After reviewing quite a few gaming headsets over the past few years, I know what to expect from a microphone. Usually, they are clear enough for gaming chats, but that's it. If you want quality and tone in your voice, most headset mics will fall short. That's why many streamers use a separate microphone setup with a boom mic and mixer. Audio-Technica is changing this situation with its new StreamSet gaming headset.

Audio-Technica is a brand known for making high-quality audio products, and they prove it with the ATH-GDL3 gaming headset (opens in new tab), which offers great immersive and clear sound.

The new StreamSet gaming headset looks a bit different. Instead, it uses the ATH-GDL3 (opens in new tab) and combines it with the recording technology used in the Audio-Technica 20 Series (opens in new tab) microphones.

The ATH-GDL3 is known as a lightweight but high-performance wired headset weighing only 220 grams. It is on the cheaper side and is said to feel it, but otherwise it is a great open-back headset that clearly prioritizes sound. In addition, this variation comes with multiple ear cuffs, making it comfortable for extended gaming sessions.

The microphone on this headset is supposed to be high-performance with an included pop filter, but that's about it. As with most gaming headsets, the microphone is certainly not a selling feature and will not compare to a decent desktop microphone; the inclusion of a condenser microphone based on the Series 20 microphone must be a big win for voice recording quality.

Pushing for a better built-in condenser is a good thing, as a good headset mic has many advantages. The mic has a flip-to-mute boom, which is always appreciated. There's nothing cooler than saying to all your friends, "Hold on a sec," and then flipping the mic up dramatically.

It's also handy for streamers who aren't near a desktop mic. You should be able to catch the moment when they jump up and down in excitement, clear as day, thanks to the microphone not being too far from their face. You don't have to worry about accidentally moving out of range, and you have one less thing to worry about buying a nice headset mic and installing it on your desk.