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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Avantree C171 biggest strength: Ear-hook, in-ear design with three sizes of eartips, in-line physical controls, and a built-in mic over a single USB-C connection.
• Avantree C171 biggest trade-off: USB-C only — it will not work with Lightning iPhones (11–14), 3.5mm AUX ports, and Avantree notes it may not work with the Samsung S24.
• ZaryMax Gaming Headset biggest strength: Virtual 7.1 surround sound from 50mm dynamic drivers, a detachable boom microphone, and over-ear memory foam comfort for marathon sessions.
• ZaryMax Gaming Headset biggest trade-off: It is a wired, over-ear headset, so it is bulkier and tethered — the opposite of a pocketable sports earbud.
• Pick Avantree C171 if you want headphones with a mic for workouts, commutes, and phone calls from a USB-C device.
• Pick ZaryMax Gaming Headset if you want headphones with a mic for gaming, streaming, and desktop voice chat.
The C171 is a wired in-ear pair that connects over USB-C. That single fact shapes almost everything about it. There is no battery to charge, no pairing to fumble with, and no dongle to lose — you plug it into a USB-C port and you are live. Avantree lists compatibility with iPhone 15 and 16, most Android phones from Samsung and Google, and tablets. It explicitly does not work with Lightning-port iPhones, 3.5mm AUX jacks, and may not work with the Samsung S24.
The design is built around movement. Earhooks hold each bud in place, and the box includes three sets of differently sized eartips so you can dial in the seal. The housing is silicone, which keeps things light — the whole thing weighs about 25g. For running, gym work, or walking the dog, that combination matters more than any spec sheet number. Sound isolation comes from the fit itself rather than active noise cancellation, so you get some natural blocking of background noise without any electronics involved.
Buy it if you want one cable that does music, calls, and voice assistant on a modern USB-C phone or tablet. Skip it if you are on an older iPhone, a laptop with only a 3.5mm jack, or you need over-ear immersion for gaming.
ZaryMax Gaming Headset: Who It's For
The ZaryMax is a different animal entirely. This is a wired over-ear headset with round earcups, a memory foam-padded headband, and 50mm dynamic drivers pushing virtual 7.1 surround sound. The pitch here is positional audio: hearing footsteps, reloads, and movement direction so you can react before you see anything on screen. ZaryMax calls out FPS, battle royale, RPG, and competitive multiplayer as the target genres, and the 7.1 processing is the whole reason that claim holds together.
The microphone is a detachable boom arm. That is a real advantage over a fixed mic — you can position it close to your mouth for clear capture during team chat, streaming, or online meetings, and the boom design keeps it out of the way when you are just listening. ZaryMax lists the mic as flexible and adjustable, so you can angle it rather than live with whatever position the headset shipped in.
Comfort is clearly a design priority. Soft, skin-friendly over-ear cushions are built for breathability, and the lightweight memory foam headband spreads pressure across the top of your head. Anyone who has worn a heavy headset through a four-hour raid knows why that matters. ZaryMax also lists wide compatibility — laptops, desktops, tablets, phones, smart speakers, and televisions — through its 3.5mm jack, with USB-C also mentioned in the product title.
Buy it if you game at a desk, stream, or take long voice calls and want surround sound plus a real boom mic. Skip it if you need something for the gym, something pocketable, or something that will not tangle you to your machine.
• Best for running and sports → Avantree C171. Earhooks plus soft eartips are designed to stay put when you move; an over-ear headset is not.
• Best for gaming audio → ZaryMax Gaming Headset. 50mm drivers and virtual 7.1 surround are built specifically for positional awareness.
• Best for voice pickup in team chat → ZaryMax Gaming Headset. An adjustable detachable boom mic beats an in-line mic for clarity in noisy lobbies.
• Best for phone calls on the go → Avantree C171. In-line buttons answer and reject calls without you touching the phone.
• Best for long sessions → ZaryMax Gaming Headset. Memory foam headband and breathable over-ear cushions are aimed at all-day wear.
• Best for travel and minimal gear → Avantree C171. At 25g with a carrying case, it disappears into a pocket.
• Best for the widest device mix → ZaryMax Gaming Headset. It covers desktops, laptops, tablets, TVs, and phones via its 3.5mm jack.
• Best for USB-C-only phones → Avantree C171. One cable, no adapter, no pairing.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to where you will actually wear the thing. If your priority is headphones with a mic that survive a run and let you answer calls hands-free from a USB-C phone, I would buy the Avantree C171 — the earhook fit, in-line controls, and cable-only simplicity are exactly what that job needs. If you are buying for a desk, a console, or long voice sessions and want surround sound plus a boom mic, I would buy the ZaryMax Gaming Headset instead. Neither is a compromise pick; they are simply built for different rooms.
how to use headphones with mic on pc
Plug the headset in first, then open your sound settings and select it as both the output and the input device. On the ZaryMax, attach the boom mic before you start and set it as the default recording device. The Avantree C171 needs a USB-C port on the PC rather than a 3.5mm jack.
how to connect headphones with mic on pc
For the ZaryMax, use its 3.5mm jack, or USB-C if your machine has that port. For the Avantree C171, connect the USB-C plug directly — there is no pairing step because both are wired. If your PC only has separate mic and headphone jacks, you may need a splitter for the 3.5mm headset.
how to use headphones with mic on phone
The Avantree C171 works with USB-C phones including iPhone 15 and 16 and most Android models, though Avantree notes it may not work with the Samsung S24 and it will not work with Lightning iPhones. The ZaryMax connects to phones through its 3.5mm jack. On either one, the mic becomes the default input once connected.
how to test headphones with mic
Play audio and confirm you hear it in both ears, then use your device's voice recorder or a call to check the mic. On the C171, test the in-line buttons for play, pause, and volume while you are at it. On the ZaryMax, reposition the boom mic and re-test if your voice sounds distant.
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