tldr; Aurvana Live!/SE: Budget king for pinpointing footsteps in FPS games. Mic quality questionable, but soundstage is the meta for competitive play.
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Best praise vs top criticism for Creative Aurvana Live!
“Ready the pinned pc38x review. You'd also want something like a fulla 3 with it. **Competitive fps headsets:** Comp FPS category just means a focus on positioning and footsteps. All recommendations still have a focus on audio quality but will make some sacrifices for better comp fps performance. The sound signatures will mostly be Bright, often with a forward midrange and recessed low end. If bright is highlighted it means it is very bright and if v-shaped is listed it means there is normally too much bass but no better available alternative. **Auto message, please respond for more info.** 1. Pure FPS (Best for comp fps) 2. Warm FPS (Has added warm hump) 3. Music FPS (Sacrifices performance for more music performance but can still perform very well in fps) 4. Bassy FPS (Needs the bass turned down for fps) 5. Do note, for closed-back I don't have all labeled as I'm still working through that all. 6. Prices do not include the mic. 7. VMBP = Vmoda Boom Pro 8. HS = Headset, noting it has a built-in mic. 9. All of the non-VMBP compatible mics should be paired with an Antlion Mod-Mic. **Competitive fps recommendations:** **Open-Back** |*Name*|*Recommended Price*|*Sound Signature*|*Notes:*| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Koss KSC75/[Ksc75X](https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-koss-ksc75x-on-ear-headphones?utm_source=linkshare&referer=2VXGQC)|$25USD||About the only thing, I'd use for comp fps under $50. **Attached Cable :(**| |Phillips SHP9500 + VMBP|$80USD|Pure FPS|Good if you need a low powered all in one, other than that just ok.| |Sennheiser Game One/[PC37x](https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-pc37x-gaming-headset?utm_source=linkshare&referer=2VXGQC) **HS**|$130USD|Warm FPS|Best overall all in one, a slightly less detailed but less warm HD599.| |Audio Technica AD500x/AD700x|$120USD|Pure FPS|Some of the best FPS headphones at any price. **Attached Cable :(**| |Audio Technica ADG1x **HS**|$200USD|Pure FPS|An AD700x(ish) with a built-in mic, worse cable. **Attached Cable :(**| |Audio Technica AD900x|$150USD|Music FPS|An AD700x with more bass, ore upper mid-range, and less treble. **Attached Cable :(Discontinued**| |Sennheiser HD599|$160USD|Warm FPS|When on sale some of the best value headphones on the market, with a bit EQ lowering its warmth, it can be a killer Pure FPS headphone for those who are a bit treble sensitive.| |[Sennheiser HD58x](https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-headphones?utm_source=linkshare&referer=2VXGQC)|$160USD|Music FPS|A cross between an HD599 and an HD650. From an HD599 you get more sub-bass and less warmth, and a more even mid-range. But loses its soundstage and images like an HD650.| |[Hifiman HE4xx](https://drop.com/buy/drop-hifiman-he4xx-planar-magnetic-headphones?utm_source=linkshare&referer=2VXGQC)|$180USD|Warm/Music FPS (Pure Music Potential)|With EQ you get next-level bass at this price thanks to the planar drivers. Something about the staging can throw many off in games. It can be a great in-between opt”
“If you need wireless check the wireless guide. The arctis 9 isn't good avoid at all cost. The stealth 700 is just meh. Not terrible but not great. **Competitive fps headsets:** Comp FPS category just means a focus on positioning and footsteps. All recommendations still have a focus on audio quality but will make some sacrifices for better comp fps performance. The sound signatures will mostly be Bright, often with a forward midrange and recessed low end. If bright is highlighted it means it is very bright and if v-shaped is listed it means there is normally too much bass but no better available alternative. **Auto message, please respond for more info.** 1. Pure FPS (Best for comp fps) 2. Warm FPS (Has added warm hump) 3. Music FPS (Sacrifices performance for more music performance but can still perform very well in fps) 4. Bassy FPS (Needs the bass turned down for fps) 5. Do note, for closed-back I don't have all labeled as I'm still working through that all. 6. Prices do not include the mic. 7. VMBP = Vmoda Boom Pro 8. HS = Headset, noting it has a built-in mic. 9. All of the non-VMBP compatible mics should be paired with an Antlion Mod-Mic. **Competitive fps recommendations:** **Open-Back** |*Name*|*Recommended Price*|*Sound Signature*|*Notes:*| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Koss KSC75/[Ksc75X](https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-koss-ksc75x-on-ear-headphones?utm_source=linkshare&referer=2VXGQC)|$25USD||About the only thing, I'd use for comp fps under $50. **Attached Cable :(**| |Phillips SHP9500 + VMBP|$80USD|Pure FPS|Good if you need a low powered all in one, other than that just ok.| |Sennheiser Game One/[PC37x](https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-pc37x-gaming-headset?utm_source=linkshare&referer=2VXGQC) **HS**|$130USD|Warm FPS|Best overall all in one, a slightly less detailed but less warm HD599.| |Audio Technica AD500x/AD700x|$120USD|Pure FPS|Some of the best FPS headphones at any price. **Attached Cable :(**| |Audio Technica ADG1x **HS**|$200USD|Pure FPS|An AD700x(ish) with a built-in mic, worse cable. **Attached Cable :(**| |Audio Technica AD900x|$150USD|Music FPS|An AD700x with more bass, ore upper mid-range, and less treble. **Attached Cable :(Discontinued**| |Sennheiser HD599|$160USD|Warm FPS|When on sale some of the best value headphones on the market, with a bit EQ lowering its warmth, it can be a killer Pure FPS headphone for those who are a bit treble sensitive.| |[Sennheiser HD58x](https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-headphones?utm_source=linkshare&referer=2VXGQC)|$160USD|Music FPS|A cross between an HD599 and an HD650. From an HD599 you get more sub-bass and less warmth, and a more even mid-range. But loses its soundstage and images like an HD650.| |[Hifiman HE4xx](https://drop.com/buy/drop-hifiman-he4xx-planar-magnetic-headphones?utm_source=linkshare&referer=2VXGQC)|$180USD|Warm/Music FPS (Pure Music Potential)|With EQ you get next-level bass at this price thanks to the planar drivers. Something about the stag”
962 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 2/24/2026