Many people are asking why the Maxwell isn't in this video, which is a great indicator of how successful it has been. The Maxwell is an amazing headset, and easily one of my favorites of all time. Specifically in the context of positional tracking/footsteps/imaging performance, the Nova Pro and Stealth Pro do a slightly better job, that's all. The Maxwell will be featured in other videos coming up though, as overall, it's an exceptional headset with many other pros to it! Please note - I use the Maxwell all the time. I would still use it as a general purpose headset, FPS games included.
Purchased Acezone Aspire thru your Link! i want to try them anyways, bc they seem lightweight and small profile, like my A40's. are you saying the MM100 is better than maxwell for footsteps or the same?. and you said Model One are the best at image-ing footsteps, period? and for wireless/digital would be Stealth pro or Nova Pro? where does that put Acezone? isnt their whole schtick that they are the best for imaging footsteps? are you saying or implying that the Stealth Pro and Nova Pro are BOTH better than Acezone at footsteps?
I was wondering about the omission myself because I have been eyeing up the Maxwell. I primarily use for FPS games, so I am torn a bit. I have seen other reviews saying the one newer turtle beach one stealth pro has better footstep audio.
@ItsBozzy I'm so biased against Turtle Beach for over a decade. Bc they use to be such garbage. You always new right away someone with Turtle Beaches, bc their mics would rock around and sound like they are on a boat or something.
@@mz1929 , honestly I am biased myself never thought of them as a high end company. I will more than likely get the maxwell. They just seem like a value at that price considering other uses.
Love the fps specific video. Glad you made this, now I have a new video to refer my friends too! Surprised to see the MM-100s on there. Will have to go back and watch that review.
Hello Im looking to replace my skull candy crusher, I mainly play open world games but not really looking to spend much because its hard to get some of the products at the southeast asia side. Any recommendations???
For me the razer blackshark v2 blew my steel series out of the water. I could hear so well that my friends would ask how I knew an enemy was near by. I'm disappointed that not one razer headset was in your review. Great video otherwise.
What is the best headset you’ve ever used specifically for Halo? Am curious because Halo is more bass heavy than other fps games, so what may be the best FPS headset may not actually be for Halo xD.
I bough hyperx cloud 3 wireless and i use it for CS2, i'll be honest, it's not very good at all. I actually returned it to amazon today, the bass is sucks , It sounds like a very cheap headphones from TEMU. it's not good for CSGO.. my cloud 2 wired is actually better
Thank you SO much!! I am so sorry I missed your comment. I had an alert notification that stopped working for Super Thanks and I had no idea. Now I'm playing catchup! That was incredibly generous of you. I know I'm super late in thanking you, but I still feel it's important. I really appreciate your support, and I hope you've been well!
How is Logitech there but razer black v2 pro 2023 isn't? Logitech's new headset costs 350cad and I keep seeing the v2 pro 2023 edition for 200cad and the razer headset is better.
For those interested in the high end, it’s worth noting that you can find some crazy used deals from time to time on things like the Arya, Focal Clear, hd800s, hd8xx. For fps, the Arya, 800s, and 8xx are phenomenal picks. I found a set of sticker modded 8xx (basically 800s) for $599 in excellent condition. I wouldn’t buy something this expensive exclusively for gaming, but for music listening + gaming they are incredible. Once you get high enough on price with gaming headsets, used high end audiophile headphones are definitely worth considering, and they hold their value over time
@@Theeletricminers I don't play COD, so I haven't tested it. EQ probably is the problem there. Surely something like the Aria would be fantastic for that though. The soundstage + imaging capabilities play a large role in how "good" headphones are for gaming. Tuning is the other half, but that can be messed with using EQ
Love these round ups! Thanks man. Right now I have the A40s, PC38X and the Virtuoso Pros. I think the A40’s are still my favorite. They are built like a tank (unlike any of the Sennheisers). Super comfy and with EQ to drop the bass they perform great in FPS.
Awesome to hear! Yeah the A40 was Astro's best release. In today's light, I would consider the Nova Pro wired, but if you have the A40 already, you're golden.
@@GadgetryTech I used to have those as well but I just can’t do closed back. I’ve tried so many times. Need to be able to hear myself talking and my surroundings.
Do you play on console or pc? I have the a40s with mixamp on pc and I’ve been using them for years but I’m looking for a new pair for the ps5 I just got
A40s definitely tanks, that’s why I’m scared to try anything else, I gave astro a chance because my turtle beaches keep cracking so easily when the xbox one first came out
Thank you for collating your perspectives into this comprehensive review. This list is very extensive with your experience to backup your choices and it makes initial choices within many price ranges much more discerning. Your time and efforts to build this list are greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work. Just one question; any opinion on the Audeze LCD-GX? At $900 would you chose the Acezone A-Rise over the Audeze?
I missed your question earlier, sorry. I haven’t used the GX for gaming believe it or not. I’m sure sure when I would get to test it out to be sure! If you want an open back planar for gaming, the MM-100 w V-MODA mic or the Hifiman Edition XS are both good options too.
@@GadgetryTech No worries, Sir. Thank you for making the effort to reply. I am seriously considering the MM-100 when they are back in stock, as a dual purpose headset, gaming/music. Take care, Sir.
@@GadgetryTech As a GX owner, they are a blast to use for gaming. I don't play competitively, but for immersion they are fantastic. I use mine paired to a Burson Playmate 2 and they slam pretty good and sound fantastic. I'd recommend trying one out sometime.
Came from a Nova Pro. Upgraded to a Razer blackshark pro. Not seeing it in here is rather dissapointing. But yeah. Everybody has their taste so to say. In my opinion the nova is absolute garbage.
