How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH — biggest strength: Open-back design with 45 mm drivers and a sub-220-gram build. It's built to spread sound out around you so positional cues stay distinct, and it stays light on your head for long sessions.
• Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH — biggest trade-off: Open-back means it leaks sound both ways, so it's a poor fit for noisy rooms, shared spaces, or anywhere you need isolation. There's also no virtual surround processing — you're relying on the drivers and the open acoustic design alone.
• ASUS TUF Gaming H1 — biggest strength: Virtual 7.1 surround sound, 40 mm ASUS Essence drivers, passive noise cancellation, and a TeamSpeak-certified unidirectional mic. It's a feature-dense, enclosed headset aimed squarely at immersive gaming and clear comms.
• ASUS TUF Gaming H1 — biggest trade-off: At 297 grams it's noticeably heavier than the Audio-Technica, and the enclosed on-ear cups can trap heat over very long sessions. The removable cushions help, but weight is weight.
• Pick the Audio-Technica if you play in a quiet room, want maximum comfort and precise positional audio, and don't mind an open design.
• Pick the ASUS TUF Gaming H1 if you want virtual surround, an enclosed fit, passive noise blocking, and a mic that's been certified for voice platforms.
The ATH-GDL3WH is an open-back gaming headset, and that single design choice shapes everything else about it. Open-back means the earcups don't seal off your ears — sound escapes outward and ambient sound comes in. For gaming, that's the point: an expansive sound field makes it easier to localize an approaching opponent, a distant reload, or a footstep behind you. If you play competitive shooters where audio cues decide fights, that's the quality you're paying attention to. The 45 mm drivers, with a frequency range of 10 to 35,000 Hz, are large-diameter units designed to deliver high-resolution detail across that range.
Who should buy it: players in quiet rooms who want a light, comfortable headset with strong positional audio, and who like the idea of detaching the mic and cable when they're just listening. Who should skip it: anyone gaming next to a TV, a fan, a noisy household, or in a shared space. Open-back leaks sound and lets sound in — that's the trade-off, not a defect. Also skip it if you specifically want virtual surround processing, because this headset doesn't advertise any. Two detachable cables are included: a 3.0 m cable with separate 3.5 mm mic and headphone plugs for PCs, and a 1.2 m cable with a single 3.5 mm TRRS plug for modern consoles. That covers both desk and couch setups without buying anything extra.
ASUS TUF Gaming H1: Who It's For
The TUF Gaming H1 takes the opposite approach: enclose the sound, add processing, and lean into voice chat. It uses 40 mm ASUS Essence drivers paired with virtual 7.1 surround sound, which you toggle on with a button on the in-line control — the idea being that virtual surround gives you a more precise sense of direction during gameplay. The frequency range is listed as 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with the description emphasizing rich, deep bass response. If you like your games to feel big and cinematic, that low-end emphasis is a real draw.
The mic is the other headline. It's a unidirectional analog boom mic that's TeamSpeak-certified, tuned specifically for clear voice communication. If you're in Discord or a similar app every night, a mic designed for that job matters more than most spec sheets admit. The headset connects over USB Type-A, which the description says gives cross-platform support for PCs, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 — note that this is a USB connection, not a 3.5 mm analog jack, so plan your ports accordingly.
Comfort-wise, ASUS lists a 297-gram design with a metal suspension headband for marathon sessions. It's heavier than the Audio-Technica, and the on-ear, enclosed fit means passive noise cancellation — good for blocking out a noisy room, less ideal if you want to hear what's happening around you. The ear cushions are removable and, per the specs, alcohol- and hypochlorous acid-resistant, which is a practical touch if you clean your gear regularly. The styling is anime-themed with teal lighting accents, so it's clearly aimed at buyers who want their setup to look a certain way.
Who should buy it: players who want virtual surround, an enclosed fit that blocks room noise, a confidently tuned mic, and USB plug-and-play on PC or PS5. Who should skip it: anyone who wants the lightest possible headset, prefers analog 3.5 mm connectivity, or plays in a quiet room where open-back immersion would serve them better.
• Best for positional audio → Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH. The open-back design is purpose-built for localizing sounds in an expansive field.
• Best for immersion and bass → ASUS TUF Gaming H1. Virtual 7.1 surround and 40 mm Essence drivers with a bass-forward tuning.
• Best for voice chat → ASUS TUF Gaming H1. Its mic is TeamSpeak-certified and unidirectional.
• Best for long-session comfort by weight → Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH. Under 220 grams versus 297 grams.
• Best for noisy rooms → ASUS TUF Gaming H1. Passive noise cancellation and an enclosed fit keep the outside world out.
• Best for quiet rooms → Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH. Open-back sound needs a quiet environment to shine.
• Best for console flexibility → Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH. It ships with both a PC cable and a 1.2 m 3.5 mm TRRS cable for modern consoles.
• Best for quick mic muting mid-game → Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH. The volume dial and mute switch are built into the left earcup.
In my opinion, I'd buy the Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH. The open-back design, the under-220-gram weight, and the on-earcup controls line up with how I'd actually use a gaming headset: long sessions in a quiet room where hearing direction clearly beats hearing bass loudly. The detachable mic and dual cables also make it more flexible as a daily driver. That said, if you game in a loud space or want virtual surround and a platform-certified mic, the ASUS TUF Gaming H1 is the better call — just go in knowing it's heavier and USB-only. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one thing that can tip the decision.
FAQ
They're headphones with an integrated microphone. Both of these are wired dynamic-driver headsets — the Audio-Technica connects via 3.5 mm (with separate PC and console cables), while the ASUS connects over USB Type-A and adds virtual 7.1 surround processing you toggle from its in-line control.
I don't quote prices here, because they move constantly and depend on where you buy. Check the current price on Amazon for both models using the button on this page, then weigh that against the features you actually need — open-back positional audio versus virtual surround and passive noise cancellation.
Start with your room and your platform. Quiet room and 3.5 mm ports? The Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH fits. Noisy room, USB on PC or PS5, and you want surround plus a certified mic? The ASUS TUF Gaming H1 fits. Then confirm the connection type matches your setup before ordering.
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