Mastodawn

What headsets are linux gamers using?

https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/55388562

What headsets are linux gamers using? - tchncs

cross-posted from: https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/55388559 [https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/55388559] > I made the mistake of believing some dumb guide online that recommended the Razer BlackShark v2 Pro for Linux. Literally the volume control is broken out of the box lol. > > I just want a wireless headset. For listening to audio. And a mic. Don’t care for fancy features. Apparently too much to ask for a linux user. > > What are y’all using and how is it working for you?

Midnitte Feb 22

I’ve had a bit of luck using an Arctis 7 X using the Xbox Wireless Adapter, but xone can be finicky and it seems like Microsoft doesn’t sell the adapter any more (and my cat just bit off the sync button…)

Edit: Also secure boot makes things even more complicated…

NightFantom Feb 22

I have some steelseries (I believe maybe arctis 7 or 9? I should check, not the one that also does Bluetooth), and it works fine after using the accompanying software once years ago to set mic loopback to the level I like.

It has

mic loopback (adjustable with the windows only software but set and forget)
2 channels, one for chat and one for “gaming” i.e. anything else. Perfect to set gaming as default output and slack or teams or discord or whatever you use to voice chat to the chat channel and you can use the knob to dial between 0% chat & 100% game <-> 100% both <-> 0% game & 100% chat
another knob for the global volume which then combined with the other knob allows all possible configurations
mic mute button
usb micro-b charging
some weird specific cable that does 3.5mm jack iirc, never used it but then you can use it for your phone I guess
connects to your computer using wireless (2.4ghz usb dongle at computer side)

All of those in hardware so no software needed, except for the mic loopback, so pretty happy with that. I’ve had it since my windows 7 days, and I refused to “upgrade” to a higher version of windows, instead upgraded to linux, so it’s been going strong for years and years now

Only thing was that I replaced the over ear pads

9/10, easily

Benjamin Feb 22

@PotatoesFall I'm using a Logitech G935. The fancy buttons do nothing, but the Headset, Mic and Volume Controll work just fine.

I have a Logitech headset I keep as my backup if some other audio things go wrong. It works fine, and I think there is a GUI application for the settings if I really need. My primary audio input/output system right now is an audio technica mic connected to a Focusrite Scarlett duo with both speakers and in ear monitors as output options. There’s a GitHub project to give you a GUI for full access to the audio interfaces full settings.

https://github.com/x42/scarlett-mixer

bonenode Feb 22

This is probably not what you are looking for, but I recently got the Fairbuds XL since I wanted something repairable. They work pretty well with my Steamdeck, but I haven’t tested the mic yet. Changing volume works on SteamOS at least.

PotatoesFall Feb 22

I have the fairbuds as my travel headphones. Overall very disappointed with these. The mic sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t (both on PC and android). I have replaced the shitty plastic pieces on the sides three times, and the fourth is already cracking.

bonenode Feb 23

They recently (end of last year) released a redesigned version. That is the one I got because I read about the issues you described beforehand. So I hope they learned from those, I will see…

I don’t use a headset. I have proper headphones and a cheap clip-on mic for the rare occasion.

fuckwit_mcbumcrumble Feb 22

I just use a webcam as a mic. Not great for background noise, but I can stand all the way on the other side of the room and just talk loudly if someone needed to hear me.

Le Freak Feb 22

@fuckwit_mcbumcrumble @exu I'm using my phone as a mic in combination with easy effects to filter background noise. You might want to take a look at Easy Effects

I use Logitech lightspeed heaset. It’s not supported by the Logitech utility but it works well

I have been using an open source 3d printed design for a bit and they’re the most comfortable headphones I’ve used. All the components together cost around $150 if I’m remembering correctly (not including the cost of the 3d printer and soldering iron). Adding an in-line mic shouldn’t be an issue if this project seems doable for you.

github.com/DMS3tv/Open-Omega

GitHub - DMS3tv/Open-Omega: The open source info and files for my project Omega headphones

The open source info and files for my project Omega headphones - DMS3tv/Open-Omega

GitHub

I’ve bought a hyperx cloud III and I’m having no issues. Feels solid and audio is good. No complaints about the microphone from my cohorts. Mine is wired but I believe they sell it wireless for a bit of a premium.

I’ve just been using an old Plantronics Blackwire 300 since someone gave me several pairs of them. They are very lightweight and the audio is decent. The USB connection works fine on Linux. You can also disconnect the headset from the USB adapter and plug it into a 4 pin headset jack.

Helix 🧬Feb 22

Beyerdynamic MMX150.

It’s a great headset but after two years of daily use the ear pads and head padding completely disintegrated. Never had a single technical issue and the sound is great.

They also have a wireless MMX200 and MMX300. All great. I’d buy it again, but I just needed new earpads and that’s it 😊

verdigris Feb 22

Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. My biggest recommendation for wireless though is just to avoid Bluetooth. Get something with its own dedicated base station. Not that Bluetooth doesn’t work with Linux, but it’s just not the best tech and introduces a lot of potential failure points.