@@StrangeDoctor_ yeah pretty much. Plus u can stil do some EQ ing in the razer app. Unfortunatly i dont have them anymore. I upgraded to the Logitech A50X in january
Iam stuck between a spire and mm 100 and been searching everywhere about mm 100 for gaming but found nothing , can you tell me more about mm 100 ? Iam playing ow 2 competitively
Great detailed video. I'd just like to know your input, for specifically fps games where sound quality, detail and headphone quality is my most important feature, what do you think is the best headset option for under 100
Rocking the Arctis Nova 7 and with your EQ tuning. A good balance for my music and gaming needs. I can wear it for hours without feeling discomfort, hell even went to sleep once with it on. 😂
I watched a lot of your reviews and i'm still debating. My budget is around 400$ and i'm looking for the best WIRELESS headset that works on both PS5 and Xbox series X. I mainly play FPS multiplayer games and some single player games, music is irrelevant. I bought the Turtle beach 700 gen2 max and sent them back at the same day, i was very disappointed, sound quality, footsteps tracking and comfort are all really bad compared to my old wired Astro A40 headset that i bought back on 2011 and still working perfectly, i actually wouldn't replace them but i really want to go wireless. I'm on a search for a higher quality headset. I was thinking about the Turtle beach Stealth pro and the Audeze maxwell. Any help or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Looking at your Warzone target looks like the acezone a spire is dead on. Originally got the stealth and like it, but going to try acezone as I only play Warzone and don’t want to mess with EQ
Harmonicdyne Zeus Elites? They are rated better than all of these for positional audio and hi res clarity (outside the Aryas by Hifiman). Actually there's many missing here. DT900 ProX, Ananda, Sundara, H6Pro, Truthear zeros, Vulcans, there's many more
Gotta say, it’s seems as if yoh “like” them all and they offer “great value” and every headset is a “great pick” honestly you used the “the best” or “my absolute favorite” that I honestly don’t know what headset is worth my money. All over the place with everything being the best.
a good alternative to the H6 is the H3. slightly less bass and the treble is a lot more rounded (quasarzone has measurements for both). also more compact and lightweight. you can find both the Epos and Drop version around the $50 mark right now edit: oh and good job with the recommendations! hopefully youtube points people here instead of towards the channels that don't know what they're talking about :/
Last headset i got, i looked up everywhere on the reviews. EVERYBODY said it was good, durable, good audio, ect. I got it, broke 2 months later. You, you actually give great advice. Saving my wallet from a heartattack. Keep up the good content.
Great headset with good mic and very comfortable. Purely for FPS gaming, these (again just for me), do a slightly better job. The Blacksharks have a little too much bass that can make it difficult to pinpoint footsteps in complex scenes.
man, love this channel. finally got the pc38x for $109 - wow, as good as advertised, and my new favorites. also the arctis 9 and 9x are both $99 at best buy. ive found the 9x so good for imaging and soundstage. so many great deals right now! collect ‘em all! thanks joe, u da man!
Great video man. I have VZR model 1 and audeze maxwell. The VZR outperforms the maxwell in fps games on PS5. I only play on PS5. Would the Schitt hell plus improve the audio on the VZR on the PS5?
I have the Stealth 700 Gen 2 and there’s this weird issue where if I cover the left ear cup exterior the connection starts to crackle. I initially thought this was a range issue but nope, even from just 6ft away the issue persists. Audio quality is amazing, no issues here. Excellent video Joel, I got two headphones based off your recommendations (Xbox wireless headset, 700 Gen 2) and you’re yet to disappoint.
My EM6L left IEM died, sent back for repair. Before that, best gaming IEM without mucking around with EQ. I have the Kinera Gramr mic cable but I just don't like the fit - the mic is connected over the ear, the Antlion one may be better with the mic under the ear.
Maxwell is an amazing headset, and easily one of my favorites of all time. Specifically in the context of positional tracking/footsteps, the Nova Pro and Stealth Pro do a slightly better job, that's all. The Maxwell will be featured in other videos coming up though!
Cool video that randomly popped up. I've had the stealth pro wireless and regret it so much. Comfort is the worst out of any headset I've ever had. They're just so wobbly on my (thin) head and after 4 months the headband has started cracking open ( daily 10+ hours on head for work + gaming). I have been considering getting the (expensive) g pro x wireless as I loved the previous one but now you've also put the A-spire on my radar. Though decision to be made.
The turtle beach stealth 700 gen 2 max are by far the sorriest headset I’ve ever bought, only good for connecting to phones and playing but the sound is so low they are garbage asf I even bought the dr disrespect version and they are terrible most disappointment in a buy I’ve ever had
My god, with how intricate and detailed gamers are with their gear you would think I would have been able to find a video of this quality much sooner in regards to actually breaking down each specific headset, rather than just sounding like a god damn commercial for sub par headsets. Thank you for your commitment and expertise!
Purchased Acezone Aspire thru your Link! i want to try them anyways, bc they seem lightweight and small profile, like my A40's. Very surprised and disappointed Maxwell didnt even make the list, are you saying the MM100 is better than maxwell or the same?. So you said Model One are the best at image-ing footsteps, period? and for wireless/digital would be Stealth pro or Nova Pro? where does that put Acezone? isnt their whole schtick that they are the best for imaging footsteps? are you saying or implying that the Stealth Pro and Nova Pro are BOTH better than Acezone at footsteps?
I used to buy only HyperX headsets I can say with confidence that any cheap iem will give you more precision with footsteps The HyperX will give you a broad direction The iem will give precise directions and good 50 bucks iem will give precision direction, depth and height
Hello Joe! I hope you are fine! Help me decide between Basn and Simgot. Which is the best for FPS? I know you recommend both, but which one do you think has an advantage over the other?
Maxwell is an amazing headset, and easily one of my favorites of all time. Specifically in the context of positional tracking/footsteps, the Nova Pro and Stealth Pro do a slightly better job, that's all. The Maxwell will be featured in other videos coming up though!
As always thx for the great Video! Atm im still using my old Logitech 733 which did a good job over the many years but now kinda fall apart xD (also i hate the Software urgh..) So its time for a UPGRADE hehe. Im waiting for BF Sales and rly rly want the Novas Pro hope they get a nice drop in Price. They seem to be the best for my Setup (PC+PS5) and usage. Can´t wait to experience them playing Rainbow Six on PC.
