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Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
These two products share a keyword — detachable mic gaming headphones — but they are not the same kind of purchase. One is a full headset. The other is a single part. Getting that straight before you buy saves you a return.
• IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4 — biggest strength: a complete over-ear wired headset built around 57mm dynamic drivers, with a boom mic that twist-locks on and off and a 3.5mm splitter in the box.
• IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4 — biggest trade-off: it is a full-size plastic headset weighing around 16 ounces, wired only, with no wireless mode and no rechargeable battery.
• LEFXMOPHY Blackshark V2 — biggest strength: a purpose-built replacement boom mic for Razer BlackShark V2, V2 Pro and V2 SE headsets, with a gold-plated 3.5mm plug, an omnidirectional condenser capsule and a 360-degree bendable steel hose.
• LEFXMOPHY Blackshark V2 — biggest trade-off: it is a mic only. No ear cups, no drivers, no headband — it does nothing on its own.
• Buy the IO CREST if you need one headset that does everything out of the box.
• Buy the LEFXMOPHY if your BlackShark V2 headset still works but the mic is broken, lost or crackling.
The GamesterGear PC200-I is the "one box, done" option. IO CREST builds it around a pair of 57mm dynamic drivers at 32 ohms, with a frequency range of 20Hz to 20KHz. That is a large driver for a gaming headset, and the design intent is obvious: more surface area moving air means more low-end weight in explosions, engines and footsteps. In my opinion, that spec matters most for players who want their games to sound big without adding an amp or a DAC.
The detachable mic is the headline feature here, and it is implemented properly. The boom microphone is secured by a twist lock, so it comes off and goes back on without fiddling with tiny clips. That single detail changes how you use the headset. Pop the mic off and it becomes a plain pair of over-ear headphones for music, video calls on a tablet, or listening on a Mac. Twist it back on and you are back to online chat. The package also includes a 3.5mm four-pole plug and a 3.5mm audio splitter, which is what you need to separate headphone and mic signals on a desktop PC with dedicated jacks.
Comfort gets its own design note. The ear cups float, meaning they are shaped to sit at the angle of your ears rather than clamping flat against your head. Combined with the over-ear fit, that is aimed squarely at long sessions. The shell is ABS thermoplastic, and IO CREST explicitly positions it as surviving a backpack, a desk drop, and general travel abuse.
Who should buy it: PC players who want a wired, no-battery, no-pairing headset that doubles as normal headphones, and anyone who takes their gear between rooms. Who should skip it: anyone who wants wireless freedom, anyone who needs a headset that works with a console mic over a single cable without a splitter, and anyone who prefers a lightweight frame — at 16 ounces this is a substantial piece of plastic. It also ships as adult-oriented gear with a one-year warranty, so it is not marketed as a kids' headset.
This is not a headset. It is a microphone — specifically a replacement boom mic for the Razer BlackShark V2, V2 Pro and V2 SE. If you already own one of those headsets and the mic has been lost, chewed by a pet, or has started cutting out, this is the part that gets you back in voice chat without buying a whole new headset.
The build is modest but sensible. You get a 5-inch (15cm) black steel flexible hose that bends a full 360 degrees, so you can shape it toward your mouth and it stays put. The capsule is an omnidirectional condenser with a foam cover, and the polar pattern means it picks up sound from all around it rather than demanding perfect positioning. LEFXMOPHY lists a signal-to-noise ratio of 60dB and audible noise of 60dB, and describes the mic as offering noise cancellation and enhanced voice clarity. The connector is a gold-plated 3.5mm plug, and it is plug and play — no software, no pairing, no setup.
Compatibility is broad on paper: PC, Mac, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Switch and smartphone, all via that 3.5mm connection. The enclosure materials are foam and steel, and the power source is corded — meaning it draws nothing from a battery because it draws nothing at all beyond the headset's own connection.
Who should buy it: BlackShark V2, V2 Pro or V2 SE owners with a dead or missing mic who want a cheap, straightforward swap. Who should skip it: everyone else. If you do not own one of those specific Razer headsets, this product has no job to do for you. It will not turn a pair of studio headphones into a gaming headset, and it will not work as a standalone mic.
• You need a complete headset today → IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4. Drivers, ear cups, headband, cable and mic all in one purchase.
• You already own a BlackShark V2 and only the mic is broken → LEFXMOPHY Blackshark V2. Replacing the part beats replacing the whole headset.
• You want a mic you can remove for music listening → IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4. The twist-lock boom comes off cleanly.
• You want a mic you can aim precisely → LEFXMOPHY Blackshark V2. The 360-degree bendable steel hose holds whatever position you set.
• You care about low-end punch in games → IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4. 57mm dynamic drivers at 32 ohms are the bigger hardware story.
• You want the simplest possible install → LEFXMOPHY Blackshark V2. Plug and play, no splitter required.
• You want durability against drops and travel → IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4. ABS thermoplastic shell, explicitly designed for backpack life.
• You are on a console and just need voice chat back → LEFXMOPHY Blackshark V2, provided you own a compatible Razer headset.
In my opinion, these are not really competitors — and that is exactly why the choice is easy once you know which problem you have. If you are shopping for a headset, I would buy the IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4. It is the only one of the two that actually plays game audio, the 57mm drivers and floating ear cups are a coherent design for long PC sessions, and the twist-lock detachable mic gives you a second life as plain headphones. I would only pick the LEFXMOPHY Blackshark V2 if a BlackShark V2 already sits on my desk and its mic is the broken part. Repair beats replace. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit either way.
are studio headphones better than gaming headsets
Not automatically. Studio headphones typically focus on flat, neutral sound and usually skip a microphone entirely, while gaming headsets like the IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4 pair larger drivers with an attached boom mic. Which is "better" depends on whether you need voice chat built in.
do all headphones have mics
No. Plenty of headphones are listen-only. The IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4 includes a detachable boom mic, and the LEFXMOPHY Blackshark V2 is itself a microphone replacement rather than a headphone — so neither assumption holds across the board.
can studio headphones be used for gaming
Yes, you can game on them, but you lose the integrated mic and inline controls. A headset like the IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4 includes volume control and a detachable mic, which is why many players prefer a purpose-built gaming headset.
what headphones do pro gamers use
There is no single answer, and no headset guarantees results. What matters is the fit for your setup — a wired over-ear headset with a detachable mic like the IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4 suits players who want one device for game audio and chat.
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See also: IO CREST GamesterGear PC PS4 vs weishan HS60: Detachable Mic, Cypher.V Replacement Cable Cord vs Kikc PS4, yowujp Cat Ear Headphones vs Razer BlackShark V3: PC Gaming