headphones for Gaming

There are some important factors that gamers must keep in mind before going for audiophile headphones. It is an amalgamation of these factors that decides which is the right set of headphones for you!

Sound Stage/Surround Sound

Audiophile Headphones for Gaming Typically Deliver Excellent Surround Sound
Audiophile Headphones for Gaming Typically Deliver Excellent Surround Sound

In gaming, surround sound is one of the most important factors there is. Surround sound or soundstage refers to the ability of a pair of headphones to pin point the location of a sound with absolute accuracy. For example, imagine you are playing FPS games and you have an enemy lurking to the right of your shoulder. Headphones with good surround sound will be able to tell you exactly where the enemy is positioned.

When you add the surround sound ability of a gaming headset to an audiophile pair of headphones, it is a match made in heaven. It will allow uses to get the most accurate sounds being produced by the game!

Noise Cancelation

You definitely do not wish to be disturbed when indulged in an intense 1 versus 1 with your enemy. What helps with this? The noise canceling properties of your headphones. Headphones with the noise canceling feature have the ability to exclude ambient noise which helps players to find more focus when playing their beloved games.

Audiophile Headphones for Gaming Are Typically Noise Canceling
Audiophile Headphones for Gaming Are Typically Noise Canceling

Sound Quality

What good is surround sound and noise cancelling when the sound quality of your headphones is average. Especially with audiophile headphones, audio quality is of utmost importance. The beauty of an audiophile headphone is that it does not have specific audio profiles. You expect a well balanced sound quality from them, with highest quality audio fidelity.

Comfort

Gamers sit in front of their gaming PC not for just a few minutes but for long sessions. Especially those who stream, have to sit with their headphones on for a long period of time. Users must ensure that the headphones have comfortable ear cups. Headphones with memory foam ear cups are regarded as the most comfortable ones.

Besides earpads, the next factor of comfort comes with the headband of the headphones. An ill-fitted or hard feel headband can be extremely uncomfortable. Not only uncomfortable, but it can get downright painful in some cases. Padded headbands with an element of flexibility are always the best for long periods of use.

Audiophile Headphones for Gaming Typically Come With Large and Comfortable Ear Cups
Audiophile Headphones for Gaming Typically Come With Large and Comfortable Ear Cups

Wired or Wireless

Wireless vs Wired Audiophile Gaming Headphones
Wireless vs Wired Audiophile Gaming Headphones

Gaming is one of the few categories where many users prefer wired headphones over wireless headphones. This is because wireless headphones have a tendency of a sound lag, even if its as little as a few microseconds. But, as always, wireless headphones have their own sense of convenience.

The good thing with most wireless headphones is that they are hybrids i.e. they can be used as wired headphones in the time of need. So it is down to the user if they prefer a pair of Bluetooth headphones or a wired one.

Microphone

Microphones are an essential part of gaming. Gamers are in constant need for microphones for in game voice chat communication with their friends and teammates. Players should get audiophile headphones with a good microphone so that they do not face any communication issues!

Many headphones nowadays come with retractable or detachable headphones. This is so that you do not feel disturbed in case you do not need to use the microphone at that point in time.

Portability

Portability is always key. You always want to have headphones that are easy to carry on the go! Bulky wired headphones are the least preferred ones while travelling. Wireless headphones, especially those that come with a carry case offer the best mobility for portable headphones. With the advancement of technology, most headphones nowadays have good mobility and have a slender and modern design.

Compatibility

Ensure the Audiophile Gaming Headphones You Buy Are Compatible With Your Gaming Consoles
Ensure the Audiophile Gaming Headphones You Buy Are Compatible With Your Gaming Consoles

Unlike PCs which allow most headphones to connect to them, the PlayStation and XBox only allow certain headphones to connect to them! So, while selecting your headphones, you need to make sure to check the compatibility of your console with your desired headphones.

10 Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming

Now let us check the list of the best audiophile headphones for gaming, under various categories!

1. Audeze Mobius Premium 3D Gaming Headset

Overall Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming

  • Superior sound stage ability
  • Great head tracking
  • Both wired and Bluetooth connection
  • Very comfortable for continuous gaming sessions
  • Compatible with PlayStation and Xbox
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Battery life could be better
  • USB connection needed for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound

To be regarded as the best overall best audiophile headphones for gaming, you really have to be special. The Audeze (pronounced “odyssey”) Mobius Premium is just that. This special gaming headset is an all rounder and we would recommend users to get these headphones for a stunning gaming experience.