I’ve got the Stealth Pro and SS Nova pro wireless and still go back to my old Astro A50, though, my A50’s are getting more audio drops I still find them more comfortable the sound stage through Atmos is perfect.
Yeah the A50s are great when they work, plus they're so, so comfortable. I have purchased 3 now and they keep breaking on me. The firmware has been rubbish, and I just couldn't recommend them to today's market considering the lack of support from Logi and Astro now.
@@GadgetryTech firmware is farcical, fingers crossed Logitech can do something about that in the future. Anything you’d recommend that has the same sound/comfort as the A50’s Joe ?. I’m tempted by the RIG 900HX
What have you discovered? I’m trying to find a decent dac/amp. Thinking the Schiit Hel+ for $200 but idk if it’s as good as the once great Schiit Hel 2 (discontinued).
well i goy my Acezone Aspire, trying them now. and HOLY SH*T my Astro A40's sound like Dog SH*T. for music at least. granted i have 4 gaming EQ's on my mixamp, and not one for Music. I cant even tell a diff with AZ's Gaming or Music mode. added 2 Music presets to my astro and they still sound far from the Aspire. granted its semi-open vs closed fittings.
did u see any of my other comments? where would u put these vs the Stealth Pros and Nova Pro? i can not see my self not returning these, already too many flaws that are unnacceptable@@GadgetryTech
@@mz1929 lol nah I just can’t keep up all the time. I work a day job. Those are all great. But if you have the a-spire I would stick with that for fps gaming.
@GadgetryTech unfortunately it's too creaky and makes so much noise if I barely move my head. And also the braided cable is so stupid, it creates so much more friction that resonates right into the ear cup. I can't believe they would pick a smooth cable, not braided cloth that scratches on your clothing while wearing.
I picked up an AceZone A-spire based on your review here. Got it lightly used for $138. Very excited to try it compared to my HD 560S for gaming performance. I may just have to pick up that VZR Model One as well on the black Friday deal!
Ohhh don't do me like that! haha. Maxwell is just too good for everything else. It's the best sounding headset I've used for music, movies, and gaming. Purely for FPS and long term comfort, I like others a little more. I'd probably go with Maxwell plus an open back like the H6PRO or Drop PC38x just for comfort. The Model One is the best for footsteps though.
Is there any way to use the nova pro wireless as wired with the included dac? And if not is there any specific amp/dac to buy for music and gaming with the nova pro wireless?
It’s important to mention..I have the VZR’s and they are fantastic. I have the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro’s and they are great. I have a couple of high end Beyerdynamic’s including 1990 Pro. And truly for me to hear on COD MW 3 footsteps… It’s with the EQ Joe used awhile back comparing Nova Pro’s, Turtle Beach, and…Maxwells. The Maxwells especially with Joe’s EQ on them is hands down for me….the GOAT. And trust me the others are sweet. But the maxwells are my main for COD Console Series X. Anything wired I use Astro DAC for this game. Then an adapter for Headphones and microphone if I’m using my Beyer’s or Senns. Maxwells are hands down for the money the best “Gaming” Headset out there. Don’t F it up Sony 🤙
The battery on my Steelseries Arctis 9 from 2020 is slowly dying and the charging port with Micro USB also doesn't work properly anymore, so I started looking for a new one. Thanks to your videos I just bought the Nova 7 Wireless (which is basically the old Arctis 9 😅)
I am so disappointed by the a-spire. For 350€ i expect good high quality headset with metal in not everything plastic...i have no idea what they are thinking. The only thing good on them is the chip
BlackShark V2 is a great headset! I had to narrow it down enough to make the video reasonable in length while still having good options. Headsets like the BlackShark V2 are just barely beat out by the Nova 7 and Stealth counterparts
IM JUST SEEING THIS VID! aweosme work man! If you see this I gave a Q, I want to get IEMs, doesnt matter which ones for me, but I also want a audio interface like an fifine sc1. is it worth it?
Joe, ive seen a lot of your reviews. Im considering the ziigaat arete's or the playstation elite headset with the planar drivers. With your expertise, which would see being the better fit playing primarily call of duty and elden ring. Soon to be black ops 6 zombies. (Notes: the truthear zero do not fit my ears well. Causes redness and pain on the concha) I understand youre inundated with heaps of comments and questions.
For ps5 and fps games, can you tell me the best top 3 headset for competitive gaming? I haved astro a40 +mixamp and now i’m trying arctis nova pro wired but i’m not sure that are the best. (Sorry for me english)
For the turtle beach stealth pro do you have super human hearing on or off for footsteps with your presets? Any other settings worth changing in the app ? Thank you
Hifiman Edition XS? Is that S tier? I want something S Tier for everything basically in 350 to 400 USD Price Range! S Tier For Movies, Story games and FPS games with Footsteps Audio and Imaging! If someone can help! VZR Model one is hard to get in my country and not available on Amazon (Dubai)
For now yeah, but the sound is different. The general Nova Pro tune will work really well too though. They seem to have better footstep volume in MW3 but I'll post a video when I can!
I think this content is related to my question. I play games and do content as well, almost more than 6 hours using my headset/headphones every day, so I have a problem with the headset because my both earlobes often hurt and need a break, and irritated by the speaker cover, it is pressed my earlobes (the ones that are designed with a big speaker covering the earlobes and strap to the upper head) My question is: are there any headsets/headphone gaming stereo bass that are designed like a customer support's headset + mic on? If yes, please give me a recommendation. Thank you!
Love the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max! Haven’t tried all options but some high end including the Stealth Pro and Nova 7s. I stuck with the Gen 2 Max, in my opinion they are better. I would like to try the Hyperx Clouds someday tho.
i`ve had Turtle beach 700gen 2 max for a year and a half max and they broke 2 times in this time currently looking for some replacement because i`m not buying 160$ headphones for them to break. Highly advise any one against buying turtle beach headphones right now. While sound quality and overall user experience is great, they just break.
