Whether you’re seriously into playing your games online, or just want to lose yourself in an immersive experience, a headset is a key part of your gaming setup.While the little chat headset in the box will do the trick for talking to other players when online, it’s basic and won’t do anything beyond its basic function.
With that in mind, you’re going to want to pick up a more substantial gaming headset that allows you to hear every footstep, explosion, and screech of a tire right in your ears. We’ve put together the top five 2016 headsets available for the Xbox One. It should be noted that these aren’t simply the five most expensive headsets on the market. Instead, we’ve opted to pick out headsets that offer a combination of value for money and sound quality at a variety of price points, because we all have different sized wallets.
Turtle Beach Ear Force XO Seven Pro
Starting off with a mid-priced solution at $129.99, the XO Seven from Turtle Beach offers a whole range of sound options in a sleek, wired headset. Built for the MLG leagues, the XO Seven Pro includes Superhuman Hearing Mode, allowing players to pinpoint quiet audio in their surroundings in the game. There’s also a bunch of audio and mic presets to choose from, allowing you to boost the bass or treble and set your mic based on quiet, normal, and loud noise levels in your room.
All of that combined with 50mm Neodymium speakers, mic monitoring, and a high level of build quality and comfort make the XO Seven Pro a great headset for dedicated gamers looking for great sound.
SteelSeries Siberia 800
At the other end of the price spectrum at $262.99, you’ve got the SteelSeries Siberia 800. Offering a Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound wireless solution, the Siberia 800 features three different surround sound technologies. The headset also comes with that little black box, which you can see in the image above, that allows players to fine-tune their audio to their liking.
On top of sound quality, the Siberia also has two hot-swappable batteries, meaning you won’t have to ever tether it up to charge while you’re playing. The ear cushions and headband are made from memory foam, so you should, in theory, be able to play comfortably for long periods of time. Some players, however, have said they find the headset a little tight. If you can find one in your local store or try one at your friend’s, it might be worth doing so.
Turtle Beach Ear Force XO One
If you’re looking for a stereo headset that won’t break the bank, Turtle Beach’s XO One wired headset competes in the same price range as Xbox’s Official Stereo Headset. Offering a better sound experience for a slightly higher price, you’ll be getting premium 50mm speakers for more power and precision in the sound quality.
The XO One also has a detachable mic, meaning you won’t always be struggling with a boom mic when you just want a good ol’ single-player experience. With a four-star average review score from 1134 customer ratings, the XO One offers a great starter headset for $58.99.
Plantronics RIG Flex LX
Another solid sub-$100 headset is the Plantronics RIG Flex LX. Though it doesn’t feature the powerful 50mm drivers of other headsets, the RIG Flex LX still manages to deliver powerful lows, although it does lose a little detail when it comes to the highs.
Regardless, it comes with three different EQ settings on the audio adapter as shown in the picture above. The boom mic is removable and the whole headset is lightweight and comfortable, making wearing it for long sessions of gaming a joy. It should be noted, though, that this comfort does come at the cost of making the RIG Flex a little less sturdy than its competitors. Though the list price for the headset is currently set at $129.99, you can typically pick one up online for around $82.99.
Astro A50
One of the biggest names in premium gaming headset solutions is Astro. The Astro A50 is their flagship headset, utilizing Kleernet 5.8ghz technology and Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound to provide a crystal clear, lag-free, wireless solution.
The A50 has been built with comfort and build quality in mind, utilizing premium materials and construction to provide a sturdy headset that is comfortable to wear for long periods of time. For those playing online a lot, the A50’s also come with a unidirectional microphone that helps to isolate your voice from any background noise in the room, which, when paired with mic monitoring, allows you to ensure your voice is crystal clear for your teammates and opponents. The Astro A50 headset comes in at $299.99, making it one of, if not the most expensive headset around for the Xbox One currently. But with a number of awards from critics and positive reviews from players alike, the quality warrants the price tag.
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