Design and Comfort

Firstly, these over the ear, closed back headphones have planar magnetic drivers and therefore have brilliant sound quality. The headphones have a very beautiful and luxurious design, coming in a matte black color with a silver ascent. The Mobius Premium has memory foam ear cups and a padding on the under side of the headband, to give you utmost comfort.

Microphone and Controls

The headphones come with a detachable noise canceling microphone. There are a number of ports and controls on the left ear cup of the Mobius. These include the port for the detachable microphone, various audio ports, a 3D audio button, microphone mute button, simple volume control buttons etc.

Sound Quality and Features

Secondly, on the sound front, the Mobius really stands out when it comes to surround sound. The headphones have a 7.1 surround sound support enabled, when used with a PC over a USB connection.

Sadly, the Bluetooth connection does not support this surround sound ability, therefore being the one drawback for these gaming headsets. The audio quality is extremely well balanced. The bass output is punchy and the mids and highs are very pleasant and clear!

To conclude, the Audeze Mobius is a premium quality set of headphones which is the perfect choice for an audiophile gamer. The noise isolation, superior surround sound ability, comfort, multiple connectivity options and the neutral sound profile make it a complete all rounder. Some users might find them expensive but they sure do justify the price at which they come.

View on Amazon: Audeze Mobius Premium 3D Gaming Headset

2. HyperX Cloud Orbit S-Gaming Headset

Best Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones for Audiophiles

  • Very comfortable for long use
  • Head tracking with great accuracy
  • Detachable noise canceling microphone
  • Compatible with PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox
  • High quality sound output
  • Expensive pair of wired headphones
  • No wireless connection available

As we discussed in our list of the top planar magnetic headphones, planar magnetic headphones have found their footing with audiophiles these days. The names most often associated with planar magnetic headphones are Hifiman and Audeze but the pair of cans that make it to our list of best planar magnetic gaming headphones for Audiophiles, is the HyperX Cloud Orbit S.

Design and Comfort

Firstly, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S is one of the most comfortable headphones out there. These over the ear, closed back headphones have extremely comfortable foam padded ear pads and a foam padded headband. This makes these headphones suitable for extended use.

The completely build of the headphones is plastic based rather than metallic based. But lets clear the air, this isn’t some low quality plastic but high grade plastic which looks the part as well. The matte black color adds just that extra touch which pushes these headphones into the luxurious looking category.

Microphone and Controls

Secondly, Orbit S comes with button controls on the left ear cup, making it more convenient for gaming. This includes a power button, an ‘on/off/connected’ indicator LED, and a mic mute switch on the back panel of the ear cup.

There is a USB-C port on the underside. It comes with a boom mic connector in the front (3.5mm mic jack). Volume dials for the headphones and the boom mic are just behind the 3.5mm port. There is a 3D audio button right next to the mic port as well.

Sound Quality and Features

Lastly, the Orbit S is a planar magnetic pair of headphones. As we mentioned earlier, to hear the term ‘Planar Magnetic’ and to not hear Audeze or Hifiman in the same conversation is rare. We were right as this pair of headphones has been designed by HyperX in collaboration with Audeze. They are fit with 100mm planar magnetic drivers designed by Audeze. These drivers produce excellent sound with almost no distortion.

The Orbit S uses Waves Nx 3D sound to produce an amazing 7.1 surround sound environment, based on the position of your head. It is a brilliant feature for those indulged in gaming. There are motion sensors present in the headset. When you turn your head, they activate and allow you to feel the audio source’s position with respect to your head placement.

To conclude, the HyperX Orbit S is one of the best headphones for gamers that want to go down the planar magnetic road when looking for their gaming headphones. They are an amalgamation of comfort, looks and quality. They are the perfect go to choice for long gaming sessions, with the foam padding that they have. They are sure to give you the immersive gaming experience you’re seeking with the Waves Nx 3D sound technology!

View on Amazon: HyperX Cloud Orbit S-Gaming Headset

3. SteelSeries Arctis 7 – Lossless Wireless Gaming Headset

Best Closed Back Audiophile Headphones for Gaming

  • Extremely beautiful looking headset
  • Both wired and wireless connections available
  • Compatible with PC and console
  • Mic is the best out of all gaming headphones – superior vocal clarity
  • Excellent battery life – good for long gaming sessions
  • Audio delivery is slightly inconsistent
  • ar cups aren’t very big so might be uncomfortable for people with big ears

Gamers choose to go for closed back headphones more than open back ones because they don’t leak sound and have much better noise isolation. Closed back pair of headphones make a great choice for audiophile gaming headsets, and among them one of the best is the SteelSeries Arctis 7!

