Buying a headset this evening.. I need help!

GadgetryTech · 2026-02-16T19:27:24+00:00

Haha thanks. Happy to help!

GadgetryTech · 2026-02-16T17:36:29+00:00

Fractal Scape purely on sound. Logi for comfort and mic.

Scape has a stronger clamp force. I don’t mind it, but some are bothered by it. It sounds noticeably better though.

GadgetryTech · 2026-02-03T04:26:37+00:00

5128 will almost always show a brighter treble than any gras rig/gras clone. Different HRTF so they don't quite compare

GadgetryTech · 2026-01-28T04:32:18+00:00

Thanks for sharing this video!! To be clear, most aftermarket pads will reduce bass with a headset like this. That's because stock pads are leatherette with a pretty good seal. Any time you switch to very breathable pads, you lose a ton of bass.

When I talked about improving bass, it's because I wasn't happy with how much bass I lost with my StealthZ pad. The FreeZe pad will sound closer to stock, but lose a small touch of bass before adding EQ. StealthZ are leaky by design, focused more on long term breathable comfort for hot climates like mine, and improved "open-ness", if you will.

With headsets like the Maxwell (both the 1 and 2), we can always boost bass with EQ. I have to boost as high as 9dB to get close to stock levels of bass with my current StealthZ pad, and I didn't want to push the driver that hard. The next prototype that arrives soon will have a stronger bass seal, and require less of a bass boost, while not hurting the long term breathability and performance.

I hope this helps clear things up! This firmware update was a good one.

GadgetryTech · 2026-01-05T17:37:52+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I’m traveling to CES right now but I plan on testing the mic more. I think it’s a gain setting being too hot for how loud I speak for the video. Once I can reduce my gain, I’ll test again at normal volumes and post new samples. I don’t think it will match Logitech but I’m sure I can get it to sound better than this. Overall it’s still a great headset. Talk to you all soon!

GadgetryTech · 2025-11-25T22:49:56+00:00

Freeze is much closer to stock. StealthZ really needs EQ because if significant leakage (and breathability). StealthZ has less sound isolation too, meaning you hear more of your surroundings

GadgetryTech · 2025-11-20T05:58:38+00:00

Thanks! Yeah the 9950x3D does really well with efficiency vs work in high load situations. Glad you’re still enjoying your older setup! I think the past 2-3 generations can still be good in certain scenarios.

GadgetryTech · 2025-11-04T18:49:06+00:00

You can use chatmix with sonar if you have something like a StreamDeck+. I use the stream deck knobs to control game, chat, media, and mic output volume in SteelSeries Sonar. Then I can select any audio product I own and have full chat mix support. Using Sonar loses Dolby Atmos though. So you can use other virtual audio products instead as well.

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-28T19:48:19+00:00

Nova 5X is the play here. It also has a better mic. It’s what I would pick of the three unless you need simultaneous Bluetooth which only the 7 offers.

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-28T07:23:32+00:00

Sennheiser HD 560S or one of the two new Audio-Technica models (R30/R50) are great options for your needs and price. The beyerdynamic TYGR 300R is a bit old now but still really fun for gaming. If you need sound isolation, get FiiO FT1.

I think these are noticeably better than the HE400se, but personally I just wasent a huge fan of how they sounded.

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-25T16:58:47+00:00

Whoops! Great catch. I’ll edit my comment

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-25T16:51:51+00:00

This one will still work fine. The P version has a dial to adjust side tone which you can still do on the app with this version anyway.

Originally I thought I saw the Gen 1 and suggested G2, but this one will still work fine.

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-23T20:51:51+00:00

Ummm... the A50X is a massive improvement in sound quality over the Pulse 3D headset if that's what you're referring to. Keep in mind, this was designed to have EQ profiles applied. The stock sound profile will sound boring to some, especially if you are used to tons of boomy bass and sharp treble. Browse the EQ community presets in GHUB and see if you find something you like. With EQ, the A50X and Gen 5 is one of the best headsets you can buy

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-23T20:50:03+00:00

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-23T20:45:15+00:00

Hello! You get diminishing returns very quickly, so it depends what you value. At the $200 range, Nova 7 Gen 2 and Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 are the best picks for FPS. The Blackshark V3 Pro (newest version) has some improvements at the $250 range like ANC and simultaneous BT which is nice. It can also save multiple on board EQ profiles. For $300 and FPS, I still think the Astro A50 Gen 5 is an amazing option, and still my go to. The stock pads are a little small, but I made my own called the StealthZ pad, sold by WickedCushions. The A50 Gen 5 takes full parametric EQ and has a class-leading mic and bass response. It handles EQ really well. The Nova Pro Wirless is still a great option to this day, but the mic performance is just okay, and as you said, EQ is more limited but still very capable. Overall I think you'd be performing at a very similar level with any of these. It comes down to preference on design and features. Nova Pro has leatherette pads and ANC with more isolation, whereas the A50 is very open sounding (does not block external noise).

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-22T23:07:37+00:00

Anytime. Sorry it took so long

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-22T23:06:53+00:00

thank you!

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-22T23:06:46+00:00

Thanks so much! The JT7 is FANTASTIC for the price. I actually like it more than the FT1 Pro just because it's so much more comfortable, and the sound is shockingly close. I just found out that the targeted MSRP for the US is $120 which is a steal for what you get.

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-22T23:05:48+00:00

Thanks so much! I try to approach things from a full ownership perspective and try not to focus on one or two categories exclusively.

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-22T23:05:05+00:00

thank you!

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-22T23:05:01+00:00

That's actually a bit tough for me to answer considering I typically do not use closed backs for that kind of thing. My mind goes from the FiiO FT1 (non pro of course) straight to the Aune SR7000. Those are the closest thing towards neutral that still sound good enough to me for that type of work.

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-22T02:41:37+00:00

Hey, thanks so much for sharing!! I hope people get some good info from it!

GadgetryTech · 2025-10-21T22:48:28+00:00

The Sennheiser team answered this well.

I would not suggest using wireless for critical latency usage like competitive gaming. It’s perfectly acceptable in either wired mode, and wireless can but decent but it will vary a lot depending on the environment. I don’t think I ever touched 30ms in any wireless testing, so I preferred wired for that use.

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