Resolved: top audio choices under $150
Resolved: top audio choices under $150
Delaro:
For competitive first-person shooter games, a robust Soundstage is crucial. Let’s disregard Comfort, Features, Noise isolation, Build Quality, Latency, Connectivity, and Microphone Quality – we’re solely focusing on audio quality itself.
Soundstage—This metric assesses the breadth and environment of sound reproduction, determining how accurately you perceive spatial elements like footsteps or gunfire.
Imaging—This evaluates the precise location, distance, and width of individual sound sources within the stereo image. It controls how clearly you discern the placement and balance of objects as intended by the original audio source.
Frequency Response Consistency—This describes how a headphone’s sound quality varies based on its fit, influenced by your head shape and ear interaction, as well as whether you wear glasses.
Total Harmonic Distortion—Harmonic distortion represents unwanted frequencies generated beyond the original sound signal.
Rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being exceptional.
……Studio Headphones……
Superlux HD 681 “Requires Modification for Microphone” – $35; V-moda ModMic – $30
7.1 Soundstage
8.1 Imaging
7.8 Frequency Response Consistency
6.3 Total Harmonic Distortion
9.4 Bass/8.6 Mid/7.2 Treble
Superlux HD 668B “Requires Modification for Microphone” – $43
7.0 Soundstage
8.4 Imaging
7.5 Frequency Response Consistency
7.8 Total Harmonic Distortion
8.6 Bass/9.0 Mid/7.8 Treble
Audio-Technica MX40 “Requires Modification for Microphone” – $80
5.8 Soundstage
7.9 Imaging
7.0 Frequency Response Consistency
6.8 Total Harmonic Distortion
8.7 Bass/8.6 Mid/8.5 Treble
Audio-Technica MX50 “Requires Modification for Microphone” – $130
5.9 Soundstage
8.6 Imaging
7.3 Frequency Response Consistency
8.9 Total Harmonic Distortion
9.0 Bass/8.8 Mid/8.3 Treble
……Gaming Headsets……
HyperX Cloud Revolver – $100-$120
7.2 Soundstage
8.3 Imaging
5.7 Frequency Response Consistency
8.8 Total Harmonic Distortion
8.6 Bass/8.6 Mid/7.3 Treble
SteelSeries Arctis 7 “Wireless” – $118
6.4 Soundstage
8.5 Imaging
5.4 Frequency Response Consistency
8.4 Total Harmonic Distortion
8.4 Bass/8.5 Mid/9.0 Treble
HyperX Cloud 2 – $100
5.3 Soundstage
8.5 Imaging
5.8 Frequency Response Consistency
6.5 Total Harmonic Distortion
8.9 Bass/8.9 Mid/5.7 Treble
LOGITECH G933 – $100
6.4 Soundstage
7.5 Imaging
5.5 Frequency Response Consistency
8.3 Total Harmonic Distortion
8.1 Bass/7.8 Mid/8.1 Treble
Logitech G533 – $90
7.3 Soundstage
8.0 Imaging
5.7 Frequency Response Consistency
7.1 Total Harmonic Distortion
9.2 Bass/8.1 Mid/8.7 Treble
CORSAIR HS60 – $50
6.1 Soundstage
8.7 Imaging
6.5 Frequency Response Consistency
7.2 Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2 Bass/8.4 Mid/7.9 Treble
LOGITECH G430 – $30
5.9 Soundstage
8.1 Imaging
6.1 Frequency Response Consistency
7.3 Total Harmonic Distortion
8.1 Bass/9.1 Mid/7.9 Treble
Hopefully, this provides a clearer perspective.
Thank you for the informative response—which one would you recommend as the overall best?
tomas33 :
delaro :
Thank you for your response, it was very informative. Considering your viewpoint, which do you believe is the most suitable choice in general?
“Best” is a matter of personal opinion. Sound fidelity is more important than any disadvantages from missing features and controls, and you might agree.
Superlux HD 668B/HD681 with Mod Mic: “Not exceptionally comfortable, but offers outstanding audio quality without built-in controls.”
Audio-Technica MX40 + Mod Mic: “More comfortable than the Superlux but priced significantly higher.”
Reduced audio quality, yet providing additional functionalities—like controls and software—is available.
SteelSeries Arctis 7: “Wireless”
HyperX Cloud Revolver: “An upgrade from the HyperX Cloud II.”
HyperX Cloud II: “Superior construction, comfort, and inline controls are favored over average soundstage and inconsistent high frequencies.”
Corsair HS60
Logitech G430
Logitech G533
Logitech G933: “Poor microphone quality, but the rest of its features are excellent.”