3 Best Studio Headphones for Gaming [2024 Review]

The number of gamers seeking the finest gaming studio headphones is continuously rising. It appears that customers are no longer ready to sacrifice sound quality in return for a flashy design. As a result, people seek multitasking headphones.

The aim is to discover a pair that can give the gamers all they want. Gamers are not satisfied with only the RGB colors anymore and they want headphones that can create a difference with their playstyle. Imaging and soundstage have a very important part in gaming and the headphones we included in our list can give you these.

There are many more features to talk about so make sure you check the full reviews below. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our Best Studio Headphones for Gaming review for more information below.

Our Top Pick: Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR Over-Ear Open-Air Headphone

Features: The Philips Fidelio X2HR headphones are excellent for listening to neutral sound. Their audio profile is fairly well-balanced, however, some listeners may find some frequencies boring and others striking.

They also lack some low-bass, which is typical of open-back headphones. Even discerning listeners should not detect much noise due to their weighted harmonic distortion. Their soundstage is extremely open and natural because of their open-back design, and they are very reliable between different users.

The X2s include mesh open-back ear cups, memory foam, velour-covered ear pads to die for, and a detachable (3m) cord and clip, all of which are similar to their gorgeous, well-constructed predecessors.

The leather headband is as durable as ever, and a familiar mesh band lies beneath it for added comfort. The X2s are a sleek all-black affair that sits at the top of the sub-£300 stack in terms of construction, comfort, and aesthetics. If you have not guessed, they are not the sort of headphones you wear when on the run.

They lack the dynamic finesse and transparency that rivals like the Grado SR325es have, which attack the jaunty piano chords with greater enthusiasm and attack. The Philips Fidelio X2s, on the other hand, are excellent choices. There is none better if you are seeking for unrivaled comfort and a beautiful appearance to boot.

One of the most appealing features of these headphones is the bass. It is pretty punchy, quite tight, and not at all muddy. It also hits with authority and has the kick and rumble that a closed back should have.

In terms of bass, the extension is pretty impressive. The frequency drops to around 55 Hz, and then the roll-off begins. It is around 1 DB under target at 50, 4 DB under goal at 40, 7 DB under target at 30, and 10 DB under target at 20. There is some sub-bass in them, but it is not overpowering.

If you are looking for the best studio headphones for gaming, you should definitely consider buying Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR.

Runner Up: Audio-Technica ATH-AG1X Closed Back High-Fidelity Gaming Headset

Features: While many forum and social media users have been advising their friends to ditch gaming audio in favor of audiophile brands for pure quality, Audio-Technica has stirred the pot by introducing the ATH-AG1X closed ear and ATH-ADG1X open ear versions.

With these costly cans fighting for your top consumer dollar, these goods seek to blur the borders between what is an audiophile and what is mainstream gaming.

The AG1X is not a terrible headset at all. That is something we want to emphasize. You would be pleased with the upgrade from a $50 no-name headset to the AG1X.

AG1X’s pricing is its biggest disadvantage. We looked into it because expensive gaming-centric headphones are a popular complaint. The AG1X just adds to this complaint by lacking the exceptional quality to warrant its high price.

There are superior non-gaming firm headsets that you may turn to as alternatives to Audio-Technica headphones with the futuristic “wings” design. If you are looking for the best studio headphones for gaming, you should definitely consider buying Audio-Technica ATH-AG1X.

It is easy to feel unimpressed when you first open the AG1X’s box. It is really light and plasticky. It does not have any physical mechanisms for adjusting. It consists of two little fins that may move under tension to fit your head size.

The headset is virtually hanging, which means it is not always tugging down on your head. This headset is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to provide ear-tingling audio quality. When connected to a computer, it performs admirably.

It is crying out for good audio gear, so if your PC is lacking in that department, a dedicated sound card or an external DAC/Amp can help. The 53mm drivers create a large soundstage for game audio, which may make you double-check that what you are hearing is indeed in the game.

