9 Best Audiophile Gaming Headphones in 2023 | Mind-Blowing

Everyone is an audiophile deep inside, whether they know it or not. We all crave the best audio equipment and love the music.

The same goes for gamers as well. You may love to play games most of the time, but also love music. That is a sign of you being an audiophile.

However, No headphones can give you everything. You may have to compromise on few things to get better other things. For example, you may need to compromise the benefits of wireless headphones sometimes.

Top Audiophile Gaming Headphones by Editors

• #
  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  AKG Pro Audio K712 PRO Over-Ear, Open-Back, Flat-Wire, Reference Studio Headphones
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Sennheiser HD 650 - Audiophile Hi-Res Open Back Dynamic Headphone
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• Bestseller No. 3
  
  audio-technica ATHPDG1 Open-Air Premium Gaming Headset, Red/Gray/Black
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 5
  
  Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones Black
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 6
  
  EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset, Open Acoustic, Noise-canceling mic,...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 7
  
  Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black, Professional...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 8
  
  beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones For Mixing, Mastering, and...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 9
  
  Sennheiser HD 599 SE Around Ear Open Back Headphone - Black
  Rating:

  
  

That is why I am here. As our motto goes, Best Headphone Center is the perfect place for audiophiles. Today, we will unveil some headphones for audiophile gamers.

Product Table for Best Audiophile Gaming Headphones

My Top Pick SteelSeries Arctis Pro + Game DAC

The SteelSeries are responsible for creating many amazing headphones. The SteelSeries Arctis Pro is a perfect headset for audiophile gamers.

With the amazing sound quality that covers strong Bass and clear treble, The SteelSeries has done a tremendous job covering excellent Lows, Highs, and Mids. These Hi-Res audio quality headphones have a comprehensive frequency response of 20Hz to 40,000 Hz, more than most studio-grade headphones. You can enjoy your favorite music, whether it's classical music, trance-music, Hip-Hop, or Pop.

On top of that, They come with DTS Headphone: X 2.0 (Next Gen Surround Sound). This is why they are perfect for audiophile gaming headphones. Hi-Res audio quality with NextGen Surround Sound, you cannot ask for more.

What I love about them is the microphone. The noise-canceling microphone reduces most of the background noises. Moreover, A mini-DAC is also provided with the headset. It can be used to get multiple audio modes and enhance the audio quality.

Features

• Type: Over-Ear; Closed-Back
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 40,000Hz
• Impedance: 32ohms

Pros

• Hi-Res excellent Audio Quality.
• Breathable Earpads make them comfortable.
• Durable Headphones.
• Wide Frequency Response.
• A USB DAC is also provided with the headset.
• DTS Headphone: X 2.0 Surround Sound for gamers.

Cons

• Do not have a wide soundstage.
• You cannot use the microphone on Hi-Res mode.

Best Audiophile Headphone: Sennheiser HD660S

I am making a list of best audio quality headphones, and not include Sennheiser headphones? That is not going to happen. Sennheiser are known and tested for their exceptional quality in audio products.

The Sennheiser HD660S is a flagship headphone. This Open-Back headphone produces texture-rich sounds with excellent Bass and Treble, making them perfect for listening to music. They are my top pick in the best headphones for classical music, which speaks for itself.

The High-Definition audio produced by these headphones is full of richness in Mids and Lows. The highs are also full of energy. The Sennheiser HD660S have a warm sound profile. Having a wide range of frequency responses, these headphones cover the Mids, Highs, and Lows perfectly.

As for gamers, these headphones are more suitable for Story-Mode games like Witcher, Assassin's Creed, Skyrim, or Theif. You will dive into the world of that games.

However, the only major turn-off is the amplifier. They have a high-rated impedance of 150ohms, and you will need an amplifier with them.

Features

• Type: Over-Ear; Open-Back
• Frequency Response: 10Hz to 41,000Hz
• Impedance: 150ohms
• Connection: Wired; 6.35mm; 3.5mm

Pros

• Robust and Good Looking headphones.
• Excellent Sound Quality.
• Comfortable to Wear.
• Excellent for Music Lovers.

Cons

• Expensive.
• You will need an amplifier or sound card.

Best Under $100: Razer BlackShark V2

Razer are known for their gaming products. They have made a big contribution to the gaming headphones industry.

