A high-quality headset can make all the difference in your gaming or streaming experience. Fantastic audio quality means clarity and the ability to hear sounds that keep your gameplay sharp. But what is the difference between good headphones from the mediocre ones?
Gaming headphones are a different beast compared to those that are bought by the average consumer.
Gamers have unique needs that demand a stellar mix of comfort, sound quality, and connectivity that would otherwise be dispensable if you only need headphones for watching movies or listening to music.
Are Audio Technica headphones good for gaming?
Audio-Technica headphones are specifically designed to enhance your gaming experience. They have a host of features that accommodate all the needs of serious gamers.
Audio Technica has a huge catalog of critically acclaimed in-ear, over-ear, and wireless headphones. They are noted for their audio quality, fairly neutral sound, and versatility i.e., they are well-suited for all types of audio content.
Some prefer a wireless headset with a mic and others want great sound quality without the need for unnecessary tweaking to refine the audio. There is one thing common in all of these headphones. Everyone wants something of great quality at a great price.
We discussed our top picks for the best gaming headsets and headphones previously. Here, we zone in and put Audio-Technica headphones through the paces.
How do they fare in the gaming realm? Are they a good bargain for listening to music? Should they be on your shortlist?
In this article, we will discuss Audio-Technica Headphones from a gaming point of view. Let’s see why they rank among the best-sellers and have become a community favorite.
Reasons why Audio Technica is a good option
Here are the five reasons why Audio Technica is good for gaming:
1. Sound:
Audio Technica headphones are famous for a neutral sound profile with a touch of warmth. The highs and mids are clear and detailed. These headphones are frequently used in studios and can easily live up to the standard of games.
They have a good sound reproduction, a slightly better passive soundstage, and an extended frequency range compared to most of the competition.
2. Design and Build Quality:
Gamers prefer headphones that are stable, hard-wearing, and well-padded. Audio Technica headphones have those qualities and often sport detachable cords.
Most of the headphones have an all-black design with colored accents on the ear cups. The entry-level models and made of plastic, but you will get a premium feel as you move upstream.
3. Portability:
Being over-ear headphones, some models are bulky and not-so-portable. They also have basic noise isolation, so they won’t block out loud noises. However, the wireless models have fantastic battery life.
Plus, the ear cups swivel to fold up neatly and the headphones can be stored with a carry pouch they ship with. So, you can carry them around while you travel for mobile gaming.
4. Comfort:
Audio Technica headphones are good for gaming. The ear cups are stable, snug, and highly adjustable. The headband and ear cups have soft faux-leather padding and provide decent sound isolation from ambient noise.
They are breathable i.e. your ears won’t get sweat or get warm after long hours of use. Overall, they offer superb comfort for long sessions.
5. Pricing | Value:
You can find Audio Technica headphones ranging from $50 to $300. You do not need to break the bank to find reliable headphones from their catalog. Regardless of the model you choose, the cost-value ratio ensures that you get your money’s worth.
Best Audio-Technica Gaming Headsets with a Mic:
The bulk of AT’s gaming headsets (with a mic) can be found in the Audio-Technica G-Series Headphones. It includes the mega-popular ATH-G1 (No mic), ATH-GL3 (Closed-back with mic), ATH-GDL3 (Open-back with mic), and ATH-G1WL (Wireless, closed-back with mic).
- Not compatible with console including PS4 and Xbox. Compatible with laptops, PCs, and Macs (high Sierra, Mojave) with USB Type-A connector.
- Lag-free wireless operation in the 2. 4 GHz range ensures dependable, real-time communication with no interference
- Large-diameter 45 mm drivers are specially tuned to bring audio-technical studio-quality sound to the gaming wo
G-Series Headphones are lightweight (roughly 230g), breathable, and padded for comfort.
They feature 45 mm drivers, selectable 7.1 surround sound, and mic monitor functions. The sound controls on the earcup allow for easy access to volume, 7.1, and mic mute. The ATH-GL3, ATH-GDL3, and ATH-G1WL feature a detachable boom mic with studio-quality sound.
The high-resolution audio is stellar, with superb detail and customization. The mic delivers crystal-clear communication with teammates. They ship with a carry pouch, windscreen, spare earpads, and the requisite cables for connectivity and charging.
