Gaming headset suggestions

[MetaMask19]

Hi, so I know this probably gets asked a lot, but I could really use some help.

 

I’ve gone through several headsets over the last few years, and they all seem to die on me after about 1–2 years of use. Here’s my history:

 

• SteelSeries Arctis Pro: Bought on December 30, 2021 — died by July 4, 2022.
• Replacement Arctis Pro: Got on July 28, 2022 — lasted until August 30, 2023.
• Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: Bought shortly after — stopped working by April 17, 2024.
• ASTRO A40 TR + MixAmp: Purchased on April 26, 2024 — and as of June 3, 2025, it’s already dying on me. There’s a buzzing sound in the right ear, and occasionally on the left.

 

 

I take decent care of my gear, so this is getting really annoying.

 

Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a headset that won’t break down in under 2 years? I’ve read or watched just about every review out there, and nothing seems truly reliable.

 

[191x7]

6 minutes ago, MetaMask19 said:

Hi, so I know this probably gets asked a lot, but I could really use some help.

 

I’ve gone through several headsets over the last few years, and they all seem to die on me after about 1–2 years of use. Here’s my history:

 

• SteelSeries Arctis Pro: Bought on December 30, 2021 — died by July 4, 2022.
• Replacement Arctis Pro: Got on July 28, 2022 — lasted until August 30, 2023.
• Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: Bought shortly after — stopped working by April 17, 2024.
• ASTRO A40 TR + MixAmp: Purchased on April 26, 2024 — and as of June 3, 2025, it’s already dying on me. There’s a buzzing sound in the right ear, and occasionally on the left.

 

 

I take decent care of my gear, so this is getting really annoying.

 

Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a headset that won’t break down in under 2 years? I’ve read or watched just about every review out there, and nothing seems truly reliable.

 

Have you considered IEMs?

[MetaMask19]

Just now, 191x7 said:

Have you considered IEMs?

I would prefer something with a mic due to lack of space on my desk 

[Hinjima]

11 minutes ago, MetaMask19 said:

Hi, so I know this probably gets asked a lot, but I could really use some help.

 

I’ve gone through several headsets over the last few years, and they all seem to die on me after about 1–2 years of use. Here’s my history:

 

• SteelSeries Arctis Pro: Bought on December 30, 2021 — died by July 4, 2022.
• Replacement Arctis Pro: Got on July 28, 2022 — lasted until August 30, 2023.
• Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: Bought shortly after — stopped working by April 17, 2024.
• ASTRO A40 TR + MixAmp: Purchased on April 26, 2024 — and as of June 3, 2025, it’s already dying on me. There’s a buzzing sound in the right ear, and occasionally on the left.

 

 

I take decent care of my gear, so this is getting really annoying.

 

Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a headset that won’t break down in under 2 years? I’ve read or watched just about every review out there, and nothing seems truly reliable.

 

My Question is.. What are you doing with the headsets?! 

How do you break or kill so many headsets in such a short amount of time.

I got 23 year old DT770's, still working.. my 6 year old G533 working without issues... My Arctis Nova Pro's show no sign of failing.

I have a pair of JBL headsets that I use at the gym daily for years.. They have gone though hell, still working.

Are you just really unlucky?

 

I am not trying to be rude or mean. Dont take this as an attack on you.

[MetaMask19]

1 minute ago, Hinjima said:

My Question is.. What are you doing with the headsets?! 

How do you break or kill so many headsets in such a short amount of time.

I got 23 year old DT770's, still working.. my 6 year old G533 working without issues... My Arctis Nova Pro's show no sign of failing.

I have a pair of JBL headsets that I use at the gym daily for years.. They have gone though hell, still working.

Are you just really unlucky?

 

I am not trying to be rude or mean. Dont take this as an attack on you.

Well for the arctic it wasn’t a audio quality issue but  they just started falling apart both times and I checked and it seemed like a lot of people had the same issue on reddit so I decided to switch to the beyerdynamic since I saw a lot of streamers/YouTubers use it so I was like they’re probably good but it had audio issues and just died out so I switched again to Astro since I saw a lot of people on forums said these are the best gaming and unfortunately now it says to buzz.