I utilize the MoonDrop Chu 1's and theyre the best $25 iem in mic headphones ; the clearness of the treble and mids makes them great for proximity awareness in Call of duty and CS. Im having a hard time letting them go and finding something worth replacing them with . I bought the Arctis Pros $280 and after three hours I've come to the conclusion that theyre the BEATS AUDIO of gaming headsets. The headset is muddy all underwater. the iems are so nice and neat that the price gap just felt so wrong. The module is pointless as well as made out of plastic
Guys, I had a G935 that ended up breaking, and now I'm torturing myself with many headset options that I researched, finally I'm not sure whether to keep a G935 or try a new one like Cloud 3, I'm also looking at other models like Corsair but I'm still very lost, some recommendations according to the new purchase? I keep the same / test Cloud 3 / continue searching for others, any tips? Note, I want to know if the Cloud 3's surround sound works without the wire connected. And also all the ones I'm seeing are wireless
Really appreciate your videos. I’ve seen you replying to other comments and hope I can ask for your opinion regarding a buying decision. I’ve watched all your videos and done research but am still somewhat stuck. I currently have the nova 7’s but the treble stops long sessions. As a single player lover that dabbles in pvp fps games sometimes, do you suggest the Hyperx cloud III wireless, Razer Blackshark Pro 2023 or the Logitech Pro X 2 Wireless? The headsets have been ordered from most assuring to least assuring.
So I’m conflicted. I want an iem for my ps5 and I don’t have a dac/amp. Will the controller be able to support 30 plus ohm? I don’t want the audio to be too low.
Awesome review, thank you. I'm back in market for a good budget set of headphones. I have the HyperX Stinger 2's. The problem is they are to bulky to use with a VR headset. I really need the flip mute and improved ability to hear footsteps. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again
I got a nova pro wiresd but i think im going to return it. My 8 years hyperx is more fullfilling... nova as best bass and soundstage is way superior, but the mid range is nowhere near the budget hyperx headset. Even with your eq. My take is if im going to upgrade to 3x money i expect better in all departements
If money is absolutely no object, then the Sennheiser HD800S would be the absolute top for fps gaming. The soundstage and positional audio is 2nd to none.
Great review and suggestions, thanks - I just found your channel. I have AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC that was the hype a decade ago - would it work for gaming? Do these external DACs have latency issues? Can they drive Sennheiser 560S?
That turtle beach controller for audio on my VZR Model One just isn’t loud enough. The headset volume gets much louder just plugging direct into the Xbox controller without the use of the stealth volume controller. Not sure why but I can hear footsteps much better without it.
i bought a steelseries arctis nova pro with dac. i thought it was a fairly good headset only problem was the build quality had a flaw at the hinges. i pulled it off my head from the side with one hand and the plastic broke. didnt last very long, maybe 3 months at most. its a shame because the sound quality and comfort was pretty good.
Many people are asking why the Maxwell isn't in this video, which is a great indicator of how successful it has been. The Maxwell is an amazing headset, and easily one of my favorites of all time. Specifically in the context of positional tracking/footsteps/imaging performance, the Nova Pro and Stealth Pro do a slightly better job, that's all. The Maxwell will be featured in other videos coming up though, as overall, it's an exceptional headset with many other pros to it! Please note - I use the Maxwell all the time. I would still use it as a general purpose headset, FPS games included.
Purchased Acezone Aspire thru your Link! i want to try them anyways, bc they seem lightweight and small profile, like my A40's.
are you saying the MM100 is better than maxwell for footsteps or the same?. and you said Model One are the best at image-ing footsteps, period? and for wireless/digital would be Stealth pro or Nova Pro? where does that put Acezone? isnt their whole schtick that they are the best for imaging footsteps? are you saying or implying that the Stealth Pro and Nova Pro are BOTH better than Acezone at footsteps?
give your balls a tug@@mz1929
I was wondering about the omission myself because I have been eyeing up the Maxwell. I primarily use for FPS games, so I am torn a bit. I have seen other reviews saying the one newer turtle beach one stealth pro has better footstep audio.
@ItsBozzy I'm so biased against Turtle Beach for over a decade. Bc they use to be such garbage. You always new right away someone with Turtle Beaches, bc their mics would rock around and sound like they are on a boat or something.
@@mz1929 , honestly I am biased myself never thought of them as a high end company. I will more than likely get the maxwell. They just seem like a value at that price considering other uses.
Love the fps specific video. Glad you made this, now I have a new video to refer my friends too!
Surprised to see the MM-100s on there. Will have to go back and watch that review.
I was too! I just happened to be wearing them one night and jumped on CoD. Couldn't believe how much I enjoyed them on it.
Great to hear the Cloud3 wireless being a value pick. Thinking about buying it for 145,- euros
Thanks for the video. Simple question, LCD-GX or acetone A-Rise ?
Have my H6Pro from Sennheiser. Best Mikrofon.
Hello Im looking to replace my skull candy crusher, I mainly play open world games but not really looking to spend much because its hard to get some of the products at the southeast asia side. Any recommendations???
Are the TYGR 300R good for entertainment purpose aswell movies, music, podcasts?
So I play cod warzone what should I go with new to the channel n I loved the video idc what the price is really any one in the comments can help
You know of any gaming Dacs that have Bluetooth like the turtle beach elite pro 2 dac?
Kz zax are the best budget IEMs for fps shooters.
For me the razer blackshark v2 blew my steel series out of the water. I could hear so well that my friends would ask how I knew an enemy was near by. I'm disappointed that not one razer headset was in your review. Great video otherwise.
What is the best headset you’ve ever used specifically for Halo? Am curious because Halo is more bass heavy than other fps games, so what may be the best FPS headset may not actually be for Halo xD.
I bough hyperx cloud 3 wireless and i use it for CS2, i'll be honest, it's not very good at all. I actually returned it to amazon today, the bass is sucks , It sounds like a very cheap headphones from TEMU. it's not good for CSGO.. my cloud 2 wired is actually better
Thanks!
