Do, "Gaming headsets," offer specific features that make them better for gaming than regular headsets?

VirtuallyRealistic

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Jun 26, 2015
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I own a decent pair of Bose (I know, probably overpriced brand, but I enjoy them). They are great for music, and they seem to be fine for gaming as well.

However, I'm curious if, "Gaming headsets," do anything specific that makes them better for gaming? I want to have the best multiplayer FPS headset as possible. Do they utilize some special hardware/software that makes them better for these scenarios?

Every gaming headset I've owned has had lower sound quality than an equivalently priced regular headset. I'm guessing there is really no purpose to owning a gaming headset besides the attached microphone. I prefer external microphones, though. Better sound quality.
 

ImmortalGiraffe

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Aug 30, 2015
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Yes, what Quixit said. They try to put gaming on different products in hopes of luring people who don't know better. Glad you asked! I'd get a quality headset without gaming in it. Guaranteed better audio and build quality.
 

ruthlessminer

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Oct 9, 2014
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Most gaming headsets will have a built in mic and offer 7.1 or 7.2 surround sound and while it does make it nice in a game it's never going to be perfectly recreated in such a tight space. Personally I own a pair of Audio-Technia headphones and thats what i use for gaming and they sound great. If you are happy with your Bose then stick with it!
 


1) Plenty of regular headsets offer mics, and it's usually cheaper to buy an external mic if you already own a good set of headphones.
2) "7.1" sound literally adds nothing to your two ears. Unlike speakers, where you can hear the right speaker from your left ear (at reduced volume and some latency), it is (for the most part) impossible for a headphone to have more than left and right channel outside of faking it (headphone virtualization). "7.1" is a gimmick, not a feature!

But yes, everyone is telling you the truth, use your good headphones and just get a nice mic with desktop boom, it'll be just as expensive as a new headphone but far better.