Design and Comfort

Available in two classic colors, black or white, these headphones definitely look the part. We personally went for the white ones as black is somewhat of a cliche. The design is very modern and would make a great sight for sore eyes. It would definitely fit in with any gaming setup.

On the comfort front, more could have been done by SteelSeries for the Arctis 7. Although not overly uncomfortable, the fact that the ear cups are smaller than some other headphones is a drawback. They can be painful for people having big ears, if wearing headphones extended periods. But, these well-padded Airweave ear pads do not allow your ears to heat up which is a plus.

Also, there is no foam padding on the headband of the headphones. Though, the headband isn’t that big an issue as there is an elastic strap that runs between the ends of the headband. This keeps the headband lifted above your scalp therefore nullifying the need of a padded headband.

Microphone and Controls

The microphone on this headset is regarded as on of the best in gaming. It has crystal clear, studio quality voice clarity which is always a much welcomed feature of any gaming headset. It also provides excellent background noise cancellation.

The mic extends from, and goes back into the left ear cup of the headset, via its end shaped like a capsule. It is very flexible and can easily be adjusted into the position you want it to be in.

The left earcup has a micro USB port used for charging, a proprietary port for wired use with the cable that comes with the headset, and a 3.5mm port for using multiple headsets together. There is a volume dial and microphone mute button on the side of the same ear cup. The power button and game/voice mix dial button (which is extremely handy) are located on the right ear cup, similarly positioned as the volume dial on the left.

Sound Quality and Features

The Arctis 7 headphones have the most balanced sound quality, making them the perfect choice for audiophile headphones for gamers. The bass isn’t too enhanced which allows you to pick footsteps and other sounds very clearly.

Also, the Arctis 7 has the option of giving users the experience of 7.1 surround sound, although, only on PC. The overall surround sound is like any gaming headphones, sufficient.

One of the most sought after features that the Arctis 7 has is the game/voice chat dial. This basically allows users to decide how much game sound they want and how much voice chat sound they want. So if you want to mute a teammate who just won’t let you concentrate, just turn the dial towards 100% game sound!

Lastly, the battery life of the SteelSeries Arctis 7 is one of the reasons why people choose to go for them. The headphones can be wirelessly used for 24 hours on one full charge, making them just the right choice for the longest gaming sessions.

To conclude, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 headphones are the best choice closed back headphones for audiophile gamers. They are comfortable, look good to the eye and have a very good sound quality, perfect for gamers. Let us keep in mind, gamers love to show off their setups and a good looking pair of headphones will always be welcome!

View on Amazon: SteelSeries Arctis 7 – Lossless Wireless Gaming Headset

4. Logitech G PRO X Wireless Lightspeed Gaming Headset

Best Wireless Audiophile Headphones for Gaming

  • Superior comfort and well built
  • Microphone performance is very good
  • Customizable sound and microphone using Logitech software
  • Both wired and wireless connectivity
  • Very low latency when using wirelessly
  • Compatible with PC and PS4
  • You have options to choose from for ear pads
  • No 3.5mm audio cable jack
  • Not compatible with Xbox One

Wireless headphones are preferred over wired ones due to the fact that these headphones allow mobility and portability. Your movement is not restricted by the wires. Among the headphones that we tested, the Logitech G Pro X Wireless was the best out of the wireless ones! These headphones have been constructed with the target of giving gamers the best wireless gaming experience. Let us look at it in detail.

Design and Comfort

The design is simple and elegant, pretty much like a straight up wireless headset. The Logitech logos on either side of the matte black gaming headset, give it that extra lift that it needs.

One of the things that makes these headphones so much better is the ability to choose your own ear pads. Users can choose between premium passive noise-canceling leatherette or soft and breathable velour which is more for your comfort.

The well padded steel headband stays in place and is also very comfortable to wear. The Y shaped struts that connect the ear cups to the headbands are sturdy and tough, but at the same time ensure a light fit for added comfort to the users.

Microphone and Controls

The Logitech G Pro X headphones come with a detachable boom mic, which can be replaced with your mic of choice. There is a lot of adjustment and customization available for the microphone using the Logitech G Hub software.