Sound isolation is excellent, and the experience is incredibly immersive, thanks to the closed-back form. We have spent the most time with this headset when playing PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and it provides just what you need to hear.

Best for Budget: Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 280 PRO Headphone

Features:  The HD 280 Pro has a huge footprint, but the ear cups swivel and the sides flex to make it a little smaller. It is not a headset for commuters, and Sennheiser does not offer a carrying case. Furthermore, the jack is large and may get in the way or interfere with a phone case, therefore the answer is no.

We cannot see taking these headphones on a bus because of the sheer weight of the cord. Using studio headphones to commute misses the point entirely. If you are looking for the best studio headphones for gaming, you should definitely consider buying Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 280 PRO headphones.

For neutral listening, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is adequate. The sound is well-balanced, having good bass, mid, and treble ranges. Instruments and vocalists sounded appropriately upfront, although a bit missing in detail and clarity.

They feature a poor soundstage, which is not ideal for more neutral listeners, but their overall sound quality is adequate for most. After the drivers that create the audio, the single most essential design feature for a recording studio headphone pair is long-term comfort.

The sessions go on for a long time. Gravity crushes headbands into heads when people sweat. The HD 280 Pro performs an outstanding job of preventing tiredness during lengthy sessions.

You might expect sweaty ear cups or slight pain along with the headband if you do not take them off for several hours at a time. However, as someone who wears these headphones on a regular basis, we can assure you that they are secure and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

Sennheiser HD 280 PRO circumaural headphones offer a pleasant and durable soft synthetic leatherette headband and ear cup cushioning. The ear cups are attached to the headband through a hinge and swivel mechanism, allowing for a wide range of motion.

Because of their design, the headphones are comfortable to use on a wide range of head and ear sizes.

Best Studio Headphones for Gaming: Buyer’s Guide

There are a lot of studio headphones on the market, so you have a lot of options. Some are more comfortable than others, and some put sound quality ahead of comfort. It all relies on your definition of the ideal gaming experience.

When it comes to studio headphones for gaming, there are a few things to think about:

Soundstage and Imaging

While a big soundstage is not necessary for gaming headphones, it does enhance the listening experience, which is essential for gaming. Imaging, on the other hand, was one of the criteria we used to make our decisions, as it may be quite beneficial in some sorts of games, such as FPS shooters.

Open-back headphones offer larger sound stages, which sound more like listening to a live band on stage. They do, however, have a reputation for leaking sound.

Closed-back headphones, on the other hand, have slightly smaller sound stages than open-back headphones but may provide superior imaging and directional cues.

Build Quality

The majority of studio headphones are built to withstand abuse. Whether it is composed of aluminum, stainless steel, or heavy-duty plastic, the result is the same. None of the headphones on our list should disappoint you in terms of build quality.

Most of these companies also provide replacement components in case one of them breaks down prematurely. Gaming headphones should be as comfy as possible. There is no way around this. You will start to regret buying them if they are unpleasant, too heavy, or too tight.

To that aim, we have chosen headphones with plenty of cushioning, plush ear cups, detachable wires, and lightweight properties.

Price

Studio headphones can range in price from $100 to $2500 and more. However, not everyone has that sort of cash on hand. As a result, we have chosen headphones at various pricing points.

One is for the frugal shopper, two are for gamers seeking a good balance of price and features, and one is for the user who does not give a damn about the price. We hope you will discover the finest studio headphones for gaming on our list that meet your needs.

Design

Studio headphones are available in three styles: open-back, closed-back, and semi-open back. Sound quality is generally prioritized over isolation levels in open-back studio headphones. They usually offer the best sound quality and have minimal degrees of isolation.

Closed-back headphones, as opposed to open-back headphones, emphasize noise cancellation. Even in the noisiest setting, they can block out outside noise, albeit the sound quality is not as good as open-back headphones. The semi-open back headphones are a hybrid of the open back and closed-back styles.

They are meant to have less background noise leakage than open backs, but they have better sound quality in terms of distortion and frequency response than closed backs.

