Buying Guide
The Best 7.1 Surround Sound Headsets
From the Vliveaudax to the Cloud II: five headsets ranked on driver size and connection, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Virtual surround and spatial audio help place footsteps and effects around you in games. Every pick offers 7.1 surround or a spatial audio format, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by driver size, connection and microphone, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips microphone, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround
The cheapest way into this group, below the G432.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset
A USB DAC with 7.1 surround.
Best for: Buyers who want USB DAC with 7.1 surround.
Our take Check price for Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset
DTS Headphone:X spatial audio.
Best for: Buyers who want DTS Headphone:X spatial audio.
Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset
7.1 surround in Windows.
Best for: Buyers who want 7.1 surround in Windows.
Our take Check price for Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Largest Drivers
HyperX Cloud II
The largest driver size here (53mm).
Best for: Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud II (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Vliveaudax's headset connects through a USB sound card with 7.1 virtual surround.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: driver size of 50mm, behind the Cloud II (53mm).
Why we like it
It is the lowest-priced USB headset here. Its noise-cancelling mic and ear-cup volume control are plug-and-play over USB-A or USB-C. On driver size it ties with the G432 and the Cloud Stinger 2 at 50mm.
A wired USB sound card connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Cloud Stinger 2 uses a wired connection. It is the only pick here with a boom mic microphone; the G432 has a 6mm flip-to-mute boom microphone instead. It also offers 50mm drivers.
It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the G432 was closest. What it gives up: driver size of 50mm, behind the Cloud II (53mm); by contrast, the Cloud II comes in at 53mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired USB sound card
- Microphone: Boom mic
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- USB sound card
- 7.1 virtual surround
Cons
- Driver size of 50mm, behind the Cloud II (53mm)
Also Consider2 of 5
Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's G432 is a wired headset with a USB DAC for 7.1 surround and a 3.5mm plug for consoles.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB DAC with 7.1 surround.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Vliveaudax cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 6mm mic flips up to mute. On driver size it ties with the Vliveaudax and the Cloud Stinger 2 at 50mm. A wired USB DAC and 3.5mm connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Cloud Stinger 2 uses a wired connection.
It is the only pick here with a 6mm flip-to-mute boom microphone; the Vliveaudax has a boom mic microphone instead. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Worth noting too: no charging or pairing needed. When we checked, only the Vliveaudax cost less, and the Cloud Stinger 2 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired USB DAC and 3.5mm
- Microphone: 6mm flip-to-mute boom
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- USB DAC with 7.1 surround
- 6mm flip-to-mute mic
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Cloud Stinger 2 has the largest drivers in this list at 50mm, plus DTS Headphone:X spatial audio on PC.
Best for
- Buyers who want DTS Headphone:X spatial audio.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Vliveaudax cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its ear cups rotate to rest around the neck, and DTS Headphone:X spatial audio adds positional cues. Its signature HyperX comfort suits long sessions at a low price. It matches the Vliveaudax and the G432 on driver size (50mm).
No other pick in this guide offers a wired connection; compare the Kraken V3 X, which has a wired USB connection. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing. Its price falls between the G432 and the Kraken V3 X, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- DTS Headphone:X spatial audio
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Kraken V3 X plugs in over USB, which avoids a noisy front-panel jack and enables 7.1 surround in Windows.
Best for
- Buyers who want 7.1 surround in Windows.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Cloud II offers 53mm.
Why we like it
Its bendable HyperClear cardioid mic picks up voice over room noise, and Chroma RGB lights the ear cups. On driver size it trails the group at 40mm, while the Cloud II comes in at 53mm. You get a wired USB connection here, which sets it apart from the Cloud II and its a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection.
You also get memory foam cushions. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. It was priced above the Cloud Stinger 2 and below the Cloud II at the time of writing. It gives ground on driver size, where the Cloud II comes in at 53mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 40mm
- Weight: 285g
- Connection: Wired USB
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 7.1 surround in Windows
- Memory foam cushions
Cons
- Driver size trails the Cloud II (53mm)
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Largest Drivers5 of 5
HyperX Cloud II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Cloud II remains a sensible pick: 53mm drivers, 7.1 virtual surround and a detachable noise-cancelling mic in an aluminum frame.
