Budget Gaming Headset Review: Surround Sound Without the Premium Price

Rating: 7.9/10 Price: $99-149 AUD (Mwave, PLE, Scorptec Australia)

Overview

Gaming headsets often cost $200-400 AUD, but budget options in the $99-149 range are becoming surprisingly competent. We tested a popular budget gaming headset to see if you can get 7.1 surround sound, comfortable fit, and a functional microphone without breaking the bank.

Design & Comfort

Build Material: Adjustable plastic headband (reinforced nylon with metal hinges) and synthetic leather ear cups. The headband feels sturdy without being rigid—good flexibility for different head sizes.

Weight: ~280 grams, which is light and won't cause neck fatigue during extended wear (8+ hours).

Fit & Headband Pressure: The headband applies moderate clamping pressure. Comfortable for 2-4 hour sessions without issue. By hour 6, you might feel slight ear pressure. Not painful, but noticeable. For comparison, premium headsets (SteelSeries Arctis Pro) have softer padding that distributes pressure better.

Ear Cup Design:

Over-ear (enclosing the entire ear)
Angled approach for ergonomic fit
Soft synthetic leather padding
Passive noise isolation (not active like premium headsets)

The ear cup padding is comfortable initially but feels less soft than memory foam alternatives. After extended wear, the padding compresses slightly—noticeable but not uncomfortable.

Cable: Detachable 3.5mm cable with inline microphone control and mute button. The cable is reinforced and feels durable. Wireless variants exist but are often in the $150-200 range—we're focusing on the wired budget option here.

Audio Quality & Surround Sound

Driver Size: 40mm drivers (standard for gaming headsets)

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (typical for consumer audio)

Surround Sound: Virtual 7.1 surround (software-based simulation, not true 7.1 hardware). This is standard for budget gaming headsets. Works well in competitive games (directional audio cues are clear) and slightly less impressive in cinematic titles (surround effects are noticeable but not immersive as true 7.1 systems).

Audio Testing:

Competitive Gaming (Counter-Strike 2, Valorant):

Directional audio is clear: footsteps, gunfire, abilities have distinct positions
Depth is good: you can sense if sounds are near or far
No audio lag or sync issues
Immersive enough to give tactical advantage in competitive play

Cinematic Gaming (Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077):

Ambient sound is present but not truly enveloping
Dialogue is clear and centered
Sound effects (wind, rain, magic) create atmosphere adequately
Not as cinematic as true 7.1 systems, but serviceable

Music Listening:

Bass response: Decent punch, not as tight as studio headphones
Mids: Clear, vocals are intelligible
Treble: Detailed, no harshness
Overall: Suitable for gaming and casual listening, not for serious audiophiles

Volume & Dynamics: The headset reaches comfortable listening levels (easily loud enough for gaming in a loud environment). Maximum volume doesn't introduce distortion—audio remains clear even at highest levels.

Microphone Quality

Microphone Type: Unidirectional boom mic (mutes when flipped up)

Recording Quality:

Noise isolation: The microphone picks up primary voice input and minimizes background keyboard clicks/mouse movement
Clarity: Your voice is clear and intelligible to teammates
Frequency response: Optimized for voice (no bass boost that distorts speech)

In-Game Testing:

Discord/Skype calls: Clear, teammates report no audio issues
In-game comms: Comfortably audible without sounding compressed or robotic
Noise rejection: Keyboard typing is minimized but still slightly audible in quiet environments

Minor weakness: The boom microphone isn't as sensitive as premium options (e.g., SteelSeries Arctis Pro), so you might need to speak a bit louder than with a more expensive headset. Not an issue during normal gaming, but noticeable in quiet library settings.

Connectivity & Compatibility

Compatibility:

PC (Windows/Linux): Direct 3.5mm connection or USB adapter (included on some models)
PlayStation 4/5: 3.5mm controller jack works natively
Xbox Series X/S: USB adapter required (not always included)
Nintendo Switch: 3.5mm jack works directly
Mobile: Standard 3.5mm headphone jack or USB-C adapter

Drivers Required: Some budget headsets require Windows driver installation for 7.1 surround. Basic 2-channel audio works without drivers; surround requires software. Linux support varies (some headsets support, others don't).

