We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-20 · 5 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired, USB-based gaming headset with virtual 7.1 surround sound and a boom mic for team chat, choose Generic 7.1; if you need wireless over-ear headphones with hybrid active noise cancellation, 60 hours of battery, and a foldable travel design, choose Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Headphones.
• Generic 7.1 — biggest strength: Virtual 7.1 surround sound with 50 mm drivers and a noise-cancelling boom mic, built for PC and console gaming.
• Generic 7.1 — biggest trade-off: Wired USB only, so it ties you to a PC, laptop, or PS4/PS5 console and won't pair with a phone for everyday listening.
• Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Headphones — biggest strength: Hybrid ANC with three sound modes, Bluetooth 5.4, and up to 60 hours of battery in a foldable over-ear design.
• Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Headphones — biggest trade-off: Wireless only with no headphone jack, so there's no wired fallback and no boom mic for competitive gaming chat.
• Pick Generic 7.1 if you game at a desk or console and want positional audio plus a dedicated mic.
• Pick Cubitt Power Headphones if you want one pair for commuting, flights, work calls, and all-day wireless listening.
The Generic 7.1 is a purpose-built gaming headset. Its headline feature is virtual 7.1 surround sound, which you switch on when you want directional audio — the kind that helps you tell whether footsteps are coming from your left or behind you. That's paired with 50 mm dynamic drivers, a size that generally moves more air and produces fuller bass than smaller drivers. If you play shooters or any game where positional awareness matters, this is the feature you're paying for.
Around that core, the design is practical for long sessions. It uses a soft headbeam and memory protein earmuffs, and the headband is built to resist bending and deforming. There's an in-line controller for volume, mic on/off, and LED light on/off, plus a one-key mic mute when you don't want to be heard. The noise-cancelling microphone is tuned to cut background noise and pick up your voice clearly for real-time team chat. Connectivity is wired USB, and it's compatible with PC (Win7, Win8, Win10), PS4/PS5 consoles, laptops, and other devices with a USB port.
Who should buy it: desk and console gamers who want surround sound, a boom mic, and inline controls without dealing with charging. Who should skip it: anyone who wants wireless freedom, Bluetooth pairing with a phone, or a headset for commuting. The wired USB connection and gaming-first tuning make it a poor fit for travel and casual mobile listening.
The Cubitt Power Headphones are the opposite kind of product: a wireless, travel-oriented over-ear pair. The standout spec is battery life — up to 60 hours on a single charge, with fast USB-C charging to cut downtime. That's the kind of number that means you can take them on a week-long trip and not think about the charger. Bluetooth 5.4 handles pairing with iOS, Android, laptops, and other devices.
The second big feature is hybrid active noise cancellation with three modes: ANC On, ANC Off, and Transparency. ANC On blocks out engine drone and office chatter; Transparency lets the world back in so you can hear a boarding announcement or a colleague without removing the headphones. For calls, there are four microphones with noise-reduction processing, which is a serious step up from a single mic and should keep your voice clear in busy environments.
The build leans premium: a stainless steel enclosure, a foldable compact design, and an over-ear fit aimed at study, work, and travel. It's rated for ages 12 and up. Who should buy it: commuters, remote workers, students, and frequent flyers who want one pair for music, podcasts, and calls. Who should skip it: competitive gamers who need a boom mic and low-latency positional audio — there's no jack and no gaming mic here.
• Best for gaming and positional audio → Generic 7.1. Virtual 7.1 and 50 mm drivers are built for it.
• Best for battery life → Cubitt Power Headphones. Up to 60 hours versus a wired headset that never needs charging but never leaves the desk.
• Best for noise cancellation → Cubitt Power Headphones. Hybrid ANC with On, Off, and Transparency modes.
• Best for team chat on PC or console → Generic 7.1. The noise-cancelling boom mic and one-key mute are made for it.
• Best for travel and commuting → Cubitt Power Headphones. Foldable, lightweight, wireless, and no cable to snag.
• Best for calls in busy places → Cubitt Power Headphones. Four microphones with noise reduction beat a single gaming mic for voice pickup.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → Generic 7.1. Wired USB means no pairing, no charging, no latency.
• Best for listening across phone, tablet, and laptop → Cubitt Power Headphones. Bluetooth 5.4 covers more devices than a USB-only headset.
In my opinion, these two aren't really competitors — they solve different problems. If your priority is winning games with directional audio and clear team chat, I'd buy the Generic 7.1; it's the more focused tool for that job. If you want one pair of headphones for commuting, flights, work calls, and everyday wireless listening, I'd buy the Cubitt Power Headphones — the 60-hour battery, hybrid ANC, and four-mic calling are hard to argue with for that use case. Buy the one that matches how you'll actually spend your hours. If you're still weighing it up, check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
No. It's a wired USB headset, so it connects to PCs, laptops, and PS4/PS5 consoles with a USB port rather than pairing over Bluetooth. That means no charging, but also no phone use on the go.
Yes. It uses four microphones with noise-reduction technology for voice clarity, which suits calls and meetings. It doesn't have a boom mic, so it's less ideal for competitive gaming chat.
The Cubitt Power Headphones, clearly. It has hybrid active noise cancellation with three selectable modes. The Generic 7.1's noise handling is limited to its noise-cancelling microphone, which cleans up your voice rather than blocking sound around you.
You can connect them over Bluetooth, but there's no boom mic and no virtual surround feature, so they're a weaker fit for competitive play than the Generic 7.1. They're better suited to casual listening, travel, and work.
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