The Razer BlackShark V2 comes with THX 7.1 Surround Sound, making them good for your FPS games like CS: GO. IT will help you locate your opponents easily.

The sounds produced by Razer BlackShark V2 have the right amount of kicky Bass. However, the Treble is more appealing in this headset. The apparent and neat sound quality will give you a good time while listening to your favorite song.

Moreover, the sound isolation feature blocks the outside noise correctly. A sound EQ software is also provided with the headset.

The microphone integrated into this headset is removable. The capture quality is neat and suitable for gaming. The Cardioid Mic offers passive noise-canceling, which reduces the background noise.

The infused gel cooling ear cushions ensure that you can wear them for long periods of time.

Should you buy these? If you are looking for excellent sound quality without spending a fortune, then Yes.

Features

• Type: Over-Ear; Closed-Back
• Frequency Response: 12Hz to 28,000Hz
• Impedance: 32ohms
• Driver Size: 50mm

Pros

• Removable Microphone.
• THX verified 7.1 Surround Sound.
• Comfortable and Breathable Ear cushions.
• Perfect Sound Quality for audiophiles.

Cons

• The design is not very appealing.

Best Under $50: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is my pick for $50 audiophile headphones for gaming. These headphones have firm ear cups. However, they comfortable to wear, but not for a very long time.

The build quality is fairly strong with lightweight. However, I wish they had a removable cable feature. Therefore, if you end up breaking the cables, they might become useless.

However, they stand out for their sound quality. A good amount of kicking bass and clear treble is present in the audio. These headphones were made for audio mastering and editing. But, they can be excellent headphones for music and gaming. They are more suitable for open-world games like Skyrim and Assassin's Creed.

Even though they are not noise-isolating headphones, they do a good job of dampening the outside noise. The sound quality, in general, is good for their price.

Their long cables make them portable but give the trouble of managing them. Even more, the foldable design makes them more portable as well.

Should you buy these? If you are tight on budget, then this headphone is definitely the way to go.

Features

• Type: Over-Ear; Closed-Back
• Frequency Response: 15Hz to 20,000Hz
• Impedance: 47ohms
• Driver Size: 40mm
• Cable Length: 3-meters

Pros

• Excellent Sound Quality for their price.
• Good Bass and Treble.
• Suitable for games like Skyrim.
• They have a long cable.
• They are budget-friendly.

Cons

• Non-Removable Cable.
• No Microphone.
• Comfortability could have been improved.

Wireless Audiophile Headphone: Hifiman Deva

The Hifiman Deva is an Open-Back and Wireless headphone. The Neo ultra-nano diaphragm provides totally different listening experience as compared to other headphones.

The right amount of Bass and Drum beats are produced in the sounds. They are good at separating the music from vocals naturally. The treble is also polished and bright on these headphones. If you on the market for a perfect headphone for listening to music, then Hifiman Deva is the way to go.

The Hifiman Deva is excellent at sound positioning. The Stereo sound makes it easy to locate your opponents in games, making them a good candidate for audiophile gaming headphones. It is also my top pick in the best open-back headphones for gaming.

A Bluemini device is also provided with headphones. It works as an amplifier and enhances the audio quality to great degrees.

The Hifiman Deva is Bluetooth headphones, making them good for your Mobile Games as well. It supports different latest Bluetooth profiles for connectivity. As for battery life, they provide 7 to 10hours of playback time.

A built-in microphone is also integrated into this headset. It is not the best microphone, but it can be used for your normal phone calls or in-game chats.

You can read my full review on Hifiman Deva.

Features

• Type: Over-Ear; Open-Back
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
• Impedance: 18ohms
• Battery Life: 7 to 10hours
• Bluetooth Profiles: LDAC, APTX-HD, APTX, AAC, SBC formats

Pros

• Easy to switch from 3.5mm to USB Type-C to Bluetooth mode.
• They are Comfortable and Durable.
• The Bluemini amp is also provided with the headphone.
• Built-In Microphone.
• Excellent Sound Quality

Cons

• It is a bit overpriced.
• The mic quality could have been improved a little.
• The battery life is a little turn-off.

Closed-Back Audiophile Headphone: Sennheiser Game Zero

The Sennheiser Game Zero is a perfect gaming headset. I have also made them my top pick in the best headsets for streaming.

