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11 Best Studio Headphones For Gaming [Curated Choices]

Today’s guide will cover the 11 best studio headphones for gaming in 2023 for all gamers who love to multitask.

Whether gaming or in the studio, you need world-class products to deliver the output that can help you ace the game called life.

A neutral sound profile is a must for studio recording, and an accurate sound stage can genuinely set your console on fire.

But can you find all such features in one single headset? Let’s find that out!

Best Studio Headphones For Gaming: An Overview

  • Sennheiser HD598

    Sennheiser HD598
    • Sennheiser HD 598s has an extensive sound degree
    • Although the treble is not too boosted, it contributes to no small degree to the general sound pleasant.
    • Cable is removable
    • Only usable in a closed environment
    • Not good at high Bass


References For Further Reading:


The ONLY Studio Headphones Buying Guide You Need In 2023 [Seriously!]

Price is a significant parameter that we consider while buying headphones for gaming.

However, affordability varies from individual to individual. So I have curated this buying guide for you with five critical features other than price.

Sound Quality

Sound Quality for studio gaming headphones

What would a game be without good sound quality? The sound quality offered by gaming headsets is a significant factor when buying headphones. These are usually as important to gamers as the graphics of the game.

So it would be best if you first considered what kinds of games you mostly play. If it is the First Person Shooter (FPS) game, you should go for headphones or headsets with surround-sound technology.

For FPS gamers, surround sound helps identify the enemy’s location and increases the thrill of the game. The gunshots and bombings in the game also seem realistic with this sound technology.

Also, check if the headphones have noise-cancellation features or not. It is essential for games where you must concentrate the entire playing time. The two terms you will hear the most while checking for this feature would be “Active Noise Cancellation” and “Passive Noise Isolation.”

ANC uses technology to cancel the external sounds, while PNI focuses on the physical attributes of the headphones that could block the external sounds. Go for headphones with a tight fit and closed backs, at least around the ear cup region and headbands.

Comfortable To Wear

comfort in studio gaming headphones

You should never compromise on your comfort while playing, especially for the headset you are using, as it might affect your ears and your performance in the game.

Here’s the deal:

The headphones should not be too loose or too tight. It should not keep on falling from your head every 10 seconds. Ensure that the headset you buy has good adjustment levels and soft cushioning for the ear cups.

Take the clamping force (the force that the headphones exert on your head) into consideration as well. Ensure that this clamping force is neither too strong nor too weak as it may cause inconvenience and discomfort.

Build Quality

graphic of a woman wearing durable studio gaming headphones

This aspect determines your gaming headphones’ durability, weight, and comfort. No gamer would play for an hour a week. Gamers continuously play video games for hours and hours, which hardly includes any breaks. All this is done almost every day.

So it is inevitable that your headphones will wear and tear with time and use.

That is why you should buy gaming headsets with good durability, a strong build, and quality design features that can suit the continuous long hours of use.

Check out the material of the ear cups and headband too. The ideal headband for gamers would be an all-metal headband. The high-quality plastic that is sometimes used for headbands is not as durable as the all-metal ones.

The ear cups should be soft enough not to cause pain or rashes around the ears. The ideal materials are leather, foam, and pleather. If your prime focus is durability, you should go for ear cups made of leather.

Weight is an essential factor in determining headsets’ build and comfort. Lighter headphones are suitable for prolonged gaming sessions, while stronger, thicker, and heavier headsets are slightly inconvenient but good in terms of durability and give you gamer vibes.

Connectivity

one child and a young adult playing games from studio headphones

Connectivity will majorly depend on if your headphones are wired or wireless. Wired gaming headphones are usually lighter in weight than wireless headsets. They typically do not have connectivity issues unless the cable or pin is damaged.

On the other hand:

Wireless headsets use Bluetooth technology or a USB dongle for connectivity. While you can sit in any posture in the specified range of the wireless headset, there may be Bluetooth connectivity issues sometimes.

Wired headsets do not need charging or much maintenance, while wireless headphones should be appropriately managed, including the battery. Moreover, wireless headsets are usually compatible with more devices and platforms than wired headsets.

