Buying Guide
The Best Spatial Audio Headsets
We weighed five headsets on driver size and connection, and the Cloud Stinger 2 costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Spatial audio places sounds above and around you, which helps in shooters. Every pick supports a spatial audio format, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects driver size, connection and microphone from maker specifications; we did not test these headsets ourselves, and a missing driver size is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming HeadsetThe cheapest way into this group, below the Arctis Nova 1.
Best for: Getting DTS Headphone:X spatial audio for the least money.
Check price for HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Noise-cancelling Microphone
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming HeadsetA noise-cancelling microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone.
Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Flip-to-mute Microphone
Corsair HS65 Surround Wired Gaming HeadsetA flip-to-mute microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone.
Check price for Corsair HS65 Surround Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
TRUTHEAR Hexa In-Ear MonitorsA 1DD+3BA hybrid.
Best for: Buyers who want 1DD+3BA hybrid.
Check price for TRUTHEAR Hexa In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
JBL Quantum 400A Discord-certified game and chat balance dial at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Cloud Stinger 2 costs less.
Check price for JBL Quantum 400 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset
The Cloud Stinger 2 has the largest drivers in this list at 50mm, plus DTS Headphone:X spatial audio on PC.
Best for
- Getting DTS Headphone:X spatial audio for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
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. HyperX tunes it for clear game audio, and the rotating earcups let it rest flat on the collarbone or lie on the desk.
It is a simple wired design with few settings to manage. It shares a wired connection with the JBL Quantum 400; the Arctis Nova 1 goes with a wired 3.5mm connection. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Arctis Nova 1 the next step up.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- DTS Headphone:X spatial audio
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Arctis Nova 1
Noise-cancelling Microphone2 of 5
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset
The Arctis Nova 1 is a multi-system 3.5mm headset with a noise-cancelling mic and Tempest 3D support on PS5.
Best for
- Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Cloud Stinger 2 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its ComfortMAX system adjusts in height with rotating ear cups and AirWeave cushions, and on-board controls handle volume and mute. It is the only pick here with a wired 3.5mm connection; the Cloud Stinger 2 has a wired connection instead. You get a noise-cancelling microphone here, which sets it apart from the HS65 Surround and its a flip-to-mute microphone.
A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Cloud Stinger 2 and the pricier HS65 Surround, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- Noise-cancelling
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Tempest 3D audio support on PS5
- Multi-system 3.5mm connection
- Noise-cancelling microphone, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Cloud Stinger 2 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its driver size; if that figure matters, the Cloud Stinger 2 comes in at 50mm.
Flip-to-mute Microphone3 of 5
Corsair HS65 Surround Wired Gaming Headset
The HS65 Surround is the wired value pick, with 50mm drivers, 3.5mm and USB connections and flip-to-mute.
Best for
- Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Cloud Stinger 2, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Leatherette memory foam cups with a soft fabric layer sit on an adjustable headband reinforced with aluminum. Its custom-tuned 50mm neodymium drivers support Dolby Atmos spatial audio on PC. A flip-to-mute microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Arctis Nova 1 uses a noise-cancelling microphone.
USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Cloud Stinger 2 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the Arctis Nova 1 and the Hexa, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Weight
- 282g
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm, USB
- Microphone
- Flip-to-mute
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Dolby Atmos support
- Flip-to-mute microphone, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Cloud Stinger 2 at the time of writing
Also Consider4 of 5
TRUTHEAR Hexa In-Ear Monitors
TRUTHEAR's Hexa pairs one dynamic driver with three balanced armatures per side on a 0.78mm 2-pin cable.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1DD+3BA hybrid.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no built-in microphone rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the most driver-dense TRUTHEAR here. It pairs one dynamic driver with three balanced armatures, including a custom treble driver, in a medical-grade resin shell. The compact square shape keeps the fit secure.
The compact square shell keeps the cavity small, so it sits close in the ear. The shell is a DLP 3D-printed medical-grade resin cavity with a CNC anodized metal faceplate. The cable is copper silver-plated, and a custom balanced armature handles the highs.
It also offers a 1DD+3BA hybrid. It was priced above the HS65 Surround and below the JBL Quantum 400 at the time of writing. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the Cloud Stinger 2 comes in at 50mm.
