We are all familiar with different types of headphones such as earphones, headsets, and on-ear and over-ear headphones. Even though they have a wide variety of applications, predominantly, they are being used for listening to music, movies, podcasts, and playing games.
What is the Difference between Gaming Headphones and Normal Headphones?
At least some of you may have the same headphone for both music and gaming. Is that right?
Here we will discuss some basic facts and differences between gaming headphones and normal headphones.
Gaming Headphones
What matters the most in gaming headphones is the “Surrounding Audio Experience.” It will get the gamer a 360-degree gaming experience.
For that, they have highly boosted bass, and the so “balance,” which is mandatory in music headphones, is not a concern of gaming headphones.
So ” Bass Bleed” is a normal thing in them.
Another important factor you have to consider is the latency factor. Technically, it is the time taken by the sound signal to reach your ears from the source device.
If it is high, there will be a noticeable lag between speaking on the screen and the audio we hear, and it can ruin the gaming experience. So there must be minimum latency for a better feel.
Also Read: Tips to find the perfect headphone for you.
Unlike music or consumer earphones, gaming headphones mandatorily need an external microphone that is placed close to your mouth. Because we all know while playing, you have to communicate with friends who are playing along with you.
Based on your convenience, you can select from a detachable or fixed type of microphone.
Here all the sound must be audible, from the heavy noise to the slightest sound of footsteps and loading of guns.
Related Post: Open-Back and Closed-Back Headphones.
When we compare a 3.5 mm and a USB-type gaming headphone, the latter performs well, but of course, they are a bit costlier too. The USB version is well known for audio enhancement and surrounding experience.
So we highly recommend that, especially if you are playing with laptops and desktops.
Mainly three factors decide the quality of a gaming headphone,
- Comfort
- Ability to reproduce the slightest sound
- Distinguish the brightest sounds
- Safe for extended use
A gaming headphone is supposed to use for long listening hours, unlike its counterpart. So it must be ergonomically designed and comfortable to wear.
Considering the prolonged usage, the safety of gaming headphones is of utmost importance.
Also Check: 5 Safety Tips while using Headphones.
For a premium gaming experience, complete isolation from the external sound is needed. So highly recommend headphones with better noise cancellation features.
In the initial times, people tend to use an additional microphone instead of gaming headphones because of the poor mic quality. But with the advancement of technology, you can get gaming headphones with superior mics.
Based on the type and performance it delivers, they can be further classified into two,
- Real Surrounding Sound
- Virtual Surrounding Sound
Real Surrounding Sound
Real or True Surround Sound usually comes with 5.1 or 7.1 technology. Here the drivers are arranged at various locations of the earcups such that they can deliver the sound in accordance with the visual.
For example, if you have a 5.1 surround headphone, it has got five drivers plus one additional one for bass, typically for low-frequency bass on each earcup. This arrangement gives a 360-degree gaming ambiance and feels like sound coming from various directions.
The driver channels are rear left, rear right, front left, front right, and center channel, and the sixth subwoofer for bass.
True 7.1 surround sound also follows the same pattern with seven channels and one extra for bass.
Suppose you are playing a game and someone is approaching you from the left, then the speaker corresponds to that particular location produces more sound than the speaker at the right. Thus you’ll get a real-like experience.
Compared to the 5.1 type, 7.1 is costly. While purchasing first, you have to make sure that the game supports the version.
Suppose you own a 7.1 surround sound headset and the game compatible only up to 5.1, then it doesn’t make any difference.
Virtual Surrounding Sound
Instead of using multiple speakers or drivers here, the headphones make use of software for the surrounding audio experience.
It can either come with the headphone or with the system you are using for gaming.
Normal Headphones
Normal, regular, or audiophile headphones are those designed for listening to music. What distinguishes them primarily from gaming headphones is their look.
A typical audiophile should be absolutely neutral. There shouldn’t be any boosted bass, treble, or vocals.
Related Post: Best over-ear headphones for music lovers.
They are designed to produce what was recorded in the studios by professionals.
Music headphones follow a regular-casual pattern, whereas gaming headphones have a masculine-complicated and bulky design.
Let’s Sum Up
So basically, audiophile headphones are more natural but gaming headsets and manipulated.
Here we have discussed the differences between gaming headphones and normal headphones in detail. We hope this article helps you to make the right purchase.