Accuracy In Sound

graphic of a woman listening to studio headphones accurately

Although sound quality is an important parameter to be considered while buying gaming headsets, sound accuracy is much more important, especially for FPS gamers. The surround sound technology of gaming headsets sometimes distorts the sound.

Headphones that offer noise cancellation or isolation features help a lot in terms of the accuracy of the sound of your games.

Make sure that you try the gaming headsets first before buying them to check their accuracy in terms of sound.

Detailed Reviews of Top 11 Studio Gaming Headphones

That’s all our curated buying guide has to offer. Now, let’s head over to detailed reviews of our Top 11 choices:

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X: Super Sound

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

It cannot happen that you are an audiophile and haven’t heard the name M50X. They are one of the most recommended types of headphones for studios in the world and that’s for a reason.

Why Buy Ath-M50X?

  • Neutral Sound Profile
  • Durable Design
  • Amazing comfort
  • Appropriate pricing
  • Flexible Headband

These are some reasons why Ath-M50x beat every other headphone in the market by a mile, including Audio-Technica’s own 3.5 mm connector headphones.

They claim 40 hours of battery life for a full charge of 7 hours to enjoy extended hours of listening.

Each headphone comes with three headphone cables with 3.5 mm jacks. It additionally consists of a quarter-inch adaptor with which you can join an audio interface or a higher-grade gear.

In nutshell, there’s no way you will do wrong buying this audiophile delight even for gaming. The accurate sound response of Ath-M50 will help you listen to vital cues in shooting games with remarkable accuracy.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Brilliant for passive noise isolation.
  • Good for gaming thanks to their accurate emphasis on decreasing and higher-stop notes.
  • Comfortable for long hours of usage with quality ear padding.
  • Attractive design.

Cons

  • Tend to make ears sweaty in humid conditions.
  • No active noise cancellation

Also Read: Best White Gaming Headset

GRADO SR80e Prestige Series: Best for Sound Quality

GRADO SR80e
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

What will you say if I tell you there is something better than M50x?

I’m not kidding, Grado SR80e is often rated to be better in sound performance than the hyped M50x, but there’s more in its arsenal.

Why Buy Grado SR80e?

They are super-lightweight, include jack converters that can plug into your house stereo system, and are surprisingly excellent for dedicated gameplay.

The only drawback? They are damn expensive!

Also, this Grado headphone has poor noise isolation because it isn’t good at canceling ambient noise, which is the case with all open-back headphones.

GRADO SR80e Prestige Series: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Detailed bass-filled sound quality with stable tones.
  • Lightweight and comfortable for long hours of use thanks to their black foam pads.

Cons

  • Headphone plugs aren’t up to the mark.

Philips SHP9500: Budget Pick

Philips Audio SHP9500
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Enough of expensive “high-quality headphones”; we are no sons of Bill Gates.

Philips has read your heart and developed their decent SHP9500 over-ear headphones that can be paired with multiple devices but don’t break your bank account.

Why Buy Philips SHP9500?

Their sound performance is good enough to cross multiple levels of any action-packed game.

What more do you need? Here’s the list of devices it supports for pairing:

  • Home stereo systems.
  • Laptop (Gamers, I hear you delight in joy!)
  • Smartphones

Game anywhere, anytime!

Philips SHP9500: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Detailed sound profile for neutral listening.
  • Sufficiently padded for a comfortable experience.
  • Budget price.

Cons

  • Not suitable for traveling use (which gamers don’t need btw).
  • Bulky design.

Also Read: Best Gaming Headset For Glasses Wearers

Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR: For Big Heads

Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Have a big head? No issues; H2HR has got you covered.

Why Buy Philips Audio X2HR?

Its improved adjustable headband is designed to fit your big head thanks to its more oval-shaped appearance.

What will you find unboxing these Philips headphones?

  • User manual
  • 6.5mm adapter
  • 3.5mm connectors
  • 3mm cable

Quick Note: Despite the name Philips, these over-ear headphones were produced by Gibson for a short period.

Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Spacious earcups.
  • Sound profile that perfectly suits gaming.
  • Durable design.

Cons

  • Not very comfortable.

Sennheiser HD800S: Premium Pick

Sennheiser HD800S
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Many things in HD800S can delight gamers, so we will reveal all of them one by one.

(And no, we won’t call it “godly” as they don’t quite fit your bill).

