Sound quality: It seems like it would go without saying, but we say it anyway: You can’t always tell from a spec sheet what a headset will look like. A well-made stereo headset can sound better than a poorly made 7.1 Dolby Atmos surround sound set. Check out the reviews to get a sense of how the headset performs in real life.
Surround options: Modern headphones have become very good at recreating or simulating surround sound in headphones using systems like Dolby Atmos for Headphones or DTS:X. These systems are especially effective in games where you want to be able to hear where the enemy is shooting at you . Make sure you can turn ambient sound on or off.
comfort: This is another subjective category, but if you’re going to be wearing a headset for hours while gaming, it’s important that it doesn’t hurt. A heavy headphone pressing against your temples can give you a headache after a while. Look for headphones with ergonomic designs that are adjustable, plenty of cushioning, and are generally light in weight.
Adjustable Boom Microphone: If you plan to use the headset for online gaming, a good microphone is important. Many headsets come with boom mics that can be placed in front of your mouth. Some are removable, while others can simply be rotated or folded away from your mouth when not in use. Make sure you get the right kind for your needs.
Mic mute and visual LED indicator: It’s important to know when to broadcast audio so you don’t accidentally share your private conversations with your teammates. Some microphones are automatically muted when flipped up, while others use a dedicated mute button. We particularly like the headphones, which have red LEDs that indicate when they’re muted, which can come in handy.
Microphone monitoring so you can be heard: If you want to monitor your voice for your teammates, and not look like you’re screaming while you’re playing, microphone monitoring is a feature that lets you hear your own voice through headphones. Optimally, you can adjust its size. When you are listening to a podcast or radio talk show, it is likely that these people are using some form of microphone monitoring so that they can hear themselves as well as others.
Equalizer (EQ) and customization tools: Games, movies, and TV shows mix differently, and when listening, you may want to emphasize different aspects of the audio signal. Custom EQ presets let you set different credits for watching a movie versus playing a game, or even get different credits on a per-game basis.
