PS5 Audio, When to pick Open-Back or Closed-Back Headsets

Deciding to do a relative PSA into headsets as I’m seeing a lot of people asking about what to get for their PS5s. I will also make note if said headsets are wireless or wired. This is not a be all end all, and I don’t expect this to be all right, but from my experience in audio I think I can help a few people out in deciding. Tempest 3D Audio is compatible with all of these headsets. I have used every single one here, since I can freely swap these out due to where I work.

Open Back Headphones:

Some but not limited to these ones, which I have throughly tested:

PC38X from Sennheiser, (Wired, $$$)

SHP9500 from Philips + VMODA BoomPro Mic Attachment, (Wired, $)

A40 Headset + Mixamp from ASTRO (Wired, $$$)

Game Ones from Sennheiser, (Wired, $$)

Closed Back Headphones:

Arctis 7P from SteelSeries, (Hybrid, $$)

Cloud II from HyperX, (Wired, $)

Blackshark V2 from Razer, (Wired, $)

Arctis 3 from SteelSeries, (Wired, $)

In relation to pricing, I cannot recommend Sony's Pulse Headset vs. any of these, you get more clarity, mic quality, comfort and versatility with any of the headsets above. The only thing the Pulse has going for it is the seamlessness with the PS5's UI when paired and it is the cheapest wireless headset, but there's a reason it's the cheapest. IF you really want wireless, SteelSeries is your best bet and best bang for your buck. The Audeze Penrose is also an option and have only heard good things about it, but at a steep price shy of $300+ it is not really something I can recommend to the masses.

If you have any questions please let me know. I have tested other headsets like Logitechs Pro series as well as Corsair's line as well and I'm happy to tell you why I didn't recommend a certain headsets you don't see on this list that you're either curious about or actually have yourself. Again this is just my personal opinion, so please take this as more of a suggestion 🙂

Just want to add that open back headphones also fatigue your hearing less over long periods of time. Still more tiring on your ear that speakers, but a happier medium in that department.

For actual sound quality nothing can beat an open back headphone. Philips SHP 9500 is awesome quality for its price - around 70 USD. If you want even cheaper you cannot go wrong with Superlux HD 681 - around 30 USD - and the sound quality is at par with the Philips one.

I have the SHP9500, aftermarket brainwavz ear pads really helped with the shallow ear cups.

I personally love my Audeze Penrose. The sound quality is the best I've heard on a headset, especially a wireless pair. They are a bit tricky to recommend though, as many users have had a lot of issues with wireless range/connectivity. Audeze has already updated them once to fix some minor issues, and are working on another update coming out soon, so they're definitely something to keep an eye on if you're looking to spend more for a higher quality sound.

This is good thread to keep an eye on for the Penrose:

Sony MDR-XB41EX + MixAmp Pro TR = Greatness.

I've been looking for a replacement for my current headset (Hyper X Cloud 2), and my search has led me to Beyerdynamic DT770 pro 80 ohm. Has anyone here used these with it connected to the Dualsense? I'm thinking of buying a DAC to drive these down the line, so I wondering if the Dualsense was enough to power the DT770 pro in the meantime.

I'm running Sennheiser 58x Jubilees with vmoda mic and a Schiit stack (Fulla & Magni)

Pushes the headphones with ease and can get insanely loud but still crisp.

I use AKG K702s open backs and they are great.

This guy has been doing in depth testing on headphones for gaming for years and recommends them for different situations and ranks them, hes done 100s of them and is the definitive guide.

You can't say open backs are better for hearing stuff in an FPS when they also leak sound in, and this can interfere with what you're hearing.

I've the old Platinum headset (which is closed back) and I much prefer it for playing online shooters over my (old but good) Sennheiser HD 558s (open backed) through a good amp.

The Sennheisers sound better, but the Platinums provide much better isolation, so I'm only hearing the game audio.

Try testing the 7p in a shooter with higher volume, I read about complaints that explosions get noticeable distortion.

Thanks for this guide!

Did you test all of the wired headphones directly connected to the DualSense‘s audio jack?

does anyone here use an amp and dac? If so, how is it going for them so far?

Imo the V-Moda Mic is unusable trash without a decent USB soundcard. I've got one myself that I wanted to use, but it really doesn't sound good at all. My friend bought the same, and the same goes for his.

A $15 USB soundcard supposedly makes a HUGE difference for this particular mic, though. With that said, I haven't tried plugging it directly into DualSense. Maybe it works fine? I'll give it a try and report back.

edit: I just gave it a try, with the V-Moda BoomPro plugged directly into the DualSense (and into my computer through USB), it's actually great with +7 db gain through Windows audio settings. I have no idea how it'll sound wirelessly on the PS5.

