We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-05 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired USB headset that gives you true virtual 7.1 surround sound with a detachable boom mic for long PC sessions and exercise-friendly durability, choose Cherry HC 2.2; if you need a multiplatform 3.5mm headset that plugs straight into a PlayStation, Xbox or Switch controller and lights up while you play, choose FOXXRAY BAL-67. Both are wired over-ear headsets with 50mm dynamic drivers and passive noise cancellation, so neither relies on a battery that dies mid-workout. But they solve the "surround sound headphones for exercise" problem in two very different ways.
• Cherry HC 2.2 — biggest strength: an integrated USB sound card delivering virtual 7.1 surround sound, plus a detachable microphone and on-cable volume and mute controls. That combination is rare at this tier.
• Cherry HC 2.2 — biggest trade-off: it is USB-only, so it lives on a PC or laptop. There is no 3.5mm jack, which rules out a phone or console controller.
• FOXXRAY BAL-67 — biggest strength: wild device compatibility. A 3.5mm jack plus the included Y-splitter covers PC, PS4, PS5 and Xbox, so one headset follows you across every screen you own.
• FOXXRAY BAL-67 — biggest trade-off: no virtual surround processing of its own and no detachable mic. It is a straight stereo headset, and the LED lighting needs a USB power source.
• Who each pick is for: Cherry HC 2.2 for the PC-first user who wants spatial audio and a mic they can remove; FOXXRAY BAL-67 for the multiplatform gamer who wants one headset that works everywhere.
The Cherry HC 2.2 is built around a single idea: make a PC headset that stays comfortable for hours and sounds wider than its price class suggests. The engine room is an integrated USB sound card paired with 50mm dynamic drivers and a frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. Because the sound card lives inside the headset rather than on your motherboard, the virtual 7.1 surround processing is consistent from machine to machine. In my opinion, that is the detail that matters most if you are chasing the best spatial audio wireless earbuds for exercise and keep getting disappointed — wired surround done properly simply positions audio more reliably than most budget wireless gear.
There is also a software angle. On Windows, Cherry offers optional free software that lets you tweak the sound image live, adjust microphone volume and trigger surround presets from an Audio Center. The microphone detaches completely when you only want to listen. Red illuminated logos on a black plastic body finish the look.
Who should buy it: PC and laptop users who want virtual 7.1 surround, a removable mic and tactile on-cable volume and mute controls in one package. It suits long gaming sessions, video calls and indoor exercise where you are stationary near your machine.
Who should skip it: anyone who needs to plug into a console controller, a phone or a tablet. The HC 2.2 is USB and wired, with no 3.5mm option. If your training setup is a phone in your pocket, this is the wrong tool.
FOXXRAY BAL-67: Who It's For
The FOXXRAY BAL-67 takes the opposite approach: maximum reach, minimum friction. It is a wired 3.5mm headset in white, with 50mm dynamic drivers, 32 ohm impedance, 114 dB sensitivity and a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range. Those numbers describe an efficient, easy-to-drive headset — the kind of load a controller's headphone jack can handle without an amp. That matters if you are the person who wants noise canceling sports earbuds for exercise but also wants a full over-ear set for the couch, and you refuse to buy two things.
Connectivity is the headline. Plug the 3.5mm jack into a PS4, PS5 or Xbox controller and it works. On a PC, you connect the included Y-splitter into separate audio and microphone jacks. The in-line control box handles volume and microphone mute with push buttons, so you are not hunting through menus mid-match. A rotating microphone flips up out of the way when you are not talking.
Two practical details stand out. First, the ear cushions are breathable mesh rather than synthetic leather. For anyone who has finished a session with hot, damp ears, mesh is a genuine upgrade, and it is the single most exercise-relevant feature on this headset. Second, the LED lighting is powered by a separate USB plug — if your device has no USB port, FOXXRAY says to use a power bank, computer or any USB charger. The headset still works without the lighting powered.
Who should buy it: multiplatform players who move between console and PC, and anyone who wants breathable ear cushions for warmer environments. It is also the friendlier pick for younger users, since FOXXRAY lists an age range covering kids and teens alongside adults, and it carries a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Who should skip it: PC users who specifically want virtual 7.1 surround processing. The BAL-67 is a stereo headset with passive noise cancellation only. If surround is the whole point of your purchase, the Cherry does that job and this one does not.
• Best for true virtual surround sound → Cherry HC 2.2. Its integrated USB sound card and 7.1 processing are the reason to pick it.
• Best for console compatibility → FOXXRAY BAL-67. PS4, PS5 and Xbox work straight from the controller's 3.5mm jack.
• Best for PC-only setups → Cherry HC 2.2. USB plus optional Windows Audio Center software for live sound tweaks.
• Best for hot, sweaty sessions → FOXXRAY BAL-67. Breathable mesh cushions beat synthetic leather when things get warm.
• Best for microphone flexibility → Cherry HC 2.2. The mic detaches entirely; the FOXXRAY mic rotates but stays attached.
• Best for easy volume and mute control → Cherry HC 2.2. Tactile controls sit on the cable, and it also has a remote.
• Best for sharing across devices and users → FOXXRAY BAL-67. One 3.5mm headset, ages from teen to adult, one-year warranty.
• Best for travel and portability → Cherry HC 2.2. It folds down and weighs 325g.
If I were buying for myself, I would take the Cherry HC 2.2. Virtual 7.1 surround, a detachable mic, replaceable ear pads and a folding frame make it the more capable headset for PC work, gaming and exercise sessions in front of a screen. The FOXXRAY BAL-67 is the smarter buy only if your priority is one headset that plugs into everything — consoles, controllers and PCs alike — and you value breathable mesh over surround processing. Neither is the wrong answer; they are answers to different questions. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, because that is the one variable that can flip this decision.
FAQ
how to get surround sound headphones
how to test surround sound headphones
Play something with clear directional cues — a game or a film scene where sound moves around you — and listen for whether audio tracks left to right and front to back rather than staying flat in the centre. On the Cherry HC 2.2, you can also compare stereo against the 7.1 preset in its Audio Center software.
how to make surround sound headphones
You cannot convert a stereo headset into a surround one by wiring alone. The FOXXRAY BAL-67's 32 ohm, 114 dB design makes it easy to drive from a controller, but that is efficiency, not spatial audio. For virtual surround, pick a headset like the Cherry HC 2.2 that ships with the processing built in.
how to fix surround sound headphones
Start with the connection: the Cherry HC 2.2 needs its USB plug seated properly, since the sound card lives in the headset. Confirm the surround preset is active in the software rather than defaulting to stereo. If the microphone is the problem, check that it is fully attached before troubleshooting anything else.
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