Key specs
- Connection
- Wired, 0.78mm 2-pin
- Design
- In-ear, 1DD+3BA hybrid
- Microphone
- None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 1DD+3BA hybrid
- 3D-printed cavity
- 0.78mm 2-pin cable
Cons
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the Cloud Stinger 2 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
JBL Quantum 400
The JBL Quantum 400 stands out for a Discord-certified game and chat balance dial, and it adds JBL QuantumSURROUND and DTS.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Cloud Stinger 2 costs less.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Cloud Stinger 2 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It shares a wired connection with the Cloud Stinger 2; the Arctis Nova 1 goes with a wired 3.5mm connection. Another plus: no charging or pairing needed. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Hexa the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the Cloud Stinger 2 instead: it comes in at 50mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Discord-certified game and chat balance dial
- JBL QuantumSURROUND and DTS
- A Discord-certified game and chat balance dial at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Costs more than the Cloud Stinger 2 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Spatial Audio Headsets
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five headsets on driver size, connection and microphone, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and driver size and microphone are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Cloud Stinger 2 to the JBL Quantum 400, state connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Arctis Nova 1, the Hexa and the JBL Quantum 400 give no driver size; the Cloud Stinger 2 and the JBL Quantum 400 give no microphone.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Cloud Stinger 2 (under $50) to the JBL Quantum 400 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Spatial Audio Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The HS65 Surround: Dolby Atmos support. The Hexa: a 3D-printed cavity. The JBL Quantum 400: JBL QuantumSURROUND and DTS.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Cloud Stinger 2 and the Arctis Nova 1; $50 to $100 buys the HS65 Surround, the Hexa and the JBL Quantum 400 at our last check.
A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor Start from what matters most
Getting DTS Headphone:X spatial audio for the least money: the Cloud Stinger 2. Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone: the Arctis Nova 1. Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone: the HS65 Surround.
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.
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers 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.
How to Choose a Spatial Audio Headset
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting DTS Headphone:X spatial audio for the least money | Cloud Stinger 2 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Arctis Nova 1 |
| Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone | Arctis Nova 1 | A noise-cancelling microphone |
| Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone | HS65 Surround | A flip-to-mute microphone |
| Buyers who want 1DD+3BA hybrid | Hexa | A 1DD+3BA hybrid |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Cloud Stinger 2 costs less | JBL Quantum 400 | A Discord-certified game and chat balance dial at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Cloud Stinger 2, the Arctis Nova 1 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Stinger 2 | 50mm | Wired | Not listed |
| Arctis Nova 1 | Not listed | Wired 3.5mm | Noise-cancelling |
| HS65 Surround | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm, USB | Flip-to-mute |
| Hexa | Not listed | Wired, 0.78mm 2-pin | None |
| JBL Quantum 400 | Not listed | Wired | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Cloud Stinger 2 was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the JBL Quantum 400 the highest ($50 to $100) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Cloud Stinger 2, Arctis Nova 1 |
| About $50 to $100 | HS65 Surround, Hexa, JBL Quantum 400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Cloud Stinger 2 our Lowest Price Here pick?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the Arctis Nova 1. It is aimed at getting DTS Headphone:X spatial audio for the least money.
What extras do the Cloud Stinger 2 and the Arctis Nova 1 include?
The Cloud Stinger 2: DTS Headphone:X spatial audio. The Arctis Nova 1: Tempest 3D audio support on PS5. The HS65 Surround: Dolby Atmos support.
Who should choose the Arctis Nova 1?
The Arctis Nova 1 carries our Noise-cancelling Microphone label for a noise-cancelling microphone. It ranks second of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants a noise-cancelling microphone.
Should I pick the Cloud Stinger 2 or the JBL Quantum 400?
The Cloud Stinger 2 suits getting DTS Headphone:X spatial audio for the least money; the JBL Quantum 400 suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Cloud Stinger 2 costs less.
What else do the Hexa and the JBL Quantum 400 offer?
The Hexa: a 0.78mm 2-pin cable. The JBL Quantum 400: JBL QuantumSURROUND and DTS.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Cloud Stinger 2, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Arctis Nova 1. Look at the Arctis Nova 1 for a noise-cancelling microphone, the HS65 Surround for a flip-to-mute microphone and the Hexa for a 1DD+3BA hybrid if those matter more to you.
Some formats need a licence or app on PC; check before buying.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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