With that said, the built-in mic is also VERY competent, and I'd consider it better than the vast majority of mics on gaming headsets. I honestly see no reason to buy a seperate mic, if it's just for PS5 usage.

Open back is fine if you're in a quiet environment. I have HD 598s and they have a warm, neutral sound. Not a lot of bass but good soundstage and easy to listen to. Plus they're comfortable and light, and don't make your ears hot or sweaty. Are driven just fine by the Dualsense. The PC38x is very similar, but with a good mic attached too.

For closed back, I have GSP 300s which sound great and fit well, but the headband is a little strange and it's a bit of a bulky design. Also very easy to drive, and mic sounds good. Soundstage is ok. Very nice budget headset.

I've heard great things about the Cooler Master MH 751 but I haven't personally tried them.

I also have DT 770 Pro 250 ohm with an SMSL SD 783 II but I'll need a new amp soon as the headphone jack is starting to output sound only out of one ear. I've had them for like 5 years so it's time to change them. Getting new Brainwavz perforated leather ear pads tomorrow too.

Actually i would still probably go with anything you have wired combined with the dualsense mic. Surprisingly the DS mic is quite good and almost anything wired would sound better then the Pulse.

Great post. Just did the whole research few weeks back and ordered the pc38x. Can’t wait till they arrive. Ordered from EU and shipping was just like 3$. Might need to pay customs though.

I use AKG K702 openbacks and a sound blaster G3 amp. Way better than the Sony wireless headset and any headset I've used yet. I doubt I'll go back to closed back any time soon.

Open back headsets. Talking with opens are infinitely better. But, being honest, I reccoment getting basic open back headphones without mics, and use the controllers mic. If they aren't cheaper then don't, cuz then that would be stupid

But IF you want a cheap wireless set for the occasional party chat, the Pulse really is fine for the job.

I got it cause it is the cheapest decent wireless headset I could find. My good headphones are all wired and mic-less.

I recommend the hyperx alpha over the cloud II

I have an old pair of ATH m50x's that I've been using + the controller mic. Are those headphones still considered quality?

I've been a little unimpressed with them relative to my speakers. They sound a bit tinny to me and I'm not sure if it's the headphones or something I should play around with settings to fix

I have shp9500s and I have another pair new in the box because they are incredible. I just wanted to add that with open jack headphones leaking a lot of game noise, a sensitive mic like the v moda boom pro will pick up said game noise and annoy teammates. It's what I've been dealing with since I got them. Wish I had a less sensitive mic.

No. That’s absolutely NOT true. I have this exact setup and even though I have the tendency to listen to the game sound at a really high volume, the sound NEVER leaks into the v-moda microphone. Perhaps you didn’t set the software microphone input level properly or something like that. I literally had zero issues even in the loudest of scenes...

What kind of DAC/amp are you using?

Thanks for the round up. I’ve had the 7Ps and they were too tight for me. Good sound and comfort up top though.

Currently using the A50s and have comfort issues up top lol. Also will want HDMI 2.1 support soon.

I’ve got my eye on the PC38X but have a couple concerns.

How bad of sound leakage are we talking here? Obviously It varies by volume and your setup but I’m in the dining room about 10 feet from the living room. I’m wondering if it will be annoying to my family in there or not. That’s seems excessive. Maybe I’m over estimating how loud it will be.

Also I’m worried about sound bleed into the mic.

Any thoughts on these? I’ve also tried wired so many times and always come back to wireless. Hmm.

Also I’m considering the black shark V2 pro as well. But there is no way to save the eq for PS5 or adjust the mic so that worries me a little compared to the 7p and A50.

Edit: I really value being able to hear myself and my surroundings. Need to hear the kids/wife and I hate that under water feeling of really noise isolating sets.

Last edit I promise: The reviews say the dual sense should have no problem powering the 38X. No separate amp required. True?

I have the Sennheiser Game One's myself. This is my 6th year using them almost daily. Fantastic headset and well worth the money.

In relation to pricing, I cannot recommend Sony's Pulse Headset vs. any of these, you get more clarity, mic quality, comfort and versatility with any of the headsets above.

For $99 its absolutely fine within its price bracket and sound quality. Its wireless RF capabilities is great and has some of the best wireless audio in its price bracket. On the topic of versatility, Pulse has good built in controls for audio mixing game/chat on the fly(for the PS5). Almost ALL the headsets that are comparable to the pulse are anywhere from 50% to SIGNIFICANTLY higher. The main cons being lackluster for music listening and microphone quality being nothing to do ride home about. Ive enjoyed mine and they sound great over RF and over my DAC.

Its unfortunate with these because everyone almost universally pops into these threads and harps on the Arctis 7P or another headset thats a higher price bracket and just saying "Pulse 3d sucks" or if anyone gives an honest review, they are paid shills.