ANC technology has slowly started appearing in gaming headsets after years of being reserved for consumer headphones. No longer exclusive to expensive models from Sony and Bose, active noise cancelation appears across a growing selection of gaming headsets and wireless products. Not all implementations are equal though. Each approach to canceling noise has implications for game audio quality and the type of environmental sounds a headset handles best.
ANC stands for Active Noise Cancellation. This technology reduces unwanted ambient sounds through electronic circuitry rather than physical design alone. Passive noise isolation relies on build quality and materials to block sound. Active systems use processing hardware to cancel out external noise. Gaming headsets with ANC use microphones to monitor your surroundings and generate tones to neutralize unwelcome sounds.
How Phase Cancellation Works in Gaming
Phase cancellation forms the foundation of how ANC works in gaming headsets. Sound consists of acoustic pressure waves that travel through air molecules. These waves have alternating peaks and valleys, similar to ripples in a pond. When two sound waves are 180 degrees out of phase, they cancel each other out as they combine. One wave’s peak aligns with another’s trough.
The basic elements include microphones for capturing ambient noise, circuitry or programming to invert the captured signal, and drivers for transmitting the inverted audio. The system must create anti-noise, a mirror image of unwanted sounds that neutralizes them at the point they reach your ear.
Noise is heard through microphones on your headset, which creates anti-noise through phase inversion. This means the headset creates a noise that is out of phase with the ambient noise it’s picking up, which cancels it out. By creating a mirror image of the ambient noise and then playing it back out of the headphones in phase opposition, the two sound waves then cancel each other out, leaving you with a much quieter environment.
Mechanical vibrations originate sound waves. Those waves carry energy that can be disrupted or neutralized through destructive interference. By capturing external sounds using microphones, analyzing the pattern, and replaying the signal with inverted phase, the opposing peaks and valleys cancel each other. The amplitude reduces, potentially to nothing.
The Process Step By Step
The process happens continuously while ANC activates. Tiny microphones built into the gaming headset listen to sounds in your environment. These could be positioned on the outer housing of the earcups or inside near your ear canal, depending on the system type.
The microphone on the outside of the earcups picks up ambient noise, and the microphone on the inside of the earcups picks up the sound that is being played back through the headphones. The two signals are then sent to a digital signal processor (DSP), which calculates the difference between the two signals.
Internal electronics quickly measure incoming noise. A digital signal processor or dedicated ANC chip maps the noise pattern to what actually reaches inside the headphones. The processor inverts this signal, flipping the wave pattern to create the opposite phase. This inverted audio feeds into your ears through the headphone drivers.
When the original ambient sound and the anti-noise signal meet at your eardrum, they cancel through destructive interference. Background sounds get reduced or eliminated. What you hear is your game audio or silence, depending on whether you’re playing.
Gaming headsets typically achieve between 20-40dB of noise reduction in low frequencies, which can make background sounds like air conditioning, traffic, or household noise sound roughly one-quarter to one-sixteenth as loud. The best ANC gaming headsets achieve 20-25dB of attenuation between 40Hz and 600Hz, effectively blocking the most common household distractions. A considerable amount, though not complete elimination. Even the best systems have limitations.
The biggest issue with ANC is sampling ambient sounds accurately enough to provide the maximum degree of attenuation. Microphones must capture noise precisely, and the phase of the cancellation waveform leaving the drivers needs to perfectly align with the noise phase when it reaches your ear. These systems need fine tuning. You won’t see 100% cancellation.
Types of ANC Systems in Gaming Headsets
Multiple approaches exist for implementing noise cancelation technology in gaming headsets. Where microphones sit and how the system processes signals creates distinct performance characteristics.
Feedforward ANC
Feedforward ANC is arguably the simplest type. Noise-capturing microphones are placed on the outside of the headphones. This positioning works well for gaming earbuds where limited real estate inside the ear canal makes internal mic placement difficult.
Headphones with external microphones use feedforward ANC for the most sensitivity and for blocking midrange frequencies like traffic and speech. External microphone placement offers the best noise sensitivity for mid-frequency sounds. The system can isolate specific sounds like environmental noise for more advanced control. A digital signal processor maps external noise to what the user hears inside the headphones.
However, it’s not as accurate as placing a mic inside the ear cup. Noise canceling properties change between wearers based on fit. A loose seal may allow high-frequency noise to bleed through, which the processing can’t fully account for. For example, a loose fit may allow extra-high-frequency noise to bleed into your mix. Feedforward systems also show more sensitivity to wind howl and other unpredictable sounds. These may actually get amplified rather than canceled as they are not picked up inside the ear cup.
Feedback ANC
Feedback ANC locates the microphone inside the ear cup or within the wearer’s ear for earbuds. Microphones positioned inside a headphone’s ear cup use feedback ANC that reflects the noise the wearer hears more accurately. Picking the right place within the ear cup’s interior presents a new set of difficulties.