The three-band equalizer for the mic in tandem with the adjustable processing features like a compressor, de-esser, expander/gate, high-pass filter, limiter and noise reduction, make the microphone amazing, overall.

The left ear cup is where all other controls and connectors are located. This includes a power button, a mic mute button, a volume dial and a USB-C port for charging the headphones. The headset doesn’t have a 3.5mm port for wired use which is one of the drawbacks.

Sound Quality and Features

For wireless headphones, the latency is extremely low for the G Pro X Wireless which makes it that much more attractive. You need to use a USB transmitter to connect wirelessly. It is necessary to be connected via this USB transmitter to experience the 7.1 surround sound from Logitech G Pro X Wireless. The USB transmitter looks just like a pen drive and is used to connect wirelessly to your Ps or PlayStation.

The directional audio coming from the 50 mm audio drivers of these headphones did not disappoint. While playing Call of Duty: Warzone, we could easily pick out when there was someone above us on the staircase or right below us outside the building. But, much like many audiophile headphones, the sound isn’t as bass rich as some would like.

Lastly, the headphones have a battery life of 20 hours plus on a full charge and has an amazing connectivity range of up to 15m. Makes it a good choice for long gaming hours. Don’t tell your parents we said that!

To conclude, the Logitech G Pro X Wireless is one of the headphones we found to be the most complete in terms of build quality, comfort, audio output, battery life and microphone performance. The one place where these headphones fail is that you cannot use these headphones if you are a Xbox users which cuts their market in half! For PS and PC users, we would definitely recommend it.

View on Amazon: Logitech G PRO X Wireless Lightspeed Gaming Headset

5. EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset

Best Budget Audiophile Headphones for Gaming

  • Best budget audiophile headphones out of the ones we tested
  • Lightweight headphones
  • Flexible and adjustable boom mic
  • Flat frequency response helps with RPG and FPS games
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Multi platform headset
  • Headphones use a split TRS cable, so users might need a splitter
  • High audio leakage and noise isolation isn’t very good
  • No wireless connection

Not everyone would be comfortable spending $500 on gaming headphones. To add to it, best audiophile headphones for gaming would naturally be expensive. But, we have found just the right headphones for you, which will not make your pocket as light as others. It is the EPOS I Sennheiser Game One. Sennheiser headphones, regardless of their price always deliver quality, and the Game One headphones do just the same.

Design and Comfort

The Sennheiser Game One is a very comfortable pair of cans. The plush velvet ear pads and the plush velvet padding on the headband ensures that you can use these headphones for long sessions. They are designed to be lightweight but at the same time are somewhat bulky and cumbersome.

These are open back headphones, which some might like and others won’t. This makes it susceptible to sound leakage and a lack of noise isolation. But, it ensures that you experience extremely natural and spatial sound while gaming. This also ensures that the headphones do not heat up your ears.

Microphone and Controls

The robust flexible boom microphone arm can easily adjust according to preferred position. Also, the microphone design makes sure that it blocks out background noise. One of the drawbacks that we experienced on this microphone was that it had the tendency to make you sound hollow. Especially those users with a deep voice.

On the controls front, there isn’t much to go on. Being a wired headphones, there aren’t any power controls or other as such. There aren’t any additional features that might require buttons or controls. There is a volume dial on the face of the right ear cup for easy control of volume.

Sound Quality and Features

For budget headphones such as the EPOS I Sennheiser Game One, the sound quality sure is top notch. The frequency response of the headphones is neutral which make them the perfect choice for games such as Fortnite or Apex Legends, where you need to pick on the slightest audio information. High quality audio deliverance ensures that you do not find any hitches when playing your favorite games.

Some may say there is minimal bass but that is not true. The bass response is just fine, it is just not too enhanced for those looking for that extra oomph. Lastly, the open back headphones give you the experience of spatial sound, making them the right fit for gaming at home.

To conclude, Sennheiser headphones have delivered one more time. These budget headphones deliver irrespective of the fact that they don’t cost as much as some premium headphones. The Game One isn’t feature ridden or anything but does enough to come off as a comfortable and good quality pair of headphones. For those not wanting to splurge too much money, this gaming headset is the perfect choice.

