We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want to upgrade the noise isolation on a Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT SE you already own, choose DowiTech Virtuoso RGB; if you need maximum isolation from a headset that goes in your ears rather than over them, choose KZ Axas in-Ear Monitor. These are two very different answers to the same problem — blocking out the room so you can hear the game — and which one is right for you depends entirely on what you already own.
• DowiTech Virtuoso RGB — biggest strength: model-specific replacement earpads that swap onto the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT SE without guesswork, in protein leather over high-density noise-isolating foam.
• DowiTech Virtuoso RGB — biggest trade-off: it is not a headset. Buy it expecting a complete audio product and you'll be disappointed — it's a comfort and isolation upgrade for one specific headset.
• KZ Axas in-Ear Monitor — biggest strength: a deep in-ear seal rated at 37dB of passive isolation, plus tuning developed with e-sports players for positional cues and reload sounds.
• KZ Axas in-Ear Monitor — biggest trade-off: wired only, with a 3.5mm jack, so plugging into a phone without a headphone port means dongles or adapters.
• Who each pick is for: DowiTech if you're keeping your Corsair Virtuoso XT SE and want it quieter and comfier; KZ Axas if you want a standalone, low-profile competitive IEM that shuts the world out.
The DowiTech Virtuoso RGB is a replacement earpad set built for one headset and one headset only: the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT SE. The earcup shape is matched precisely, so installation is a secure, no-slip swap rather than a stretch-and-hope job. If you own that headset and your stock pads have flattened, cracked or started flaking, this is the direct fix.
What it does best is comfort plus isolation. The pads use soft protein leather against your skin, backed by a thick, high-resilience memory foam cushion that conforms to your ears instead of pressing on them. That combination is what makes long sessions bearable — less heat build-up and fewer pressure points than worn-out pads. The high-density noise-isolating foam is the other half of the story: it blocks external noise so you get richer bass and clearer highs, which in practice means fewer distractions and more of the game actually reaching your ears.
Who should buy it: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT SE owners who want better isolation and less fatigue without buying a whole new headset. Who should skip it: anyone who doesn't own that specific headset, and anyone shopping for a standalone gaming audio product. This is a component, not a system. It also carries a one-year warranty against manufacturer defects, and the brand offers support for compatibility, quality, installation and material questions — worth knowing if you're unsure whether your model matches.
The KZ Axas is a wired in-ear monitor aimed squarely at competitive gaming. Its headline number is 37dB of passive isolation from a deep in-ear seal and quality tips — the kind of figure that over-ear headphones simply don't reach. It's a 10mm dynamic driver with 20 ohm impedance, 107dB sensitivity and a frequency response up to 20kHz, so it's easy to drive from a normal 3.5mm output without extra amplification.
The tuning is the interesting part. It was developed with professional e-sports players, with bright highs and precise spatial imaging. A slightly boosted upper-mid range makes reload sounds pop, while controlled bass keeps footsteps from getting buried under explosions — exactly the frequency balance you want for positional audio in shooters. Because the sound fires directly at your eardrum, the presentation is intimate and cues are easy to place.
Comfort is handled with an ear-hook design and a light build, so you can wear them for hours with minimal fatigue — a real advantage over over-ears that trap heat. The detachable 3.96ft silver-plated cable can be swapped or upgraded and works with KZ Bluetooth modules, and there's a 3.2ft extended cable in the box for desktop play. It's wired 3.5mm, with USB-C options for phones, tablets and laptops that lack a headphone port. Every part is serviceable, backed by a three-year warranty.
Who should buy it: competitive FPS players who want maximum isolation and positional clarity, plus anyone who finds over-ear headsets hot and heavy. Who should skip it: people who want wireless freedom out of the box, or who dislike things sitting deep in their ears.
• Best for raw noise isolation → KZ Axas in-Ear Monitor. A 37dB passive seal beats what a pad swap on an over-ear can achieve.
• Best for upgrading gear you already own → DowiTech Virtuoso RGB. It exists purely to improve the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT SE.
• Best for competitive FPS positional audio → KZ Axas. The e-sports tuning and direct-to-eardrum delivery are built for cue placement.
• Best for long-session comfort on an over-ear → DowiTech Virtuoso RGB. Protein leather plus memory foam reduces heat and pressure points.
• Best for a complete, standalone product → KZ Axas. DowiTech is a component; the KZ is a ready-to-use headset with cables and tips.
• Best for repairability and long-term ownership → KZ Axas. Detachable cable, serviceable parts and a three-year warranty.
• Best for plug-and-play across consoles, PC and mobile → KZ Axas. Any 3.5mm device works, with USB-C options where needed.
• Best if you hate anything inside your ear canal → DowiTech Virtuoso RGB. Over-ear pads, no deep seal required.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the KZ Axas in-Ear Monitor. In my opinion it's the stronger answer to the "block out the room" problem, because 37dB of passive isolation and e-sports-oriented tuning do more for competitive focus than improving pads on a headset you already own. The only reason to pick the DowiTech instead is if you specifically own the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT SE and want to keep using it — in that case, the pads are the smarter, cheaper-feeling upgrade. For everyone starting fresh, the KZ wins.
what is noise isolation headphones
Noise isolation means blocking outside sound physically rather than electronically. The KZ Axas achieves it with a deep in-ear seal and tips for 37dB of passive isolation; the DowiTech pads use high-density noise-isolating foam around your ears. Neither relies on active electronics.
are noise cancelling headphones good for gaming
That's a different technology from what's here. Neither product uses active noise cancelling — the KZ Axas uses passive isolation and the DowiTech uses isolating foam. Passive isolation is often preferred for gaming because there's no processing to alter the sound you're hearing.
what are the best noise cancelling gaming headphones
For isolation-first gaming, the KZ Axas is my pick: 37dB of passive isolation, e-sports tuning and a light ear-hook fit. If you already own a Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT SE, the DowiTech pads are the better move. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
are there noise cancelling gaming headphones
Yes — though strictly speaking these are noise-isolating, not active noise cancelling. The KZ Axas is a wired 3.5mm IEM with a 37dB seal, and the DowiTech is a pad set for one specific Corsair headset. Both reduce what you hear from the room around you.
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