The major benefit to feedback ANC is that noise captured by the microphone more accurately reflects the noise the wearer actually hears, regardless of exact positioning and fit variations. You can think of feedback ANC as a self-correcting mechanism. This is handy for blocking low-frequency sounds and is less susceptible to wind howl.
Internal placement means devices can lose some sensitivity to higher frequencies. Less high-frequency sound passes through the physical housing to reach the internal microphone. Processing complexity increases with feedback systems. The internal microphone picks up the user’s audio along with external noise. This requires filtering and correction for the headphones’ frequency profile when worn.
As with all feedback systems, runaway amplification can occur. There’s a small risk of the system picking up its own anti-noise signal and increasing the level of amplification in a bid to cancel it out. This can actually increase the amount of noise or even produce a ringing feedback sound. This is very rare but can happen in models that don’t take adequate precautions.
There’s also less processing time with the feedback design, as it’s working on audio already very close to the ear. As such, feedback ANC is most effective at low frequencies, which have longer wavelengths the system can track more easily.
Hybrid ANC
Hybrid noise cancelation combines feedforward and feedback microphones and processing. As you may have guessed, it combines both approaches to cover all the bases. This offers the best of both worlds.
With hybrid technology, you receive superior noise attenuation across a wider frequency range and lower chances of feedback issues. The system can still function for ambient noise pass-through and sound isolation features while retaining benefits of accurate, tailored cancellation.
The drawback is that hybrid ANC is more expensive to manufacture. Not only are there two microphones but these microphones need to be of high quality to avoid introducing extra noise. More powerful dedicated hardware handles the additional math. Developers also conduct extensive frequency and performance testing to maximize the system during development.
These products make up the premium gaming headset market segment. The investment delivers the best quality ANC available. Some gaming headsets feature four-mic hybrid systems for better performance, using dedicated microphones positioned strategically to detect ambient sounds.
Adaptive ANC
Some newer gaming headsets take things further with adaptive noise canceling. As the name suggests, this mode automatically adjusts the noise-cancelling effect depending on your current environment. All this happens without you doing a thing. They’re designed to adjust ANC levels organically so that you don’t audibly notice big changes.
Different brands call this function by different names, and they all work slightly differently. Inside the device, a processing chip analyzes those incoming sounds. It reads details like the noise’s volume and timing. The ANC system always adapts to changes around you.
More advanced noise-cancelling gaming headsets actually use a larger number of these small microphones to pick up external sounds, in a bid to more accurately determine which sounds need to be cancelled and which you might want to still hear.
Passive Isolation vs Active Cancellation
Passive noise isolation describes a physical characteristic. Closed-back gaming headsets have delivered this since day one. Gaming headsets with passive isolation are just earmuffs with game audio. The simple act of covering the ear canal keeps out unwanted sound. That’s most effective against high frequencies.
Passive noise cancellation is achieved through the use of materials that absorb or reflect sound waves. This can include thick earcups, closed-back designs, and foam padding. Passive noise cancellation is present on most closed-back gaming headsets with varying degrees of effectiveness.
Thick earcups help to block out noise by creating a physical barrier between your ears and the outside world. The thicker the earcups, the more effective they will be at blocking out noise. Closed-back designs also help to block out noise by sealing off your ears from the outside world. Foam padding helps to absorb sound waves.
Many aspects of gaming headset design contribute to passive isolation. Earcup style, padding materials, in-ear seal quality, headband clamping force, internal dampening, driver housing shape and materials all affect how much sound physically blocks before reaching your ear. Compare the passive isolation of closed-back over-ears versus gaming earbuds for example.
Active noise cancellation is an electrical feature requiring power to work. When activated, wireless gaming headphones’ battery drains at a faster rate. This technology leverages processing to improve environmental extremes that headphones and earphones can combat beyond what passive sealing achieves alone.
Built-in processing generates opposing signals to neutralize ambient sounds. The noise you hear inside and outside headphones differs significantly. This difference in sound capture substantially changes active cancelation quality and capabilities between headphone types.
Despite using different approaches, active and passive noise cancellation are actually complementary to one another. The more sound you can passively block, the better ANC technology can cancel the sounds that still make it through. Passive isolation is more critical for blocking chatter in the mid-to-high frequency range. ANC excels at low-frequency droning sounds.
When ANC Works Best for Gaming
ANC gaming headsets work best when noise is low in frequency and constant. Sudden occasional noises still break through. Sharp sounds occur too quickly for even sophisticated systems to analyze, invert, and cancel in real time.