Aired😂
Thank you SO much!! I am so sorry I missed your comment. I had an alert notification that stopped working for Super Thanks and I had no idea. Now I'm playing catchup! That was incredibly generous of you. I know I'm super late in thanking you, but I still feel it's important. I really appreciate your support, and I hope you've been well!
The Cloud 3 wireless sounded terrible for me. Sounded like a tin can in a hallway. I dont understand how people can say thats good.....
Same issue. I’m returning them today
What do you plan on buying?
It's rare I watch a video at normal speed rather than 1.75x-2x but youre worth it. So much quality info.
That means a lot, thanks so much!
@@GadgetryTechI'll be sending anyone who will listen to me your way. I hope you channel becomes huge
Perfect video. Great format. It would be nice to have an updated edition once or twice a year.
Thanks for the great content again
Joel never disappoints, definitely one of my favourite channels.
Thanks so much! It’s Joe btw haha
Haha ja man
@@GadgetryTech ah man my bad I just read my comment back 😂
Hi! The Razer Blackshark V2 Pro 2023 Edition didn't make it here? May I ask, why?
why razer blackshark v2 pro 2023 aint in the list?
How is Logitech there but razer black v2 pro 2023 isn't? Logitech's new headset costs 350cad and I keep seeing the v2 pro 2023 edition for 200cad and the razer headset is better.
For those interested in the high end, it’s worth noting that you can find some crazy used deals from time to time on things like the Arya, Focal Clear, hd800s, hd8xx. For fps, the Arya, 800s, and 8xx are phenomenal picks. I found a set of sticker modded 8xx (basically 800s) for $599 in excellent condition. I wouldn’t buy something this expensive exclusively for gaming, but for music listening + gaming they are incredible. Once you get high enough on price with gaming headsets, used high end audiophile headphones are definitely worth considering, and they hold their value over time
Great comment! Thanks for sharing, and I totally agree!
for cod games, hd800s are not that great brother ...
@@Theeletricminers I don't play COD, so I haven't tested it. EQ probably is the problem there. Surely something like the Aria would be fantastic for that though. The soundstage + imaging capabilities play a large role in how "good" headphones are for gaming. Tuning is the other half, but that can be messed with using EQ
@@Theeletricminerswhats good for cod then
Love these round ups! Thanks man. Right now I have the A40s, PC38X and the Virtuoso Pros. I think the A40’s are still my favorite. They are built like a tank (unlike any of the Sennheisers). Super comfy and with EQ to drop the bass they perform great in FPS.
Awesome to hear! Yeah the A40 was Astro's best release. In today's light, I would consider the Nova Pro wired, but if you have the A40 already, you're golden.
@@GadgetryTech I used to have those as well but I just can’t do closed back. I’ve tried so many times. Need to be able to hear myself talking and my surroundings.
What's ur EQ set up
Do you play on console or pc? I have the a40s with mixamp on pc and I’ve been using them for years but I’m looking for a new pair for the ps5 I just got
A40s definitely tanks, that’s why I’m scared to try anything else, I gave astro a chance because my turtle beaches keep cracking so easily when the xbox one first came out
Thank you for collating your perspectives into this comprehensive review. This list is very extensive with your experience to backup your choices and it makes initial choices within many price ranges much more discerning. Your time and efforts to build this list are greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work. Just one question; any opinion on the Audeze LCD-GX? At $900 would you chose the Acezone A-Rise over the Audeze?
Thanks as always for the support Simon!
I missed your question earlier, sorry. I haven’t used the GX for gaming believe it or not. I’m sure sure when I would get to test it out to be sure! If you want an open back planar for gaming, the MM-100 w V-MODA mic or the Hifiman Edition XS are both good options too.
@@GadgetryTech No worries, Sir. Thank you for making the effort to reply. I am seriously considering the MM-100 when they are back in stock, as a dual purpose headset, gaming/music. Take care, Sir.
@@GadgetryTech As a GX owner, they are a blast to use for gaming. I don't play competitively, but for immersion they are fantastic. I use mine paired to a Burson Playmate 2 and they slam pretty good and sound fantastic. I'd recommend trying one out sometime.
Came from a Nova Pro. Upgraded to a Razer blackshark pro. Not seeing it in here is rather dissapointing. But yeah. Everybody has their taste so to say. In my opinion the nova is absolute garbage.
You have the v2 pro 2023? How is it with warzone footsteps ? Can you pinpoint where the footsteps come from?
@@StrangeDoctor_ yeah pretty much. Plus u can stil do some EQ ing in the razer app. Unfortunatly i dont have them anymore. I upgraded to the Logitech A50X in january
@@fxcknmint3064 the a50x are so expensive ıknow they are good. Thanks
Iam stuck between a spire and mm 100 and been searching everywhere about mm 100 for gaming but found nothing , can you tell me more about mm 100 ? Iam playing ow 2 competitively
Great detailed video. I'd just like to know your input, for specifically fps games where sound quality, detail and headphone quality is my most important feature, what do you think is the best headset option for under 100
Rocking the Arctis Nova 7 and with your EQ tuning. A good balance for my music and gaming needs. I can wear it for hours without feeling discomfort, hell even went to sleep once with it on. 😂
what eq is it? or in what video does he show it
@slimshady5423 I haven't checked but probanly his Nova 7 review.
Enjoy the crackling and having to unplug - replug. I can't stand them. They have some of the best sound I've heard, until it freaks out.
I watched a lot of your reviews and i'm still debating. My budget is around 400$ and i'm looking for the best WIRELESS headset that works on both PS5 and Xbox series X. I mainly play FPS multiplayer games and some single player games, music is irrelevant. I bought the Turtle beach 700 gen2 max and sent them back at the same day, i was very disappointed, sound quality, footsteps tracking and comfort are all really bad compared to my old wired Astro A40 headset that i bought back on 2011 and still working perfectly, i actually wouldn't replace them but i really want to go wireless. I'm on a search for a higher quality headset. I was thinking about the Turtle beach Stealth pro and the Audeze maxwell. Any help or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
"Clamp force" is arguably bad. For me headphones that squeeze too much give me headaches
Looking at your Warzone target looks like the acezone a spire is dead on. Originally got the stealth and like it, but going to try acezone as I only play Warzone and don’t want to mess with EQ
Harmonicdyne Zeus Elites? They are rated better than all of these for positional audio and hi res clarity (outside the Aryas by Hifiman).
