Sennheiser PC 363D Gaming Headphones

With a brand like Sennheiser attached to this product, not to mention one of the highest price tags we've ever seen for gaming headphones, surely we can be forgiven for expecting a premium product? However, the 363D headphones reinforce the importance of back to back testing with audio products, a test that many of the gushing online reviews of these headphones obviously didn't do.

Though they come with a USB audio device, we first plugged the headphones into our ASUS Xonar D2X sound card to ensure the best possible sound quality. First impressions were of a relatively quiet, demure set of headphones, that sounded warm with a focus on the mid-range. The volume was a bit of an issue, but both Battlefield 3 and Hitman Absolution sounded good with the 363D in place.

And then we plugged in our beloved $150 Audio Technica ATH-A500X headphones. It was as if cotton wool had been removed from our ears. Not only was it a much louder experience, but weapons had a punch and oomph that the 363D's lacked. More sound effects were audible than with the Sennheisers, though the A500X presented a more "gamey- soundscape, whereas the 363D sounded more like real life.

Considering the Sennheisers cost three times as much, there's really no competition — the A500Xis remain our favourite PC gaming headphones. If you prefer a subtle soundstage at low volume the 363D might be the one for you, but if you want to hear every sound effect in pristine detail, they're not worth the incredibly high asking price.

Sennheiser PC 363D High Performance Surround Sound Gaming Headset