Looking for gaming headset recommendations…wireless or not?

[GinG]

Hi all…looking to replace my hyperx cloud headphones as the material and rubber is starting to disintegrate.

They’ve had a good innings of around 10 years.

Cani get anything for around £50-£60 and wireless that is worth getting?

I mainly play battlefield.

Are wireless able to handle games that have quite a lot going on along with discord without any effect on sound quality?

Am I better getting a separate mic and go down headphones which aren’t ’gaming’ ones?

As always any help is much appreciated, I am open to other recommendations even if it’s out of budget for the right pair

 

[Timber]

10 years is a very good innings. What platform you play on might influence this question. I think most around here would probably answer wired over wireless, but obviously that can be very subjective. £50-60 isn't a huge budget, so the wired headsets/headphones in this price range will be limited. Wireless even more so.

I've only had a couple of wireless headphones over the years (I used wired) and from an audio quality POV they were OK. Audio will be compressed to be used over the wireless protocol, even on top of any compression the games use. Wireless is generally simpler not having to potentially worry around a DAC/AMP, or noise/interference from the PC, able to do EQ on the headset (although can be a downside; via the manufacturers software, or app) and no wires. A desktop/separate mic will be much better quality over a headset/boom mic, but cost will increase as will complexity. I think the starting point for these is going to be c.£40-50 for a Fifine USB/XLR mic, but then you would likely want a boom arm on top of that. So more space needed too.

A wired headset/headphone audio quality will be better, don't have to worry about battery life and the headphones can last longer (no battery to replace). Personally I prefer wired headphones/sets, but I already have the DAC/AMPs setup for music and general audio at my desk so it's an easy choice.

You probably have a few choices:

1. Buy a wired headset to replace what you had for £50-60. Cloud 3, RIG R5 Pro, Turtle Beach Atlas 200 - all have reviewed well and mostly in-budget that I know of (might be missing something here - not my area of expertise).
2. Buy wireless, albeit you may have to increase the budget here.
3. Look into headphones, or more expensive 'audiophile' grade headsets. You might want something fairly easy to drive (so low impedance, high sensitivity) that you can plug directly into your PC, or console. This will also open up choices like open-back, or closed-back etc. But may open a can of worms in-terms of if you need a DAC, or AMP etc.

Lot of ways you could go here, so hard to recommend something straight off the bat. Going to a channel like GadgetryTech on Youtube and following one of their headset guides might be a good place to start.

 

[sandys]

Buy more of the same, Hyper x Cloud III S wireless. The S is the important bit. good sound, great value.

 

[JollyJamma]

Hi all…looking to replace my hyperx cloud headphones as the material and rubber is starting to disintegrate.

They’ve had a good innings of around 10 years.

Cani get anything for around £50-£60 and wireless that is worth getting?

I mainly play battlefield.

Are wireless able to handle games that have quite a lot going on along with discord without any effect on sound quality?

Am I better getting a separate mic and go down headphones which aren’t ’gaming’ ones?

As always any help is much appreciated, I am open to other recommendations even if it’s out of budget for the right pair

Here

 

[jonnylaris]

I switched from a wireless Arctis headset to a full XLR mic on a boom arm and a pair of audiophile headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro) and it's the best decision I've made yet.

 

[naefeart]

10 years is a very good innings. What platform you play on might influence this question. I think most around here would probably answer wired over wireless, but obviously that can be very subjective. £50-60 isn't a huge budget, so the wired headsets/headphones in this price range will be limited. Wireless even more so.

I've only had a couple of wireless headphones over the years (I used wired) and from an audio quality POV they were OK. Audio will be compressed to be used over the wireless protocol, even on top of any compression the games use. Wireless is generally simpler not having to potentially worry around a DAC/AMP, or noise/interference from the PC, able to do EQ on the headset (although can be a downside; via the manufacturers software, or app) and no wires. A desktop/separate mic will be much better quality over a headset/boom mic, but cost will increase as will complexity. I think the starting point for these is going to be c.£40-50 for a Fifine USB/XLR mic, but then you would likely want a boom arm on top of that. So more space needed too.

A wired headset/headphone audio quality will be better, don't have to worry about battery life and the headphones can last longer (no battery to replace). Personally I prefer wired headphones/sets, but I already have the DAC/AMPs setup for music and general audio at my desk so it's an easy choice.

You probably have a few choices:

1. Buy a wired headset to replace what you had for £50-60. Cloud 3, RIG R5 Pro, Turtle Beach Atlas 200 - all have reviewed well and mostly in-budget that I know of (might be missing something here - not my area of expertise).
2. Buy wireless, albeit you may have to increase the budget here.
3. Look into headphones, or more expensive 'audiophile' grade headsets. You might want something fairly easy to drive (so low impedance, high sensitivity) that you can plug directly into your PC, or console. This will also open up choices like open-back, or closed-back etc. But may open a can of worms in-terms of if you need a DAC, or AMP etc.

Lot of ways you could go here, so hard to recommend something straight off the bat. Going to a channel like GadgetryTech on Youtube and following one of their headset guides might be a good place to start.

Does anyone else have problems with wireless headphones and BF6, or perhaps other games?

I bought the B&W PX8 wireless headphones and the sound quality in BF6 was atrocious. It sounded like I was playing under water and the headphones would also keep losing connection. It sounded like a bandwidth issue, but reading online highlighted that it was a common issue with wireless headphones and BF6 in general. I tried all the obvious troubleshooting options including disabling the telephony option within Windows 11, but with no improvements made. Connecting the usb-c cable made no difference either which surprised me.