View on Amazon: EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset

6. Audeze Penrose/Penrose X Wireless Gaming Headset

Audiophile Headphones for Gaming With Ultra Low Latency

  • Very durable and sturdy build quality
  • Extremely low latency rate via non Bluetooth wireless
  • Both wired and Bluetooth connection
  • Extremely comfortable to use
  • Phenomenal sound quality
  • Can use both wireless connections simultaneously
  • Battery life could be better
  • Separate models for Xbox and PlayStation, so you cannot use one headset for both

Audeze doesn’t mess around when we talk about high quality planar magnetic headphones. The Audeze Penrose and Penrose X headphones are top of the line gaming headsets, especially known for their extremely low latency wirelessly. The Penrose is the PlayStation version of these headphones, and the Penrose X is the Xbox version! Let us get into the details

Design and Comfort

The design of the Penrose and Penrose X feels and looks exactly like the Mobius Premium Headphones. The only visual difference you can really make between the Mobius and the Penrose is that there are ascents of Blue (Green for Penrose x) going through the Penrose headphones.

So, much like the design, the comfort level is similar to the Mobius i.e. extremely comfortable and perfect for long gaming sessions.

Microphone and Controls

Similar to Mobius, the Penrose headphones come with a detachable noise canceling microphone. The microphone performance is really good and shouldn’t cause any problems for players.

There are a number of ports and controls on the left ear cup. These include the port for the detachable microphone, various audio ports, a USB – C charging port, microphone mute button, simple volume control wheels etc.

Sound Quality and Features

Fit with 100mm Planar Magnetic Drivers, the pro gaming headset gives you top of the line sound quality. While playing Dark Souls III, the clashing of swords and shields was as clean as the stomping by giants. This tells us that not only is the bass response very clean, but also the highs and mids are on point! So, the frequency response is extremely well balanced.

These headphones have good noise canceling properties and would make for a nice fit for those that wish to be left in peace while playing.

Gamers will definitely gain from the extremely low latency on wireless connection using 2.4gHz USB dongle. It is regarded as the lowest latency rate among all headphones. Users can connect wirelessly via the dongle as will as Bluetooth, both together!

To conclude, if you want an experience of a pro gaming headset similar to the Mobius Premium headphones but not as expensive, Penrose is your go to. It lacks the 3D audio of the Mobius but other delivers as good an audio experience. So, save yourself a 100 bucks but experience no compromise on your headphone quality.

View on Amazon: Audeze Penrose/Penrose X Wireless Gaming Headset

7. ASUS ROG Delta S Gaming Headset with USB-C

Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming With USB C

  • Unique and beautiful design
  • Available in multiple colors
  • Multi platform headset
  • Ear cup shaped in such a way that protects your ears from discomfort
  • Customizable multi color RGB lighting
  • Great sound quality
  • Type-C connection extends beyond PC
  • Slightly bulky and cumbersome

Asus is mostly known for its gaming equipment such as monitors, gaming mice, keyboards etc. But here we have the Asus ROG Delta S headphones, making it to our list of best audiophile headphones for gaming, as the best headphones with USB Type C connection.

Design and Comfort

One of the most unique looking headphones, the ROG Delta S is a gorgeous headset with D shaped ear cups for additional comfort to your ears. The ear cushions are made of 100% protein leather and fast-cooling memory foam. Combined with the padded headband, you can use these cans for long gaming periods.

One of the stand outs on the design of this headset is the multi-color RGB lighting. Using the ASUS Aura Sync & Armoury Crate support, you can customize the RGB lighting effects.

Microphone and Controls

We tested Asus’s claims that the mic reduces over 50 million types of noise, including chatter, keyboard clatter & mouse clicks by up to 95%. We can say that it sure did pass the test with flying colors. The unidirectional, detachable mic gives exception voice clarity and flushes out enough background noise for you to be unbothered.

There are mainly three controls on the bottom of the left ear cup of the Asus ROG Delta S. These include an on/off button for the RBG Aura lighting, a volume wheel for volume control and a mic mute/unmute button.

Sound Quality and Features

While playing Hunter’s Arena, we tested the ROG Delta S to see if we could pick on the slightest of sound, and we could. These headphones made it easy for us to pick fights with enemies in the battle arena with utmost ease.

The ROG Delta S can achieve a SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) of 130 dB. To put into perspective, headphones with SNR above 50 dB are considered excellent. So the levels to which the Delta S can reach are virtually untouchable.

Much like the RGB lighting, you can manage and customize audio profiles for your headphones via the ASUS Aura Sync & Armoury Crate support.

