DECENT audio is a vital part of any gaming setup, and whether it’s a headset, microphone or even a full-on soundbar, there’s plenty of options on the market nowadays. They also make excellent and thoughtful gifts for gamers (or yourself), and to that end we’ve put together a selection of products which the team has reviewed or used throughout the year which might be welcome surprises under the tree on Christmas Day.
EPOS make a lot of excellent headsets so picking one to feature in the guide has been quite a challenge – but in the end, I’ve gone with the H3 Hybrid because it offers something unique; namely the ability to connect via 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth and USB.
Literally providing the best of both worlds when it comes to wired and wireless conections, the H3 Hybrid offers good quality sound, it’s comfortable to wear, and it works with pretty much every gaming device on the market at the moment – meaning no matter what whoever you’re buying this for games on, they’ll be able to use this headset to experience it.
RRP: AUD$259
Not every headset needs to cost big bucks to be worthwhile, as Nick “Nicco” Holliday the RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 explained in his review of this “Loud and clear” headset earlier this year.
In addition to its solid construction, gamer aesthetic, and removable flip-to-mute mic, the RIG 500 Pro HX Gen 2 also comes with two years of Dolby Atmos – and at under $100, makes an affordable gift for someone looking to upgrade from a budget headset to something with more gamer focus.
RRP: AUD$99
LOGITECH G335 WIRED GAMING HEADSET
Logitech make a lot of well-regarded gaming headsets and the Logitech G335 wired gaming headset is very much part of that – with the added bonus they’re available in a number of colours, which would make them appealing to streamers looking for something to round out an on-camera look.
Dylan “GrumpyGoron” Blereau described the G335s as “a simple yet solid headset that exudes style with its sleek and colourful aesthetic” and while he thought the AUD$129 price was a big high for the offering, the combination of plug-and-play compatibility with most devices alongside the colourful stylings would still make it an appealing gift.
RRP: AUD$129
THRONMAX MDRILL ONE PRO USB MICROPHONE
For someone looking to get into streaming or content creation, an affordable USB microphone like the Thronmax MDrill One Pro may be just the thing to add some joy to their Christmas morning.
In her review, Natalie “Natty” Turner praised the unit for its user friendliness, offering “a true plug and play set up experience”, as well as offering good audio recording quality and a lightweight design – all important things for the modern streamer, content creator, or someone who just wants to be a bit fancy on voice chat.
RRP: AUD$239
BELKIN SOUNDFORM FREEDOM WIRELESS EARBUDS & CHARGING PAD BUNDLE
If you are after a set of well-priced wireless earbuds for smartphone (particularly Apple iPhone) use, the Belkin Soundform Freedom wireless earbuds & charging pad bundle is a very hard offering to walk past.
Featuring (among other things) Apple “Find My” support, 8 hours of battery in the earbuds plus another 28 in the case, IPX5 sweat/splash resistance rating and very good audio and voice quality, the cherry on top is the included wireless charging pad which works with any MagSafe or Qi-compatible device (including these earbuds, obviously!)
RRP: AUD$199
SONOS BEAM GEN 2 SOUNDBAR
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar packs a lot of punch into a small(ish) size, featuring wi-fi, TV remote integration, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, Apple Airplay 2 support, and five digital Class D amplifiers for impressive sound whether you’re gaming or watching TV/movies.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 delivers great sound in a stylish, uncluttered package and while it’s not cheap, it packs a lot of punch and for an enthusiast gamer or someone with a small-medium lounge, it’s going to fit the bill extremely nicely indeed.
RRP: AUD$699
Just like the TVs they complement, sound bars come in a range of styles and capabilities – and for gamers seeking a bass-enhanced solution, the TCL Ray-Danz TS9030 may be just the thing.
Featuring two speakers (120W each) and a 300W subwoofer, Chris “Inferno” Inglis said in his review there was a very noticeable increase in audio quality using the sound bar for gaming and content viewing
While noting the soundbar wasn’t perfect, Chris still felt that it would be an appealing choice for many people, saying “Overall, the TCL Ray-Danz TS9030 Sound Bar and Wireless Subwoofer produced great quality sound for both music and watching TV shows and movies, though it does largely depend on the shape and size of the room you’re in.”
RRP: AUD$499
