GAME. It’s all here!

Every warrior from matador to jet jockey prizes his gear, so a good headset is a must for the ultimate gaming experience. This is especially true today, with most games rendered with high-definition audio effects. 

To rock gaming to the max, focus on five assets: comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation, cable length and microphone.

Anyone who’s left an all-night gaming session with buzzing head and sore ears will want to make comfort the number-one priority. There’s only one way to judge a headset’s comfort: Wear it. Seriously. Clap the thing on your head for at least 15 minutes and let the feeling soak into your body and brain. Check the thickness and softness of the padding. Are the ear cups big enough to encompass your entire ear? Does the ear bud fit comfortably in your ear? Can you adjust the headset? Does it weigh down your head? Keep checking this factors until you find the right headset for you. 

After comfort, getting the full sound realism of game play is the most important asset in a headset. Look for “surround sound” in a headset; newer headsets come with 5.1 digital audio encoded to heighten this effect. In-line volume and mute control will allow setting the proper speaker levels, and a good strong bass is another must. As veterans gamers say, if the explosions don’t rattle your teeth, the game isn’t worth it. 

The headset microphone should include noise-canceling features to block out background sounds, especially if gaming in a busy Internet café. Another kind of noise can be a factor if choosing a wireless headset with Bluetooth or RF capacity. While wireless units allow freedom of movement, they can suffer signal loss and can be susceptible to hisses, pops, static and other audio horrors. If opting for a wired headset, be sure to get one with a cable with a minimum length of 2 meters to allow for plenty of movement. An extra-long cable or additional cable may be necessary if gaming with a console. 

Examples of some of the latest in gaming headsets include:

The portable GameCom P20 offers all-around versatility for the Sony PSP, including gaming, chat, movies and music options. Attributes include a noise-canceling microphone, dual earbuds, full-range “surround sound” stereo, fingertip control of in-line volume and mute. GameCom P20’s Flex Grip keeps headset comfortably on the head while a QuickAdjust boom positions the microphone precisely. 

Another basic unit, Plantronics’ GameCom X20 headset for Xbox, also has a noise-canceling microphone, a flexible boom and Flex Grip with in-the-ear design.  

Plantronics backs its GameCom X10 headset for Xbox 360 and Xbox with a one-year quality warranty. It features extra cushioning, an over-the-head design, an extended boom a noise-canceling microphone and inline volume and mute controls. 

Plantronics GameCom X30 for Xbox draws raves as a premium console gaming headset. Like its less endowed cousins, it covers all the quality bases: comfortable single-ear coverage, extended boom, noise-canceling microphone, inline volume and mute, plus a hip design. This version also has a one-year warranty. 

Prices run from a low of around $25 for a basic headset to as much as $150 for a console gaming “ultimate experience.”