Actually there's many missing here. DT900 ProX, Ananda, Sundara, H6Pro, Truthear zeros, Vulcans, there's many more
Gotta say, it’s seems as if yoh “like” them all and they offer “great value” and every headset is a “great pick” honestly you used the “the best” or “my absolute favorite” that I honestly don’t know what headset is worth my money. All over the place with everything being the best.
Hearing 'the best' a lot in a video that concerns itself with - wait for it - THE BEST, in multiple categories to boot? _Outrageous!_
What about the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X?
Turtle Beach 700ngen2? Iew no. Mine just broke after a couple years of suffering from this POS and it's crappy does-nothing BT volume wheel. Feh
a good alternative to the H6 is the H3. slightly less bass and the treble is a lot more rounded (quasarzone has measurements for both). also more compact and lightweight. you can find both the Epos and Drop version around the $50 mark right now
edit: oh and good job with the recommendations! hopefully youtube points people here instead of towards the channels that don't know what they're talking about :/
Last headset i got, i looked up everywhere on the reviews. EVERYBODY said it was good, durable, good audio, ect. I got it, broke 2 months later. You, you actually give great advice. Saving my wallet from a heartattack. Keep up the good content.
My #1 goal is to help people, everything else is much farther down the priority list
I got the Koss, but they didn't work on my ears as well as I had hoped.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 ?
Great headset with good mic and very comfortable. Purely for FPS gaming, these (again just for me), do a slightly better job. The Blacksharks have a little too much bass that can make it difficult to pinpoint footsteps in complex scenes.
man, love this channel. finally got the pc38x for $109 - wow, as good as advertised, and my new favorites. also the arctis 9 and 9x are both $99 at best buy. ive found the 9x so good for imaging and soundstage. so many great deals right now! collect ‘em all! thanks joe, u da man!
great to hear! $110 for those is an amazing price!
Great video man. I have VZR model 1 and audeze maxwell. The VZR outperforms the maxwell in fps games on PS5. I only play on PS5. Would the Schitt hell plus improve the audio on the VZR on the PS5?
Commenting because I'm curious of the answer.
How much superior is it in %?
Need an answer to this question! Lol
I have the Stealth 700 Gen 2 and there’s this weird issue where if I cover the left ear cup exterior the connection starts to crackle. I initially thought this was a range issue but nope, even from just 6ft away the issue persists. Audio quality is amazing, no issues here.
Excellent video Joel, I got two headphones based off your recommendations (Xbox wireless headset, 700 Gen 2) and you’re yet to disappoint.
Which one will you recommend for FPS gaming on Xbox Series X: Xbox Wireless Headset or Turtle Beach Stealth 700 gen 2 Max?
My EM6L left IEM died, sent back for repair. Before that, best gaming IEM without mucking around with EQ. I have the Kinera Gramr mic cable but I just don't like the fit - the mic is connected over the ear, the Antlion one may be better with the mic under the ear.
Why was the Audeze Maxwell not included
Cause the Maxwell is not good for footsteps. They are ok but not great. He has mentioned it before in his reviews.
Maxwell is an amazing headset, and easily one of my favorites of all time. Specifically in the context of positional tracking/footsteps, the Nova Pro and Stealth Pro do a slightly better job, that's all. The Maxwell will be featured in other videos coming up though!
@@GadgetryTech thks for the reply 👍
Hi, whats the best headset for Dead By Daylight ? Mainly to hear moans of pain,healing and chest opening
Cool video that randomly popped up. I've had the stealth pro wireless and regret it so much. Comfort is the worst out of any headset I've ever had. They're just so wobbly on my (thin) head and after 4 months the headband has started cracking open ( daily 10+ hours on head for work + gaming). I have been considering getting the (expensive) g pro x wireless as I loved the previous one but now you've also put the A-spire on my radar. Though decision to be made.
The turtle beach stealth 700 gen 2 max are by far the sorriest headset I’ve ever bought, only good for connecting to phones and playing but the sound is so low they are garbage asf I even bought the dr disrespect version and they are terrible most disappointment in a buy I’ve ever had
What is difference between cloud alpha and cloud 3?
It is so confusing, so many simmilar headsets from hyper x
Are the stealth pro better for footsteps than other options with 7.1?
don't know if answer comment or not but i need your help nova pro wired or hd 560s +ablet mic they are the same price
What do you think about iems on console like ps5?
My god, with how intricate and detailed gamers are with their gear you would think I would have been able to find a video of this quality much sooner in regards to actually breaking down each specific headset, rather than just sounding like a god damn commercial for sub par headsets. Thank you for your commitment and expertise!
No bayer dynamics made the list?
Which is best for mobile gamming bgmi under 100 dollar cloud 2 sounds low i don't want to spend money in amp or dac i am returning cloud 2
JBL 910 are not a good option?
Purchased Acezone Aspire thru your Link! i want to try them anyways, bc they seem lightweight and small profile, like my A40's.
Very surprised and disappointed Maxwell didnt even make the list, are you saying the MM100 is better than maxwell or the same?. So you said Model One are the best at image-ing footsteps, period? and for wireless/digital would be Stealth pro or Nova Pro? where does that put Acezone? isnt their whole schtick that they are the best for imaging footsteps? are you saying or implying that the Stealth Pro and Nova Pro are BOTH better than Acezone at footsteps?
No pulse elite included?
What about the blackshark v2 pro 2023?
I used to buy only HyperX headsets
I can say with confidence that any cheap iem will give you more precision with footsteps
The HyperX will give you a broad direction
The iem will give precise directions and good 50 bucks iem will give precision direction, depth and height
Does the simgot em6l have a mic at all ,?