PotatoesFall Feb 22

I got this recommendation from a colleague too and it seems really good but it sure is pricey. Were you able to take full advantage of all the fancy features with linux?

verdigris Feb 22

I don’t use their software suite – I can’t remember if it’s possible to get working on Linux, but when I used it on Windows I found it to be mostly a gimmick. I prefer the unfiltered audio.

The hardware is solid, but they’ve also got other options. I used to own an Arctis 5, which was also good. I think the drivers are just a bit higher quality in the Pro but I didn’t have sound quality complaints with the cheaper ones, they just failed after several years.

TiredTiger Feb 22

Not OP, but the software currently is incompatible with linux AFAIK. There are some third-party applications that try to restore some of the features available in Windows, most notably the chat-mix, but I haven’t yet gotten that working and honestly just gave up on it. I have one of the other Arctis models though, not the Pro.

Artic pros. Decent headphones work fine on linux due to the base station except there is no software to modify them. I would not recommend since they have batteries and are replaceable but you can’t buy new batteries because they won’t refresh thr stock on their website. I contacted support and they told.me to just buy 3rd party batteries but 3rd party batteries can’t charge inside the base station. Thats dumb I’m not having a 2nd charger on my desk.

I’ve always vouched for fully separate headphones + mic for years, though admittedly that’s probably less applicable for wireless preferences.

I swear by Sennheisers, currently using a Schitt DAC/amp, though offhand I forget the exact model of both. I used to stream and I sold off all my equipment except for mic RE20 XLR mic. I use an elgato stream deck plus with the xlr dock because funny knobs and buttons but their linux support is nonexistent and the foss alternatives aren’t great, but it works.

GeraltvonNVIDIA Feb 22

I am using the same i use for my Smartphone. Fairbuds XL via Bluetooth.

lemmyarcade Feb 22

Using a beyerdynamic dt770 into a schiit hel DAC and a separate modmic wired into the schiit hel as well. Best thing I’ve ever had. “Gamer” headsets suck.

I mean all headsets suck, really. I went through a few of them before just picking up a USB mic and plugging normal headphones into it.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

Plug-and-play on Linux, features a hot-swappable battery so you literally never have to worry about charging.

It’s been a life changing headset. I can never go back.

burghler Feb 23

Sony WH-1000XM4, on my second pair rn after the first’s hinge shattered to dust (5 years of daily use). Love the quality and ANC, super cozy and low profile.

privatepirate Feb 23

I would recommend against buying any gaming headphones. I bought the Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless for $330 and a year later regretted it so much because I could have bought a pair of audiophile headphones that would have been more comfortable and given me much better audio quality and directional sound, and a separate microphone that would have been better for the same price.

Helix 🧬Feb 23

Yeah there’s the Antlion ModMic which is quite good to add to regular headphones.

privatepirate Feb 23

Yes I’ve heard a lot of great things about that one. I just prefer a normal microphone because it feels better to use for me.

CurroFaiter Feb 23

@PotatoesFall I have the Logitech G35.

No problems in 20 years xD

hellerphant Feb 23

I’m using the Audeze Maxwells right now. Mic isn’t that great but I wanted a great sounding pair of cans for gaming and music, and my friends are the ones who have to put up with the average mic.

FoundFootFootage78 Feb 23

Bose Quietcomfort Ultra with a USB microphone.

thermal_shock Feb 23

These are worth the price for a decent wireless set. Mine are almost a decade old, replace ear pads and battery every few years.

NichtElias Feb 23

I’m using a Teufel Cage which is wired but there’s also a wireless version I think. It’s pretty reliable, except for the ear cushions falling apart like once a year. You can get a replacement for those for about 10€ though, so it’s not too bad

Nibodhika Feb 23

Astro A50 that I got from work. It sucks, every once in a while it just refuses to work and I need to plug it into my wife’s Windows PC to update the firmware to get it to work again. Audio and mic quality are okay, but that issue makes me definitely not recommend it for Linux users.

some_random_nick Feb 23

CoolerMaater MH720 because I wanted one with a mic. I am very happy with them almost 3 years now.

gwl [he/him]Feb 23

I prefer separate mic, which is a static one sat on my desktop, SAMSON METEOR that I’ve had for about 10 years now

Alongside my Monitor Headphones, Shure SRH840 that I’ve had for about 12 years now

Dragonborn3810 Feb 23

Ive got corsair hs80 wireless and I love them (on pop!os)

PC37x connected to Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. If you are European do not get this adapter as apparently its a completely different DAC inside…

Pommes_für_dein_Balg Feb 23

Apparently too much to ask for a linux user.

GTFO with your passive aggressivity.

As others have mentioned, I also use separate headphones and a microphone, mainly because I haven’t had great experiences with headsets in the past.

Right now, I’m using the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X paired with a HyperX QuadCast 2, and I’ve been really happy with the setup.

Joanie Parker Feb 23

Steel series Arctic 7 I think. Works fine. Any wired IEM will produce better sound though.

I still use a set of Shure DJ headphones which have been glued back together a few times. They are very comfortable and have excellent sound reproduction.