 

just to give some extra context if you’re wondering i don’t like smash the headsets nor drop them so I don’t believe it could be because of that and the cable doesn’t get ran over with my chair also so i genuinely don’t know why this happens

[podkall]

29 minutes ago, MetaMask19 said:

I’ve gone through several headsets over the last few years, and they all seem to die on me after about 1–2 years of use.

Skill issue?

 

30 minutes ago, MetaMask19 said:

Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a headset that won’t break down in under 2 years? I’ve read or watched just about every review out there, and nothing seems truly reliable.

Logitech might do it, but it's hard to tell what "taking decent care" actually means.

[191x7]

27 minutes ago, MetaMask19 said:

Well for the arctic it wasn’t a audio quality issue but  they just started falling apart both times and I checked and it seemed like a lot of people had the same issue on reddit so I decided to switch to the beyerdynamic since I saw a lot of streamers/YouTubers use it so I was like they’re probably good but it had audio issues and just died out so I switched again to Astro since I saw a lot of people on forums said these are the best gaming and unfortunately now it says to buzz.

 

just to give some extra context if you’re wondering i don’t like smash the headsets nor drop them so I don’t believe it could be because of that and the cable doesn’t get ran over with my chair also so i genuinely don’t know why this happens

I understand the Steelseries and Astro breaking; those are low-quality products like Razer and Logitech, maybe even worse. But what intrigues me is the Beyerdynamic breaking on you. That shouldn't have happened.

 

Maybe Sennheiser HD 560S + a cable with a microphone?

[MetaMask19]

31 minutes ago, podkall said:

Skill issue?

 

Logitech might do it, but it's hard to tell what "taking decent care" actually means.

Decent care meaning I put it on use it for like 4-8 hours and then put it down on my table and then repeat

[OddOod]

Welcome to the forums!
 

1 hour ago, MetaMask19 said:

I would prefer something with a mic due to lack of space on my desk 

Would a mic on an arm be an option? There's a bit of a learning curve (eat the mic) but I've found that it has solved a LOT of my audio issues and it's nice to be able to get just a good pair of cans without having to worry about any other features.
 

 

47 minutes ago, MetaMask19 said:

Decent care meaning I put it on use it for like 4-8 hours and then put it down on my table and then repeat

Something to consider would be a headphone hook, probably wouldn't extend life much, but can't hurt
Also, that sounds like you're getting 3000 hours of life out of these which honestly isn't terrible. 

An option to consider would be buying headphones that have high repairability

 

[podkall]

1 hour ago, MetaMask19 said:

Decent care meaning I put it on use it for like 4-8 hours and then put it down on my table and then repeat

So you don't slam your headset?

 

Do you accidentally let it fall on the ground though?

[makahi]

I've been using the same pair of Corsair Virtuoso Wireless XT for the past few years with no issues. The audio was too neutral for music listening so I use a tuner for that, but it's been great for gaming and the mic has been absolutely wonderful.

[MetaMask19]

15 hours ago, podkall said:

So you don't slam your headset?

 

Do you accidentally let it fall on the ground though?

happens once every couple of years but hasnt happened with the ASTRO A40 nor Beyerdynamic

[podkall]

On 6/4/2025 at 11:05 AM, MetaMask19 said:

happens once every couple of years but hasnt happened with the ASTRO A40 nor Beyerdynamic

If the headphones die electronically with no signs of damage, it might just be unlucky coincidence.

[Cocococo]

The gaming headsets i understand breaking or randomly dying, as for the Beyerdynamics the only idea i have is a hair puncture (it's a problem with the 990 Pro, so there could be some overlap that i'm not aware of) as for getting something new, it depends if you're on PC or console, if you're on console then the best idea i have is a Sennheiser HD560S and a modmic, if you're on PC and are willing to get some kind of external mic then some durable enough USB mic and some headphones like  the Shure 440A and 840A will be more than good enough, the 440A and 840A are a refresh of the Shure 440 and 840, and are built like tanks, the only headphones i can think of that are more durable are the Sennheiser HD25 (but these are super uncomfortable and i'm not huge on the sound) as sme extra piece of mind, Shure's customer support is incredible so if you have any issues they will 100% sort it for you