Have you ever spent hours wearing a headset? It can make or break your day, depending on the headset! As an avid gamer, I’ve continuously researched and reviewed my headsets carefully because less is not always more. Having the right equipment is essential. Let me tell you why!
Gaming headsets offer “Real Surround” and “Virtual Surround Sound” features for experiencing sound through multiple channels., which enhances the gaming experience and gives a competitive edge. Office headsets are only monotone or stereo because they are designed for voice communications (VoIP).
I know it’s very tempting to order that headset that you’ve had your eye on for a while now, but hit the pause button! There are a few critical questions that you need to consider to have complete confidence in why you’re purchasing a specific headset. Let’s take a look!
Gaming Headset Vs. Office Headset: What’s The Difference?
The most outlining differences between gaming headsets and office headsets can be seen through their capabilities and purposes. They have both been designed with a particular philosophy and approach to be more appealing to their target audiences.
A proper gaming headset has become a necessary part of any gamer’s arsenal, especially when they can readily spend up to 12 hours at a time gaming. Comfortability is a must-have, as is an excellent attached mic for in-game communications.
Office headsets focus more on the side of the business rather than pleasure. (As we all know, time is money). Their frames are less durable, and they don’t have nearly the volume of soft padding that gaming headphones have. As a result, they can be pretty uncomfortable when used for prolonged periods, such as within a call center. Their attached mics are also more prone to breaking and offer a reduced quality compared to gaming headsets.
Competitive gamers often rely on in-game sound queues to gain an advantage over their opponent. It is one of the fundamental reasons why gaming headsets have access to multiple sound channels. (Real Surround / Virtual Surround). Office headsets have been specifically designed for use with VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), i.e., making and receiving calls online. Therefore, a wide array of sound channels is not important, so they are created with monotone or stereo audio.
Noise cancellation is a feature of gaming headsets that the majority of office headsets don’t share. This feature will remove around 75 percent of any background noises such as dogs barking or babies crying. It is especially great for working in a call center when there are many people talking at once or when you have especially loud colleagues around you.
What Kind Of Headset Is Your Perfect Fit?
The right headset for you will depend on the purpose that you need it to fulfill. Here are some great pointers that are aimed at helping you make that perfect choice:
- Price
- Purpose
- Brands
- Lifespan and Warranty
Before you jump to ordering a headset, consider deciding on a budget so that you can manage your expectations beforehand. Once you have a better idea of how much you’re going to be spending, you’ll also know what you can expect from your purchase. Is it quality or quantity that you desire? Look for the specific attributes that will serve your purposes.
Knowing what you want will allow you to find what you’re looking for much more quickly. If you want a headset that is cost-effective but will last a long time, regardless of the other features, you can search specifically for such a headset. Will you primarily be using your headset for taking calls or gaming and listening to music? Make sure that you carefully consider your decision.
There are quite a few headset brands on the market, and they each rank according to their target audience. Comparing a gaming brand to an office or studio brand is a little like comparing the usefulness of a truck and a car – yes, they are both vehicles, but their purposes differ.
As for gaming headsets, you want to keep an eye on Razer, Logitech, HyperX, Corsair, and SteelSeries. Regarding office headsets, you’ll want to look at Plantronics, Yealink, Jabra, and Sennheiser. Find a headset that you like and find some reviews on them so that you can see if they’re worth the investment.
Lastly, don’t forget to consider the warranty of your desired headset purchase. The average lifespan of a headset is estimated to last between 2 – 5 years.
As a bonus tip, keep in mind that some headsets require you to install software before using them (they usually come with the headsets), while others work on a “plug and use” basis.
Can You Use A Gaming Headset In The Office And Vice Versa?
You can certainly use a gaming headset in the office. They are comfortable, reliable, and come with all the excellent technical necessities for office use. However, keep in mind that certain gaming headsets are very specialized, so they may require you to install software specific to them before they can be used.
Fortunately, this software usually comes with purchasing your headset. However, because media such as CDs are quickly going out of fashion, you may need to download the software directly from the manufacturer’s website.
Office headsets are the complete opposite in that they do not require software to function and are generally as easy as plugging it in and using it. The operating system on your device, such as Windows 10, will automatically recognize your office headset and have software ready so that it can be used from the get-go. They may not be ideal for gaming, but if you have no other alternative, they will get the job done.
Should I Buy A Wireless Headset A Wired Headset?
So, you’ve chosen death? It has been an ongoing passionate debate for many years, and neither side is showing any signs of backing down. It may be hard to decide which one would fit your expectations, particularly if you’ve never owned both or know someone who has, so let’s taking a closer look at them so that you can make an informed decision.
Despite being the older one and its problem with restricting movement, wired headsets are still primarily preferred because they provide better sound quality due to them transmitting analog signals. It means they can handle more data than digital signals and skip audio compression to deliver fantastic quality. They are also less pricey (depending on their brand) and easier to repair, and they do not require any batteries or recharging!
Wireless headsets make use of radio transmission technology to transfer data to your ears. It is done via Bluetooth, Radio Frequency (RF), and Infrared Frequency (IF). Bluetooth has significantly advanced, with the latest Bluetooth boasting a range of up to 240m. RF Technology has a much more robust and further-reaching range. IF transmissions work off line-of-sight, meaning there cannot be any interference between the transmitter and the receiver.
All technical jargon aside, wireless does offer freedom to move at any time. There are no cords that may cause you to have an accident. Wireless is more compatible with modern devices. Virtual reality (VR), for example, has drastically increased the need for wireless technological advancements.
Wireless headsets need to be charged after some time, and this can become troublesome when you need to use your headset for extended periods. Pricing is generally more expensive due to the technologies used, and therefore repairing them is even more complex and sometimes even impossible.
When deciding on a headset, ask yourself, “If I do “x,” would this headset work?”
Conclusion
Gaming headsets and Office headsets have specific technical and hardware differences which cater to their respective target audiences. If your aim is sound quality, comfortability, and benefits such as noise cancellation, you may want to consider a gaming headset. Suppose you’re interested in something that is more affordable. And that is sufficient for making and receiving calls but offers less comfortability but is easier to repair, you may consider an office headset.
Sources
- https://gaminggeekinnovation.com/difference-between-gaming-headset-and-normal-headset/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/VOIP/comments/5fj4oq/gaming_vs_business_headsets/
- https://www.headsetsdirect.com/headsets-101-ultimate-guide-to-understanding-headsets/
- https://www.quora.com/How-often-do-you-change-headphones
- https://soundsightheadphones.com/guides/high-quality-headphones-characteristics/
- https://www.headphonesty.com/2021/01/wired-vs-wireless-headphones/