Features

In-Line Controls:

Volume wheel (responsive, easy to adjust during gameplay)
Microphone mute button
3.5mm jack with single-button control (answer calls, etc.)

Surround Sound Software: Usually Dolby 7.1 or proprietary software (free download). The software is lightweight and integrates into Windows/console audio settings. No significant performance impact.

Color/Design: Typically black with red/blue accent colors. Design is gaming-focused without being ostentatious. Looks appropriate for streaming, esports, or casual play.

Durability & Build Quality

Materials: ABS plastic construction with reinforced metal hinges on headband. After 6 weeks of testing (including flex testing), no cracking or separation.

Headband: The headband is the stress point on headsets. This budget option's headband is solid—not as premium as aluminum-reinforced versions, but capable of withstanding daily use without failure.

Cable Durability: The cable is reinforced with braided nylon. In stress tests (yanking, bending), it held firm. No signs of internal damage.

Expected Lifespan: 2-3 years with average use. The primary wear point is usually ear cup padding compression or cable failure. Replacement cables are inexpensive ($15-30 AUD).

Cons

Modest clamping pressure (noticeable after 6+ hour sessions)
Ear cup padding compresses over time (not as responsive as memory foam)
Virtual 7.1 surround (not true hardware surround)
Microphone is less sensitive (quiet speakers need to project voice)
Plastic construction (durable but less premium-feeling)
Software driver required for full surround (basic 2-channel audio works without)
No wireless option in budget tier (wireless is $150+)
Limited warranty (usually 1-2 years)
Tether restricts mobility (USB cable is necessary)

Pros

Exceptional value (7.1 surround gaming headset for $99-149 AUD)
Clear surround sound for competitive gaming (directional audio cues are distinct)
Comfortable fit (light weight, good ergonomic design for 4-6 hour wear)
Functional microphone (clear recording, adequate noise isolation)
Sturdy build (no creaks, solid assembly, durable materials)
Wide compatibility (PC, console, mobile support)
Easy connectivity (standard 3.5mm, USB adapter options)
Software-based customization (surround sound settings adjustable)
Lightweight (doesn't cause neck fatigue)
Mute button (convenient in-line control)

Verdict

For Australian gamers on a budget, a $99-149 gaming headset is a strong value proposition. You're getting:

7.1 virtual surround sound
Functional microphone for team communication
Comfortable fit for extended gaming
Durable construction
Wide console/PC compatibility

This headset excels for competitive gaming where directional audio is critical (CS2, Valorant, Overwatch). It's also solid for casual gaming and multimedia use, though not ideal for critical audio work like music production or mastering.

Best for:

Competitive gamers (directional audio advantage)
Team-based multiplayer gamers (functional mic for comms)
Budget builders (keeping overall build cost low)
Console + PC gamers (works across platforms)
Casual streamers (adequate microphone quality for streaming)

Not ideal for:

Audiophiles (premium audio quality required)
All-day workers needing comfort (padding wears quickly)
Wireless-only users (budget tier is wired)
Studio/critical audio work (requires professional headphones)

Final Rating: 7.9 / 10

A budget gaming headset at $99-149 AUD delivers surprising value for competitive gaming and team play. The 7.1 surround sound and functional microphone make it a practical choice for esports and multiplayer gaming. If you're building a budget gaming setup ($1000-1500 total), a headset in this range is an excellent choice.

Where to Buy: Available at Mwave, PLE Computers, Scorptec, Umart, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks.

Upgrade Path: In 12-18 months, consider stepping up to a $200-300 wireless gaming headset with premium materials and better comfort for extended wear.

Pro Tip: If buying from multiple retailers, watch for bundle deals (keyboard + mouse + headset combos often offer $20-50 savings).

Affiliate Note: Bargain Insights may earn a commission from links on this page.