They are equipped with XXL transducers that produce excellent Hi-Fi sounds. They do an amazing job in producing excellent Bass and Treble. If you are looking for a pure gaming headset that satisfies an audiophile's needs, then Sennheiser Game Zero is more than enough.

It is a top-of-the-line gaming headset by Sennheiser. They do not offer Virtual Surround Sound. Instead, they have perfected their Stereo Sound quality. Even more, the Closed-Back design provides you with maximum privacy. They do not leak any sound from their ear cups.

They have a wide frequency response of 15Hz to 28,000Hz covering the Mids, Lows, and Highs perfectly. As for impedance rate, it is mediocre (50ohms.)

They come with a non-detachable microphone. What I love about them is their mic quality. Have you heard about the BlueYeti microphone? Well, this headphone's mic quality is similar to that. This noise-canceling mic captures noiseless and clear audio.

You can read my full review on Sennheiser Game Zero.

Features

• Type: Over-Ear; Closed-Back
• Frequency Response: 15Hz to 28,000Hz
• Impedance: 50ohms
• Driver Unit: XXL transducers

Pros

• XXL transducers produce crystal clear and Natural Sounds.
• They have a Foldable Design.
• Noise-Canceling Microphone with exceptional quality.
• Excellent Stereo Sounds.
• Removable Cables.

Cons

• The Microphone is not detachable.
• Their high impedance rate limits mobile usability.

Open-Back Alternative for Arctis Pro: AKG Pro Audio K702

The AKG has also done a fantastic job in producing studio-quality headphones. The AKG is a trademark of Harman.

As for AKG Pro Audio K702, this open-back headphone was made specifically for audio mastering, mixing, and audio precision. However, due to their good audio accuracy and sound positioning, they are perfect audiophile headphones for gamers. You can even locate the footsteps of your opponents in games.

In my AKG Pro Audio K702 Review, I have clearly stated that this headphone is the perfect open-back gaming headphone. However, for music, they are more suitable for classical music or Hip-Hop music. And, that is because their audio is flat, natural, and balanced. The Bass is not hyped up. They produce sounds as they were intended to. The feel of live music is portrayed in their audio quality.

Therefore, if you are a strong and heavy Bass lover, these headphones are not for you.

As far as comfort is concerned. The soft velvet material cushions are padded on their earcups. You will be able to play games or listen to your favorite music for a long period of time.

You can read my full review on AKG K702.

Features

• Type: Over-Ear; Open-Back
• Frequency Response: 10Hz to 39,800Hz
• Impedance: 62ohms

Pros

• Excellent Build Quality that provides maximum comfort.
• Perfect Sound Quality with good positional accuracy.
• Lightweight headphone.
• Replaceable cables and earpads.

Cons

• They do not have a microphone.
• They are Pricey.

Alternative for HD660S: Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro

The Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro is a professional-grade Open-Back headphone. They were made for audio mastering, mixing, editing, or listening to music.

However, in the past few years, these headphones were used by many professional gamers like Ninja . Jacksepticeye also used this headphone for a long time in his gaming sessions.

The headphone is excellent in producing high-end sounds with the right amount of Bass and Treble. Since they are open-back headphones, the soundstage is also comprehensive. You will have a great time listening to your favorite music on them, regardless of genre.

The Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro is also good at sound positioning. You can easily locate your opponents in FPS games. Speaking of games, these headphones are comfortable to wear. The soft fabric padding on the earcups and headband allows you to wear them for longer gaming sessions.

What do I like about these headphones? Even though they have a rated impedance of 250ohms, they still work almost fine with an amplifier on my PC.

Features

• Type: Over-Ear; Open-Back
• Frequency Response: 5Hz to 35,000Hz
• Impedance: 250ohms; 80ohms

Pros

• Excellent Sound Quality with perfect Bass.
• They provide premium comfort.
• They have a wide soundstage.
• They have a wide range of frequency responses.
• Good at sound positioning.

Cons

• They do not have any microphones.
• You may need an amplifier with them

Budget-Friendly Alternative for All: Philips SHP9500

If you are looking for comfortable audiophile headphones for gaming, Philips got you covered with their SHP9500. They are open-back headphones with an over-ear build.