Best for
- Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Vliveaudax, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It connects over USB or 3.5mm. On driver size it leads this guide at 53mm, ahead of the Vliveaudax (50mm). No other pick in this guide offers a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection; compare the Cloud Stinger 2, which has a wired connection.
It also comes with memory foam ear pads and an aluminum frame. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Worth noting too: no charging or pairing needed.
It makes the most sense for listeners who want the biggest drivers here, since it offers the largest driver size here (53mm). It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Kraken V3 X.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 53mm
- Connection: Wired (USB and 3.5mm)
- Microphone: Detachable, noise-cancelling
Pros
- 53mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- 7.1 virtual surround
- Memory foam ear pads and an aluminum frame
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
How We Chose These 7.1 Surround Sound Headsets
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Drivers and design
- We noted driver size and whether the design is open or closed, which shapes sound and isolation.
- Microphone
- We checked whether a microphone is included, detachable or noise-rejecting.
- Platform support
- We checked which consoles and PCs each maker names, and flagged Xbox-specific connections.
- Battery and weight
- We compared rated battery life and weight where makers state them, noting where lighting affects the battery claim.
What to Look for in a 7.1 Surround Sound Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pick the connection first
A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency for games; Bluetooth is convenient for phones but lags for shooters. Wired headsets have no latency or battery concerns.
If you play on a console as well as a PC, check which connections each platform supports before buying.
Open-back or closed-back
Open-back headphones sound more spacious and feel cooler, but they leak sound and block little outside noise. Closed-back models isolate better in shared rooms.
Choose open-back only if you play in a quiet room on your own.
Weight and clamp matter after an hour
Lighter headsets reduce pressure on the top of the head, and memory foam or fabric pads stay cooler. A difference of 50g is noticeable over long sessions.
If you wear glasses, look for soft pads that do not press the arms into your head.
Virtual surround is software
7.1 and spatial audio labels usually describe software processing, not extra drivers. They can help locate sounds in some games and hurt music in others.
Make sure you can switch it off in the headset's software.
Check the microphone type
Detachable microphones let the headset double as everyday headphones. Some audiophile headphones have no microphone at all, so you would need a separate one.
If you stream or join calls, a cardioid or noise-rejecting mic is worth prioritising.
Console versions are not always interchangeable
Some wireless headsets come in PC, PlayStation and Xbox versions with different dongles. An Xbox-specific model may not connect wirelessly to a PlayStation.
Buy the version that matches every system you plan to use.
How to Choose a 7.1 Surround Sound Headset
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | Vliveaudax | The cheapest way into this group, below the G432 |
| Buyers who want USB DAC with 7.1 surround | G432 | A USB DAC with 7.1 surround |
| Buyers who want DTS Headphone:X spatial audio | Cloud Stinger 2 | DTS Headphone:X spatial audio |
| Buyers who want 7.1 surround in Windows | Kraken V3 X | 7.1 surround in Windows |
| Listeners who want the biggest drivers here | Cloud II | The largest driver size here (53mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vliveaudax | 50mm | Wired USB sound card | Boom mic |
| G432 | 50mm | Wired USB DAC and 3.5mm | 6mm flip-to-mute boom |
| Cloud Stinger 2 | 50mm | Wired | Not listed |
| Kraken V3 X | 40mm | Wired USB | Not listed |
| Cloud II | 53mm | Wired (USB and 3.5mm) | Detachable, noise-cancelling |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on driver size?
The Cloud II leads at 53mm, ahead of the Vliveaudax at 50mm; the Kraken V3 X sits at the other end with 40mm.
Which pick costs the least here?
At our last price check the Vliveaudax was the cheapest pick and the Cloud II the most expensive; the G432 was the next step up from the Vliveaudax.
Should I turn on virtual surround?
Try it in each game. It can help with positioning in some titles and make others sound hollow.
Do wired headsets sound better than wireless ones?
Not necessarily. Driver quality and tuning matter more, but wired models avoid compression, latency and charging.
Do I need a separate microphone?
Only if your headphones do not include one or you stream. Most gaming headsets include a usable microphone.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Vliveaudax, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the G432. Look at the G432 for a USB DAC with 7.1 surround, the Cloud Stinger 2 for DTS Headphone:X spatial audio and the Kraken V3 X for 7.1 surround in Windows if those matter more to you.
Virtual surround works best in games that output multichannel audio; test it on and off.