I wasn't particularly looking for wireless headphones, so I've decided to try a wired pair instead - some Focal Azurys, hopefully these will fair better. I'll probably go further and pair this with a device like the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic or similar. Feels like the start of another audio rabbit hole...

 

[Timber]

Does anyone else have problems with wireless headphones and BF6, or perhaps other games?

I bought the B&W PX8 wireless headphones and the sound quality in BF6 was atrocious. It sounded like I was playing under water and the headphones would also keep losing connection. It sounded like a bandwidth issue, but reading online highlighted that it was a common issue with wireless headphones and BF6 in general. I tried all the obvious troubleshooting options including disabling the telephony option within Windows 11, but with no improvements made. Connecting the usb-c cable made no difference either which surprised me.

I wasn't particularly looking for wireless headphones, so I've decided to try a wired pair instead - some Focal Azurys, hopefully these will fair better. I'll probably go further and pair this with a device like the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic or similar. Feels like the start of another audio rabbit hole...

No, although I don't use wireless, or play BF6 so I might not be the best person to reply. That said the pair of B&W headphones you've listed seem to be a Bluetooth wireless pair, so aren't the best choice for gaming. They will have some form of DAC built into them which may explain why they don't sound any different via wireless bluetooth, or USB-C. They're strength is going to be a wireless pair for listening to music, podcasts etc. I'd imagine they do sound different when using the AUX 3.5 connection. The Azurys will likely be better being a wired pair of headphones, although I don't own any Focal's either to reference.

I think with headphones some of it can come down to preference; whether that be comfort, tuning or whether you prefer closed vs. open-back headphones. The game's audio itself can also make a massive difference although BF6 sounds OK to me when I've watched streams, or video's online. But maybe you have spacial audio enabled, or something else is going on.

 

[naefeart]

No, although I don't use wireless, or play BF6 so I might not be the best person to reply. That said the pair of B&W headphones you've listed seem to be a Bluetooth wireless pair, so aren't the best choice for gaming. They will have some form of DAC built into them which may explain why they don't sound any different via wireless bluetooth, or USB-C. They're strength is going to be a wireless pair for listening to music, podcasts etc. I'd imagine they do sound different when using the AUX 3.5 connection. The Azurys will likely be better being a wired pair of headphones, although I don't own any Focal's either to reference.

I think with headphones some of it can come down to preference; whether that be comfort, tuning or whether you prefer closed vs. open-back headphones. The game's audio itself can also make a massive difference although BF6 sounds OK to me when I've watched streams, or video's online. But maybe you have spacial audio enabled, or something else is going on.

Sorry, I maybe wasn’t specific enough, the sound with the PX8s starts of ok, but when things get busy in-game, the sound becomes choppy and garbled. Then cuts out completely.

I agree the PX8s are not exactly ideal for gaming, but I thought they’d could do a bit of everything. I didn’t realise the potential complications with Bluetooth.

No such issue with the Focals, not choppiness, no distortion and no dropouts. They need some more hours and proper listening with my hifi step, but I’m happy they can cover my BF6 time.

 

[Timber]

Sorry, I maybe wasn’t specific enough, the sound with the PX8s starts of ok, but when things get busy in-game, the sound becomes choppy and garbled. Then cuts out completely.

I agree the PX8s are not exactly ideal for gaming, but I thought they’d could do a bit of everything. I didn’t realise the potential complications with Bluetooth.

No such issue with the Focals, not choppiness, no distortion and no dropouts. They need some more hours and proper listening with my hifi step, but I’m happy they can cover my BF6 time.

In terms of bluetooth the couple of times I've tried it the latency is too high so I never bothered with it for more than a few minutes. It sounds like the sound getting choppy and garbled before cutting out might something like interference, or bluetooth drivers, rather than any fault with audio from the game and/or headphones. That's why most wireless gaming headphones use proprietary 2.4ghz dongles, sometimes with a second bluetooth radio for calls, or music.

I've only ever tried wireless twice in the last decade or so; Sony Platinum & Razer Kaira (insane pricing error so only cost £36) and they were both relatively OK for gaming, albeit both had comfort issues. Certainly useable from an audio quality pov.

It sounds like the Focal's are working much better for you. I don't personally mind a wired setup as I tend to be near the PC and consoles in a small office. Also no battery, interference, or anything to worry about.

 

[naefeart]

In terms of bluetooth the couple of times I've tried it the latency is too high so I never bothered with it for more than a few minutes. It sounds like the sound getting choppy and garbled before cutting out might something like interference, or bluetooth drivers, rather than any fault with audio from the game and/or headphones. That's why most wireless gaming headphones use proprietary 2.4ghz dongles, sometimes with a second bluetooth radio for calls, or music.

I've only ever tried wireless twice in the last decade or so; Sony Platinum & Razer Kaira (insane pricing error so only cost £36) and they were both relatively OK for gaming, albeit both had comfort issues. Certainly useable from an audio quality pov.

It sounds like the Focal's are working much better for you. I don't personally mind a wired setup as I tend to be near the PC and consoles in a small office. Also no battery, interference, or anything to worry about.

I think you’re right, it’s almost certainly a drivers/software issue, but having tried everything including reinstalling drivers etc. I conceded failure in the end. Shame, I quite liked the look and feel of the PX8s.

No issues with the Azurys, they are nice in their own way, if you like blue that is. Similar to yourself I find wired is fine, I’m in my office or listening space so not roaming about. Happy for now