The Philips SHP9500 is equipped with breathable deluxe earpads. They do a perfect job in dissipating the heat out of the ear cups. The headband is also breathable to provide maximum comfort.

The 50mm Neodymium driver units are integrated into their ear cups. The transparent sound with excellent soundstage is delivered by these headphones, thanks to their acoustic open-back design. And speaking of soundstage, since they are open-back, the soundstage is very wide.

The produces balanced Bass with bright and super clean Treble. The Mids and Highs frequency sounds are very impressive.

These headphones are durable. Even more, the cable is also detachable, which ends in a 3.5mm gold-plated male jack.

Features

• Type: Over-Ear; Open-Back
• Frequency Response: 12Hz to 35,000Hz
• Impedance: 32ohms
• Cable Length: 1.5-meters

Pros

• Comfortable double layered headband cushion.
• Breathable Ear cushions for extended use.
• Good Sound Quality with Stereo Sound effect.
• Removable Cable.
• Sleek Design.
• Budget-Friendly.

Cons

• No microphone.
• Not best for heavy Bass lovers.

Honorable Mentions

HyperX Cloud 2

HyperX Cloud 2 is a good gaming headphone. They are also good for listening to music. You can check them on Amazon from here.

Audeze LCD-2

Audeze LCD-2 is an open-back gaming headphone. It is by far the best headphone for music lovers. The only reason it's not on the list is because of the price. You can check it on Amazon from here.

Buying Guide - How to Choose

There are many things to look at in a gaming headphone. However, things may change when you are looking for an audiophile gaming headphone. I will not get into complicated stuff and try to keep things as easy as possible.

Anyways, these are the things to check in an audiophile headphone.

• Open-Back or Closed-Back
• Frequency Response and Impedance
• Comfort
• Durable

Open-Back or Closed-Back

Open-Back and Closed-Back are two types of headphones. The most notable difference is the design of the ear cups.

In Open-Back headphones, the ear cups are designed to leak the sound. This way, a wide soundstage is created at the price of privacy. This means others will clearly understand what you are listening to. So, Why choose an open-back headphone if it leaks sound? Since it does not keep the sound waves in the ear cups, a wider soundstage is created, which results in increased and natural sound quality. Most of the studio-quality headphones are Open-Back.

In Closed-Back headphones, the ear cups are designed to prevent any sound from leaking. It isolates the sound in the ear cups and prevents the outside sounds from coming in the earcups. Therefore, a congested soundstage is produced. Most of the gaming headphones or workout headphones are closed-back

You might be asking, How will this help me choose? If you are looking for a wide soundstage, realistic, and natural sound quality, go with Open-Back headphones. However, keep in mind that you might not be able to use them in a crowded area. Otherwise, go with Closed-back headphones.

Note: I've been checking the pattern on how these headphones work. And, I've found out that Closed-Back headphones are better at sound positioning.

Frequency Response and Impedance Rate

First of all, Impedance rate. It is measured in ohms. The impedance rate of a headphone defines how much power it requires to function properly. More impedance rate means it requires more power to give the full potential. Higher impedance headphones may require a good amp or sound card. However, higher impedance headphones are likely to give more sound quality.

Note: Any headphone with an Impedance rate higher than 50ohms may require an amplifier.

As for frequency response, the wide range of frequency responses means a headphone covers more sound frequencies. Standard headphones have a frequency response of 20Hz minimum to 20,000 maximum.

Low frequencies from 20Hz (or lower) to 60Hz, resemble sub-bass. The frequencies from 60HZ to 250Hz resemble Bass. And, higher frequency ranges (from 2,500Hz and so on) generally resemble Treble. Frequencies from 250Hz to 2.5kHz are called Mids on a headphone.

Comfort

Comfort is a must thing in any headphones. Comfortable headphones will keep you from the ear and head fatigues, allowing you to game or work for a longer time. I will not go into more details. However, these are the things you can check in a headphone to find the comfortability.

• Cushioning on the Earpads.
• Headband.
• Weight.
• Weight Distribution.
• Clamping Force.

Durable

Durability is also an important factor to look in a headphone. A headphone should last longer. It will save you the trouble of spending money on headphones over and over again.

These are the things that can determine the durability of headphones.

