Best Headsets for Podcasting – In a nutshell, podcast headsets are of the utmost importance when putting together a decent podcast studio. The headsets you’re likely to come across at your local department store are perhaps not the best, which is why a good quality headset is needed. When choosing good quality headphones for podcasting, like the Audio-Technica BPHS1 or Sennheiser HMD 300 Pro-XQ-2 for instance, concentrate on professional-grade podcast gear.
Recording without headphones is like audio Russian roulette—you might get away with it sometimes, except when you don’t, and you end up with an audio issue you can’t reverse.
The good news is, as with a lot of podcasting equipment, spending top dollar usually isn’t necessary. And much of the time, an inexpensive or moderately priced piece of equipment is entirely sufficient for the needs of even a professional-level podcaster.
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For most digital audio creators, both the Audio Technica m20x or m30x is a great option and suit just about any price point. For those willing to spend a bit more on ergonomic features and foldability, delivers everything you need.
1.Audio-Technica
Pros & Cons
- Microphone features polar pattern and frequency response tailored for natural, highly intelligible vocal reproduction
- Closed-back circumaural ear cups help seal out crowd noise and other background distractions comfort
- Neodymium magnets in microphone and headphones for high output level & detailed sound reproduction
- Rugged design with user-replaceable cable and ear pads
- Cardioid pickup pattern of the dynamic microphone rejects off-axis sounds
2.Bose QuietComfort
Pros & Cons
- 2-in-1 gaming headset — The first headset from Bose engineered for both wired gaming and wireless lifestyle use. Play everything from the latest games to your favorite music with these 2-in-1 headphones.
- World-class noise cancelling gaming headset — With best-in-class noise cancelling technology, the QC35 II Gaming Headset clears away noisy distractions so you can focus on your games, music, or work.
- Comfortable gaming headphones — Made using materials specially selected for their comfort and lightweight to enjoy hours of marathon gaming.
- Detachable boom mic — The QC35 II Gaming Headset includes a removable gaming module that adds a boom mic and mic mute that plugs in or out via the 2.5 millimeter jack in seconds.
- Noise-rejecting mic — As wired gaming headphones, the Discord and TeamSpeak-certified boom mic rejects noise so teammates hear you loud and clear. In lifestyle mode, the built-in mic system provides clear calls, even in noisy environments.
- PC desktop controller — Delivers fluid control to lower or raise master volume and cycle through 4 levels of mic monitoring — this lets you hear your own voice and ensures you’re not shouting at teammates.
- Built-in voice assistants — Optimized for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant in wireless lifestyle mode.
- Modern design — With a Triple Black design and Copper accents, the Bose QC35 II Gaming Headset has a crisp yet bold look that you can wear anywhere.
- Universally compatible — Compatible with major gaming platforms including PCs, laptops, consoles, and mobile devices.
3.Sennheiser PC
Pros & Cons
- Value for money. Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Noise canceling clarity
- USB Plug and Play
- Keep one ear free
- Light and comfortable; Connectivity Technology: Wired USB
- Frequency Response - 42 - 17000 Hz , Impedance - 32 ohm
- Included components: Sennheiser PC 7 USB, USB sound card
4.OneOdio
Pros & Cons
- 【Outstanding response frequencies】Carefully tuned and tested for the most natural sound, which will help instruments and vocals sound more life-like, ensure that the high notes are not distorted as well, ideal for casual listening , music production, recording, monitoring, mixing
- 【50mm neodymium drivers】Get the impactful bass and clarity out of the 50mm neodymium drivers, the high never too loud or piercing. Create a full sound you will hear nuances in music like never before through the OneOdio wired headphones
- 【Superior noise isolation, Maximum comfortable】The earshell are engineered to tilt at 15 degrees and soft elliptical earmuff fit your ear’s natural geometry to perfectly wraps your ears to guarantee comfortable and tight&prevent music leaks and isolate noise. The headband Filled with memory-protein cotton can be stretched to the size you want
- 【Detachable 3.5mm/6.35mm Cable, No more Adapter】Come with a detachable standard-sized 6.35mm plug and a 3.5mm plug are included. DJ style coiled cord (9.8ft Stretched) easily reaches from the TV or stereo to your favorite chair. Another Cable with line-in mic, call and communicate on-line at any time.
- Works with iPad/iPod/iPhone/Android/PC/AMP and many other audio devices. High-quality sound&supreme durability and maximum comfort for home/studio/on-line video/vocal microphone. These are the headphones you've been looking for
5.Sony MDR7506
Pros & Cons
- Neodymium magnets and 40 millimeter drivers for powerful, detailed sound
- Closed ear design provides comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises
- 9.8 foot cord ends in gold plated plug and it is not detachable; 1/4 inch adapter included
- Folds up for storage or travel in provided soft case
- Frequency Response: 10 Hertz to 20 kilohertz
- These large diaphragm, foldable headphones feature a rugged construction, a secure, highly effective closed ear design
- Connectivity technology : Wired
6.Skullcandy
Pros & Cons
- ALL-DAY FREEDOM: Grind Wireless lets you take more phone calls and rock late into the night with 12 hours of battery life and the wire-free wonderfulness of Bluetooth wireless streaming.
- ALL-DAY COMFORT: Premium materials like the solid metal headband, plush on-ear pillows and Supreme Sound audio make slipping into Grind Wireless a stupefyingly comfortable experience.
