Valorant, a first-person shooter by Riot Games, has gripped the gaming community with its intense gameplay and rich auditory experience. Sound cues are crucial in Valorant, from enemy footsteps to ability usage, making it imperative for players to have quality headphones. In this article, we’ll spotlight some of the best headphones tailored for a game like Valorant, shedding light on their features and what sets them apart.
1. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
Product Type: Over-Ear Studio Headphones
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro has been a staple in audio communities for its impressive soundstage and clarity, which are ideal attributes for gaming.
These open-back headphones provide a spacious soundstage, allowing players to pinpoint the direction of sounds accurately. The bass is precise, and the treble is sparkly, ensuring that in-game sounds are crisp and clear. The velour ear pads are comfortable for extended sessions. However, being open-back, they don’t isolate sound well, so they’re best used in quiet environments. While they lack an integrated microphone, the audio experience compensates for this.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Product Type: Over-Ear Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a darling in both music and gaming circles, renowned for its versatile sound profile.
Delivering an exceptional clarity across an extended frequency range, the ATH-M50x ensures no sound detail goes unnoticed in Valorant. The circumaural design contours around the ears, offering excellent sound isolation. The headphones are also portable, with collapsible design and rotating ear cups. While they are closed-back and offer better noise isolation than the DT 990 Pro, they also lack an integrated microphone.
3. Sennheiser HD 660 S
Product Type: Open-Back Dynamic Headphones
For those who spare no expense in seeking auditory excellence, the Sennheiser HD 660 S is a top contender.
Successor to the iconic HD 650, the HD 660 S boasts an improved sound signature, providing a natural spatial sound experience. This is vital in games like Valorant, where spatial awareness is key. The headphones offer a balanced sound, ensuring neither the bass nor treble is overpowering. The build quality is stellar, and the headphones exude premium craftsmanship. They are best paired with a dedicated DAC and amp to extract their full potential. As with most high-end headphones, these lack an integrated microphone.
4. Sony WH-1000XM4
Product Type: Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is for gamers who prefer a wireless experience without compromising on audio quality.
These headphones provide top-tier active noise cancellation, ensuring external noises don’t distract from your game. Their sound profile is balanced, and with the Sony Headphones Connect app, you can customize the EQ settings. The headphones also possess a ‘Speak-to-Chat’ feature that pauses audio when you speak and resumes when you stop, handy for quick in-game communication. The 30-hour battery life ensures you’re wire-free for long gaming sessions. While they possess an integrated microphone, it might not be up to par for competitive gaming communication.
5. AKG K702
Product Type: Open-Back Studio Headphones
The AKG K702 is often touted for its detailed sound and expansive soundstage, making it a fitting choice for gamers.
The K702 provides an accurate representation of in-game sounds, ensuring you can detect even the subtlest of cues in Valorant. The patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm ensures a dynamic sound experience. Comfort is also a strong point, with plush ear cups and a self-adjusting headband. As is common with studio-grade headphones, they lack an integrated microphone. Given their open-back nature, they’re best used in quieter settings.
Conclusion
The world of Valorant is not just about visuals; its auditory landscape is equally compelling and crucial for gameplay. Choosing the right headphones can enhance immersion, improve performance, and offer a competitive edge. While many gamers opt for traditional gaming headsets that combine headphones and microphone, there’s a case to be made for dedicated headphones, especially when aiming for superior audio quality. The above options, each with its unique strengths, are among the best you can consider for Valorant. Paired with a standalone high-quality microphone, you’re set for both stellar audio intake and clear communication. Remember, in Valorant, hearing is as good as seeing!