Comfort

There are a few factors that may make or break a pair of gaming headphones if you choose comfort above sound quality. First and foremost, the padding’s quality is critical, since it can alleviate a lot of the strain caused by a poorly constructed headband.

The following items on your checklist should be the weight, cable length, and even the aperture of the ear cups. Also, do not forget that larger is not necessarily better.

Wired vs Wireless Headphones

The decision between wireless and wired gaming headphones will be influenced by a number of variables. Wired headphones are advantageous since they do not require the usage of a battery. This means you can use the headphones for lengthy periods of time without having to stop and plug them in when the battery runs out.

Wireless headphones’ durability is also a concern. The headphone’s battery may degrade with time, causing it to expire prematurely. Multiple systems are also compatible with wired headphones. The headset may be used with a phone, desktop, laptop, or PS4 through USB, AUX, or other connections.

Gaming Headphones: Closed-Back vs. Open-Back

The argument over whether to use closed-back or open-back headphones for gaming is lengthy and complicated, and it is influenced by a number of variables. Which one should you pick? Let’s start with the fundamentals.

The earcup enclosure is the major physical distinction between open-back and closed-back headphones. Closed-back headphones are sealed, whereas open-back headphones allow sound and air to flow through the back.

Apart from the physical variations, the overall sound reproduction of open and closed headphones differs. Both of these concepts have advantages and cons in terms of gaming.

Regular vs Gaming Headphones

When it comes to gaming headphones, you do not always have to look to MSI, Razer, or other gaming accessories makers. Regular over-ear headphones may provide excellent sound. Sennheiser and Grado, for example, are pure headphone makers that know what they are doing.

The preset equalization would be another benefit. Most gaming headphones require software tweaking to provide the optimum audio output, and you may need to modify from one game to the next in certain situations.

Can studio headphones be used for gaming?

For gaming, studio headphones are ideal. Studio headphones are intended for professional studio use, which means they are built to reproduce any sound played through them as accurately as possible.

Any sound that passes through it is incredibly detailed. It implies you may hear any edits and background noise that was present during the recording of ordinary music.

In the case of gaming, it implies that you hear details that you would not normally hear because of the game’s creators. You will be able to hear the wind blowing through the grass, the direction of footfalls, predators’ tiny movements, and a variety of other things.

Why should you get gaming headphones?

Studio headphones, which were originally meant for professional studio work, typically outperform specifically manufactured gaming headsets when it comes to the gaming experience. There are several advantages to choose studio headphones for gaming. A handful of these is discussed in our buyer’s guide.

If your studio headphones are damaged, you may easily repair them. Studio headphones are often designed in a basic manner so that customers may quickly change components. So, if one of the headphones’ features breaks, you may get a new one to replace the broken one.

Open-back Gaming Headphones

There is nothing wrong with having a more in-your-ear experience using closed-back headphones. However, if you want to play AAA games and really get into the plot, hear all of the music and effects, open-back headphones are the way to go.

Allowing for the fact that open-back headphones are comfier, to begin with. The primary disadvantage of the closed-back design is that it is often excessively bass-heavy for some games.

For games, you will need a more neutral soundstage, comparable to what you would need for viewing movies. At the same time, a slew of sound effects is bombarding you at all frequencies and from all angles.

Conclusion: 3 Best Studio Headphones for Gaming [2023 Review]

With the rise in popularity of gaming, more people are looking for the finest headphones to get the most out of their gaming experience. While most newcomers believe they can use any consumer headphones for gaming, more experienced gamers realize that superior headphones provide better gaming experiences.

Consumer headphones are fantastic if you are looking for general entertainment listening, flexibility, and aesthetics. When it comes to sound quality, gaming headphones are comparable to consumer headphones. Because they have built-in microphones, they are largely for convenience.

Do not overlook the importance of decent gaming headphones when it comes to gaming. They can make all the difference you need. We hope you liked our Best Studio Headphones for Gaming review and it was helpful.