• Build Quality and the material used in the production.
• Cable and Jack quality.
• Removable Battery.
• Detachable Mic and Cables.
• Replaceable Earpads.
• Warranty (In-direct factor)

Signs That You Are An Audiophile

Few things can determine that you are an audiophile. It does not necessarily mean that you have to fulfill all of them to be an official audiophile.

According to JSTOR Study, we are to achieve the level of audio equipment in which we will enjoy music as live instruments and vocals. However, with the recording equipment and technology, transparency is almost impossible.

However, RiverBeats have beautifully described the signs that you are an audiophile.

• Crave for new audio equipment. Your craze for the best amplifier, sound system, headphones, cables, or other audio equipment, whether for gaming, cars, or home, can say a lot about you. It can be a good sign that you are an audiophile.
• Knowledge of Audio Terminology. Your knowledge of audio terminology can be proof of you being an audiophile. The audio terminologies can be Frequencies, Impedance of a headphone, lossless audio, audio compression, other things like Bass and Treble.
• You love to listen to different genres of Music. If you love many different music genres like Classical, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lo-Fi, Trance, or Pop. Then, my friend, you are an audiophile.
• Your Passion. If your passion or interest is revolving around audio and its equipment, then it is a clear indication that you are an audiophile.

FAQs

Are audiophile headphones good for gaming?

Audiophile headphones are best for gaming, especially for PC. Audiophile headphones are generally those which provide the best sound quality. And, any headphone that provides good sound quality is best for gaming. Even more, if the audiophile headphone provides Surround Sound or Stereo Sound, then you cannot ask for more.

What headphones do audiophiles use?

Most audiophiles use headphones like the Beyerdynamic DT series, Sennheiser HD series, Audio-Technica ATH series, Hifiman, Sony, or Audeze headphones. These studio-quality headphones provide exceptional audio quality. That is why audiophiles love them.

Are audiophile headphones worth it?

Most audiophile headphones are expensive. Therefore, it is recommended that you check a bunch of reviews from the trusted sources beforehand. And, if you crave for latest audio gadget and exceptional audio quality, then Yes, they are worth it.

Buy on Walmart

AKG Pro Audio K712 PRO Over-Ear, Open-Back, Flat-Wire, Reference Studio Headphones - Walmart Link

Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 650 Open Back Professional Headphone - Walmart Link

audio-technica ATHPDG1 Open-Air Premium Gaming Headset, Red/Gray/Black - Walmart Link

Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) - Walmart Link

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones Black - Walmart Link

EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset, Open Acoustic, Noise-canceling mic, - Walmart Link

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black, Professional - Walmart Link

beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones For Mixing, Mastering, and - Walmart Link

SENNHEISER HD 599 SE Around Ear Open Back Headphone - Walmart Link

Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X Open Air High-Fidelity Gaming Headset - Walmart Link

SteelSeries Arctis Pro + Game DAC - Walmart Link

AKG Pro Audio K702 - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

AKG Pro Audio K712 PRO Over-Ear, Open-Back, Flat-Wire, Reference Studio Headphones - eBay Link

Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 650 Open Back Professional Headphone - eBay Link

audio-technica ATHPDG1 Open-Air Premium Gaming Headset, Red/Gray/Black - eBay Link

Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) - eBay Link

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones Black - eBay Link

EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset, Open Acoustic, Noise-canceling mic, - eBay Link

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black, Professional - eBay Link

beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones For Mixing, Mastering, and - eBay Link

SENNHEISER HD 599 SE Around Ear Open Back Headphone - eBay Link

Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X Open Air High-Fidelity Gaming Headset - eBay Link

SteelSeries Arctis Pro + Game DAC - eBay Link

AKG Pro Audio K702 - eBay Link

Conclusion

We all love gaming and crave for perfect headphones to play games or listen to music. Which makes us all an Audiophile (At least I am.) That is why I have listed my best picks of headphones for audiophiles to play games.

SteelSeries Arctis Pro is my top pick because of the Hi-Res audio quality, a wide range of frequency response, closed-back design, wireless connectivity, and integrated microphone. You cannot ask for more.

However, if you are low on budget, You can safely go with the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. It is the perfect audiophile headphone for you.

There are many other alternatives available on the list if they are not for you.

Please be sure to leave a comment down below on your thoughts; I will be happy to read your reviews.

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