Why Buy the Sennheiser HD800S?

  • Carefully designed ear-cups
  • The Directional sound allows you to listen to footsteps, gunshots, and loud noises with remarkable precision.
  • No muddy mids and no over-powering bass.
  • Spacious soundstage to seal the deal.

Long story short: HD800S is nothing short of a goldmine for gamers!

Sennheiser HD800S: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Excellent sound performance with spacious sound stage and surround sound.
  • Guaranteed comfort with large earcups.
  • Wired 10-foot-length copper cable included.

Cons

  • Breaks your bank.

Also Read: Top Runmus Gaming Headset

AKG K702: A Masterpiece?

AKG Pro Audio K712
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

AKG is a brand known for making durable studio headphones. And there are good reasons why K702 is one of its finest creations.

Why Buy AKG K702?

  • No coloring in the sound profile, meaning you can enjoy a soundtrack as it is meant to be.
  • Directional sound performance with pinpoint accuracy (which is ideal for FPS games).
  • Durable and sturdy design as it’s a hallmark of AKG over-ear headphones.

No wonder musicians love them, and gamers use them with surprise!

AKG K702: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Directional sound for vita gaming cues.
  • 3D foam ear-cup design.
  • Brilliant retro look.
  • Neutral sound response.

Cons

  • Bulky design

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: Budget Pick

Beyerdynamic-DT-990-Pro
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

The top customer review for this closed-back headphone is titled: “Not for everyone” but then why it’s in our list?

Why Buy DT 990 Pro?

DT 990 Pro offers awesome features like a good resolution, V-shaped wide-range frequency response, and a comfortable ear design.

The best part?

This high-quality studio gaming headphones compete with other types of headphones 3x its price.

So, if everything is brilliant, why it’s not for everyone?

First, that’s the personal feedback of one among the many customers. He advised that this Beyerdynamic classic isn’t for “an analytical or “laid-back” sound.

So, I leave the decision up to you. This pros-cons list will help you further:

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Crisp and detailed sound.
  • Nice and well-built design.
  • Quality headphones within the budget.
  • Comfortable and lightweight design (Customers call them “light as a feather”).

Cons

  • Detachable cable not included.

JBL Quantum 800BL: For Better Performance

JBL Quantum 800BL
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Don’t be swayed by negative customer reviews; as you go through the end of this detailed review, I’ll explain why its pros outperform its cons.

They claim 14 hours of battery life with approximately 2 hours of charging.

Why Buy JBL 800BL?

  • The Quantum 800BL is glossy and dark with customizable colored lighting fixtures while the headset is on.
  • The Quantum 800BL is designed for use with a PC via the USB transmitter.
  • Clear but sensitive microphone.
  • Good surround sound overall

Still not satisfied? Let’s head over to:

JBL Quantum 800BL: Pros and Cons:

Pros

  • Bass-filled sound profile.
  • Solid build and design.
  • Good mic performance.
  • Bluetooth connectivity.

Cons

  • ANC feature needs improvement.

Audio-Technica AD700x: Simply Flawless!

Audio-Technica AD700x
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Another Audio-Technica wired headphone on our giant list, now I’m getting tired.

Let’s wrap things up by listing their top features here:

Why Buy AD700x?

  • Flawless mids for an elevated gaming experience.
  • Comfortably stays in your head even during abrupt movements (gamers can relate!).
  • An immediate wire on the left earpiece terminates in a mini plug with a covered ¼” adapter.
  • Articulate audio overall to satisfy a true audiophile’s heart!

Audio-Technica AD700x: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • The sound performance is promising.
  • Works well in FPS games.
  • Convenient and comfortable to use.
  • Wired connectivity

Cons

  • Warranty not sufficient.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: The Gaming Boss!

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Here’s a quick riddle: Why Beyerdynamic DT series is getting repeated in our recommendations?

Simple, they are too good to ignore.

Why Buy DT 770 Pro?

  • A delightful audio experience.
  • Perfect sound profile for critical listening.
  • Pinpoint accurate response for FPS games.
  • The price that doesn’t break your bank.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Secured fit for long use.
  • Detailed audio performance.
  • Durable like a tank.
  • No need for an amp.

Cons

  • Bass performance isn’t up to the mark.