ANC is great at reducing low-frequency, constant sounds like engine hums, air conditioning, or the drone of traffic. Noise canceling is much better at blocking intrusive low-frequency sounds. Gaming headsets rarely benefited from this though, with active noise canceling instead becoming a mainstay of consumer over-ear headphones and earbuds.
High-frequency sounds pose challenges as well. Shorter wavelengths change faster, making them harder to track and neutralize. Most ANC systems focus their effort on low and mid frequencies where they can be most effective.
ANC does not deal with sudden sounds particularly well. Incidental noise like voices, keyboard clicks, or household chatter tends to seep through the algorithm. To dampen incidental noise, you also need good passive isolation, which comes from a good fit.
The technology has advanced considerably though. Modern implementations come very close to effective cancellation as processing power and algorithms improve. You won’t see 100% cancellation, but between 20-40dB of typical noise reduction cuts background sound to a fraction of original volume.
Some users notice pressure sensations when ANC activates. This occurs because the anti-noise signal slightly affects air pressure in the ear canal. Not harmful, but it can feel odd or uncomfortable for certain people. Some people never get comfortable with the sensation of ANC.
Why Gamers Need ANC
Gaming sessions can stretch for hours, but outside noise shouldn’t force you to crank your volume to dangerous levels. Noise canceling gaming headsets offer the perfect solution, blocking distracting environmental sounds while delivering immersive game audio and crystal-clear voice chat.
Crowded rooms, fans, air conditioners, and keyboard chatter create a noise floor that masks critical audio cues. Like any gamer, you want a headset that can do game audio justice. Living on a busy street or dealing with household noise means you need something capable of blocking the monotonous drone of environmental sounds.
With modern life being more frenetic and noisy than ever, active noise-cancelling technology proves more invaluable for gamers. By muting the outside world, ANC gaming headsets let you hear your game audio uninterrupted. They allow you to zero in and focus on gameplay in near silence.
Audio clarity improves significantly in competitive gaming. You can hear detail without turning up volume to compete with external noise. Sound cues can make or break your performance, especially in competitive games. This results in a more immersive listening experience. ANC helps players shut out distractions and stay locked in during matches.
More importantly, it protects your hearing. Active noise canceling allows gamers to protect their hearing by listening at lower volumes. Because you’re canceling noise rather than drowning it out with higher volume, listening happens at quieter, safer levels. Less tiring for extended use. No more continually jacking the volume and permanently damaging your hearing.
An effective pair of noise canceling gaming earbuds can help preserve long-term hearing health. ANC gaming headsets are a great option for those who game frequently in noisy environments. Background noise from roommates, household appliances, or street traffic gets reduced dramatically. This makes long gaming sessions less draining mentally.
ANC gaming headsets can significantly enhance focus and productivity, especially in noisy environments. By reducing background noise, they allow you to concentrate better on your gameplay. This can lead to improved efficiency and fewer distractions.
Many ANC gaming headsets provide versatile options for various situations. Both wireless and wired ANC gaming headsets provide options for various devices and gaming platforms. Adjustable settings let you tailor cancellation levels for different environments. This flexibility ensures optimal performance, allowing you to adjust the settings to suit the surrounding noise levels.
Adaptive modes automatically adjust based on detected noise levels. Some implementations even measure your ear canal’s acoustic response and tune performance to your unique anatomy.
Gaming-Specific Considerations
Microphone Quality and Voice Chat
The microphone quality is key for gaming, as gamers need crystal-clear voice chat to communicate with teammates. Gaming headsets with noise-canceling microphones reduce background noise for clearer communication.
Gaming headsets also feature removable boom microphones that reproduce voices with outstanding quality. Detachable boom microphones disappear completely when not needed. Boom microphones typically offer superior voice pickup compared to integrated designs.
The microphone has what’s called a noise cancellation feature. The entire headset is not noise canceling but the mic will isolate all sound except your voice for team chat.
Sound Quality and Positional Audio
Sound quality is well-balanced for gaming and music. Gaming headsets pack in serious sound quality with powerful and balanced drivers found on more expensive headsets. The drivers deliver clean, detailed sound with good bass depth and precise localization for competitive gaming.
Some headsets come with surround sound capabilities, providing an immersive sound experience that helps you pinpoint enemy movements in games. The headset supports spatial audio for a more immersive gaming experience and helps users hear every audio cue around them clearly.
Gaming headsets with large drivers provide excellent clarity with improved bass precision. Carbon fiber drivers deliver rich, deep sub-bass, natural and articulate mids, and clean highs throughout the audio spectrum. These are top notch for positional awareness as well.
Connectivity and Latency
Gaming headsets use Wireless USB dongles to transmit low-latency audio from the console to your device. You can connect via 2.4GHz wireless dongle, Bluetooth, USB-C wired, or 3.5mm analog. This means compatibility with virtually every gaming platform and mobile device.
