A well-known audio expert states in a video that there are no gaming headphones. Gamers should buy something they like, as they can use any type of headphone while gaming. Furthermore, he expresses his dissatisfaction with tested products from Corsair, Logitech, and Razer.
Who is it about? Crinacle is an audio expert who mainly discusses headphones and IEMs on his YouTube channel of the same name. He also runs his own website, where he maintains detailed lists of reviews of various headphones.
In total, the YouTuber has tested several hundred headphones and describes himself as “audiophile.” Therefore, he places great value on the sound quality of tones and engages intensively with the sound of headphones.
He is also highly regarded among other audio experts and technology YouTubers and has appeared on the “BadSeed Tech” channel (via YouTube).
What is this video about? In a video that Crinacle uploaded to YouTube in September 2021 and recently re-released on his new channel, the audio expert talks about gaming headphones.
He addresses the key aspects of gaming headphones and his experiences.
If you want to see the video by the audio expert, we embed it here:
“There is no such thing as gaming headphones”
What does the audio expert say in the video? The video is titled “The Best Gaming Headphones Don’t Matter,” and this approach is pursued in the following almost 19 minutes.
Right at the beginning of the video, Crinacle asserts that there are no gaming headphones and that gamers can use any headphones for gaming.
There is no such thing as a gaming headphone. […] You can use any headphone for playing.
He then talks about the characteristic criteria that a headphone should have to be suitable for gaming and why the so-called “gaming headphones” are actually poor. He then mentions three aspects that gamers want in a gaming headphone:
- a competitive advantage in gaming
- an immersive experience
- a microphone
What is the problem with gaming headphones? According to Crinacle, the problem with gaming headphones is that the competitive advantage and immersive experience exclude each other, as a headphone with increased bass negatively affects the clear reproduction of gunshots and footsteps.
Generally, you want a headphone that sounds neutral to bright, has a wide soundstage, and offers precise imaging to be competitive. […]
And when it comes to immersiveness, anything is possible. It’s not like you need a special headphone to enjoy a movie or a video game or whatever. Some of you might feel like you want to be in a Michael Bay movie. […] Then you need a headphone with bass enhancement.
If you buy a headphone with bass enhancement, it’s not necessarily a competitive advantage. Because for a headphone to be competitive, it needs to reproduce shots and footsteps much more clearly, which is in direct contrast to an immersive-sounding headphone.
In a text on crinacle.com, he goes into more detail on this topic.
Gamers not only value the right sound but also the right controller. In the video, you can see the unboxing and first impressions of MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann regarding the new DualSense Edge of the PS5.
Buy headphones and microphone separately
What about a microphone? Although Crinacle makes it clear in his video that he mainly deals with headphones and that one should consult other experts for microphones, he still hints in a direction: one should buy the microphone and headphones separately.
According to Crinacle, better quality can be achieved if you buy headphones that you like and also acquire an external microphone: “You can buy the best microphone and you can buy the best headphone. If you buy a gaming headphone, you get poor versions of both.”
One type of microphone that Crinacle mentions are clip-on/lavalier microphones. He says they cost around 10 to 20 euros and can be attached to clothing or headphones without a microphone.
“I’ve heard many, all are terrible.”
How does the expert rate his experiences with gaming headphones: During the video, Crinacle also discusses his experiences with gaming headphones. He states that while they are somewhat limited, he has heard many products from Corsair, Logitech, and Razer, all of which were not good. His opinion on four headsets from Razer is shown in a separate video (via YouTube)
My experience with gaming headsets is limited, but I’ve heard a lot. I’ve heard stuff from Corsair, I’ve heard a lot of stuff from Logitech, I’ve heard some stuff from Razer. All are terrible.
He then lists a few gaming headphones that were “okay.” He names the popular HyperX Cloud 2 among gamers, the Cooler Master 751, and the Astro A40.
However, he concludes the video by recommending a handful of headphones that he believes are suitable for gaming. Among them are especially the inexpensive yet oddly looking KOSS KSC75.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Koss KSC75 Stereo Kopfhörer mit Ohrclip für iPod, iPhone, MP3 und Smartphone - Schwarz/Silber, One... | Zu Amazon |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
On his website, you can sort the IEMs and in-ear headphones based on the price-performance ratio. Very high on the list, you will see the “Moondrop Aria,” which shooter expert Marko Jevtic is enthusiastic about.
What does this mean for gaming headphones now? Ultimately, Crinacle says that nobody has to listen to him. After all, he is just “a guy on the internet.” Furthermore, he emphasizes that it is up to everyone what they buy and what hardware they use. He himself can understand that it is easier to buy a gaming headphone with a microphone than to acquire both separately.
In general, it would probably be sensible if it were clear when purchasing a headphone whether it is supposed to offer immersiveness or allow me to hear footsteps in shooters. A “bass-boosted” headphone that advertises with scenes from a shooter and the acoustic locating of enemies just creates a false impression.