To conclude, Asus has managed to deliver yet another top quality gaming accessory, much like many others that it has produced earlier. The Delta S looks, feels and does exactly what you expect it to. And yes, these are light on your pockets as well so you need not think much before choosing to get these colorful and vibrant gaming headphones!

View on Amazon: ASUS ROG Delta S Gaming Headset with USB-C

8. beyerdynamic MMX 300 (2nd Generation) Premium Gaming Headset

Audiophile Headphones for Gaming With Best Microphone Quality

  • Durable and sturdy headphones
  • Lightweight and comfortable headphones
  • Very good sound stage and isolates outside noise
  • Excellent sound quality with well balanced frequency response
  • Multi platform compatibility
  • Microphone quality is top notch
  • Only wired headphones

Almost all the headphones we tested had great microphones but the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 (2nd generation) had the best of them all. It was also one of the better high end gaming headsets we came across. Let us study the headphones in better detail.

Design and Comfort

The MMX 300 headphones are super sturdy and super comfortable. They are completely black with large and round plastic ear cups mounted on Y shaped metal arms connecting them to the headband. The earcups can tilt up and down and pan left and right for freedom of adjustment. Though, the headphones aren’t fold-able.

Both the headband and ear pads are generously padded, and the ear pads are covered in felt. Although robust, the headphones are surprisingly lightweight. The fit is solid and therefore players can use these headphones for long hours without much problems.

Microphone and Controls

The left ear cup of the headphones has the boom mic, one of the best ones we tried. The test clips showed us no signs of sibilance or fuzziness, which confirms how high end a microphone the MMX 300 uses. We feel that the microphone is good enough to be used besides gaming for streaming and for podcasts as well.

The headphones lack in one way i.e. there are no button controls present on the headset. There’s only one recessed audio 3.5mm jack for the cables that come with the headset.

Sound Quality and Features

These headphones are one the finest sounding headphones that we have tested. The sound clarity is really appreciable. While playing Elder Scrolls Online, every dialogue came through exceptionally clean.

The sound profile of the MMX 300 can be described as “natural”. The audio reproduction is immaculate and the frequency response throughout the frequency response range of 5 – 35,000 Hz is surprisingly balanced. We definitely feel that the natural sound of these headphones makes them one of the top choices out there.

To conclude, the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 is a top of the top level audiophile headset with exceptionally audio fidelity and a high grade microphone. Users may look at these headphones as an option for doing streaming or for doing podcasts.

View on Amazon: beyerdynamic MMX 300 (2nd Generation) Premium Gaming Headset

9. Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR Over-Ear Open-Air Headphones

Best Open Back Audiophile Headphones for Gaming

  • Excellent audio reproduction
  • Durable and well-built
  • Compatible with PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox
  • High quality sound output
  • Supremely comfortable
  • Noise Leakage due to open back design
  • Lack of noise isolation

Personally, we are not fans of open back headphones for gaming. Though, open back headphones make for some of the best studio headphones. But, there are gamers that prefer the airiness and spacial sound experience of open back headphones. Not wanting to disappoint anyone, we tried a number of open back headphones and the one that came out at the top was Philips Fidelio X2HR

Design and Comfort

The X2HR headphones have a beautiful premium looking design. The headphones are super durable with no signs of flimsiness. Although, they are a bit bulky and are heavier than some alternates.

They have large sized deluxe memory foam ear-pads covered with a velour material for high breath-ability. This allows two things – pressure to be released and cooling down of the headphones for superior comfort.

The headband does not require padding as it is elevated above your head, using a strap that lies quietly on your head.

Microphone and Controls

This pair of headphones can be used with or without a microphone using a 3.5mm audio cable. Although, a NeeGo attachable boom mic comes with the headphones which can be connected to any device to be used a proper gaming headset.

There are no controls present on the headset as such. The only controls present are on the microphone audio cable, including a volume dial and a microphone on/off switch.

Sound Quality and Features

The Philips Fidelio X2HR uses 50mm neodymium drivers for reproducing sounds from a wide frequency range with utmost accuracy. The audio quality is extremely high resolution, which we especially experienced while playing God Of War! The dialogues and all the fighting sounds came through so so cleanly that we lost ourselves in the moment.

But, then came the realization that noise isolation is almost absent as one of us called out for a slice of pizza from behind. Also, as someone sitting next to someone using these headphones, you could definitely hear the shouts and war cries of Kratos as he took on the Divinity by himself.