The simultaneous connection feature lets you stay connected to Discord on your phone while gaming wirelessly on a console. Most gaming headsets use a low latency 2.4GHz connection, which eliminates lag from gameplay audio.
ANC can introduce a tiny delay, which matters in competitive play. Their 2.4GHz dongles provide rock-solid connectivity. The headset’s 3.5mm jack lets you use it on virtually any console.
When using the stable RF wireless audio through the included USB-C dongle, gamers can enjoy a dynamic audio environment with the location of enemies easily identified.
Battery Life and Comfort
Battery performance varies significantly across gaming headsets. Some premium models deliver up to 70 hours with ANC off or around 35 hours with ANC on. At lower price points, battery life can be far shorter. Check how long the headset lasts with ANC activated, not just maximum rated time.
Battery life with ANC activated differs from maximum rated time. Check specifications for runtime with noise cancellation on. That’s the number relevant for real-world gaming use.
Comfort is another critical factor when choosing a gaming headset. The thick memory foam earpads and adjustable hinges provide excellent comfort even during extended gaming sessions. The strong passive isolation adds another layer of noise reduction for total focus on your game.
Some ear cups have memory foam cushions with an onboard ventilation system. Choose a headset with low clamping force and breathable materials to enhance long-wear comfort.
The swiveling earcups and soft memory foam cushions help form a secure seal for better sound isolation. Look for options that offer adjustable headbands, padded ear cushions, and lightweight materials to ensure comfort during long listening sessions.
Shopping for ANC Gaming Headsets
Finding a gaming headset that offers legitimate noise cancelation is often frustrating. While manufacturers seldom discuss the technical details of their noise-canceling systems, understanding the main types helps inform purchasing decisions. If you experience feedback issues or insufficient high-frequency cancellation, you may want to switch from the feedback to the feedforward type. Alternatively, noise cancelation that seems a bit temperamental could be a sign to switch from feedforward to something else.
While not an automatic guarantee of quality, keeping an eye out for hybrid ANC should ensure a nice, quiet listening environment free from issues. It represents the most capable implementation currently available.
Fit and seal quality matter enormously. Even sophisticated ANC can’t overcome poor physical isolation. Ensure earpads fully encompass your ears without gaps for over-ear models. Test different tip sizes for gaming earbuds to achieve proper seal.
How well a gaming headset sits on your head will determine how good the passive noise cancelation is. Gamers who forget to activate ANC may not notice since the earcups form a tight seal on the ears.
Gaming headsets featuring this in-built noise-cancelling technology are generally more expensive than their ANC-lacking counterparts. Toggling ANC on for long periods can diminish your gaming headphones’ battery claims.
Despite having less case real estate to drill and fill, the best active noise-cancelling gaming headsets build on this same design principle and are often equipped with arrays of specialized microphones to deliver vocal clarity that’s a cut above.
Budget matters when shopping for ANC gaming headsets. Passive noise cancellation is generally more affordable than active noise cancellation. Dedicated gaming headsets with strong ANC can be worth the investment if you frequently game in noisy environments.
Look for gaming headsets with adjustable ANC levels. You can fine-tune your noise canceling with adjustable levels via software or on-headset controls. Gamers can toggle the ANC functionality on or off with a physical switch on the earcup.
The Gaming ANC Market
The gaming headset market has been surprisingly slow to embrace ANC technology compared to consumer headphones. While consumer headphones from the likes of Sony and Apple dominate the noise canceling space, dedicated gaming headsets with ANC remain relatively rare.
The landscape is changing though. Manufacturers like Turtle Beach, Razer, SteelSeries, and HyperX are finally bringing noise canceling capabilities to gaming-focused designs. The ANC gaming headset market appears to be expanding.
Premium gaming headphones like those from Sony and Bose sneak into gaming setups. While not designed for gaming, they actually slot in quite nicely for casual gamers. Just don’t expect them to replace a true low-latency gaming headset.
The current selection of ANC gaming headsets pales compared to ANC consumer headphones and earbuds. The burgeoning industry will hopefully bring more flagship noise canceling headsets to fruition.
Bottom Line
Pioneered by companies like Bose and Sennheiser decades ago, active noise cancellation has slowly made its way into gaming headsets. The technology has become more commonplace, making game audio clearer and more enjoyable compared to traditional passive-only designs.
ANC represents an electrical feature that requires power. It works alongside passive isolation achieved through physical design. Together, these approaches significantly reduce ambient noise across frequency ranges.
The technology works best on constant low-frequency sounds. Sudden noises and high-frequency sounds present more challenges. Not complete silence, but a substantial improvement that protects hearing and improves gaming focus.
Like headphone users, gamers stand to benefit from noise canceling headsets. There is less need to crank a headset’s volume to mask distracting environmental sounds during extended gaming sessions.
