You might be one of those PC gamers debating whether or not you should buy a gaming headset or if it would be worth it.
Well, if you’re having a hard time deciding, then maybe I can make your decision a little easier. I came up with 5 good reasons why you need a gaming headset to make your decision easier.
Some PC gamers really don’t invest enough in their output peripherals and more often than not headphone/speakers are totally neglected.
They tend to forget that output devices (headphones, speakers, monitors) are just as important as input devices (mouse, keyboard, etc.) in PC games.
Personally, I think PC gaming is not just about moving the mouse and using the keyboard, nor it is just the visual output of the monitor. It is very important that you should also focus on the auditory part of the game. And a gaming headset helps you very much better to do that.
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You must remember that most of the PC games in the genres of FPS, MOBA, RTS, etc. They have to do with reaction time.
The visual and auditory senses are what help you with those reaction times and if you have the right gaming gear then with the help of those two senses you have a greater advantage over those who don’t. Here let’s check below the 5 reasons why you need a gaming headset.
Table of Contents
Reasons Why You Need a Gaming Headset
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Headphones VS. Speakers
Speakers may work fine when gaming, but they won’t help you to improve your gaming performance because sound doesn’t reach your ears in the same way as a headset.
With speakers, you not only hear the sound of your game, but also the sound of others interfering noises. With headphones, on the other hand, you can hear more details more clearly, allowing you to focus more on the sounds of the game.
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I’m not saying speakers are bad, I’m just saying that headphones rule over speakers when it comes to gaming performance.
Personally, I have a gaming headset and a 5.1 speaker setup for other things like music and movies. But I tend to use my headphones more than my speakers since the sound quality is good enough.
Now if you were someone who had to choose between the two, I would personally get a gaming headset because with a headset you can play games and do other things that require a speaker.
Gaming headsets have very good quality sounds, so your music and movies should sound good without any issues.
One main thing that headphones provide that speakers don’t is the accuracy of the sound and where it’s coming from.
A good example is footstep noise, which is very important in games like CS: GO and Overwatch. When you play these types of games, being able to hear the footsteps of the enemy is one of the best advantages you get because you have a general idea of their location.
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Sound Quality
The sound quality of the gaming headset is quite good. I mean, yeah, sure, it doesn’t compare to the quality of a hundred-dollar Shure’s headphones or earphones, but the gaming headset still does a great job of giving you clear, detailed sound from the game you’re playing.
In games like CS: GO, you can hear more clearly detailed sounds that give you a better advantage over the enemy. As I said before, stepping is one of the examples where you can notice when and where the enemy is coming from.
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Other examples are the sound of counter-terrorist team spreading, terrorist team seeding, enemy reloading, zooming in and out of the enemy with a sniper, the type of weapon the enemy uses, and more.
Sounds of all of these things are heard more clearly in a headset and can give you a better edge as a gamer.
The cost really depends on the brand, sound quality and technology.
Just like any other gaming peripheral, the cost of superior products will cost much more. So if you’re looking for superior gaming sound quality, then headsets that only provide that will cost a lot more.
But honestly, sound quality is different with every earphone and brand. I have a Corsair brand gaming headset and in my opinion the sound quality is really good.
Also, the build quality of the headphones is really solid as I’ve had them for a couple of years now.
For me, the cost of a good gaming headset is really worth it. Yes, some headsets look quite expensive and some are ridiculously priced, but you don’t have to go out of your way and spend an excessive amount of money on an expensive gaming headset.
A headset that costs $60 or less should give you good enough sound quality and help you to improve your gaming performance.
Any gaming headset over $70 bucks is really for those gaming enthusiasts looking for the best of the best. I would personally recommend a budget range of $30 to $50 for a gaming headset.
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Now I’m not really an audiophile so take my advice with a little salt, but I think the sound quality of the headphones will be good enough for most people.
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Team Communication
A gaming headset has a microphone so you can communicate with your friends or fellow gamers while you play. This is really important and most players don’t seem to realize this. If you want to win and improve your gaming performance, then you need to communicate with your team.
Since, we as human beings hypocritically use telepathic communication. We must use our verbal sense to communicate with our playmates.
Team communication via microphones is probably the best advantage you can get as a team. You can let your teammates know where the enemies are and what to watch out for. A simple thing like that can help you win the team game. Personally, I noticed that people were without microphones while playing Overwatch game which is a team based FPS.
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In CS: GO, most players have microphones and use them, so I was really used to microphone communication. But in Overwatch, without microphones is quite frustrating.
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Boundaries of Disturbances and Distractions
Using headphones really does benefit everyone, including you and your family or roommate. What I mean by this is that the headphones give you more privacy and wearing them doesn’t really bother anyone else around you.
When you play the game, the sound of the game through the speakers can disturb other family members at home, especially at night when they are trying to sleep. But with a headset you can play as much as you want without disturbing anyone.
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On the plus side, most gaming headsets block out background noise so you can game without distraction. So it really is a win-win for everyone; you don’t bother them, they don’t bother you.
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Improve Overall Gaming Performance
Gaming headsets will help improve overall gaming performance. They help with auditory and verbal senses which can help with reaction time in the game.
You have to look at it from this perspective, when you hear the enemy approaching, or a teammate warns you of an enemy before you can see it yourself, you can react much quicker as you can mentally prepare for the encounter.
When you can use these tools for your advantage and add a bit of sense to the game, then you can become a better player that almost any player can react.
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In Conclusion
I hope that gives you a general idea of why I personally use a gaming headset for gaming. And if you are looking to improve your gaming performance as a gamer, then you should definitely consider getting your own gaming headset. Let me know what you guys think, and if you have a gaming headset of your own. Thanks and happy gaming!
Zahid Khan Jadoon is an Interior Decorator, Designer and a specialized Chef and loves to write about home appliances and food. Right now he is running his interior designing business along with a managing a restaurant. Also in his spare time he loves to write about home and kitchen appliances.