- ALL-DAY CONVENIENCE: Life should be easy, so the built-in controls on Grind Wireless are dead simple. Play and pause music, answer and end calls, skip tracks and adjust volume with just three buttons.
- SUPREME SOUND: 40mm audio drivers tuned with Skullcandy's Supreme Sound make all types of music sound equally impressive.
- BACK-UP AUX CABLE: If you've transcended the need to sleep and your 12-hour battery needs charging, just plug in the included AUX cord with microphone and remote and never miss a beat. Battery fully recharges in just 2.5 hours.
7.Panasonic ErgoFit
Pros & Cons
- WIRED IN EAR HEADPHONES: Perfect for exercising; With 3 sets of ear pads (S/M/L), headphones stay in your ears while keeping surrounding noise out
- ERGOFIT DESIGN FOR PERFECT FIT: Ultra soft ErgoFit in ear earbud headphones conform instantly to your ears (S/M/L earpads included for a perfect fit)
- SMARTPHONE COMPATIBLE: Panasonic in ear headphones with integrated microphone and remote are compatible with Apple (iPhone / iPod / iPad), Android and Blackberry Audio devices
- IN-EAR STEREO AUDIO : Tonally balanced audio with crisp highs and deep low notes, plus wider frequency response and lively sound quality for recorded audio
- EXTENDED HEADPHONE CORD : Long, 3.6 feet cord threads comfortably through clothing and bags making it easy to connect
8.Harman Kardon
Pros & Cons
- Bluetooth enabled connectivity with NFC provides 100 percent independence, device compatibility and freedom of movement
- Ear cup mounted sensors for easy access, touch sensitive control
- 30 millimeter drivers and neo transducers deliver refined sound quality across all frequencies
- Sleek, head turning design incorporates a premium, stitched leather, stainless steel body and sliders
- Unique fold flat function enables headphones to fit in their ultra slim pouch for secure portability
9.Bowers & Wilkins P5
Pros & Cons
- P5 Wireless combines the fantastic sound of P5 Series 2, with advanced Bluetooth streaming for unrivalled wireless acoustic performance. Impedance : 22 ohms (passive)
- Using high quality Bluetooth aptX, P5 Wireless allows you to stream Hi-Fi quality music from your smart phone, tablet or computer
- An incredible battery life of 17 hours of wireless playback between charges. P5 Wireless charges via USB and if you want to save your battery, it also comes supplied with a cable.
- P5 Wireless features drive units based on the award winning P7, designed with a diaphragm like traditional loudspeakers, resulting in more precise diaphragm movement and amazing sound quality.
- Bowers & Wilkins has more than five decades of experience creating the world's best loudspeakers, and they've put that expertise into the P5 Wireless for a stunning pair of headphones
10.Jaybird X2
Pros & Cons
- Premium Bluetooth Audio For Skip-Free Music Outdoors
- Premium Bluetooth Audio For Skip-Free Music Outdoors
- 8 Hours of Music + Calls With Complete Remote Controls
- Secure Over / Under-Ear Fit Options
- Sweat-proof / Micro USB charging port
- Includes Comply Premium Sport Ear Tips, Ear Fins, Cord management clips & Micro USB charging cable (Accessories colors and combinations may vary)
Best Headsets for Podcasting – BUYER’S GUIDE
Comfort: Do they have ear pads? Are they heavy? Could you wear them for more than an hour without being uncomfortable?
• Portability: This feature is mostly important for traveling podcasters who do remote recordings and need a foldable, compact podcast kit.
• Frequency range: Headphone frequency response is the range of sound that the headphones will pick up and reproduce. We suggest looking for headphones with a range of 20 Hz- 20 kHz—anything with a wider range is unnecessary for spoken word (and more expensive, too).
• Durability: Usually, a quick scroll through some reviews and a little research into the headphones in question can give you a good idea of how long they’ll last before they start to breakdown.
• Noise canceling: Noise cancelling is a feature that has its advantages, but isn’t really needed for podcast audio. Too much noise cancellation can misrepresent the audio and also comes with a hefty price tag for a feature that isn’t necessary for podcasters anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a podcast headset?
Simply put, a podcast headset is a 2-in-1 piece of audio equipment that combines a pair of headphones and a microphone so that you don’t have to purchase and connect too many devices to your mixer or spend a lot of money to set up your studio.
Unlike regular headphones, the best podcast headset will often emphasize the midrange instead of the low or high frequencies since the human speech occupies mostly midrange frequencies.
Why use a podcast headset instead of headphones and microphone?
The most common reason for choosing one piece of equipment over two is to save money. While it’s true that not even the most high-end podcast headsets can beat the production value of a dedicated premium microphone and headset combo, it can still help you record studio-quality work.
Is the microphone more Important?
Both the microphone and headphones are important in a headset. If one component is too flimsy or subpar in terms of audio quality, it can throw off your whole plan for the podcast. You need to hear everything clearly while also recording everything clearly. Otherwise, your recording might sound all over the place, especially with multiple guests, and you may have to spend extra time editing and mixing.
WRAP UP
Over 72% of podcasters use headphones when they record to monitor sound and keep static, volume, and other levels within range. A good pair of headphones is a critical part of capturing consistently quality podcast audio.
As with a lot of podcast equipment, though, there are many options on the market, and it can be hard to know what you need for your particular setup.
To help simplify your search, we put together a list of the top headphones on the market for various podcast setups and price points to help you find a pair that’s best for your specific needs.
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