If you’re someone seeing open back headphones, we are sure that you do not mind the lack of sound isolation and tendency to leak audio. So, the Philips Fidelio X2HR is the best choice for you. Although bulky, they are very comfortable and you won’t find many open back audiophile headphones for gaming than the X2HR headphones.

View on Amazon: Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR Over-Ear Open-Air Headphones

10. Audio-Technica ATH AG1X Closed Back High-Fidelity Gaming Headset

Audiophile Headphones for Gaming With Best Soundstage

  • Best sound stage our of all headphones we tested
  • Lightweight headphones, super comfortable
  • Durable and rugged, has a solid fit
  • Multi platform compatibility (Xbox One needs adapter)
  • Microphone is of high quality
  • Bulky in size

Sound stage is ever present in present day headphones but the one that really stood out to us was produced by the Audio Technica ATH AG1X. The Audio Technica ATH series offers a number of headphones to choose from but the ATH AG1X was the we one we found to have the best sound stage, needed for gaming.

Design and Comfort

These closed back headphones are very durable to begin with. There is also an open back variant available for those that prefer the airiness of an open back headset. The foam padded ear pads fit snugly onto your ears. That combined with the unique 3D wing support system allows you to have long and undisturbed gaming sessions.

Microphone and Controls

The built-in microphone on this Audio Technica Headset extends from the left ear cup. It allows for crystal clear in-game voice comms. We could hear each other clearly, over all the bombardment going around in the city of Verdansk while playing Call of Duty: Warzone.

On the controls front, you will find the essentials i.e. volume control and mic mute/unmute switches. That wraps it up about the microphone and controls.

Sound Quality and Features

Much like most Audio Technia ATH headphones, the AG1X headphones also have amazing sound quality. The large 53mm drivers produce powerful sound and provide brilliant sound staging. While our game was going on in Verdansk, every single footstep could be made out by us. The directional audio is immaculate.

These headphones have a great frequency response range of 5 – 40,000 Hz, and throughout the range, the frequency response is very balanced. Although we could feel an oomph about the bass, which some might find better than having a somber bass.

To conclude, the Audio Technica ATH AG1X headphones have brilliant sound stage and are just the perfect choice for gamers, especially ones indulging in FPS games. Your enemies won’t have a chance if you have these on your head!

View on Amazon: Audio-Technica ATH AG1X Closed Back High-Fidelity Gaming Headset

Frequently Asked Questions About Audiophile Headphones for Gaming

Are audiophile headphones good for gaming?

Audiophile headphones are a solid choice for gaming. These are headphones with extremely clear sound with great frequency range and audio fidelity. They allow users to experience sound exactly as it is intended.

This could be a very important factor for players, especially those who play games with utmost importance to sound Viz. Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds, Fortnite, COD Warzone or Valorant. These are usually more expensive than normal gaming headphones but surely justify their worth.

Are expensive gaming headphones worth it?

Affordability is a major concern when it comes to headphones. Are expensive headphones worth it? Surely. Much like any other product, the general belief is that the more expensive items, more often than not, are better in quality. Expensive headphones have a better build quality and often come with better features such as noise cancellation, sound staging, voice assistant control etc.

So yes, expensive gaming headphones are definitely worth it. But, only to those that can afford them. Cheaper headphones need not necessarily mean that they are not good. Just that expensive headphones will always have some kind of an edge over more budget-friendly options.

Are monitor headphones good for gaming?

Monitor headphones, also called as studio headphones, can be a great option for gaming. Best studio headphones have a flat sound profile but have extremely accurate sound reproduction. This may or may not be appealing to gamers.

How you ask? Some gamers prefer to feel the deep bass when they witness an explosion in front of them! Imagine using a rocket launcher in front of you and not feeling the bass.

At the same time, more competitive players may seek headphones that reproduce more accurate sound than enhanced sound. For eg., you do not want to miss the footsteps of an enemy lurking right in front of you because the bass on the blast near you was too strong!

Final Words

Some of the best audiophile headphones can make for great gaming headphones. We believe that Audeze has made the most of this possibilities with their brilliant gaming headphones, the Mobius and the Penrose.

If we had to pick one headset out of all the ones we listed, it has to be the Audeze Mobius Premium. It has everything you look for in a top quality, high end gaming headset.

Also, we wouldn’t really recommend open back headphones unless you really enjoy the spatial sound experience.

For more information, queries or questions, feel free to let us know in the comments below!

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