Engadget Logo 5 Recommended Engadget Japanese Gaming Headsets. Strong support for play specializing in games. Check the microphone performance and surround function!

Many Engadget readers are enjoying the game on their PC, but how do you hear the sounds such as the BGM and sound effects of the game? If you are using a notebook PC, many people may be listening with the built-in speaker. If you play RPG or STG casually, that's fine, but if you play FPS or TPS, we recommend using a gaming headset. Gaming headsets, as the name implies, are gaming-specific headsets.

Gaming Headset (Amazon)

In FPS and TPS, it is important to listen to the footsteps of enemies at a distance and the sound of bullets firing, and take prompt action. Gaming headsets are designed to hear those sounds well, so you can quickly respond to the noise of your enemies. Also, since there are many "over-ear types" that cover the entire ear, it is also an advantage that you can block out ambient noise and concentrate more on the game. With FPS / TPS, using a gaming headset will definitely make it easier to defeat your enemies.

In addition, some gaming headsets have a microphone on / off function and virtual surround function for voice chat. With products that support the virtual surround function, the position of the enemy can be accurately known from the footsteps of the enemy and the sound of the bullets being fired.

If you're listening to music or watching a movie, you're better off with regular headphones instead of a gaming headset. However, some gaming headsets also have sound quality and mode switching functions, and can be used for purposes other than games.

Gaming headsets can be broadly divided into wired and wireless types. The wired type does not receive radio wave interference and there is no delay, but the disadvantage is the troublesomeness of the cord. The wireless type is cordless, so you can move freely with the headset on, but it is heavy and may cause some delay depending on the product. It is best to use it properly according to your usage style.

Here are 5 recommended products for gaming headsets.

Logitech G G433BK

Wired type with high degree of perfection and attractive cost performance

The Logitech G G433BK is an over-ear type gaming headset. A PRO-G 40mm driver is used to achieve a wide playback frequency band of 20 to 20,000Hz. It weighs 259g, which is light for an over-ear type, and has the advantage of not getting tired even if it is worn for a long time.

Although the connection is wired, it is compatible with both 3.5mm 4-pole mini plugs and USB, so it can be used not only with PCs but also with consumer devices such as Switch and PS4. When connecting to a PC via USB, you can enjoy 7.1ch surround sound by DTS Headphone: X and grasp the position of the creeping enemy. It has a built-in microphone with noise canceling function, but if you don't need the microphone, you can remove it together with the microphone boom.

The selling price on Amazon is about 6500 yen, and the cost performance is also attractive.

Logitech G G433BK (Amazon)

Razer Kraken Green

Gaming headset popular for its design and performance

As the name implies, the Razer Kraken Green is an over-ear type gaming headset with an eye-catching bright green. A 50mm large-diameter driver is used to achieve a wide playback frequency band of 12 to 28,000Hz. You can enjoy a wide range of sounds, from the faint footsteps sneaking up behind you to the explosive sounds that blow you away.

It weighs 322g and has a built-in cooling gel inside the ear cushions, so it is comfortable and does not retain heat. The connection is wired and compatible with 3.5mm 4-pole mini plugs, so it can be used not only on PCs but also on consumer game consoles such as Switch and PS4. A unidirectional microphone is used to reduce ambient noise. When not using the microphone, it is convenient to insert it inside and store it.

The selling price on Amazon is about 6500 yen.

Razer Kraken Green (Amazon)

ASTRO Gaming A50

Wireless flagship model that can be used on both PC and PS4 / 5

The ASTRO Gaming A50 is a wireless over-ear type gaming headset. This is the top product in the series, and uses a 40mm driver to achieve a playback frequency band of 20 to 20,000Hz. It weighs about 380g.

Use the attached base station by connecting it to a PC or PS4 / PS5 via USB. The base station and headset are connected wirelessly, so you don't have to worry about cords. There is almost no delay due to the original wireless technology. The base station also has a charging function, which can be charged simply by placing the headset, and can be used continuously for 15 hours on a full charge.

Equipped with a "Mix Amp" function that allows you to adjust the balance between the microphone sound and the game sound with the button on the right side of the headset. You can easily collaborate with your friends during battles, and it is also suitable for game distribution.

The selling price on Amazon is about 27,000 yen.

ASTRO Gaming A50 (Amazon)

Razer Hammerhead Pro V2

Easy-to-use earphone type gaming headset

The Razer Hammerhead Pro V2 is an earphone-type product that is rare for gaming headsets.

A 10mm dynamic driver, which is 20% larger than before, has been adopted to achieve a playback frequency band of 20 to 20,000Hz. The body is machined from aircraft grade aluminum alloy. Comes with 3 sizes of earpieces to fit most people's ears. It weighs about 20g and comes with a carrying case for carrying.

With a wired connection, the terminal is a 3.5 mm 4-pole mini plug. It is convenient that the cable is a flat type, has high durability, and is not easily entangled when being carried. The microphone is an inline microphone in the middle of the cable, and it also has an inline remote control that can adjust the volume.

Recommended for those who don't like the over-ear type because it is exaggerated. The selling price on Amazon is about 5500 yen.

Razer Hammerhead Pro V2 (Amazon)

JBL QUANTUM 100

Lightness is attractive.Basic model recommended for beginners

JBL QUANTUM 100 is an over-ear type gaming headset. A 40mm dynamic driver is used to achieve a playback frequency band of 20 to 20,000Hz. The weight is as light as about 220g, and it is attractive that the burden on the neck etc. is small even if it is worn for a long time.

A shape memory cushion is used for the ear pads to provide a comfortable fit. Equipped with a high-performance omnidirectional microphone that picks up voice clearly, comfortable voice chat is possible. In addition, the microphone can be attached and detached together with the boom. With a wired connection, the terminal is a 3.5 mm 4-pole mini plug, so it can be used with both PCs and consumer game consoles.

Although it is a basic model, it has the functions required for gaming headsets and is recommended for those who are buying a gaming headset for the first time. The selling price on Amazon is about 3800 yen.

JBL QUANTUM 100 (Amazon)

The products in the article are recommended by the Engadget Japanese team. Sales information is as of the time of writing the article, and prices and inventory status are constantly changing.

Gaming Headset (Amazon)