Hello Joe! I hope you are fine! Help me decide between Basn and Simgot. Which is the best for FPS? I know you recommend both, but which one do you think has an advantage over the other?
I noticed the Auduze Maxwell not being on your list, was expecting those to be right near the top! Great vid regardless, thanks for the hard work!!
Maxwell is an amazing headset, and easily one of my favorites of all time. Specifically in the context of positional tracking/footsteps, the Nova Pro and Stealth Pro do a slightly better job, that's all. The Maxwell will be featured in other videos coming up though!
As always thx for the great Video! Atm im still using my old Logitech 733 which did a good job over the many years but now kinda fall apart xD (also i hate the Software urgh..) So its time for a UPGRADE hehe.
Im waiting for BF Sales and rly rly want the Novas Pro hope they get a nice drop in Price. They seem to be the best for my Setup (PC+PS5) and usage. Can´t wait to experience them playing Rainbow Six on PC.
I’ve got the Stealth Pro and SS Nova pro wireless and still go back to my old Astro A50, though, my A50’s are getting more audio drops I still find them more comfortable the sound stage through Atmos is perfect.
Yeah the A50s are great when they work, plus they're so, so comfortable. I have purchased 3 now and they keep breaking on me. The firmware has been rubbish, and I just couldn't recommend them to today's market considering the lack of support from Logi and Astro now.
@@GadgetryTech firmware is farcical, fingers crossed Logitech can do something about that in the future.
Anything you’d recommend that has the same sound/comfort as the A50’s Joe ?.
I’m tempted by the RIG 900HX
I have an astro mix amp pro, is this useable with the VZR Model One Audiophile Gaming Headset? or would I want to find something else?
yes
What have you discovered? I’m trying to find a decent dac/amp. Thinking the Schiit Hel+ for $200 but idk if it’s as good as the once great Schiit Hel 2 (discontinued).
A-spire vs stealth pro for mw3, what would you pick?
well i goy my Acezone Aspire, trying them now. and HOLY SH*T my Astro A40's sound like Dog SH*T. for music at least. granted i have 4 gaming EQ's on my mixamp, and not one for Music. I cant even tell a diff with AZ's Gaming or Music mode. added 2 Music presets to my astro and they still sound far from the Aspire. granted its semi-open vs closed fittings.
So happy you’re enjoying the A-Spire!!! Go get those Ws!
did u see any of my other comments? where would u put these vs the Stealth Pros and Nova Pro? i can not see my self not returning these, already too many flaws that are unnacceptable@@GadgetryTech
did u give up answering comments?@@GadgetryTech 😅
@@mz1929 lol nah I just can’t keep up all the time. I work a day job. Those are all great. But if you have the a-spire I would stick with that for fps gaming.
@GadgetryTech unfortunately it's too creaky and makes so much noise if I barely move my head. And also the braided cable is so stupid, it creates so much more friction that resonates right into the ear cup. I can't believe they would pick a smooth cable, not braided cloth that scratches on your clothing while wearing.
I picked up an AceZone A-spire based on your review here. Got it lightly used for $138. Very excited to try it compared to my HD 560S for gaming performance. I may just have to pick up that VZR Model One as well on the black Friday deal!
Wow that's an amazing price! Between that and the 560S, you have some of the best options for FPS. The Model One will just be icing on the cake haha
@@GadgetryTech yeah I got extremely lucky on ebay! For the price I think it's the best headset for the money
Wait, theres a black Friday deal with the VZR model one?
@@DyzzBro Yeah, it's mentioned in the video. $250 for open box VZR Model One's for black friday. Deal is not live yet so just look out for it
what do you think about them? ive had the A-spire for about 1 week, and im def returning them.
If you had to pick two headsets out of these three, which ones would you get...VZR, TB Pro and maxwells.
Ohhh don't do me like that! haha. Maxwell is just too good for everything else. It's the best sounding headset I've used for music, movies, and gaming. Purely for FPS and long term comfort, I like others a little more. I'd probably go with Maxwell plus an open back like the H6PRO or Drop PC38x just for comfort. The Model One is the best for footsteps though.
So is the nova pro better then the astro a50s?
I think the Corsair hs65 is the best under/at $50
Is there any way to use the nova pro wireless as wired with the included dac? And if not is there any specific amp/dac to buy for music and gaming with the nova pro wireless?
I've tried and it does not sound good. You lose a ton of dynamics with it so I do not recommend it
@@GadgetryTechfor the nova pro wireless (with wicked cusions) would you recommend the g6, g7c, or the fiio k7?
Vzr one vs Sennheiser 560s
It’s important to mention..I have the VZR’s and they are fantastic.
I have the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro’s and they are great.
I have a couple of high end Beyerdynamic’s including 1990 Pro.
And truly for me to hear on COD MW 3 footsteps…
It’s with the EQ Joe used awhile back comparing Nova Pro’s, Turtle Beach, and…Maxwells.
The Maxwells especially with Joe’s EQ on them is hands down for me….the GOAT.
And trust me the others are sweet.
But the maxwells are my main for COD Console Series X.
Anything wired I use Astro DAC for this game.
Then an adapter for Headphones and microphone if I’m using my Beyer’s or Senns.
Maxwells are hands down for the money the best “Gaming” Headset out there.
Don’t F it up Sony 🤙
Which video was this man?
Great video! would like to see some more IEMs reviewed. Need a high tier and money bag tier list to add to your already good budget and mid tier.
The battery on my Steelseries Arctis 9 from 2020 is slowly dying and the charging port with Micro USB also doesn't work properly anymore, so I started looking for a new one. Thanks to your videos I just bought the Nova 7 Wireless (which is basically the old Arctis 9 😅)
I am so disappointed by the a-spire. For 350€ i expect good high quality headset with metal in not everything plastic...i have no idea what they are thinking. The only thing good on them is the chip
@GadgetryTech im surprised there isnt any razer BlackShark V2 model, would you rather prefer the nova 7 over them ?