They all are great options that will enhance your gameplay and experience.
Are Audio-Technica ATH M50x headphones good for gaming?
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones are excellent for gaming and streaming. They are affordable, sturdy, and easily available. More importantly, the MX50 is mega-popular and one of the most versatile headphones in their price bracket. It has long been the go-to headphone for streaming, gaming, studio use, and fulfilling the needs of the general consumer.
We recommend the ATH-M50x if you don’t need a mic. They are called the ‘durable standard.’ for a reason. First off, they are a solid all-around pair any way you look at it. From listening to music on the subway to editing audio and gaming, they sound good and have a portable build.
- THIS PHOTO4LESS TOP VALUE KIT INCLUDES: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xWH Professional Monitor Headphones (Black) - Headphone Case for Audio Technica Series - 1/4 inch TRS to 1/4 inch TRS Headphone Extension Cable, 10 feet - Photo4Less Black Cleaning Cloth
- FOR STUDIO AND ON THE ROAD: 90° swiveling earcups for easy, one-ear monitoring, and collapsible for space-saving portability.
- COMFORTABLE FIT: Professional-grade earpad and headband material delivers more durability and comfo
Speaking of portable, the MX50 is famed for its rotating and swiveling ear cups, snug fit, and plush padding. They are ‘internet-famous’ because many streamers and gamers have used them over the years. There is no shortage of forum threads and product reviews about these headphones.
Customer reviews concur that the ATH-M50x delivers a good mix of style, sound, and comfort.
Sound-wise, they have detailed mids and highs, which is great for gaming, especially when you want to hear those footsteps! But they do lack an in-line microphone, which is often something gamers want from such an accessory.
You can opt for the wireless version – Audio-Technica ATH-M50x BT or ATH-M50x BT2. It’s essentially the same headset with a low-latency mode, multi-device pairing, and other features. We will briefly review the wireless version in the next section.
Does Audio-Technica ATH M50x have a microphone?
Unfortunately, the ATH-M50x is not a communication headphone. As with other M-Series Headphones, the Audio Technica ATH M50x does not feature an in-line microphone or controller.
ATH-ADG1 or PG1 are great options if you want a headphone with a microphone.
Both sport quality drivers for listening and an in-line mic for interacting with other online gamers. We also briefly discussed gaming headsets with a detachable mic from Audio-Technica’s G-Series. Any of these can provide an immersive gaming experience.
Are the Audio-Technica ATH M50x BT2 for gamers?
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless headphones is a versatile performer, perfect for gaming and in everyday use. These second gen over-ears cans have a rich and fairly neutral sound profile. They are one of the best headphones for gaming, especially on mobile devices.
The ATH-M50xBT2 are sturdy black headphones with a stable fit, excellent Bluetooth connectivity, and versatile audio delivery. You have non-OS-specific controls with dedicated buttons on the ear cup. That includes volume adjustment and a mic mute/unmute toggle.
You can also use the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 for wired gaming. Plug it into a wired controller using a 1/8” TRS cable. It will receive audio from Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The headset supports multi-device pairing. You can connect to mobile and laptop simultaneously.
The ATH-M50xBT2 can be charged with a USB-C connection, The battery life is 60 hours of continuous playback. You won’t need to recharge them often. The companion app is another reason to invest in one of these. You can customize the sound with a graphic EQ and presets.
The app also has features to find the headset if you misplace it. It has a built-in Voice assistant and “Low Latency Mode” that works well with Android and iOS devices. Unfortunately, you cannot use them with a mic when wired. That can be a deal-breaker for some.
We know many gamers prefer a pair of headphones with an in-line microphone so they can communicate with their teammates. We spoke at length about headsets with a retractable or detachable mic.
You can check out our picks for the best headsets with detachable mics here.
In Conclusion
Audio-Technica has great products with excellent deals. They are a tried and tested brand, lauded for making top-notch headphones. Many Audio-Technica headphones have risen to become an industry standard in the headphones industry.
Their headphones are used by professionals, amateurs, and general consumers – everywhere. It’s fair to say that Audio-Technica headphones are good for gaming. As long as the fit and aesthetics work for you, gamers are bound to find the perfect audio accessory in their catalog.