Sennheiser HD598: Noise Not Tolerated

Sennheiser HD598
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

This is our last recommendation in this list but HD 598s noise-canceling headphones are any dedicated gamer’s “love at first sight”.

And no, I’m no fan of cheap romantic web series. Sennheiser’s compelling features will help you to “fall in love” with this pair of headphones.

Why Buy HD598?

  • The 50 ohms impedance is enough for you to get exceptional sound in reality, and also, you might not want any amp or DAC to force the Sennheiser HD598 headphones.
  • The spacious soundstage keeps you aware of footsteps and gunshots effortlessly while experiencing isolation from external noise.
  • They have impartial sound; however, they’re honest to enhance treble and can brighten up your vocals and sound.

Sennheiser HD598: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Clean sound performance.
  • Comfortable to wear with velour ear cups.
  • Detachable cable included.
  • Easy to carry on the go.

Cons

  • Bass performance is a little less exciting.

The Best Gaming Headsets aren’t “gaming” headsets. Check out the video to find out more!

Studio Headphones Frequently Asked Questions

How does directional audio work in video games?

The human brain cannot identify delays shorter than 30 milliseconds. Video game audio uses clever delays and reverb features to make the sound directional. A directional sound is a sound that seems to be coming from a particular direction.

Is the spatial sound good for gaming?

The effect that gives you the impression of sound coming from three dimensions is spatial audio. It best supports surround sound technology, which is considered a good feature in terms of gaming. In conclusion, spatial sound is very much compatible with gaming.

Is 3D audio good for gaming?

Of course, it is good for gaming! Three-dimensional audio helps with the surround sound and makes the gamer feel inside the game.

It is even a more fantastic option for FPS and action game players, as the location of the enemy or any incoming attacks can be heard more clearly, which will help the players stay alert.’

Gaming headsets and headphones that offer three-dimensional audio features are usually the quality audio devices you should buy.

What is the difference between gaming headsets and audiophile headphones?

Gaming headphones are usually heavier, have a stronger build, and have a built-in microphone. It typically features surround sound and noise cancellation technology.

In contrast to gaming headphones, audiophile headphones are lighter and are suitable for music, with a balanced combination of bass and treble.

Is bass needed for gaming?

Bass is essential for gaming. In fact, bass can make a difference between life and death. Most gaming headsets feature adjustable bass levels, improving the headphones’ sound accuracy.

About the Author

Best Studio Headphones For Gaming

Rach Wellard

Rach Wellard is the driving force behind Sound & Solitude. Her mission is to help you discover the profound impact of sound in your daily life and to explore the beauty of solitude. With a deep passion for the connection between soundscapes and emotions, she brings a unique blend of expertise and personal dedication to our platform.

Rach understands that every individual's auditory journey is unique, and she’s here to guide you every step of the way. As a devoted audiophile, Rach’s discerning ear carefully selects the most exceptional products that align with your desires for Sound or Solitude. In a world filled with noise and chaos, Sound & Solitude serves as your sanctuary.

Rach’s journey as an autistic individual with a heightened sensitivity to sound fuels our commitment to creating an inclusive space where everyone can find solace while enjoying the meaningful sounds in their lives. Her understanding of diverse sensory needs enables us to offer personalized recommendations and insights, ensuring that your chosen audio equipment not only meets technical criteria but also resonates with your unique sensory preferences. And if you simply seek the best sound possible, Rach has you covered.

At Sound & Solitude, authenticity is our foundation. We provide unbiased reviews and comparisons because you deserve nothing but the truth. Our reviews are meticulously crafted, drawing upon Rach’s deep understanding of audio technology and the human experience in the Sound and Solitude realms. Whether you're searching for noise-cancelling headphones to immerse yourself in music or seeking a gaming headset that transports you to virtual worlds, you can rely on our reviews and personally tested comparisons to find the best equipment for your specific needs. Explore our carefully curated content, from the latest wireless audio advancements to tips for creating your ideal auditory retreat.

Let Sound & Solitude be your companion in your quest for perfect sound, rich experiences, and beautiful serenity. Join Rach as she redefines the way you listen, connecting you to the power of Sound and the Solitude it brings. Together, we'll evolve into your trusted platform for all things related to Sound & Solitude.

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