BlackShark V2 is a great headset! I had to narrow it down enough to make the video reasonable in length while still having good options. Headsets like the BlackShark V2 are just barely beat out by the Nova 7 and Stealth counterparts
IM JUST SEEING THIS VID! aweosme work man! If you see this I gave a Q, I want to get IEMs, doesnt matter which ones for me, but I also want a audio interface like an fifine sc1. is it worth it?
damn after a long time thinking about it, I made the decision to go with the nova pro wireless, but now you talked about comfort and got me worried
Apparently the new version has a smaller bump and is more comfortable!!
Joe, ive seen a lot of your reviews. Im considering the ziigaat arete's or the playstation elite headset with the planar drivers. With your expertise, which would see being the better fit playing primarily call of duty and elden ring. Soon to be black ops 6 zombies. (Notes: the truthear zero do not fit my ears well. Causes redness and pain on the concha)
I understand youre inundated with heaps of comments and questions.
For ps5 and fps games, can you tell me the best top 3 headset for competitive gaming? I haved astro a40 +mixamp and now i’m trying arctis nova pro wired but i’m not sure that are the best. (Sorry for me english)
For the turtle beach stealth pro do you have super human hearing on or off for footsteps with your presets? Any other settings worth changing in the app ? Thank you
Hifiman Edition XS?
Is that S tier?
I want something S Tier for everything basically in 350 to 400 USD Price Range!
S Tier For Movies, Story games and FPS games with Footsteps Audio and Imaging!
If someone can help!
VZR Model one is hard to get in my country and not available on Amazon (Dubai)
Do you recommend your custom EQ or the MW2 preset for MW3 with the Nova Pro?
For now yeah, but the sound is different. The general Nova Pro tune will work really well too though. They seem to have better footstep volume in MW3 but I'll post a video when I can!
Thanks a lot for your geat content! CANT WAIT for your MW3 Nova Pro EQ settings video! @@GadgetryTech
I think this content is related to my question.
I play games and do content as well, almost more than 6 hours using my headset/headphones every day, so I have a problem with the headset because my both earlobes often hurt and need a break, and irritated by the speaker cover, it is pressed my earlobes (the ones that are designed with a big speaker covering the earlobes and strap to the upper head)
My question is: are there any headsets/headphone gaming stereo bass that are designed like a customer support's headset + mic on? If yes, please give me a recommendation. Thank you!
Love the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max! Haven’t tried all options but some high end including the Stealth Pro and Nova 7s. I stuck with the Gen 2 Max, in my opinion they are better. I would like to try the Hyperx Clouds someday tho.
i`ve had Turtle beach 700gen 2 max for a year and a half max and they broke 2 times in this time currently looking for some replacement because i`m not buying 160$ headphones for them to break. Highly advise any one against buying turtle beach headphones right now. While sound quality and overall user experience is great, they just break.
I utilize the MoonDrop Chu 1's and theyre the best $25 iem in mic headphones ; the clearness of the treble and mids makes them great for proximity awareness in Call of duty and CS. Im having a hard time letting them go and finding something worth replacing them with . I bought the Arctis Pros $280 and after three hours I've come to the conclusion that theyre the BEATS AUDIO of gaming headsets. The headset is muddy all underwater. the iems are so nice and neat that the price gap just felt so wrong. The module is pointless as well as made out of plastic
Guys, I had a G935 that ended up breaking, and now I'm torturing myself with many headset options that I researched, finally I'm not sure whether to keep a G935 or try a new one like Cloud 3, I'm also looking at other models like Corsair but I'm still very lost, some recommendations according to the new purchase? I keep the same / test Cloud 3 / continue searching for others, any tips?
Note, I want to know if the Cloud 3's surround sound works without the wire connected. And also all the ones I'm seeing are wireless
Really been enjoying your content pal, keep up the good work.
Thanks!
Really appreciate your videos. I’ve seen you replying to other comments and hope I can ask for your opinion regarding a buying decision. I’ve watched all your videos and done research but am still somewhat stuck. I currently have the nova 7’s but the treble stops long sessions.
As a single player lover that dabbles in pvp fps games sometimes, do you suggest the Hyperx cloud III wireless, Razer Blackshark Pro 2023 or the Logitech Pro X 2 Wireless? The headsets have been ordered from most assuring to least assuring.
If you find the treble too much at times on the Nova 7, then go with the HyperX Cloud III wireless. It's so good!
So I’m conflicted. I want an iem for my ps5 and I don’t have a dac/amp. Will the controller be able to support 30 plus ohm? I don’t want the audio to be too low.
Awesome review, thank you. I'm back in market for a good budget set of headphones. I have the HyperX Stinger 2's. The problem is they are to bulky to use with a VR headset. I really need the flip mute and improved ability to hear footsteps. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again
I got a nova pro wiresd but i think im going to return it. My 8 years hyperx is more fullfilling... nova as best bass and soundstage is way superior, but the mid range is nowhere near the budget hyperx headset. Even with your eq.
My take is if im going to upgrade to 3x money i expect better in all departements
If money is absolutely no object, then the Sennheiser HD800S would be the absolute top for fps gaming. The soundstage and positional audio is 2nd to none.
Great review and suggestions, thanks - I just found your channel. I have AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC that was the hype a decade ago - would it work for gaming? Do these external DACs have latency issues? Can they drive Sennheiser 560S?
That turtle beach controller for audio on my VZR Model One just isn’t loud enough. The headset volume gets much louder just plugging direct into the Xbox controller without the use of the stealth volume controller. Not sure why but I can hear footsteps much better without it.
So I need a wireless headset, I play Pubg, need a mic, Xbox, under $200….what should I get??
i bought a steelseries arctis nova pro with dac. i thought it was a fairly good headset only problem was the build quality had a flaw at the hinges. i pulled it off my head from the side with one hand and the plastic broke. didnt last very long, maybe 3 months at most. its a shame because the sound quality and comfort was pretty good.